Review: SwitchEasy Trig

Two weeks ago, we took a look at SwitchEasy’s Reptile iPad case. While some may prefer a case designed to stay on an iPad all the time, others seem to gravitate towards a sleeve design. Priced the same as the $40 Reptile, the Trig is a sleeve that provides some protection and even doubles as a stand.

At first glance, the Trig is a pretty basic envelope-type sleeve case. At one end is a flap that opens with snaps and you slide an iPad inside. The case provides a rather snug fit, so you will not be able to use many other cases in conjunction with the Trig. The inside of the case is lined with microfiber, preventing scratches and damage to your iPad. The outside features stitched, padded segments that are not unlike many goosedown “puffy” vests and coats. Not that we tried it, but the Trig should protect a dropped iPad quite well.

The interesting part comes when you notice the extra set of snaps at the bottom of the case—these will attach to the ones on the main flap, to create a stand. Although one must be careful of the exposed snaps when setting the iPad in the stand, the design is rather creative and works well for viewing videos.

In true SwitchEasy fashion, the Trig includes quite a few little “extras” to help protect an iPad. Included in the package are a screen protector, microfiber cloth, and a squeegee for installing the screen protector. The screen protector i nothing special, but installs fairly easily and does not serve as a distraction (although it will get fingerprints and has that “rainbow effect”, both noticeable when the iPad is off). The Trig does not include port protectors, nor the stands found on other SwitchEasy cases, probably because the the Trig is a different kind of case.

Overall, we find the Trig to be a good sleeve-like case and a creative take on the case-turned-stand formula. Although the puffy, and in some cases, glossy design may not be for everyone, it certainly adds a bit of style that may appeal to a number of people. The only complaint we could find about the Trig is that the snaps could cause scratches if you’re not careful about what part of the case you’re leaning your iPad across or when the iPad is inserted or removed from the case. Other than that possible caution, the Trig is everything we’d look for in this type of case.