• Home
  • About
  • Advertise
  • Contact
  • Team
  • Featured Reviews

Subscribe to Updates

Get the latest creative news from FooBar about art, design and business.

Facebook Twitter
  • Contact
  • Archive
Facebook Twitter
MacSourcesMacSources
Subscribe
  • APPS
    Email Me App
    80

    Email Me 2022 App REVIEW

    May 20, 2022
    JumpDesktop-Mac-App-May-2022-001
    88

    Jump Desktop Mac and iOS 2022 App REVIEW Connect from Anywhere

    May 18, 2022
    HazeOver-Mac-App-May-2022-001
    100

    HazeOver for Mac 2022 REVIEW Keep Focused with this Great Utility

    May 13, 2022
    AirBuddy 2.5 Device Monitor For Mac
    100

    AirBuddy 2.5 Device Monitor For Mac 2022 REVIEW

    May 11, 2022
    Sticky-Notes-Post-it-notes-Mac-App-May-2022-001
    75

    Sticky Notes Post-it notes for Mac 2022 REVIEW

    May 10, 2022
  • REVIEWS
    • Accessory
      • Cases
      • Charging
      • Docks
      • Earbuds
      • EDC
      • Headphones
      • Photography
      • Bags
      • Batteries
    • Cables
      • Computers and Tablets
      • Screen Protectors
      • Data Storage
      • Displays
      • Keyboards
      • Gaming
      • Microphones
      • Networking
      • Printers
    • Smartphone
      • Speakers
      • Smart Home
      • Health and Wellness
      • Home Goods
      • Office
      • Personal Vehicles
      • Security
      • Smart Locks
      • Wearable
  • BLOG
    Ukraine-Flag

    MacSources Stands with Ukraine

    March 1, 2022
    PC gaming

    Top Games To Play On A Mac

    February 15, 2022
    Mailbutler Founder Interview

    10 Questions Asked of Mailbutler Founder, Tobias Knobl During Honest Interview

    February 2, 2022
    Steve Jobs Laughing

    Apple Pays Tribute to Steve Jobs on the 10th Anniversary of His Death

    October 5, 2021
    Spectrum Mobile logo with a line through it

    Spectrum Mobile and Why to Look Elsewhere

    September 20, 2021
MacSourcesMacSources
Home»Featured»Cases»Catalyst Case for 9.7″ iPad Pro/Air 2 REVIEW
Cases

Catalyst Case for 9.7″ iPad Pro/Air 2 REVIEW

Jon WaltersBy Jon WaltersFebruary 6, 2017Updated:April 14, 2020No Comments8 Mins Read
Facebook Twitter Pinterest LinkedIn Tumblr Email
Catalyst Case iPad
Share
Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Pinterest Email Reddit

A catalyst is something that speeds up a reaction, without being changed. This case will catalyze your ability to utilize your tech, wherever you want to.

Having a history of reactive airway disease, the outside environment really affected my breathing negatively.  I thus turned to tech and video games, while many of my friends were outside playing.   As I got older, my breathing issues markedly improved and I was able to enjoy nature.  Whether I am vacationing in Gatlinburg, TN, lounging by the pool, enjoying time with friends, or simply playing in the yard, I need accessories to help my tech to be outdoor proof.

Last year while wandering around CES 2016, in Las Vegas, Nevada, I was introduced to a company named Catalyst.  I had the pleasure of learning about the team, learning about the product and with time, I learned to really trust the brand.  Over the past year, I have rested comfortably knowing Catalyst was protecting my iPhone 6S and Apple 42mm gen 1 watch.  My phone survived multiple 3 feet falls and yet maintained its waterproof status.  It has fallen into a 5-foot deep pool and remained at the bottom, for about a minute, before I could retrieve it.  I know without a doubt that my phone would have been lost without the case.  I am very grateful to Catalyst for their quality gear and their thorough testing.

This past Christmas, my wife and I chose to purchase an iPad Mini 4 for my 7-year-old son.  Knowing how my children interact with tech, I had to have a reliable and protective case.  Drawing upon my prior experiences, I turned to the Catalyst iPad Mini 4 case.  This was a decision that proved to be incredibly wise.  Not even one week into owning the iPad, my son had dropped it three times from about 2.5-3 feet in height.  Additionally, it accidentally fell into the bathtub once.  Let me simply state that the Catalyst cases are designed to handle whatever you can throw at them.  It is this reason that I turned to the Catalyst case for my iPad Air 2.

If you look at the packaging, you will notice that the case is designed to fit the 9.7″ iPad Pro.  However, if you look closely, you will notice that it will also fit the iPad Air 2.  The cover dynamically displays a protected iPad with surrounding water graphic.  I love how the white of the iPad is offset by the black of the case and packaging.  The case is designed to be waterproof IP-68 with a reported depth of 6.6ft/2m.  Additionally, the case is listed as drop proof to Mil-STD 810 G 4ft/1.2meter standards.  Along the top left of the packaging is an open plastic window, which allows you to actually see the case.  When it comes to packaging, this is one of my favorite features.  I love to actually see the product, instead of relying on an image/diagram.

If you flip the packaging over, you will be introduced to further specifications of the product.  In addition to being waterproof/drop proof, the product is snow proof, dirt proof, easy to install, contains true sound acoustics, has integrated touchscreen film, soft rubber grip, port covers, and a hard coated optical lens.  Included within the packaging is the case, a black diamond shaped opening tool, and a flat case stand.  The product comes in 2 main parts, the case front and the case back.  Within the case are built-in snaps, which help to keep the rubberized seal compressed.  There are button openings for the volume up/down and for the power.  There are pull out ports for the 3.5mm jack and the lightning adaptor along the bottom.  If these ports are not sealed, the case is not waterproof.  Along the bottom left is an opening slot, which will accommodate the opening tool perfectly.  In a pinch, a quarter will work as well.

Catalyst Case Sumersion

Before trusting your iPad Air 2 to submersion, Catalyst recommends a dry run.  I have done this with each of my cases and each test was a success.  This case proved to be just as waterproof and trustworthy as the iPad mini 4 case review, the iPhone 6s Plus review and my Apple Watch 42mm review.  Instead of leaving it in water for 30 minutes, I left it submerged under a foot of water for 2 days. To test if there was water leakage, I placed toilet paper in the inside of the case.  After patiently waiting 2 days, I proudly could announce that the case passed this test as well.

To open the case, you will need to insert the opening tool into the bottom left of the case.  Twist clockwise and you will hear a click.  Run the tool under the edges until the cover is removed.  I checked for fluid, there was none.  With the testing completed, it was time to install the iPad Air 2.  Remove the plastic film from the inside back of the case and place the iPad Air 2 into the case.  Next, securely press all 4 corners of the iPad into the case.  The volume buttons line up perfectly with the case.  You will also notice that the lightning port and the power button are perfectly placed.  Once installed, there is essentially no movement inside of the case.  After the iPad was inserted, touch screenI cleaned the screen with Woosh (my favorite screen cleaner) and pressed a corner of the top screen down firmly.  From there, follow the edges around, making sure that the rubber is not bulging out.  You will hear and feel a series of satisfying clicks, as you press the case together.

Catalyst Case iPad Pro 9.7"/Air2

That is it, the iPad is now amazingly pro touchscreen is incredibly sensitive, and feels much like a native iPad.  It is important to note that you should not have any screen protector on the device.  This will hinder the touch screen film from working as effectively.  The home screen button/thumb scanner work well.  The volume up/down and power buttons are a little stiff, but they function perfectly well also.  The 3.5mm port is easily accessible, after removal of the port plug. The included flat tablet stand is a nice inclusion, but is easily misplaced.  Unfortunately, there is no included method of attachment to the case.

If you are searching the Catalyst site, you may come across a 3.5mm Audio Adaptor for Catalyst Case.  This adaptor allows only the iPhone SE, 6S/6S+, 5S, 5, 4S, 4 cases to remain waterproof.  There is no device that will let you use the iPad 3.5mm port and remain waterproof. I would recommend a good set of waterproof bluetooth headphones/earbuds to enjoy listening to music.  The native speakers of the iPad Air 2 sound good with the acoustic barrier.  I really love the build of the case, as it provides you with near complete visualizing of the front and back of the iPad.  One of my complaints of many of the cases is the opaque nature of the back.  Catalyst does not do that, they provide a clear backing, which will allow you to see the back of the device and the apple logo.  I do appreciate the design and the craftsmanship that went into it.

iPad Catalyst Case

I personally trust catalyst enough to purposefully submerge my iPad.  This is no easy feat as it goes against my better judgement.  Without the iPad inside of the case, you will need to weight down the case. With the iPad, the device will sink.  Again, if you search their website, you will find another useful device called the floating lanyard.  This is designed to keep items up to 0.77 lb afloat.  There is no connection point on the iPad Air 2 case, which is a little disappointing.  They do make waterproof bags, which can float.  These would work for canoe trips or boating events where the case may sink.  With only a 6.6 foot subversion rating, the ability to connect the lanyard would be helpful to reduce rapid sinking.

Catalyst Case Stand

Overall, this case provides the same features that I have come to love and expect from Catalyst.  The case is easy to install, passed the waterproof test, has a fully functional touch film, has good acoustics, good camera access and increases the total number of locations that I would be comfortable using the iPad.   If you are looking for a rugged, drop resistant, waterproof case for your Apple products, Catalyst is the case for you.  I just wish that the iPhone 7 plus Catalyst Case was available.  Unfortunately, we will have to wait until March 2017.
BUY FROM AMAZON

Learn more about Catalyst.
Follow them on Facebook and Twitter

Catalyst Case for 9.7" iPad Pro/Air 2 CatalystCase ipad case product review waterproof case
Share. Facebook Twitter Pinterest LinkedIn Tumblr Email
Avatar of Jon Walters
Jon Walters
  • Website
  • Facebook
  • Twitter

I am a father of 4, a full-time physician, movie-fan, Cub Scout Leader, part-time gamer and I have a touch of the prepper. I absolutely love science and tech. My goal is to ensure I get the best product and price. My kids and I love games on our Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, Oculus Quest, Pokemon GO and anything superhero.

Related Posts

SwitchEasy MagWallet Leather Card Holder
85

SwitchEasy MagWallet Leather Card Holder 2022 REVIEW

May 25, 2022
Lockly 7S Smart Deadbolt
82

Lockly 7S Smart Deadbolt 2022 REVIEW

May 25, 2022
IOGEAR Korona Kore II Compact Keyboard
92

IOGEAR Korona Kore II Compact Keyboard 2022 REVIEW

May 23, 2022
Add A Comment

Leave A Reply Cancel Reply

Subscribe to Updates

Get the latest creative news from FooBar about art, design and business.

  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Pinterest
  • YouTube
  • LinkedIn
  • Instagram

Use Code for 20% Off
E-win Racing Gaming Chairs
Recent
Monoprice end of month sales

Monoprice End-of-the-Month Home Theater Deals May 2022 NEWS

May 26, 2022
Nomad Memorial Day Sale

Nomad Kicks Off 2022 Memorial Day Sale Today NEWS

May 26, 2022
gaming laptop

Is being a professional gamer a career for the future?

May 26, 2022
SwitchEasy MagWallet Leather Card Holder
8.5

SwitchEasy MagWallet Leather Card Holder 2022 REVIEW

May 25, 2022
Lockly 7S Smart Deadbolt
8.2

Lockly 7S Smart Deadbolt 2022 REVIEW

May 25, 2022
MacSources
Facebook Twitter Instagram Pinterest YouTube LinkedIn
  • Home
  • Advertise
  • Team
  • About
  • Contact
  • Privacy Policy
© 2022 MacSources. Hosted by SiteGround.

Type above and press Enter to search. Press Esc to cancel.