All Aluminum Cases

[chris975d]

Rhino,

I most certainly will post pics and my review. I got the engraved as well. I personally like the engraving, looks slick. I got the screw shut however because of the screen protrector issue Chris encountered. According to Daniel at Exovault the screw shut accomodates the screnn protectors much better.

I actually didn't have an issue with my screen protector. It was the rear glass shield that I had to remove. I have a screen protector on mine in the case right now, and the magnetic latch still closes fine. Now that I've had it a while, I'd say definitely get the magnetic latching one. The magnets are very strong, and in fact, I've already dropped it accidentally and they kept the case closed fine. And when you encounter reception/GPS issues (which you probably will, as this has the most aluminum of all the aluminum cases so far), you can just pop open the front and either pull the phone out to use it, or just leave it in the case with front case open for a few seconds to get GPS lock back (I added that to my review in this thread and the separate EXO5 thread). With the other, you'll either have to have the tool with you to unscrew the case, or just wait until you're back in a better cell reception area.

 

[White/Rhino]

Rhino,

I most certainly will post pics and my review. I got the engraved as well. I personally like the engraving, looks slick. I got the screw shut however because of the screen protrector issue Chris encountered. According to Daniel at Exovault the screw shut accomodates the screnn protectors much better.

Thanks Swoods,
I'm looking forward to the pics. Chris's case turned out really nice in green. He seems to be a big fan of green. I like Black or White as a rule. I spoke with Daniel today myself several times. He responds very fast and is very helpful. Too bad the other guys didn't have that level of customer service.

 

[johnnybgood15]

Good ole noles fan is at it again on a different board he is building up the atomic case claiming it's better than a apple bumper for reception yada yada yada. You would think if he really wasn't an employee of atomic they would ask or tell him to stop posting, he always ends up looming like a moron with a obvious agenda. But this speaks to the shady poor company Atomic truly is.

"BTW, I don't work for, get paid by, or am any way associated with Atomic Cases. I just happen to be a well educated individual who spent some time going to school for engineering. I have been working with Unni from Atomic cases to come up with a fix for the signal issue and we HAVE SOLVED IT!

Alright, after working with Atomic today on the issue we have come up with a fix for the signal issue. The fix itself was not hard at all, just took a bit of trial and error.

The first proposed fix was for me to use Super 88 3M tape and line the inside of the case with that to isolate the phone from the aluminum. Because the aluminum conducts it has the same problems the death grip gives the phone. Well after some careful cutting and trimming I got it to work. However it was very tedious work and not something that is easy for everyone to do.

So I dug through my garage and found some 3M Automotive Pinstripe that I had used on the grill of my Subaru to give it the S202 look. It was a perfect fit! Fit nicely inside the channel and just hit the sides enough to isolate the phone from the case properly. So again I applied it to the inside of the case, around the entire thing, carefully trimming around the openings, and I made a slight overlap where the screws are. This fix 100% solved my problems.

To prove that it was working I did several things.

1) Tested the phone in my house with the Micro-Cell w/o Case
2) Tested my phone outside the range of my Micro-Cell w/o Case
3) Tested my phone in my house with the Micro-Cell w/ Factory Apple Bumper Case
4) Tested my phone outside the range of my Micro-Cell w/ Factory Apple Bumper Case
5) Tested my phone inside my house with the Micro-Cell with the Atomic Case
6) Tested my phone outside the range of my Micro-Cell with the Atomic Case
7) Tested my phone inside my house with the Micro-Cell, Atomic Case, and Pinstripe fix
8) Tested my phone outside the range of my Micro-Cell, Atomic Case, and Pinstripe fix

Here are the Results:

Inside House With Micro Cell:
W/O Case Apple Approved Grip: Between -48 and -71 dB depending on location
W/O Case Giving Death Grip: Between -85 and -95 "" ""
W/ Apple Bumper: Between -50 and -73 dB "" ""
W/ Atomic Case no fix: Between -81 and -90dB "" ""
W/ Atomic Case and Fix: Between -49 and -73dB "" ""

So as you can see with the fix I am only getting a 1-2 dB loss depending on my location in the house. Both where taken from marked spots. One With Full bars 10ft away from Micro Cell, one upstairs and about 75 feet away form the micro cell -1 bar from full, and outside in my garage -2 bar from full about 200 ft from micro cell.

I also tested the phone phone with the Griffin case installed and my readings where between -56 and -83 dB. Which was worse than both the Apple bumper and the Atomic Case!
Testing on Edge Network to follow:
Initial reading showing between -1 and -2dB worse signal with the Atomic case and Fix on the phone than with no case at all, and the same results as with the Apple Bumper.

Testing on 3G Network to follow:

The FIX FROM ATOMIC:

After talking to Unni he has made the decision to go with a similar fix. Using a inlay on the case that will be die cut to fit the case and isolate the phone from the case. They will be the only Aluminum case so far with this. The little foam bumpers in in the Element case will not allow total isolation. So he has already been in contact with a place that can make the inlays for him and all the new cases will be shipping with this liner within DAYS!

If you already have a case and are having problems I am sure if you contact Unni at Atomic he will send you out a set of isolators for your phone if not better. Just please contact him, let him know your issue, and he will address it as soon as the isolators are available to him.

But no fear ladies and gents. There is a TOTAL FIX in the works, not just a band-aid like I made. It will be an exact match to the cut outs in the case so there will be no issues with it not isolating your phone. "

"

 

[ufcfighter]

I don't think that is the same guy. That kid says he is in school studying engineering and nolesfan was in his 30's and had his own business from what I have read. That is definitely a different guy.Plus look at his join date, that would mean that he would have had to of had 2 accounts at the same time.

Good ole noles fan is at it again on a different board he is building up the atomic case claiming it's better than a apple bumper for reception yada yada yada. You would think if he really wasn't an employee of atomic they would ask or tell him to stop posting, he always ends up looming like a moron with a obvious agenda. But this speaks to the shady poor company Atomic truly is.

"BTW, I don't work for, get paid by, or am any way associated with Atomic Cases. I just happen to be a well educated individual who spent some time going to school for engineering. I have been working with Unni from Atomic cases to come up with a fix for the signal issue and we HAVE SOLVED IT!

Alright, after working with Atomic today on the issue we have come up with a fix for the signal issue. The fix itself was not hard at all, just took a bit of trial and error.

The first proposed fix was for me to use Super 88 3M tape and line the inside of the case with that to isolate the phone from the aluminum. Because the aluminum conducts it has the same problems the death grip gives the phone. Well after some careful cutting and trimming I got it to work. However it was very tedious work and not something that is easy for everyone to do.

So I dug through my garage and found some 3M Automotive Pinstripe that I had used on the grill of my Subaru to give it the S202 look. It was a perfect fit! Fit nicely inside the channel and just hit the sides enough to isolate the phone from the case properly. So again I applied it to the inside of the case, around the entire thing, carefully trimming around the openings, and I made a slight overlap where the screws are. This fix 100% solved my problems.

To prove that it was working I did several things.

1) Tested the phone in my house with the Micro-Cell w/o Case
2) Tested my phone outside the range of my Micro-Cell w/o Case
3) Tested my phone in my house with the Micro-Cell w/ Factory Apple Bumper Case
4) Tested my phone outside the range of my Micro-Cell w/ Factory Apple Bumper Case
5) Tested my phone inside my house with the Micro-Cell with the Atomic Case
6) Tested my phone outside the range of my Micro-Cell with the Atomic Case
7) Tested my phone inside my house with the Micro-Cell, Atomic Case, and Pinstripe fix
8) Tested my phone outside the range of my Micro-Cell, Atomic Case, and Pinstripe fix

Here are the Results:

Inside House With Micro Cell:
W/O Case Apple Approved Grip: Between -48 and -71 dB depending on location
W/O Case Giving Death Grip: Between -85 and -95 "" ""
W/ Apple Bumper: Between -50 and -73 dB "" ""
W/ Atomic Case no fix: Between -81 and -90dB "" ""
W/ Atomic Case and Fix: Between -49 and -73dB "" ""

So as you can see with the fix I am only getting a 1-2 dB loss depending on my location in the house. Both where taken from marked spots. One With Full bars 10ft away from Micro Cell, one upstairs and about 75 feet away form the micro cell -1 bar from full, and outside in my garage -2 bar from full about 200 ft from micro cell.

I also tested the phone phone with the Griffin case installed and my readings where between -56 and -83 dB. Which was worse than both the Apple bumper and the Atomic Case!
Testing on Edge Network to follow:
Initial reading showing between -1 and -2dB worse signal with the Atomic case and Fix on the phone than with no case at all, and the same results as with the Apple Bumper.

Testing on 3G Network to follow:

The FIX FROM ATOMIC:

After talking to Unni he has made the decision to go with a similar fix. Using a inlay on the case that will be die cut to fit the case and isolate the phone from the case. They will be the only Aluminum case so far with this. The little foam bumpers in in the Element case will not allow total isolation. So he has already been in contact with a place that can make the inlays for him and all the new cases will be shipping with this liner within DAYS!

If you already have a case and are having problems I am sure if you contact Unni at Atomic he will send you out a set of isolators for your phone if not better. Just please contact him, let him know your issue, and he will address it as soon as the isolators are available to him.

But no fear ladies and gents. There is a TOTAL FIX in the works, not just a band-aid like I made. It will be an exact match to the cut outs in the case so there will be no issues with it not isolating your phone. "

"

 

[White/Rhino]

Ha ha! That's my boy! But...2 of each of the Raw and Alumacase? Why that? Reselling? And I haven't really thought about eBaying the EXO5, but the fact that I've got the only forest green one in existence (other than any others they have laying around the shop at Exovault) should really help the resale value if I ever do decide to sell it.

Hey Chris I forgot to ask ya. I have a luck Labs Spectra on my antenna as you know. Are you using anything on your phone. You said that the fit is very exact for the Exovault. Hey, do you still love it or are you just into liking it now?
It was an impulse buy for me and I would hate to hate it. haha. If I hate it I might even send you the bill LOL

 

[chris975d]

Hey Chris I forgot to ask ya. I have a luck Labs Spectra on my antenna as you know. Are you using anything on your phone. You said that the fit is very exact for the Exovault. Hey, do you still love it or are you just into liking it now?
It was an impulse buy for me and I would hate to hate it. haha. If I hate it I might even send you the bill LOL

There's not any room in this case to get the phone with Lucky Labs antenna shields into it, I don't think. The wood sides really fit tightly against the phone. And yes, I still love it. I am trying to see if I can add anything (as far as some type of additional insulator between the phone and the case, to see if it might help with the reception issues I have in very low signal strength areas, but as I said...there's really no room for anything on the sides of the phone. As I'm not really in a very low signal area much, and as I've said, it's every easy just to pop the case open and take the phone out if you really need to in order to get signal, but if the signal drop could be improved/eliminated, why not try?

 

[White/Rhino]

There's not any room in this case to get the phone with Lucky Labs antenna shields into it, I don't think. The wood sides really fit tightly against the phone. And yes, I still love it. I am trying to see if I can add anything (as far as some type of additional insulator between the phone and the case, to see if it might help with the reception issues I have in very low signal strength areas, but as I said...there's really no room for anything on the sides of the phone. As I'm not really in a very low signal area much, and as I've said, it's every easy just to pop the case open and take the phone out if you really need to in order to get signal, but if the signal drop could be improved/eliminated, why not try?

Thanks for the replay. I'm looking forward to getting it. I liked the Element case a lot but I think this might be a much nicer product. I hate taking off my spectra and SGP carbon but if it rocks it will be worth it.

 

[bighabeeb]

I'm at least receiving responses from them now, but for me all I needed to hear was that the item shipped to me was pre-redesign by a couple days. What that means, from my perspective, is that they KNEW there was a problem with reception...enough that they redesigned the thing...yet they continue shipping out the old flawed case? Seems odd to me for a start.

Add to that the fact that my case "shipped" over a week ago and hasn't arrived yet (supposedly it may be caught up for customs forms with USPS...we'll see).

Add to THAT the fact that I didn't get any responses at all for over a week, and was only able to reach them by emailing from a corporate email address and claiming I wanted to place a 50+ piece order, and needed to discuss any shipping or discounts that might apply.

Unni has been very responsive of late, but honestly I already severely question this company.

On an unrelated question, it seems that Atomic's "Carbon fiber" backing is just a sticker, like 3M shelf paper type...is the element vapor the same way or is it more of a "plate" type material?

Good ole noles fan is at it again on a different board he is building up the atomic case claiming it's better than a apple bumper for reception yada yada yada. You would think if he really wasn't an employee of atomic they would ask or tell him to stop posting, he always ends up looming like a moron with a obvious agenda. But this speaks to the shady poor company Atomic truly is."

 

[applephysci]

Granted, it's not going to protect the phone in a severe drop like the Seidio Rugged or Otterbox Defender would, but it's a beautiful case. Has quality written all over it, and is more of a piece of artwork than anything. In a drop, you're probably going to scuff/mark up the case, so some people might not want to outlay this kind of money for something that could possibly get damaged, but I'd rather it be this than the phone that gets damaged.

Great review of the Exo5. Slick case. Knowing me though, I would probably end buying a case or a zagg shield to protect the Exo5. Imagine that.. a case to protect the case that protects the iPhone.

 

[Sulaco]

Great review of the Exo5. Slick case. Knowing me though, I would probably end buying a case or a zagg shield to protect the Exo5. Imagine that.. a case to protect the case that protects the iPhone.

Now that's weird, I was thinking the exact same thing. I think I need to get out more. Great review, again, Chris. Thanks

 

[White/Rhino]

Hey, swoods93631

Any updates on the New Exovault? I ordered mine on October 4 but no updates as of yet.

 

[swoods93631]

Wirelessly posted (Mozilla/5.0 (iPhone; U; CPU iPhone OS 4_1 like Mac OS X; en-us) AppleWebKit/532.9 (KHTML, like Gecko) Version/4.0.5 Mobile/8B117 Safari/6531.22.7)

Hey Rhino - mine shipped on Friday! Should have it next week. I will post a review for sure and some pics.

 

[johnnybgood15]

Thanks for the replay. I'm looking forward to getting it. I liked the Element case a lot but I think this might be a much nicer product. I hate taking off my spectra and SGP carbon but if it rocks it will be worth it.

The Atomic product is nicer? It's an element knockoff, a bad one at that. They send out bad defective products and refuse refunds or the fix...nice company atomic is

 

[White/Rhino]

The Atomic product is nicer? It's an element knockoff, a bad one at that. They send out bad defective products and refuse refunds or the fix...nice company atomic is

Hey Johnny,
I'm talking about the Exovault I ordered, not the Atomic case. I canceled my Atomic case order 2 weeks ago after I found out there was no insulation on the inside.

 

[ultraracingph]

Talk about confidence in their products. Gildesigns puts their product to the test! He he!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3yZ-3IN5850&NR=1
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8_G3Hji4FIk&feature=related

 

[ckmo]

nice case

 

[swoods93631]

Looks like my Exo5 case will arrive today! Should have pics tomorrow!

 

[White/Rhino]

Looks like my Exo5 case will arrive today! Should have pics tomorrow!

Hell, I'm excited for you. The more I look at it the more I like this thing. My Vapors are in the mail, just waiting for my shipping notice from Exovault. It's been 8 days so hopefully soon.

 

[swoods93631]

My Review of the EXO5

Hi All,

Exovault EXO5 Screw Shut Engraved

First off this company has been on the ball from my first contact with them to the shipment of the product. (Granted they better be for 175$). They shipped my case 2 weeks to the day after I ordered. I have only had this case for a couple of hours now and will give my key observations:

1) The craftmanship is nothing short of stellar. You can see the attention to detail and care taken in the design and manufacturing of the case. Aside from gold and diamonds this may be the nicest case out there. It is certainly machined to very tight tolerances as suggested by Daniel at Exovault. So tight in fact I do not think you could have any skin/wrap around the stainless steal antennas. It won't fit! I do however have Bodyguardz skins on the front and back. It is just slightly to thick with both of them on. I have been able to leave both in place and simply "lightly" tighten the screws. If I tighten them all the way it will ever so slightly bow the top piece and cause a very small gap along the sides at the seam. I may still remove the back skin but for now I have it in there just nicely with both skins.

2) The inside is lined ith a thin rubber type material, since I didn't ask what it is I cannot say for sure. This lining in everywhere except on the wood inlay.

3) The material is very thin and the space for the connector seems adequate. I do not have any third party connectors at home so I have yet to test one. I have one at work I will test tomorrow and add to this post. From the looks of it I am going to guess it will fit fine.

4) Someone posted that because the metal came all the way to the edges of the screen it would impede typing. I imagine if you have a regular fat finger issue this might get annoying. I have had no issue so far.

5) Ok here is the biggie - Signal Strength- I live in a low signal side of town. Actually around my house seems to be the lowest in town. I put the phone into field test mode and as usual my signal is about -96 to -98. This is roughly 2 bars. I put the case on and in the same spot sitting on the table the signal dropped to -103 to -106. -109 when I took the second pic in my living room. So here is a bad signal location and a little signal degradation but I can still send and receive calls as I normally do. Now out and around town this evening I check the phone constantly and sa no real significant signal strength change. A few db here and there, yes, making the phone useless, NO!

6) I guess I should mention the camera and flash are uninhibited by the case.

7) It comes with 2 extra screws and the tool.

I cannot think of anything more that is really important however I am happy to answer anyone questions I did not address in this post. Post a reply or send me a pm and I will answer what I can.

PICS:

 

[chris975d]

Hi All,

Exovault EXO5 Screw Shut Engraved

First off this company has been on the ball from my first contact with them to the shipment of the product. (Granted they better be for 175$). They shipped my case 2 weeks to the day after I ordered. I have only had this case for a couple of hours now and will give my key observations:

1) The craftmanship is nothing short of stellar. You can see the attention to detail and care taken in the design and manufacturing of the case. Aside from gold and diamonds this may be the nicest case out there. It is certainly machined to very tight tolerances as suggested by Daniel at Exovault. So tight in fact I do not think you could have any skin/wrap around the stainless steal antennas. It won't fit! I do however have Bodyguardz skins on the front and back. It is just slightly to thick with both of them on. I have been able to leave both in place and simply "lightly" tighten the screws. If I tighten them all the way it will ever so slightly bow the top piece and cause a very small gap along the sides at the seam. I may still remove the back skin but for now I have it in there just nicely with both skins.

2) The inside is lined ith a thin rubber type material, since I didn't ask what it is I cannot say for sure. This lining in everywhere except on the wood inlay.

3) The material is very thin and the space for the connector seems adequate. I do not have any third party connectors at home so I have yet to test one. I have one at work I will test tomorrow and add to this post. From the looks of it I am going to guess it will fit fine.

4) Someone posted that because the metal came all the way to the edges of the screen it would impede typing. I imagine if you have a regular fat finger issue this might get annoying. I have had no issue so far.

5) Ok here is the biggie - Signal Strength- I live in a low signal side of town. Actually around my house seems to be the lowest in town. I put the phone into field test mode and as usual my signal is about -96 to -98. This is roughly 2 bars. I put the case on and in the same spot sitting on the table the signal dropped to -103 to -106. -109 when I took the second pic in my living room. So here is a bad signal location and a little signal degradation but I can still send and receive calls as I normally do. Now out and around town this evening I check the phone constantly and sa no real significant signal strength change. A few db here and there, yes, making the phone useless, NO!

6) I guess I should mention the camera and flash are uninhibited by the case.

7) It comes with 2 extra screws and the tool.

I cannot think of anything more that is really important however I am happy to answer anyone questions I did not address in this post. Post a reply or send me a pm and I will answer what I can.

PICS:

Good review. Your observations with the case so far are pretty much spot on with what I found in my review. You should add your review/post to the Exovault thread I started so that they are in one place for people searching for info on this case.

 

[White/Rhino]

Hi All,

Exovault EXO5 Screw Shut Engraved

First off this company has been on the ball from my first contact with them to the shipment of the product. (Granted they better be for 175$). They shipped my case 2 weeks to the day after I ordered. I have only had this case for a couple of hours now and will give my key observations:

1) The craftmanship is nothing short of stellar. You can see the attention to detail and care taken in the design and manufacturing of the case. Aside from gold and diamonds this may be the nicest case out there. It is certainly machined to very tight tolerances as suggested by Daniel at Exovault. So tight in fact I do not think you could have any skin/wrap around the stainless steal antennas. It won't fit! I do however have Bodyguardz skins on the front and back. It is just slightly to thick with both of them on. I have been able to leave both in place and simply "lightly" tighten the screws. If I tighten them all the way it will ever so slightly bow the top piece and cause a very small gap along the sides at the seam. I may still remove the back skin but for now I have it in there just nicely with both skins.

2) The inside is lined ith a thin rubber type material, since I didn't ask what it is I cannot say for sure. This lining in everywhere except on the wood inlay.

3) The material is very thin and the space for the connector seems adequate. I do not have any third party connectors at home so I have yet to test one. I have one at work I will test tomorrow and add to this post. From the looks of it I am going to guess it will fit fine.

4) Someone posted that because the metal came all the way to the edges of the screen it would impede typing. I imagine if you have a regular fat finger issue this might get annoying. I have had no issue so far.

5) Ok here is the biggie - Signal Strength- I live in a low signal side of town. Actually around my house seems to be the lowest in town. I put the phone into field test mode and as usual my signal is about -96 to -98. This is roughly 2 bars. I put the case on and in the same spot sitting on the table the signal dropped to -103 to -106. -109 when I took the second pic in my living room. So here is a bad signal location and a little signal degradation but I can still send and receive calls as I normally do. Now out and around town this evening I check the phone constantly and sa no real significant signal strength change. A few db here and there, yes, making the phone useless, NO!

6) I guess I should mention the camera and flash are uninhibited by the case.

7) It comes with 2 extra screws and the tool.

I cannot think of anything more that is really important however I am happy to answer anyone questions I did not address in this post. Post a reply or send me a pm and I will answer what I can.

PICS:

Hey Swoods,

Thanks for the review and the pics.( looks good! ) I keep reading from all who own one about the amazing quality of this case. I'm looking super forward to getting mine. I will post some info on it when it gets here. I wonder if one was to pull out the rubber liner on the back could they use their back protector. I'm not saying to try this just wondering.I'm must say I'm liking the engraving.
now,if I don't like mine you and Chris can split the bill. That's the price of a positive review. haha

 

[johnnybgood15]

If anyone would like to buy my atomic case I'll sell it for 50 + shipping since they have refused a refund. Apparently they work if you don't have a weak signal. It is gunmetal and redmodel.

 

[glen e]

Exo is the only case I won't own - just covers up too much front face space... and gives the I4 too much of a conventional look. I'm sure nice quality, but not progressive enuf.

 

[White/Rhino]

Exo is the only case I won't own - just covers up too much front face space... and gives the I4 too much of a conventional look. I'm sure nice quality, but not progressive enuf.

Shut up Glen! haha just kidding. I thought the same thing when I first saw it. Then after reading reviews and seeing more pics I got sold on it. Mine should ship soon and if I hate it I will be sure to post that feed back here. I'm super picky and if it looks like kaka in person than you will all hear about it. I totally dig the fact that you can take the case off without screws and it protects more of the IPhone. I was wishing I had it on yesterday when my phone fell out of my lap as I was getting out of my car, like 2 feet and screwed up my lucky labs spectra wrap. I'm so glad that I have about 20 spectra's left.

 

[bighabeeb]

full review of the atomic billet posted in the atomic billet thread - just wanted to let those shopping around know!