Atomic Hybrid Composite Case IP4

[wylee]

Good deal, glad they took care of you. I would like to know what exactly caused that. Like I said, I have a black and white case and have put them through hell and nothing. So I wonder what they will find out when they get it back. Cool they overnighted you a replacement though.

you can see from the pictures below the coating that came off on the scotch tape and the corresponding area on the frame. the coating gives it a matte finish while the underlying piece has a plastic finish.

in any case, i'm happy with the way atomic took care of me. maybe the frame that i got didn't get "baked" enough.

 

[catgirl21]

Have the people who got the white happy with it? Does it get dirty really easy or any discoloration? I've been eyeing the white and red. A little worried about yellowing over time though.

 

[archrider]

you can see from the pictures below the coating that came off on the scotch tape and the corresponding area on the frame. the coating gives it a matte finish while the underlying piece has a plastic finish.

in any case, i'm happy with the way atomic took care of me. maybe the frame that i got didn't get "baked" enough.

It's a little disturbing to me that applying and removing scotch tape can remove the finish. Seems like a fragile finish. Maybe this was just a fluke.

 

[ufcfighter]

I actually ruined my black case last night. Fell from my pocket onto a tile floor and the case cracked about half the way through BUT the phone didn't break! So it fell almost 4 feet to tile and all it did was crack the case but the exterior of the phone was perfect. But it hit hard enough that it messed up the internals of the phone, screen was messed up and a few other things but luckily I know the manager at my AT&T store and he swapped it out for me today. But it did not flake or anything like that, now I have to use my white one until atomic can fill my new black order. But I was impressed buy how it took the fall and left the phone perfect.

 

[ufcfighter]

It's a little disturbing to me that applying and removing scotch tape can remove the finish. Seems like a fragile finish. Maybe this was just a fluke.

But I was told that there were 7000 of these cases out there and not 1 return except the one on here so I would say it was a fluke! Cause like I said, mine fell around 4 feet and it didn't flake or anything.

 

[Big Ben]

Baked on coating on the delrin? I would love to know more about this. I'm not sure why the delrin needs a coating? They make black and white delrin.

 

[chris975d]

Baked on coating on the delrin? I would love to know more about this. I'm not sure why the delrin needs a coating? They make black and white delrin.

Delrin can be coated with various materials, either to further enhance it's chemical resistance, or purely for cosmetic reasons. The surface would be chemically etched (or should be, ideally...even the manufacturer Dow recommends this) to aid in bonding of the surface coating.

 

[ufcfighter]

Delrin can be coated with various materials, either to further enhance it's chemical resistance, or purely for cosmetic reasons. The surface would be chemically etched (or should be, ideally...even the manufacturer Dow recommends this) to aid in bonding of the surface coating.

And correct me if I am wrong here, but I don't think delrin comes in black. They have to make it that way. I was told that it only came in brown and the rest of it was made different colors using various methods.

 

[chris975d]

And correct me if I am wrong here, but I don't think delrin comes in black. They have to make it that way. I was told that it only came in brown and the rest of it was made different colors using various methods.

Delrin AF is the only delrin that I know of that comes in brown (from the material it's made of), but it's not used in these cases. It's far, far too expensive for that. Delrin's natural color is white (that's why many distributors list white as "natural"), and it is made black (through dye, I believe). I think it's this addition of the dye to color it black that makes black slightly more brittle and less impact resistant than white. White is typically known as the most pliable, most impact resistant of the two delrin colors, although no delrin has the impact resistance of standard "cheap" polycarbonate (the plastic used for most iPhone cases). Refer to the chart I posted in the Fusionwerkz Raw thread showing polycarbonate as being right at 6 times more impact resistant than delrin. I honestly expect to see many of these delrin cases breaking (as yours did) as they encounter drops, especially in the thinner areas of the case (like near the dock connector). I'm not knocking Atomic for using delrin, as it's fairly strong and pretty cheap, but I think the design should have been altered to strengthen the thin parts of the case. Looks like their soon to be released "Silverback" delrin/aluminum hybrid rugged case will address that.

 

[ufcfighter]

Delrin AF is the only delrin that I know of that comes in brown (from the material it's made of), but it's not used in these cases. It's far, far too expensive for that. Delrin's natural color is white (that's why many distributors list white as "natural"), and it is made black (through dye, I believe). I think it's this addition of the dye to color it black that makes black slightly more brittle and less impact resistant than white. White is typically known as the most pliable, most impact resistant of the two delrin colors, although no delrin has the impact resistance of standard "cheap" polycarbonate (the plastic used for most iPhone cases). Refer to the chart I posted in the Fusionwerkz Raw thread showing polycarbonate as being right at 6 times more impact resistant than delrin. I honestly expect to see many of these delrin cases breaking (as yours did) as they encounter drops, especially in the thinner areas of the case (like near the dock connector). I'm not knocking Atomic for using delrin, as it's fairly strong and pretty cheap, but I think the design should have been altered to strengthen the thin parts of the case. Looks like their soon to be released "Silverback" delrin/aluminum hybrid rugged case will address that.

Mine actually broke in the corner, all the thin parts were fine. But to me the case did its job. The phone was not broke EXTERNALLY, internally it was severely screwed. I took pictures of it but then traded my phone in and forget to email them to myself. But I did send the case back to Atomic for them to look at, but honestly my phone was fine, no broken glass or anything, just a little scratch on the back. So I would have to say it did its job just as well as any other case would excluding maybe a otterbox, Especially since it hit on the corner, the phone always breaks when its dropped there but mine didn't. So I am completely happy with the protection it did to my phone, and the fact that it cracked, well better the case than phone. Like I said, I didn't hesitate to order another one. That's how much I was impressed by it.

 

[chris975d]

Sounds like you got pretty lucky. It's good that there was no external damage, as it seems that the drop is obviously what caused the internal damage. Technically, Apple didn't have to give you a warranty replacement, as the phone was damaged by misuse/abuse. But, since there's no signs (external signs at least...dents, chips, etc) of a drop, it can be slid past Apple's warranty claim service. I've even had a friend who manages a nearby Apple Store tell me that "as long as they can't see any signs of a drop, they will usually replace it, even if it actually is damaged by a drop, so always use a case!" But he has said that he's heard of phones sent in to Apple Care (instead of swapped out in store) where they have refused a warranty replacement due to damage in a drop, even when no external drop signs were visible.

Mine actually broke in the corner, all the thin parts were fine. But to me the case did its job. The phone was not broke EXTERNALLY, internally it was severely screwed. I took pictures of it but then traded my phone in and forget to email them to myself. But I did send the case back to Atomic for them to look at, but honestly my phone was fine, no broken glass or anything, just a little scratch on the back. So I would have to say it did its job just as well as any other case would excluding maybe a otterbox, Especially since it hit on the corner, the phone always breaks when its dropped there but mine didn't. So I am completely happy with the protection it did to my phone, and the fact that it cracked, well better the case than phone. Like I said, I didn't hesitate to order another one. That's how much I was impressed by it.

 

[ufcfighter]

Sounds like you got pretty lucky. It's good that there was no external damage, as it seems that the drop is obviously what caused the internal damage. Technically, Apple didn't have to give you a warranty replacement, as the phone was damaged by misuse/abuse. But, since there's no signs (external signs at least...dents, chips, etc) of a drop, it can be slid past Apple's warranty claim service. I've even had a friend who manages a nearby Apple Store tell me that "as long as they can't see any signs of a drop, they will usually replace it, even if it actually is damaged by a drop, so always use a case!" But he has said that he's heard of phones sent in to Apple Care (instead of swapped out in store) where they have refused a warranty replacement due to damage in a drop, even when no external drop signs were visible.

I honestly thought they would put 2 and 2 together but they didn't. Like I said, I know the manager pretty well and they looked for water damage and that was it. I was in and out in 15 minutes. Your right though, I am lucky they replaced it. I didn't really feel like shelling out 600 bucks today.

 

[SophiaLee]

I'm surprised an AT&T store would replace it all. When I had a problem with mine, that I bought at AT&T, they told me to go to Apple.

 

[ufcfighter]

I'm surprised an AT&T store would replace it all. When I had a problem with mine, that I bought at AT&T, they told me to go to Apple.

This is actually the 2nd one they have replaced now. Maybe some stores are just more liberal than others. I know technically they shouldn't have but they always seem to help me with whatever problems I am having.

 

[Dhelsdon]

This is actually the 2nd one they have replaced now. Maybe some stores are just more liberal than others. I know technically they shouldn't have but they always seem to help me with whatever problems I am having.

You must be a likable person, or do you look like Brad Pit or some "hunk"

 

[ufcfighter]

You must be a likable person, or do you look like Brad Pit or some "hunk"

Maybe a little of both. Just kidding, I have learned that more better you treat people the more you get back in return so the guys at the at&t store have always treated me very well and vise versa. I send them guys alot of business, maybe that is there were of saying thanks. Don't really know.

 

[jpearn]

Well I took the plunge. With 'above the norm' praise from ufcfighter and catgirl21 I went for a white / red hybrid, to add to the ever growing case collection I have !
I just have to get it to the UK before Xmas

 

[ufcfighter]

Well I took the plunge. With 'above the norm' praise from ufcfighter and catgirl21 I went for a white / red hybrid, to add to the ever growing case collection I have !
I just have to get it to the UK before Xmas

Hey if you would have bought and sold as many cases as me, you would be happy too. I have had all the aluminum cases and a few other too and I finally found the one I am sticking with. Not really above the normal praise, I am just happy with their product and service is all. It seems most people are as well so its not just me. They really go out of their way to help their customers out, and that is rare in the case industry.

 

[Dhelsdon]

I am just happy with their product and service is all. It seems most people are as well so its not just me. They really go out of their way to help their customers out, and that is rare in the case industry.

Agreed, I just went and posted a review on their site earlier today because I was so impressed. I think that's a new feature they added, unless I just missed it..

 

[chris975d]

Hey if you would have bought and sold as many cases as me, you would be happy too. I have had all the aluminum cases and a few other too and I finally found the one I am sticking with. Not really above the normal praise, I am just happy with their product and service is all. It seems most people are as well so its not just me. They really go out of their way to help their customers out, and that is rare in the case industry.

You have to admit though, to those on the outside looking in, you post a HELL of a lot about the Atomic case. Look at your post history even. 319 posts, and less than 50 are about other things. The rest are about the Atomic case, in this thread, and other aluminum case threads. Hell...believe it or not, even I've gotten PM's and emails from people asking if me if you work for Atomic (because they've seen the exchanges between you and I in this thread and others). Nothing wrong with being a fan of something, but just know that others may view it as being too "cheerleader-y". Atomic should put you on the payroll with all the constant praise you give, that's for sure.

 

[ufcfighter]

Agreed, I just went and posted a review on their site earlier today because I was so impressed. I think that's a new feature they added, unless I just missed it..

I didn't even know you could do that until you pointed that out. I need to get over there and leave feedback since I have the white and black version. Or just the white one right now thanks to my slippery fingers yesterday.

 

[bighabeeb]

You have to admit though, to those on the outside looking in, you post a HELL of a lot about the Atomic case. Look at your post history even. 319 posts, and less than 50 are about other things. The rest are about the Atomic case, in this thread, and other aluminum case threads. Hell...believe it or not, even I've gotten PM's and emails from people asking if me if you work for Atomic (because they've seen the exchanges between you and I in this thread and others). Nothing wrong with being a fan of something, but just know that others may view it as being too "cheerleader-y". Atomic should put you on the payroll with all the constant praise you give, that's for sure.

Chris - same could be said for me. However I too was won over by them. In fact, if you look over my earlier posts about Atomic, I was absolutely BLASTING them.

Sometimes you get proven right, and sometimes you get proven wrong. Atomic has proven (so far) my initial reaction to them 100% wrong.

 

[ufcfighter]

You have to admit though, to those on the outside looking in, you post a HELL of a lot about the Atomic case. Look at your post history even. 319 posts, and less than 50 are about other things. The rest are about the Atomic case, in this thread, and other aluminum case threads. Hell...believe it or not, even I've gotten PM's and emails from people asking if me if you work for Atomic (because they've seen the exchanges between you and I in this thread and others). Nothing wrong with being a fan of something, but just know that others may view it as being too "cheerleader-y". Atomic should put you on the payroll with all the constant praise you give, that's for sure.

Just like Fusion should do with you! You do the same thing, you back the case you like the most. I like this case the best by far period. Why not praise a good product that has good customer support? What's wrong with that? Fusion only lets you try their case for 5 days and then your stuck with it. So now I am out of 50 or 60 bucks, whatever it was because I listened to you and gave them another shot, and I am still unhappy with it. Atomic backs their case for ever, Fusion does for 5 days!! What's that tell you? And honestly I don't care about what people supposedly say to you or pm you. I tell the truth about this product and all the others I have used. If I choose to praise Atomic, so be it. I am happy with it just like alot of others. It's not my fault people ask me questions about the product. I was one of the first to get it so half of my posts are probably answering questions that others have asked. Sorry if you don't like it.

 

[chris975d]

Chris - same could be said for me. However I too was won over by them. In fact, if you look over my earlier posts about Atomic, I was absolutely BLASTING them.

Sometimes you get proven right, and sometimes you get proven wrong. Atomic has proven (so far) my initial reaction to them 100% wrong.

Yeah, but you also don't have 250 + posts specifically praising the Atomic, either.

Just like Fusion should do with you! You do the same thing, you back the case you like the most. I like this case the best by far period. Why not praise a good product that has good customer support? What's wrong with that? Fusion only lets you try their case for 5 days and then your stuck with it. So now I am out of 50 or 60 bucks, whatever it was because I listened to you and gave them another shot, and I am still unhappy with it. Atomic backs their case for ever, Fusion does for 5 days!! What's that tell you? And honestly I don't care about what people supposedly say to you or pm you. I tell the truth about this product and all the others I have used. If I choose to praise Atomic, so be it. I am happy with it just like alot of others. It's not my fault people ask me questions about the product. I was one of the first to get it so half of my posts are probably answering questions that others have asked. Sorry if you don't like it.

Did I say I didn't like you being a fan of the company? No. Do I praise Fusion to high heaven in the forums here? No. All I've said, and continue to say, is that it's the best performing all aluminum case I've tried, and I've tried them all so far. And I've stated why I don't like delrin in a bumper style case (because it tends to be brittle when milled thin and can get brittle over time), and that's the only reason I haven't tried the Atomic Hybrid. Hell, yours did PRECISELY what I've been saying that thin (less than a quarter of an inch thick) delrin would do when dropped...it broke. Broke in a corner, I believe you stated. And if you read on delrin, it has a tendancy to fail in thin areas where the shape changes direction or has a thickness change (like the corner angle of a case). I have plenty of other plastic cases if I want that. All I was stating is how it can appear to people who are might be new to the forums, or dropping by after searching Google for "Atomic hybrid/reviews", that you are very, very much in support of them. And I think even you stated in another thread to a "newbie" who was praising another product to high heavens how that can make it appear that said person might have ties with the company. I wasn't speaking negatively on your praising the company, I was humorously stating how someone unfamiliar with the site might view your sometimes over the top praise.

 

[ufcfighter]

No but what your not getting is that the case did it's job! Yes it cracked but the phone was intact. Now do you honestly think the raw would provide the same protection? I think it would break the glass everytime because it directly sits on it. It just seems that you think your an expert in Delrin but some of your facts are incorrect. I can use google too! But the bottom line is that if I had to sacrifice a case to save my phone so be it because technically that's what it's for. Any case dropped from that distance would have damaged the case, aluminum or Delrin or plastic or whatever!

Yeah, but you also don't have 250 + posts specifically praising the Atomic, either.



Did I say I didn't like you being a fan of the company? No. Do I praise Fusion to high heaven in the forums here? No. All I've said, and continue to say, is that it's the best performing all aluminum case I've tried, and I've tried them all so far. And I've stated why I don't like delrin in a bumper style case (because it tends to be brittle when milled thin and can get brittle over time), and that's the only reason I haven't tried the Atomic Hybrid. Hell, yours did PRECISELY what I've been saying that thin (less than a quarter of an inch thick) delrin would do when dropped...it broke. Broke in a corner, I believe you stated. And if you read on delrin, it has a tendancy to fail in thin areas where the shape changes direction or has a thickness change (like the corner angle of a case). I have plenty of other plastic cases if I want that. All I was stating is how it can appear to people who are might be new to the forums, or dropping by after searching Google for "Atomic hybrid/reviews", that you are very, very much in support of them. And I think even you stated in another thread to a "newbie" who was praising another product to high heavens how that can make it appear that said person might have ties with the company. I wasn't speaking negatively on your praising the company, I was humorously stating how someone unfamiliar with the site might view your sometimes over the top praise.