ahahahahaha
like the guys in the vapor aluminum, have fun spending all that extra money on a metal case that just reduces reception
wow if only someone knew about this sooner
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Alumacase
- Thread starter FtrV8
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I got the email last sunday it shipped, but i've heard nothing else. Mines coming to Canada.
Really? Okay looks like this case is going back for refund. Looks like i'm out the $10 for shipping plus whatever it costs me to ship it back.
I really want to make this case work, it looks SOOOo good in my opinion.
Maybe i'll try out this case:
http://www.ion-factory.com/stealthpredator-gripcase-iphone-4.html?gclid=CLTM7MD55qQCFUzs7QodMD0w0A
It's got the carbon fiber look and polycarbonate protection (silver color). Pretty pricey.
Glen.
Don't know when you made the update, but just noticed the new signature.
Love it!
Just to update to my previous review:
Alumacase:
GPS is definitely a problem. Tried insulating the case, and did a pretty good job with improving the signal some; but the GPS remains horrible. It took over a minute to get close to my location then stayed in the wrong place.
Signal was a problem but after modifying the case by lining it with electrical tape (left side of the phone [make sure if you do this to include the lip of the case as well as it can touch the antenna]) it improved dramatically from stock; however download results were slower than Elementcase??
WiFi same as before, nothing major.
Elementcase Vapor 4:
GPS much better than Alumacase, but not better than naked iPhone. Finds me in about 15 seconds.
Signal was improved with case modifications (3M double sided hobby tape [red lined foam tape]), however it never got better than a naked iPhone.
WiFI stronger than Alumacase at farther distances.
Here are the signal results I achieved:
Alumacase (modified): -93
Elementcase (modified): -101
Naked iPhone 4: -85
All results were taken without my hands touching the phone and in the exact same place.
With the speed test over 3G I recorded the following results:
Download:
Alumacase (modified): .12mbps
Elementcase (modified): .45mbps
Naked iPhone 4: 1.07mbps
Upload:
Alumacase (modified): .03mbps
Elementcase (modified): .00mbps (signal was shoddy I think -- very inconsistent results)
Naked iPhone 4: 1.17mbps
I think Alumacase has a better chance at being modified to working as it currently exists and the Vapor is currently stuck at the best it can get without a complete re-design. On the Alumacase, if you continue the cutout around the volume/mute area and bring it down to the bottom of the phone (except at connection point -- think similar to the FusionWerkz RAW case) and insulate the hell out of anything near the antenna, I think you can avoid having so many signal and GPS problems.
Just my .02!
Alumacase:
GPS is definitely a problem. Tried insulating the case, and did a pretty good job with improving the signal some; but the GPS remains horrible. It took over a minute to get close to my location then stayed in the wrong place.
Signal was a problem but after modifying the case by lining it with electrical tape (left side of the phone [make sure if you do this to include the lip of the case as well as it can touch the antenna]) it improved dramatically from stock; however download results were slower than Elementcase??
WiFi same as before, nothing major.
Elementcase Vapor 4:
GPS much better than Alumacase, but not better than naked iPhone. Finds me in about 15 seconds.
Signal was improved with case modifications (3M double sided hobby tape [red lined foam tape]), however it never got better than a naked iPhone.
WiFI stronger than Alumacase at farther distances.
Here are the signal results I achieved:
Alumacase (modified): -93
Elementcase (modified): -101
Naked iPhone 4: -85
All results were taken without my hands touching the phone and in the exact same place.
With the speed test over 3G I recorded the following results:
Download:
Alumacase (modified): .12mbps
Elementcase (modified): .45mbps
Naked iPhone 4: 1.07mbps
Upload:
Alumacase (modified): .03mbps
Elementcase (modified): .00mbps (signal was shoddy I think -- very inconsistent results)
Naked iPhone 4: 1.17mbps
I think Alumacase has a better chance at being modified to working as it currently exists and the Vapor is currently stuck at the best it can get without a complete re-design. On the Alumacase, if you continue the cutout around the volume/mute area and bring it down to the bottom of the phone (except at connection point -- think similar to the FusionWerkz RAW case) and insulate the hell out of anything near the antenna, I think you can avoid having so many signal and GPS problems.
Just my .02!
Thanks beedish! I will def try to modify this case before giving it up. Frankly I'm OKAY if the GPS doesn't work, but the data and phone call access HAS to work or i'm returning this case.
I'm imagining by insulating the whole case, this will affect screen protectors??
Are you only insulating the left side of the case or the entire case?
Are you using regular black electrical tape?
I'm imagining by insulating the whole case, this will affect screen protectors??
Are you only insulating the left side of the case or the entire case?
Are you using regular black electrical tape?
I insulated both sides but doubled up on the left side. I used regular vinyl electrical tape. As far as screen protectors, you have to make sure it's not bubbling before securing the case and you should be good. Just do a dry fit and try to get any bubbling up smoothed out by pushing the case toward you to take the pressure off the screen. Let me know the results by using test mode. Just dial *3001#12345#* in the dialer and check signal strength before and after modification.
Okay. Time for me to chime in on the case. I did not bother to do numeric tests on reception or internet speeds as the impact of the case was self-evident from the start.
I ordered two Alumacases with OUT the carbon fiber backs in the red and pink colors for me and the wife. I had Zagg total protection (front, back and sides) on both my unit and my wife's unit since shortly right after launch day of the iPhone 4. My unit took much more wear while overseas and ended up scrapping the back and side protectors when they started to peel. My wife's Zagg covers have pretty much stayed intact. I talk of these covers as I kept them when installing the Alumacases in hopes of insulating the phones from any attenuation. I ended up putting LuckyLab's fake carbon fiber /Teksure skin for the back and matching wraps on the sides, prior to Alumacase insertion. The Alumacases did permit the Zagg and the Luckylabs protectors to be used, however the insulation offered little to no protection against signal loss.
I totally liked the case, and wish I could get it to work for me. It did make the phone much larger to hold and noticeably heavier in hand. I sadly will not be keeping the case as both phones suffered heavy cellular signal loss and major impact on gps lock. I spend the last three days out running errands and noticed a lot of "No Service" to "Searching..." and slow 3G speeds. I sadly do live in a residential area that has poor to moderate AT&T service and even supplement in my house with a microcell.
I'm sure the case is great for those in ideal signal locations, but in my day-to-day service areas, the case simply causes too much signal loss!
Added Note: The #1 functional pet peeve of the case was the Sleep/Wake cutout made reaching the button a bit of a hassle, especially one handed use.
I ordered two Alumacases with OUT the carbon fiber backs in the red and pink colors for me and the wife. I had Zagg total protection (front, back and sides) on both my unit and my wife's unit since shortly right after launch day of the iPhone 4. My unit took much more wear while overseas and ended up scrapping the back and side protectors when they started to peel. My wife's Zagg covers have pretty much stayed intact. I talk of these covers as I kept them when installing the Alumacases in hopes of insulating the phones from any attenuation. I ended up putting LuckyLab's fake carbon fiber /Teksure skin for the back and matching wraps on the sides, prior to Alumacase insertion. The Alumacases did permit the Zagg and the Luckylabs protectors to be used, however the insulation offered little to no protection against signal loss.
I totally liked the case, and wish I could get it to work for me. It did make the phone much larger to hold and noticeably heavier in hand. I sadly will not be keeping the case as both phones suffered heavy cellular signal loss and major impact on gps lock. I spend the last three days out running errands and noticed a lot of "No Service" to "Searching..." and slow 3G speeds. I sadly do live in a residential area that has poor to moderate AT&T service and even supplement in my house with a microcell.
I'm sure the case is great for those in ideal signal locations, but in my day-to-day service areas, the case simply causes too much signal loss!
Added Note: The #1 functional pet peeve of the case was the Sleep/Wake cutout made reaching the button a bit of a hassle, especially one handed use.
i'm currently cutting bits of electrical tape to line the inside of the case now.. getting sticky black stuff all over my fingers, trying to cover the inside and the lip. It is extremely tedious.
ps I am hoping this increased thickness is not going to mess up my perfectly applied crystal clean front screen protector I put on yesterday.
UPDATE: reception seems slightly improved. GPS seems worsened?!
ps I am hoping this increased thickness is not going to mess up my perfectly applied crystal clean front screen protector I put on yesterday.
UPDATE: reception seems slightly improved. GPS seems worsened?!
you can see all the cases I own below - I have done meticulous wrapping/lining of each case with vinyl 3/8 in pinstripe, painstakingly cut with new blades to be perfect. Many pics of my stuff here and on the vapor thread. It does not matter much, and not worth the effort in my opin...it's wrapping the antenna in aluminum, IMO that degrades it...
Yah, gps never got better. Also, the electrical tape will leave residue on the case, but it is easily wiped off.
Also, Dyspareunia, the problem with the signal in this case isn't attenuation; it's the fact that we're blocking our antenna with a chunk of aluminum.
The only aluminum case that I see helping this is the Fusionwerkz raw. I'm going to wait for reviews on that case though!
Another update:
Reception and GPS are completely unusable in my area. Back to my incase snap smoke for now.
How do i get all this sticky black residue off the inside of the alumacase?
I'm returning it Monday, really unfortunate as I really liked the look and feel of this case too. I've been excited about this case for so long too. =( Oh well it was fun for about 1 day.
UPDATE: Tried every household chemical I could get my hands on: alcohol, soap, toothpaste, nail polish remover, WD40.
Turns out WD40 worked the best!
Reception and GPS are completely unusable in my area. Back to my incase snap smoke for now.
How do i get all this sticky black residue off the inside of the alumacase?
I'm returning it Monday, really unfortunate as I really liked the look and feel of this case too. I've been excited about this case for so long too. =( Oh well it was fun for about 1 day.
UPDATE: Tried every household chemical I could get my hands on: alcohol, soap, toothpaste, nail polish remover, WD40.
Turns out WD40 worked the best!
Ronsonol Lighter Fuel or any brand of LF would-be your BEST bet for removal of the tape residue
.
How about your liquid car wax!
It will work well and give your baby a shiny coat of protection too!
No. not kidding!
Or if u r a skier or boarder : wax remover would work as well.
Basically any typical oil base remover would work.
Alumacase apparently posted this update message a few hours ago to their Facebook profile:
"We are currently SOLD OUT at the moment. New and improved cases and colored carbon fiber backings will be available very soon."
I don't know how you could improve on the case, short of choosing a non-metal/non-aluminum design! I assume the improvement they are referring to is in regard to it's signal loss/gps fix problems on it current version 1 cases.
"We are currently SOLD OUT at the moment. New and improved cases and colored carbon fiber backings will be available very soon."
I don't know how you could improve on the case, short of choosing a non-metal/non-aluminum design! I assume the improvement they are referring to is in regard to it's signal loss/gps fix problems on it current version 1 cases.
I actually just received one from armadillocase...haven't gotten around to doing the test/review yet...hopefully this evening.
Everyone with version 1 of the case should be entitled to exchange it for version 2.