Element Metal Bumper (sector 5) Alternative - Esoterism Moat 5!

[Chuck-Norris]

I always liked the idea of a metal bumper, and element offered a cool design and such, but the price they set at always steered me away.

i discovered another metal bumper case from Esoterism called the Moat 5.

youtube user uncletone made a review and it looked really nice! hence how i found it

here are some pics:

although the styling is different, the price was tempting (though stil expensive for a case) compared to the price of a sector 5

one of the things i liked was that it was alot more streamlined and smoother which really conformed to the shape of the iphone 5. it wasnt ment to be something that was super eye catching, but still nice and attractive.

its made in taiwan if that means anything for quality.

specs say its carved out of a single block of aluminum and the craftsmanship is very nice, both pieces of the bumper line out perfectly and the cut outs are spot on the iphones ports , speakers, even the sim card tray.

so if ur looking for an alternative coool metal bumper case, check em out.

i found a couple youtube reviews on 2 models. the one from uncletone and the other dude randomrazr.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w5e0ww1Lpf4

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WYVSvaENxj4


the model i purchased is the moat 5 in PHAMTOM GREY and the color really looks nice with the black iphone.

so what do you all think of this bumper?

 

[bwerner25]

How's the signal strength?

 

[Chuck-Norris]

How's the signal strength?

uneffected but i am in a city so signal strengh is usally always high

the bumper has these inner foam liners so the bumper ever actually touches the iphone

 

[AFDoc]

uneffected but i am in a city so signal strengh is usally always high

the bumper has these inner foam liners so the bumper ever actually touches the iphone

Signal degradation has less to do with contact with the bumper than the actual bumper itself. You can have a bumper that never touches the phone turn your phone into an ipod touch. It has to do with surrounding an antenna with metal. This one looks like it would kill reception for most as it's pretty much solid all around. Look at cases such as the sector 5 from element, that's what kind of openings you need for the 5 to function properly. Of course YMMV depending on tower locations typical signal strength ect ect. I could never use a bumper like this one as I am in a lot of low signal situations.
I always laugh when they say(much like the gent in the video) "It's lined to protect from signal degradation".... yeah ok if you say so

 

[Chuck-Norris]

Signal degradation has less to do with contact with the bumper than the actual bumper itself. You can have a bumper that never touches the phone turn your phone into an ipod touch. It has to do with surrounding an antenna with metal. This one looks like it would kill reception for most as it's pretty much solid all around. Look at cases such as the sector 5 from element, that's what kind of openings you need for the 5 to function properly. Of course YMMV depending on tower locations typical signal strength ect ect. I could never use a bumper like this one as I am in a lot of low signal situations.
I always laugh when they say(much like the gent in the video) "It's lined to protect from signal degradation".... yeah ok if you say so

true i have yet to see this in more rural areas where service isnt as strong.

other then the potential signal degredation it can cause, what do you think of the design?

and i guess when i look at the sector 5, its isnt all metal, some parts of plastic, i assume that prevents signal loss?

 

[AFDoc]

true i have yet to see this in more rural areas where service isnt as strong.

other then the potential signal degredation it can cause, what do you think of the design?

and i guess when i look at the sector 5, its isnt all metal, some parts of plastic, i assume that prevents signal loss?

I like the design overall. The open areas on the sector 5 are what helps.... the top and bottom are pretty much open plus the openings along the side. IF you're looking for a nice aluminum case for a much lower price try the Chinese Sector 5 cases..... $30 as compared to $140. http://www.caseswill.com/new-sector-5-aluminium-bumper-frame-case-for-iphone-5-silver_p4652.html

And of course the $200 black ops for $35 http://www.caseswill.com/new-sector-5-ops-aluminium-bumper-frame-case-for-iphone-5-black_p4649.html
I have no problem buying the rip off version but you need to decide that for yourself. I am holding out for the wood one and will most likely break down and buy the real deal if those wonderful chinese don't copy it.
http://www.elementcase.com/Ronin-iPhone-5-Case-Nickel-p/api5-1110-n6bs.htm

 

[Enforce]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w5e0ww1Lpf4

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WYVSvaENxj4


the model i purchased is the moat 5 in PHAMTOM GREY and the color really looks nice with the black iphone.

so what do you all think of this bumper?

Super sleek! i like! one of the more affordable aluminum bumpers out there by the way. oh also did u check out their advertisement video? Sexy!

 

[Steevie]

yeah this case definitely looks really nice but itf its metal all around i thik it would have some impact on signal strength. The elements have plastic hinges to prevent that. If you can do some more testing or if anyone has this case it would help clear things up.