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Element Case ION 5 Released!

djbobbless said:
Very matte/rubberized grip but not difficult to take out of the pocket. I feel like it would never slip out of my hands.
Click to expand...

What about the lack of "dimples" on the sides of the case? The case for the 4/4S had those dimples and I thought it was a great feature.
 
pinkoos said:
What about the lack of "dimples" on the sides of the case? The case for the 4/4S had those dimples and I thought it was a great feature.
Click to expand...

The dimples is one thing I do miss off the 4/4s version. What's interesting with the ion 5 case although is it fits perfect in my hand. I'm pretty impressed with the case, I am just waiting on a reply in regards of the volume button issue that I mentioned earlier. The carbon fiber backplate isn't completely slippery although you will distinguish a difference between the tpu and the carbon fiber of course. I'm not sure if that's how I felt with the previous gen case.
 
I received my case today and it feels great and also works well with the bodyguardz pure glass screen protector.
 
Button issue? Here is the fix

When they molded the button, the bottom plate that the button rests on is a tiny bit too thick and the molding seam makes it too thick to accomodate the buttons. The result is that the whole left side of the case seems to bow ever so slightly and pressure on the side of the case will activate the buttons. Fortunately the fix is easy and takes less than a minute.

  1. Pop the side button module out of the Ion 5 case.
  2. Get some fine sandpaper 400-600 grit will do fine. You can also use an emery board you can get at the drugstore.
  3. Sand down the flat side of the module for about 30 seconds - 1 minute until the bottom is smooth and even.
  4. Wet the module to remove any dust. (I licked my thumb and used that)
  5. Pop the module back in.

If you did it right, there should be a slight indentation to accomodate the buttons. If not, pop out the module and repeat. This fix took me one minute to do and now it works perfectly. I'm sure that the Element people will correct this at some point.

Also, I don't have trouble with the lack of dimples along the sides. The lightness of the phone and the thinness of the outer edge allows me a secure grip. I don't think dimples would do any good.

The only downside is that the opening for the lightning connector barely fits the 30 pin-lightning adapter cable and is no good with the 30 pin-lightning adapter. I understand why they did it that way (the thinness of the PU on the bezel wouldn't provide enough rigidity along the bottom) but it kind of sucks that I'll have to remove my case to use a lot of accessories. Otherwise, it is perfect. Still the best all around case out there.
 
Last edited:
Excerpt from their website:

"Further improvements like integrated button system, and premium packaging with a magnetic closure make the new ION 5 an even better value."

Lol, so better packaging and a magnet in the box makes this a better value?.hehe
 
ediamond said:
When they molded the button, the bottom plate that the button rests on is a tiny bit too thick and the molding seam makes it too thick to accomodate the buttons. The result is that the whole left side of the case seems to bow ever so slightly and pressure on the side of the case will activate the buttons. Fortunately the fix is easy and takes less than a minute.

  1. Pop the side button module out of the Ion 5 case.
  2. Get some fine sandpaper 400-600 grit will do fine. You can also use an emery board you can get at the drugstore.
  3. Sand down the flat side of the module for about 30 seconds - 1 minute until the bottom is smooth and even.
  4. Wet the module to remove any dust. (I licked my thumb and used that)
  5. Pop the module back in.

If you did it right, there should be a slight indentation to accomodate the buttons. If not, pop out the module and repeat. This fix took me one minute to do and now it works perfectly. I'm sure that the Element people will correct this at some point.

Also, I don't have trouble with the lack of dimples along the sides. The lightness of the phone and the thinness of the outer edge allows me a secure grip. I don't think dimples would do any good.

The only downside is that the opening for the lightning connector barely fits the 30 pin-lightning adapter cable and is no good with the 30 pin-lightning adapter. I understand why they did it that way (the thinness of the PU on the bezel wouldn't provide enough rigidity along the bottom) but it kind of sucks that I'll have to remove my case to use a lot of accessories. Otherwise, it is perfect. Still the best all around case out there.
Click to expand...


Thanks for the fix tip. If element case doesn't resolve it, i'll go ahead and attempt to do this. Love the case other than that although.
 
ediamond said:
When they molded the button, the bottom plate that the button rests on is a tiny bit too thick and the molding seam makes it too thick to accomodate the buttons. The result is that the whole left side of the case seems to bow ever so slightly and pressure on the side of the case will activate the buttons. Fortunately the fix is easy and takes less than a minute.

  1. Pop the side button module out of the Ion 5 case.
  2. Get some fine sandpaper 400-600 grit will do fine. You can also use an emery board you can get at the drugstore.
  3. Sand down the flat side of the module for about 30 seconds - 1 minute until the bottom is smooth and even.
  4. Wet the module to remove any dust. (I licked my thumb and used that)
  5. Pop the module back in.

If you did it right, there should be a slight indentation to accomodate the buttons. If not, pop out the module and repeat. This fix took me one minute to do and now it works perfectly. I'm sure that the Element people will correct this at some point.

Also, I don't have trouble with the lack of dimples along the sides. The lightness of the phone and the thinness of the outer edge allows me a secure grip. I don't think dimples would do any good.

The only downside is that the opening for the lightning connector barely fits the 30 pin-lightning adapter cable and is no good with the 30 pin-lightning adapter. I understand why they did it that way (the thinness of the PU on the bezel wouldn't provide enough rigidity along the bottom) but it kind of sucks that I'll have to remove my case to use a lot of accessories. Otherwise, it is perfect. Still the best all around case out there.
Click to expand...

I agree with this review 100%. I used your tip to sand down the plastic volume key module and it worked great. However I hope this is only a temporary solution and element case provides a fix. It fits great in the hand and not slick at all. I use it with a SPG anti-glare screen cover and it works and looks great!
 
It's comparable. having had both, the Ion 5 is more elegant in my opinion, and easier to put on and remove. It also works quite well with my Elevation dock.
 
Is the back flexible or stiff? Thanks for the info. I prefer stiff after reading about the bending iPhones.
 
djbobbless said:
Thanks for the fix tip. If element case doesn't resolve it, i'll go ahead and attempt to do this. Love the case other than that although.
Click to expand...

Can you comment on the back where the camera cut out is...do you have any issue with the flash flair or anything like that...from the pictures you posted seems the cutout in the back for the flash is little too close and it might cause issues if flashed used....can you please take some pictures with flash and maybe post the results if its not too much of a trouble?

--MS
 
Other colors

Wonder if there are any plans for them to release any other color besides black being that I have a white iphone5...anyone know?
 
FYI ...I went thru the checkout process just far enough to see how much the (ridiculous) shipping cost would be then stopped...got an email later that evening with a coupon code for 10% off if I completed the order. (Also wonder how they got my email addy as I did not "sign in" or have to give my email, spooky, lol)
 
ordered ion5

i used the 10% discount- shipping was $12.00- I really don't like it when companies put a big additional profit margin on the shipping- I would rather just pay more for the product than get gouged with a stupid shipping charge- just my two cents.... I hope the buttons work correctly and I don't have to sand or file it - the website also says it can take up to two days to ship/process the order- their facebook page indicates that it is in stock- will post review when I get it...
 
I found a 10% code from a Google search, 8745HPSUP34995, that just worked for me. Just ordered an ION 5 to go with my white iPhone 5 after seeing the reviews here.

I have a Speck CandyShell in black right now, but it feels a little too common/cheap. The ION was the first TPU case I've seen that didn't strike me as either ugly, or just something everyone else has.

Of course the sure fire way to make your phone unique is to not put it in a case at all. With a 1 year old running around the house who loves to grab unattended iPhones, that's really not a smart option.
 
Like the look of this case, but there has been very little discussion or reviews. Why is it not very popular? Quality issues? Price?
 
Just got mine and I love this case.

Best parts are:
1) The buttons are perfect. Very easy to press and tactile. No sanding or modification needed for mine.
2) Case feels great in the hand.

Concerns:
1) Immediately peeled the corner of my plastic screen protector. I took the screen protector off for now, but I am going to install a tempered glass one tomorrow (will install with the case already on).
2) I think the carbon fiber (sticker) will scratch pretty easily. Its not very recessed like I thought it might be.

So far, it's my favorite iPhone 5 case (and I have tried about 15).
 
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