Going Under Water? Use the Aquapac Waterproof Case to Protect your Zune!

Summer is coming! The beach, the sand, the pool and the dust with it! Protecting the Zune player is a lot more difficult on the boat or on the beach than in you living room.

We were looking for a waterproof case for the Zune and we found the Aquapac waterproof case for MP3 players. We contacted the company to ask if the case could be used with the Zune player. Since they didn’t try it before, they could not answer us. Tim Turnbull, Aquapac’s CEO, said let’s send Cliczune a case to see what they think about it and if it fits the Zune or not.

The verdict: It does fit, but not perfectly.

Read our full review of the Aquapac waterproof Zune-MP3 case.

Product category: Zune Case

Description: The case will keep you Zune safe from water, sand and dirt. Designed with a built-in external headphone jack for earphones, the clear front panel allows full operation of controls whilst still inside the case. The case comes with an armband and a neck strap.

Pros:  Real waterproof protection.

Cons: The case is a bit small to easily fit the Zune. The headphone jack is difficult to install

Pricing and availability: $40.00 and available online

Company website: www.aquapac.net

Made for: MP3 Players, Here a list of the compatible MP3 players but the Zune is not on it.

Product quality (8.5/10):

When you open the Aquapac package, you know the product is a quality one. The case is very solid and all the parts and clips are made with quality materials. We submerged the Zune a few times and there was absolutely no leak. 

Usability (6.5/10):

The case is little bit too small to fit Zune easily. You have to stretch the case to insert the Zune. But once the Zune is in the envelope you can easily use all the controls on the player.

Inserting the earphone connector was the toughest challenge we had. The case was designed with an earphone connector centered on the top of the player, like the iPod. The Zune connector being placed to the right of the device, it is more difficult to connect. If Aquapac could provide a 1 or 2 inches long adapter with an L connector, the installation would be much easier. 

Forget about the hold switch, in won’t be accessible when the Zune is in the case. It’s the same thing for the sync connector, but if you open the case, the connector is accessible and you can sync or charge your Zune without taking the player out of the case.

Player protectiveness (8.5/10):

The product is 100% waterproof and you can go 15 feet under the water with the case (the case can go that deep but I don’t know if the Zune can…). For summer time, I think this kind of cases is a must. I know I won’t bring my Zune on the beach or near a pool without this case.

Don’t drop the Zune though, because the case won’t absorbs the impact. It is really made for water protection not for impact or drop protection.

Conclusion (8/10):

This is a very good quality case. If you buy it for your 30Gb Zune, be aware that it is going to be a bit tight when you insert the Zune in it. You will have a hard time inserting the earphone plug into the Zune connector as well, but once this is done, your Zune will be well protected against water and sand.

At $40, this is a good investment if you are serious about protecting your music player during the nice season.

Aquapac is also selling waterproof earphones. We received a pair of earphones but one side was defective. From what we could ear, the sound quality didn’t sound impressive, but listening to music with only one ear is not a good way to judge the quality of a product!

Comments

[Ross]

AMAZING!

perhaps the company will officially make one for the zune later.

Is there any way to mod the cord so it is longer with and with an "L" connector?

[Derek]

my zune is too valuable to take it with me to the beach even if the covering is 99% safe i can't risk it. and ive always had problems taking out my Zune with the covering i have with it now so this won't make it any easier. However i would still pick this IF i ever needed my Zune badly while im chillin on the beach. so i might give this product a try.

[Ismael Rosales]

does the company also have water proof ear phones not to listen under water but can get wet and the ear buds still work

[K Piertroszek]

I love this product. It's exactly what I'm looking for - and not necesserily for a summer only. I go to swimm every day and now I can do this often boring workout listening to the music!

[Joshua Keleti]

The pros of this product:
1. It doesn't sink.
2. It's small and durable
Cons:
1. I would prefer if it was a hard, transparent, plastic case.
2. As mentioned in the article, there should be a short extenshion cord added.

[Kubus Puchatek]

You can use it in swimming pool and in the lakes, seas, oceans! Imagine listening to Linking Park when snorkeling in the Reef! Moreover, it looks like it can really prevent your valuable player from getting all the dust and scratches, not only under the water.

[Jeff Railsback]

I hum music to myself when I surf because it seems to boost the endurance and pace I need to get through a long stretch of breaking waves. Now with my waterproofed ZUNE the tune will be even more of an inspiration. Because I do not have to hum then I will probably drink less salt water.

[Tom keeling]

can you take this deep. i want to use this scuba diving thanks

[Thom Stanton]

I jsut opened a new Zune and AquaPac player for Christmas (thanks honey!) and plan to use it for swimming. As reported, it is a really tight fit and connecting the headphones is a bit troublesome. This should be a welcome addition to an often boring swim routine in the pool. Barring a strike on the rocks, it should fare as well in the river which will make swimming whitewater like living in an X-Games video.

[Aaron]

Just starting to check these things out - If the earphone connect is that big of a hassle, radio shack sells an adaptor for a few dollars in an 'L' shape that should make the connection easier AND give just a little more length to the cable. Give that a try!

[alex c]

you probably don't want to tke it scuba diving. there are a few other heavier duty cases on the market, but they are pretty expensive ($150+). Also, if you block your ear canals with earbuds you run the risk of breaking an eardrum. (the pressure pushes the earbud into your ear canal) same reason you never use earplugs when you dive.

[alex c]

you probably don't want to tke it scuba diving. there are a few other heavier duty cases on the market, but they are pretty expensive ($150+). Also, if you block your ear canals with earbuds you run the risk of breaking an eardrum. (the pressure pushes the earbud into your ear canal) same reason you never use earplugs when you dive.

[Kelly]

I hope your betta fish enjoys the Zune. He's cute!