The Frugal Networker

ProGear™ Vault Case For the Apple iPad mini® 1/2/3
Pelican
$79.99 MSRP. $75.00 Amazon (Prime)

When you first open the ProGear™ Vault Case (Vault) for the iPad mini, you notice that it’s made of very strong plastic. In fact, the company boasts that the construction passes military standards (MIL-STD 810G) for durability. And for all its toughness, it doesn’t add a lot of unnecessary bulk or weight to your iPad mini (8.72″ x 6.71″ x 0.71″ (22.1 x 17 x 1.8 cm).

When your iPad mini is in the Vault, with the lid closed (as shown in the first picture above), it’s fully protected, with the exception of your rear-facing camera. The rear-facing camera is protected by being inset into the product, but there’s no plastic shield between the outside world and your camera lens.

With the Vault lid open (as shown in the second picture above), your iPad mini screen is exposed and vulnerable to drops, spills, scratches, and other mishaps. If you drop it screen down, it will take damage.

The Vault’s construction is very solid and would be difficult to break under all but the harshest conditions. If conditions are harsh enough to break the Vault case, then perhaps you’re in an unhealthy and life-threatening situation yourself.

The hinge is a weak spot for most cases, but this one has two steel bars that run on each side of the hinge. It would take a tremendous amount of force to break that hinge. As I wrote earlier, with the lid closed and secured, your iPad mini is well protected from drops, from objects being dropped onto it, and from minor liquid spills or splashes.

Why it’s Frugal: The Pelican ProGear™ Vault Case is frugal because it protects your iPad mini in all but the harshest conditions and situations. For $75.00, protecting your $349+ investment is a good deal and is a frugal choice.

The Lightning charger port and the 3.5mm jack are both protected via attached rubber “plugs” that prevent damage to these two vulnerable areas when the plugs are in place.

• Military Tough: Tested to Military Specifications (MIL-STD 810G) to survive multiple drops
• Dust Protection: Ingress Protection (IP54) tested to achieve a full seal design against dust and dirt
• Guaranteed For Life: You break it, we replace it…forever.™
• Elastomeric Liner: Absorbs shock and protects electronics
• Screen Protection: Hard cover protects against impact and abrasion
• Dual Axis Hinge: Allows for unlimited viewing angles
• Watertight Seal: Keeps out rain and dust
• Easy, Tool Free Assembly

With the Vault, you could feel comfortable taking your iPad mini outside, to work, on biking trips, on campouts, in the garage, or in the kitchen without much fear of something terrible happening to your iPad. The lid opens all the way (near 360 degrees) to provide a stand for your iPad mini to hold it at a convenient viewing angle while you work with it in a hands free fashion.

Overall, I like the Vault. I think it’s a well made product that’s durable, simple, effective, and priced well considering its materials and construction. It’s available in various colors and also for the iPad Air.

Rating: 8/10

Recommendation: Buy it, but be aware of its exposed camera port and vulnerabilities when open.

About Pelican

Pelican Products, Inc. is the global leader in the design and manufacture of both high-performance case solutions and advanced portable lighting systems. Their products are used by professionals in the most demanding markets including fire safety, law enforcement, defense / military, aerospace, entertainment, industrial and consumer. Pelican™ products are designed and built to last a lifetime. The company operates in 19 countries, with 28 offices and six manufacturing facilities across the globe. For more information, visit www.pelican.com or www.behrmancap.com.