Element Vapor Case

[tsboy69]

Had the phone in my case now since Monday. Have dropped a few calls, but in areas that were bad months ago - I don't feel the case has had any negative effects on the signal - plenty of 5 bars.

I have noticed that my GPS is off now and again - Not across town, but just a block or two. I look at it constantly now and wonder if it was that way before.

Overall, still great without all the big issues before mentioned. Back in LA in a few days, so we will see!

Regarding the 3M foam tape - here is a suggestion of where to buy a managable amount. Go to a teacher supply store - they carry this mounting tape. The teachers use it all the time to mount posters, foam core, etc. Little 1/2 or so squares of two sided - seems like a pair of scissors will do the trick - Inexpensive too.

Hope this is helpful!

 

[archrider]

Congrats man, That' awesome. I hope you have more luck than I did. The case makes my iphone totally useless. I guess I will have to send mine back : (

It seems to me the added tape should be wide enough to lap over the edge of the channel shape of the inside of the case, maybe slightly more than 1/4". If the tape is completely recessed into the channel there is still a chance of metal to metal contact at the edge. It's a shame it requires a lot of precision.

 

[archrider]

Had the phone in my case now since Monday. Have dropped a few calls, but in areas that were bad months ago - I don't feel the case has had any negative effects on the signal - plenty of 5 bars.

I have noticed that my GPS is off now and again - Not across town, but just a block or two. I look at it constantly now and wonder if it was that way before.

Overall, still great without all the big issues before mentioned. Back in LA in a few days, so we will see!

Regarding the 3M foam tape - here is a suggestion of where to buy a managable amount. Go to a teacher supply store - they carry this mounting tape. The teachers use it all the time to mount posters, foam core, etc. Little 1/2 or so squares of two sided - seems like a pair of scissors will do the trick - Inexpensive too.

Hope this is helpful!

Outside my GPS locates me within a couple of feet and points in the right direction. Admittedly if I'm surrounded by tall buildings it shows me across the street and takes a long time to acquire. this is with no added tape.

 

[lorenwade]

Without the case, GPS found me within seconds to my almost exact location.

After I put the case on, it found me a mile/block or two away. After a week of usage, it went back to normal. I don't know why or how to make sense of it, but it finds me within a few feet again. Maybe it needs time to recalibrate or something. I don't know!

 

[White/Rhino]

Ok, I though I would try putting my phone inside a clear plastic bag ( no holes )
to see what would happen. These pics were taken 1 minute apart with and with out case in the same spot. I'm totally baffled. It's clear that the phone having any contact with the metal makes no difference. It's like Iphone kryptonite
Notice that it didn't only loose bars but dropped in to Edge.

 

[lorenwade]

Ok, I though I would try putting my phone inside a clear plastic bag ( no holes )
to see what would happen. These pics were taken 1 minute apart with and with out case in the same spot. I'm totally baffled. It's clear that the phone having any contact with the metal makes no difference. It's like Iphone kryptonite
Notice that it didn't only loose bars but dropped in to Edge.

Wow. Maybe you should have your iPhone looked at instead! Dang.

 

[White/Rhino]

Wow. Maybe you should have your iPhone looked at instead! Dang.

I know my signal isn't the best but it's not allergic to plastic. I get the same responce if I death grip my Iphone. There could be a problem or it's just that the Iphone 4 doesn't like anything covering the sides.

 

[lorenwade]

I know my signal isn't the best but it's not allergic to plastic. I get the same responce if I death grip my Iphone. There could be a problem or it's just that the Iphone 4 doesn't like anything covering the sides.

That's not right. Mine doesn't even have said deathgrip issue. I'd really get it checked out at al Apple store!

 

[White/Rhino]

That's not right. Mine doesn't even have said deathgrip issue. I'd really get it checked out at al Apple store!

You must have gotten the one good Iphone 4 lol. I just put some old zag shield on the 3 areas where the antenna seperates. My Iphone is now holding a 3g signal even though the bars still dropped. Much better than my test an hour ago.
oops never mind it's back on edge.........no, 3g again. dam, dam, dam dam!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[lorenwade]

I'm really sorry to hear that man. I know how much I love my Vapor case now... and it would kill me to be in your situation! Rargh!

 

[Big-TDI-Guy]

Ok, the tape helping some people may come down to this: it merely creates a larger gap between the faraday cage and the antenna - allowing signal to get by. The closer the conductor is - the more the signal is impeded. The "death grip" has two effects - one it increases the surface conductivity of your skin to the antenna - but two - it moves the energy absorbing mass (your body) in tighter to the antenna.

I'd be willing to bet if the case itself were electrically isolated at the screws (insulating washers / plastic bumper) - it would work better, as the metal band would not wrap completely around both sides of the IP4.

Anyhow - back to it - can't believe this thread is still going, I miss the old one, too.

Also miss my IP4 - but I refuse to purchase one (again) until Apple fixes some things.

 

[archrider]

I know my signal isn't the best but it's not allergic to plastic. I get the same responce if I death grip my Iphone. There could be a problem or it's just that the Iphone 4 doesn't like anything covering the sides.

In my opinion you're phone isn't the problem. Comparing case-no case the case is the variable, not the phone. Maybe if the plastic bag is thin it could be a proximity issue (very very close may be like touching). Maybe a heavier plastic bag 3mil thick may help. Make sure to keep the bag on for the no case test (not likely but bag might somehow effect things.

I know this must be frustrating and you're probably tired of trying things

I just read Big-TDI-guy's post his first paragraph states it pretty well.

 

[asleep]

...I'd be willing to bet if the case itself were electrically isolated at the screws (insulating washers / plastic bumper) - it would work better, as the metal band would not wrap completely around both sides of the IP4...

Wonder if Element Case could machine a Delrin® washer to fit ... wonder if they know to try/have tried it?

 

[Big-TDI-Guy]

I'm sure there are COTS washers already available. DPSS diode arrays use these washers - and the hardware is in the same size range as the screws on this case.

The only catch item would be something to go between the two metal pieces. How much of a gap is around the screws and the side of the case that is NOT tapped? If there is enough slop, you could tape or sleeve the screw in that area. Then a small piece of tape or plastic between the metal parts (to keep a tiny gap). Finally a phenolic washer around the head of the screw itself.

To save wasting the time required for that, someone could put a piece of tape between the metal gaps (both the top and bottom ones) - and then NOT use screws, but simply tape the case onto the phone - and test the signal then.

 

[archrider]

Wonder if Element Case could machine a Delrin® washer to fit ... wonder if they know to try/have tried it?

Wouldn't the screws themselves bridge the gap. Washers wouldn't really isolate the halves.

****** Big-TDI-Guy beat me to it again.

 

[Big-TDI-Guy]

Sorry, mate.

How about this... someone can do the "tape test" and if it actually makes a substantial improvement in signal strength - I won't paste the link to a vendor who makes insulating shoulder washers... I'll let you do it.

 

[archrider]

Sorry, mate.

How about this... someone can do the "tape test" and if it actually makes a substantial improvement in signal strength - I won't paste the link to a vendor who makes insulating shoulder washers... I'll let you do it.

No No, Keep up the good work.

 

[nolesfan]

I just tested my iPhone 4 with my vapor case and remember I am 10 feet from a microcell. I put my phone in field test mode and without the vapor I was at -53 db, when I put the case back on I went to -79 sometimes clear up to -81 and 4 bars and my case is insulated. This thing is ridiculous, lose almost 30 db because of a case!!

 

[tizzl10]

My Element Vapor case arrived this morning. I was lucky and ordered on August 26 and arrived to my door on September 4 (i didnt have a pre-order number, either . Uber sexy case, very lightweight. Looks awesome with my white back glass.

Signal degredation: Typically in my house I am full strength 5 bars/4 bars in my basement. Upstairs I am at 4 bars and downstairs in the basement, I am at 3 bars.

Lay-on-table design: In the pictures I saw prior to getting mine, it appeared that the design had no lip for laying on the table. There is a small lip, albeit not much of a lip for flat surfaces..im still going to get a screen sheild.

GPS: Forget about it..it's got me clear across town lol.

I will post pictures once I get a decent camera. My old iphone 3g camera doesnt do this case justice.

Oh, i forgot to say..Element sent the wrong color. Initially I ordered the silver/silver, then contacted them to request a silver/blue. They updated my order to reflect the change and still sent the silver/silver.

 

[White/Rhino]

Ok, Bear with me here. I'm not in a contract so my Iphone 4 is unlocked and I can use any provide I want out of 5 . I just popped into a Bell store to do a 1 month contract to see what kind of reception ( I'm currently with Rogers ) I would get. ( Yes, a little extreme, I know )This screen shot is with My element case on taken in the same spot as the other two pics in my previous post. Please note there are no mods made to the case whatsoever, no tape foam or plastic. Holy cow!!!!!!!

 

[Moyank24]

Ok, Bear with me here. I'm not in a contract so my Iphone 4 is unlocked and I can use any provide I want out of 5 . I just popped into a Bell store to do a 1 month contract to see what kind of reception ( I'm currently with Rogers ) I would get. ( Yes, a little extreme, I know )This screen shot is with My element case on taken in the same spot as the other two pics in my previous post. Please note there are no mods made to the case whatsoever, no tape foam or plastic. Holy cow!!!!!!!

Wow! If only us poor saps in the US had such options!

 

[zornet]

Ok, Bear with me here. I'm not in a contract so my Iphone 4 is unlocked and I can use any provide I want out of 5 . I just popped into a Bell store to do a 1 month contract to see what kind of reception ( I'm currently with Rogers ) I would get. ( Yes, a little extreme, I know )This screen shot is with My element case on taken in the same spot as the other two pics in my previous post. Please note there are no mods made to the case whatsoever, no tape foam or plastic. Holy cow!!!!!!!

A BIG hand for you W/R... You found the bars congratulations, with the help of Bell .

 

[White/Rhino]

Wow! If only us poor saps in the US had such options!

Well, that wasn't the point I was making. I didn't mean to sound like i was rubbing it in. I had just tried everything to make the case work and it was all about the crappy provider. I hope you guys get the same option soon. It's great to get pissed off at you provider and not have to buy another cell phone and pay a fortune to kill a contract.

 

[White/Rhino]

W/R this is a sad state of affairs with your long awaited Vapor Case. Lets not give up the ship. By chance does your case resemble mine after you upgraded the EC supplied insulation? This did the trick for my phone as I remove all but the EC mystery material, other than the on/off button EC stuff. In your area do you normally only have one or two bars of signal strength?

Hey man. thanks for the advice. I even used the same tape as you. As you can see I changed providers and now I have 5 bars. I was on the edge about changing my provider anyways. Yesterday it dropped 2 clients calls. i can't have that.
It must boil down to real signal strength. My up and download speeds are like wifi now even with the case on. I can't believe it. :

 

[asleep]

[the]case...is like Iphone kryptonite...

Ha!