New Trent iPad Case for iPad 6th Gen

New Trent Gladius Air Heavy Duty Case for iPad Air Model NT611GR The Gladius case is a heavy-duty rubber-encased iPad case with a leather hand-strap on the back. This design permits the user to securely hold the unit in one hand, and control the iPad with the other, while standing, walking or moving around. This is the kind of design that is essential for effectively using the iPad in many work situations, as I do using it as a presentation-device in the front of a classroom. The case itself is a three-piece unit, with two halves of a plastic shell that snap together over the iPad, and a silicone/rubber outer case that slides securely into place over the whole unit. This produces a one-piece case that protects the iPad against impact and the elements, with integral screen-protection over the openings for the screen and the front and rear cameras. The iPad's buttons remain operational through exterior buttons on the case that directly activate the iPad's buttons, while the ports and slider-switch are accessed by rugged fold-out flaps. The tactile operation of the buttons is only somewhat deadened by the case, with the home button requiring a more deliberate push on the outer part of the case to activate. These exterior buttons and flaps are raised and easily found by touch. One additional detail improvement in this latest version of the Gladius case is the presence of smooth glossy plastic strips on the back of the rubberized outer shell, giving spots by which the case might be more easily grasped by the user's fingertips when picking up or placing down the unit before you can put your hand in the strap. This is a subtle by very useful improvement in this latest design. The genuine leather handle-strap is adjustable before the case is installed, and very comfortable in use. This strap also rotates 360', allowing the user's hand to hold the iPad in the most comfortable position. There is also a clever spring-loaded fold-out metal stand in the case behind the strap, which folds in flush to the case when not in use, but permits the user to stand the iPad upright on a flat surface, albeit only in landscape position. Unfortunately, the durability of this stand is questionable; although it is constructed of two pieces of metal (with a rubber foot to prevent scratching the surface upon which it rests), the pivot-hinge between the two pieces of metal slid apart and the spring popped out. It was easily reassembled, but this was one disappointing defect in an otherwise well-constructed case. The Gladius case uses an integral screen-protector in place of a separate cover for screen-protection. The advantage of this design is that the unit functions as a one-piece cover that is always ready for use, with no separate cover to detach or fold back. The integral screen-protector in this latest version is more durable than the earlier version, which was prone to scratching from my Jot Touch Pro stylus; this latest version showed no scratches whatsoever, even under heavy use. The screen-protector is on the glossy-side, which is not my personal preference, and this glossy surface does show finger-smudges quite readily. While the screen-protector usually transfers your touch to the screen, under extended use I found it diminished the responsiveness of the iPad to my stylus. Overall, the utility and security of this style case makes it an excellent choice for a user who needs the iPad to be protected from the elements and impacts, and who needs to just grab it and start using it without worry about dropping it. The Gladius would serve as an excellent case for someone who needs to use the iPad in a work environment, outdoors or, like me, while you are on your feet in front of a classroom. Highly Recommended: 4.5 out of 5