IPEVO Perch, Small, Medium and Large… and All are Awesome! Review

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IPEVO recently contacted Judie and me to see if we wanted to begin reviewing some of their products. The company was new to us but, after trying out two of their Perch stands for the new iPad, there is no doubt we will be keeping an eye on them to see what new products they introduce. Yeah, I’ve been using a small and a medium Perch for the past few weeks and I’m sold on it. The medium size is particularly useful for me and I’m even considering the purchase of a large size Perch to use as a sort of “standing iPad desk”. Here’s why.

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Let’s first look at the medium size Perch. Here’s what the company has to say about it.

M Type Waist-high stand mounts your iPad for hands-free viewing and multimedia applications

Heavy-duty holder keeps iPad securely in place; device is easy to install and remove

Forged aluminum leg and heavy-gauge steel base look great and provide sturdy foundation

Effortlessly tilt and rotate iPad with special dual-axis hinge

Perch also comes in two additional sizes to meet your needs: Large (L) and Small (S) Choose from original iPad or iPad 2/iPad 3 models, and Black or White

 

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The medium Perch comes in a rather large box. That makes sense since the accessory is 16.14″ by 12.6″ by 33″ and weighs in at just under 9 pounds. And that’s the medium size Perch. Imagine the size and weight of the large!!

It is available in black and white. I chose white… just because.

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It comes in three pieces plus the instructions and screws. The basic design is the same regardless of the size. There is the base (the size varies regarding which Perch you get), the main column (which also varies in size) and the iPad holder. This is universal which is a good thing; we’ll get into why in a bit. There is a holder designed to work with the first generation iPad and a different one that works with the iPad 2 and the current generation iPad.

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The base and column attach with a few screws from the bottom. This means the screws are invisible once the Perch is in use! It makes for a surprisingly solid arrangement.

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The iPad holder then locks securely into the column. Pop the iPad into the holder and you are good to go! It works with the iPad in portrait.

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It also works with the iPad in landscape.

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And you can adjust the angle. In all it is a rather ingenious arrangement and at $79 is priced well for what you get.

Before we look at why I am so enamored with this accessory let’s take a quick look at the small desktop size.

 

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This is a stock photo of the desktop stand in black. Here’s what the company has to say about it:

Tabletop stand mounts your iPad for hands-free viewing and multimedia applications

Heavy-duty holder keeps iPad securely in place; device is easy to install and remove

Forged aluminum leg and heavy-gauge steel base look great and provide sturdy foundation

Effortlessly tilt and rotate iPad with special dual-axis hinge

Perch also comes in two larger sizes to meet your needs: Medium (M) and Large (L)

Choose from original iPad or iPad 2/iPad 3 models, and Black or White

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The design is familiar but the specs reflect the smaller size. It is 6.9″ x 8.1″ x 13.2″ and weighs in at 3 lbs. Like its bigger sibling it comes in white and in black. It sells for $49.

From a design perspective the Perch is a winner in my opinion. First, at least for the two sizes I have been using, the base is quite stable. Second, if you had the accessory for the first generation iPad you can purchase the iPad holder for the iPad two separate from the base for $24. As someone who upgrades my iPad with each successive generation I really appreciate this. Third, because the iPad holder is universal from one size to the next I have found I can simply remove the holder from one stand and attach it to the other size as I move from one task to the other. It would be great if you could but the stand separate from the holder since, were I to but the large size Perch now it would be $129 and come with an extra holder that I simply don’t need.

From a utility standpoint I am especially fond of the medium Perch. I tend to each most of the TV on my iPad these days. When I am sitting in an old IKEA chair I have with my feet up on the matching ottoman the medium Perch puts the iPad at the perfect height. That means I get hands free viewing with the iPad safe and secure. Elana observed that it is not dissimilar to the setup when watching a movie in First Class while flying (only with a high-definition screen and a better choice of viewing options.) It also works well if I want to sit back and dictate something.

The desktop Perch is also useful; just place it in landscape, connect one of Apple’s Bluetooth keyboards, and you have a nice, minimalist workstation.

The reason I will likely purchase the large Perch is because it will come in handy before the Jewish holidays this fall; it would make a great way for me to practice my sermons without having to hold the iPad.

As much as I like the Perch, all is not perfect. The medium Perch takes up some space and is very obvious. This doesn’t bother me, and Elana is a good sport, but if you are anti-clutter then you may not like it.

Another consideration would be that if you have an animal or a small child, the medium or large Perch may make your iPad a bit vulnerable. It IS stable, but it is not “two dogs playing and chasing each other around” stable.

Finally, the Perch is ideal if you have an iPad that you never take out of the house or you have an “extra” lying around. The iPad case isn’t meant to be used on its own and, while it is not difficult to get the iPad into it, it would be a pain to constantly put it in and take it out.

These are small complaints and concerns, and I am otherwise a huge fan of this line of products. You can learn more here on the IPEVO website.

MSRP: (s) $49, (m)$79, (l)$129

What I Like: Quite useful; Very stable; Can work with all generation iPads; iPad holder is universal one size to the next; Upgradable by purchasing a new iPad holder

What Needs Improvement: iPad holder not useful on its own, it makes having an extra iPad make sense (but who does that??)

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About the Author

Dan Cohen
Having a father who was heavily involved in early laser and fiber-optical research, Dan grew up surrounded by technology and gadgets. Dan’s father brought home one of the very first video games when he was young and Dan remembers seeing a “pre-release” touchtone phone. (When he asked his father what the “#” and “*” buttons were his dad said, “Some day, far in the future, we’ll have some use for them.”) Technology seemed to be in Dan’s blood but at some point he took a different path and ended up in the clergy. His passion for technology and gadgets never left him. Dan is married to Raina Goldberg who is also an avid user of Apple products. They live in New Jersey with their golden doodle Nava.