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e13ctron aluminum case Full Review
- Thread starter chris975d
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The aluminum front case colors will be the same as what's offered now. They work with both the aluminum back and the hybrid back. The hybrid (plastic) back will only be in black, like in all the pics I've put up of it so far.
Here is what I have seen from my use. In general, there is some mild signal degradation with this case, however I want to stress that it really is mild. The only place where this is a factor for me is in my office at work and a couple other low signal areas I go to. There without a case on or with a non-aluminum case, my signal sits at around -95 db to around -115 db and will occasionally drop to searching mode. So in general, the signal is bad. With the e13ctron case on, I do not get a signal at all in the office. It automatically goes to "No Signal" and will pretty much stay there throughout the day. I have noticed this in a few other areas that I generally only get very poor reception in.
I would love to test out one of the new hybrid backs and see if it works better. If it works in this bunker of an office, then it truly will be the best hybrid case out there as far as style and function go. Maybe I should contact them and see if they will let me check it out.
did jacob mention anything about releasing more colors later on? thatll be a bit disappointing if they only sell black, i was excited for this case.
Can't wait to be able to order this on their site when its ready. Thanks for all the testing and keeping people up to date.
We haven't discussed different hybrid colors yet, but knowing what I do about this plastic, I'm not sure that it'll be able to be done. A delrin plastic is about the only plastic that can be milled, and you're severely limited in color choices with that. The only colors that I've ever seen delrin (or any of it's competitiors....Delrin is the DuPont trade name, it's just an acetal based plastic) in are black, white (these are the only 2 colors Atomic sells their hybrid case in), and a horrible looking brown. You MIGHT could make the plastic part out of other plastics, but I'd say those would have to be molded instead of milled, and then you'd lose the consistency and craftsmanship from part to part that you get with milling it.
No problem. Just trying to help out my fellow MacRumors case "enthusiasts"! It really is a great case. It gives almost all the strength and look of a full aluminum case, but does away with the slight signal impact that the all aluminum version was causing. Like I said before, I'll keep updating you guys and post a fuller review in a day or so.
somehow i saw that coming. though i do have a white back so i guess white bottom / light grey front would be the next best thing. hopefully they make white
edit: has anyone received an email from jacob yet? not complaining at all since im sure hes extremely busy, just curious .
edit: has anyone received an email from jacob yet? not complaining at all since im sure hes extremely busy, just curious .
somehow i saw that coming. though i do have a white back so i guess white bottom / light grey front would be the next best thing. hopefully they make white
edit: has anyone received an email from jacob yet? not complaining at all since im sure hes extremely busy, just curious .
what did you email him about im sure someone on this forum can help you out?
I emailed him on Saturday but wasn't actually expecting a response until sometime this week. The email wasn't anything urgent so I'm sure he'll get back to me soon
somehow i saw that coming. though i do have a white back so i guess white bottom / light grey front would be the next best thing. hopefully they make white
edit: has anyone received an email from jacob yet? not complaining at all since im sure hes extremely busy, just curious .
I've talked to him a couple of times this weekend, but not for very long. He's been very busy at CES, as he was meeting with a distributor in Asia that could land him a deal to move A LOT of the e13ctron cases a month. He's already mentioned the huge number of emails that he's received since I posted the pics of the black chrome/hybrid combo, and will get back to you all as soon as he gets back to his hometown. He specifically said he doesn't want to be like the other companies that "don't answer customers' emails", so don't worry.
I'm not trying to make excuses for anyone, but remember that it has been a weekend the past few days. How many people reply to work related emails on the weekend? More importantly, how many case companies reply on the weekend? I've got friends that work and both Otterbox and Speck that I talk with about things other than cases, but you can bet your butt that I don't get work related emails from them on the weekends. He'll get back with you all as soon as he gets back from Vegas, I'm sure.I shot Jacob an email on Saturday and he sent one back yesterday saying he would get in touch with me today. I have one of his first cases but the area where I live in horrible. AT&T does not even offer service here but I moved here with it so I kept it. I would love to try the hybrid since I seem to be on of the only people who are having some trouble with the all aluminum version. Like I said though, its a bad area so if the hybrid will work here it would work anywhere. That's pretty much a guarantee.
Got a response about an hour ago pretty much confirming everything that's been said in this thread. The plastic parts will be slightly cheaper in price and those plus the chrome parts will be available "soon".
Just placed an order
Ok, Now I did it. I bought the blue front and the clear on back (for my white iphone 4). TThe review seems good and I called today to make sure they have one in stock. They don't have one but they will make one today and ship it on my way with overnight shipping and should be here tomorrow (I am in SoCal). They said I don't have to do overnight because it's not too far from company, but I need to have it by tomorrow for sure for my trip on Wednesday. I will try to put the picture with using friend's iphone once I get it on. hopefully the GPS is good as you guys say. With Almate(Basically Atomic case) spot me within 5seconds, so I hope I get somewhere close. If not, I will somehow live with it since the look of the case is awesome.
Thank you for you guys's review. It helped me on my decision.
Ok, Now I did it. I bought the blue front and the clear on back (for my white iphone 4). TThe review seems good and I called today to make sure they have one in stock. They don't have one but they will make one today and ship it on my way with overnight shipping and should be here tomorrow (I am in SoCal). They said I don't have to do overnight because it's not too far from company, but I need to have it by tomorrow for sure for my trip on Wednesday. I will try to put the picture with using friend's iphone once I get it on. hopefully the GPS is good as you guys say. With Almate(Basically Atomic case) spot me within 5seconds, so I hope I get somewhere close. If not, I will somehow live with it since the look of the case is awesome.
Thank you for you guys's review. It helped me on my decision.
jacob has responded to my email. he basically said everything we already know. plastic backs should be available within a couple of weeks, will work with any front piece and to just pay attention to the thread on macrumors.
jacob also said they will be selling white bottoms
jacob also said they will be selling white bottoms
I've talked to him a couple of times this weekend, but not for very long. He's been very busy at CES, as he was meeting with a distributor in Asia that could land him a deal to move A LOT of the e13ctron cases a month. He's already mentioned the huge number of emails that he's received since I posted the pics of the black chrome/hybrid combo, and will get back to you all as soon as he gets back to his hometown. He specifically said he doesn't want to be like the other companies that "don't answer customers' emails", so don't worry.
Agreed, Jacob always reply fast. Even though he went to CES for couple days without responding my emails, gimme a reply when he's back right away. I'd appreciate that, and I'm pretty sure e13ctron will be the most popular iphone case worldwide. I've posted quite a lot of threads to introduce e13ctron in China. Even though it seems I'm the only one who's familiar with them at first, soon more and more apple fans start enjoying their decent design and want one urgently. That shows developing markets in Asia will make a great success too.
Thank you chris, you took a lot of nice pics and reviews. How's the chrome feel, will it make the case heavier? and will it tarnishes?
Chris, in your opinion what combination feels better, the plastic and the matte or the plastic and the polished?
hi i put on ebay my vapor case to buy this one i like this more i like to combination of above of me good colors i am looking for colors like this any recomendations ?
and what is the diferent from
matte and polished ? and what look better of matte and polished
and what is the diferent from
matte and polished ? and what look better of matte and polished
I've got all 3 finishes they offer (the original milled/brushed finish, the matte, and now the polished black chrome), and I'd say that my personal favorite is the matte. At least for daily usage. The texture is slightly "grippier" and matches well with the plastic back. The matte finish should also show less wear and tear in daily use. My favorite looking finish is the black chrome, but man is it slick (feeling wise)! And I think it looks the best, but I also don't want to use it much and risk scratching it up/dinging it. When I do have it on, I use my Waterfield leather sleeve to keep the phone in to protect it in my pocket. Right now I'm kind of using the matte and chrome fronts as my "daily driver" and my "show off" case, depending on my mood for the day/where I'll be with my phone. Kind of like having a utilitarian "business suit" for the daily grind, and a nice "tuxedo" for the "night's out on the town".
I've got all 3 finishes they offer (the original milled/brushed finish, the matte, and now the polished black chrome), and I'd say that my personal favorite is the matte. At least for daily usage. The texture is slightly "grippier" and matches well with the plastic back. The matte finish should also show less wear and tear in daily use. My favorite looking finish is the black chrome, but man is it slick (feeling wise)! And I think it looks the best, but I also don't want to use it much and risk scratching it up/dinging it. When I do have it on, I use my Waterfield leather sleeve to keep the phone in to protect it in my pocket. Right now I'm kind of using the matte and chrome fronts as my "daily driver" and my "show off" case, depending on my mood for the day/where I'll be with my phone. Kind of like having a utilitarian "business suit" for the daily grind, and a nice "tuxedo" for the "night's out on the town".
i agree with chris,
chris you have been on point with your reviews and points about this case and pretty much any others you have written anything on. thanks for the dedication on giving a true review. its no wonder they have sent you so many cases to take a look at and review for them.
Thanks!
It's just a hobby of mine (yes, I know it's kind of a stupid and expensive one..but what hobby isn't? ). Like I've said before, I try to review these cases in the way that, if I were the reader, would want them reviewed in, and talk about the things that would be important to me (if I were looking at purchasing the case I'm talking about).I'm just an everyday user, so I leave the detailed reviews to Chris and SchneiderMan.
I've had the Hybrid for a few days now and decided it does help signal slightly, not that it was so bad with the Aluminum back.
I can't wait for the Final product.
I've had the Hybrid for a few days now and decided it does help signal slightly, not that it was so bad with the Aluminum back.
I can't wait for the Final product.
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Based on the pictures and other info I think I'm going to spring for the matte clear and dark grey. Later I'll purchase the plastic back and maybe one or two of the polished fronts
Based on the pictures and other info I think I'm going to spring for the matte clear and dark grey. Later I'll purchase the plastic back and maybe one or two of the polished fronts