asleep
macrumors 68040
What!???
I don't think I've seen a more confused group of people since the Heaven's Gate movement.
Got a tip for us?
Let us know
Become a MacRumors Supporter for $50/year with no ads, ability to filter front page stories, and private forums.
Element Vapor Case
- Thread starter johnnybgood15
- Start date
- Sort by reaction score
What!???
I don't think I've seen a more confused group of people since the Heaven's Gate movement.
Rooskibar03
macrumors 65816
Well after spending lots of time reading all of these posts I went ahead and still placed an order for one.
I put my name on the pre-order list back at launch and got my email to order on 8/16, it said I had 72 hours to order.
At the time the cases where just starting to arrive to the early customers and reviews weren't so good, so I waited.
On 9/3 I finally decided I would take the plunge and see what happens. I pulled the pre-order email from 8/16, clicked on the link and it took me to the order page. Entered my pre-order confirmation number and placed the order.
Today, only 6 days later I get a shipping notification? Now from reading here those go out days prior to shipment, but even it its still another week I'm looking at what has to be the quickest turn around even from these guys...
Lets keep our fingers crossed and see what happens.
I put my name on the pre-order list back at launch and got my email to order on 8/16, it said I had 72 hours to order.
At the time the cases where just starting to arrive to the early customers and reviews weren't so good, so I waited.
On 9/3 I finally decided I would take the plunge and see what happens. I pulled the pre-order email from 8/16, clicked on the link and it took me to the order page. Entered my pre-order confirmation number and placed the order.
Today, only 6 days later I get a shipping notification? Now from reading here those go out days prior to shipment, but even it its still another week I'm looking at what has to be the quickest turn around even from these guys...
Lets keep our fingers crossed and see what happens.
i was one of the first ones to receive a case.
once i got it i was so in love with it, that a little while after that, i pre-ordered for another
that was on 8/9/10. i haven't heard any word about that pre-order. HOW LONG DOES THIS CRAP TAKE!?
once i got it i was so in love with it, that a little while after that, i pre-ordered for another
that was on 8/9/10. i haven't heard any word about that pre-order. HOW LONG DOES THIS CRAP TAKE!?
Perhaps they have revised their web page but it does say it is for the iPhone 3G/3GS. Once again, this mob shows not the first clue as to functionality. They have decided with these phones which have their antenna in the bottom half of the case to cover that area with carbon fibre. Once again, there are going to be deleterious effects.
labrat1996
macrumors 6502
If you ask me, nothing beats the Capsule Rebel M, asl long as we're speaking of iPhone 3G/3GS cases
Look for it in SwitchEasy.com
Going back to vapor cases...
It seems to be "New Colors Available", but we see no new colored case in the website, just this one in the banner:
Well I'm assuming I'm one of 'the few' as my order status has changed and I've an email saying it's been shipped. Nothing about it NOT being the nickel version. Let's see what I get. I'm hoping it will be fairly close to the way the phone itself looks.
I'm in England so I assume people in the USA will get theirs first. Please can someone post pics on receipt to show me how close / far off it is to the metal on the phone? Needless to say I'm still waiting on EC to reply to my emails. Best wishes everyone!
I'm in England so I assume people in the USA will get theirs first. Please can someone post pics on receipt to show me how close / far off it is to the metal on the phone? Needless to say I'm still waiting on EC to reply to my emails. Best wishes everyone!
time for another email to these guys...I want my money back or my blasted case. effin' rediculous!!!!
lgreenberg
macrumors 6502
I think you'll all want to read this:
http://www.geardiary.com/2010/09/09...ld-leave-the-element-vapor-4-case-in-its-box/
http://www.geardiary.com/2010/09/09...ld-leave-the-element-vapor-4-case-in-its-box/
archrider
macrumors 6502a
I don't mean to rehash things that have been covered over and over again, but are we sure care was taken to not allow the metal of the case touch the antenna. They can use all the heavy duty equipment in the world. If the case isn't installed right the results are tainted. I know a good case design should not be that sensitive. All I can say is my signal increased with this case from three to four or five bars. I get -76 dB now that we can get that with the field test using *3001#12345#*.
It's funny how people are jacking up the prices on eBay...I mean Element are just backed up on their orders, these bumpers aren't limited edition or anything, would anyone actually buy them for 200 JUST so they dont have to wait anymore?
For me, I wouldnt!
For me, I wouldnt!
lorenwade
macrumors 68000
Larry, maybe you guys got a bad set of cases? Or your case touches your phone? I use a Lucky Labs decal and my signal is terrific. Maybe you guys could do some even more testing? Make sure all of the edges of the phone are left untouched by metal and retry?
Don't get me wrong either, I have a lot of respect for you from this thread and after starting to read your reviews. But maybe these things need some more extensive testing before throwing it out with the bath water.
Obviously, I understand that it not touching the edges (if that's the issue) is Element Case's responsibility and that we shouldn't have to mod these things to work properly. I also understand that it should work just the way it comes, but if it works with a simply decal or extra foam tape on the inside, I think it deserves another shot. I have great signal. *shrug*
asleep
macrumors 68040
Yikes!
99% signal loss???
It's like having a manniquin for a date -- "she" may be pretty, but there's not much you can do with her.
lorenwade
macrumors 68000
I really don't think it's correct, because I often have 5 bars. I dunno. I've not had one issue. *shrug*
Lmao, 99% go figure, since it's practically a faraday cage. It bottle necks the signal. Wtf is a solid acrylic vapor 🙁
White/Rhino
macrumors 6502a
You're buying the wrong mannequins because I've....... er I mean........... "My god! This parachute is a knapsack"
Good one 😉
orijinal
macrumors 6502
archrider
macrumors 6502a
My God, if I have 99% loss my signal must have been through the roof. I could have received calls from outer space. seriously there must be something different between my case or phone or signal and the tested phones. I'm getting consistent 4-5 bars with nothing added to the case at all, no insulation. How can that be 99% loss!!!!!!!! Let's get real here.
archrider
macrumors 6502a
It's only a Faraday cage toward the outside. the side of the antenna facing the phones interior is completely exposed to a signal.
I've had a couple of glasses of wine what the heck do I know.
Ok...Back home with my EC - Took it off and found no bar difference. Installed the Lucky Labs decals, and reinstalled my case with added 3M 2-sided mounting tape (actually tabs) purchased at a local educational materials store. This tape is used by teachers to mount posters and such.
These tabs are about 3/4" by 1" wide and I cut each one into 3's so they fit right next to the amazing whatever comes with the case. I stuck the new 'tabs' onto the case, leaving the backing that was touching the phone on, figuring I won't have to clean the phone of the stickiness if I give up on the case.
The additional padding offered NO resistance when screwing the case back together, no sign of it when done and it seems to be fine. The GPS that was occasionally off in Honolulu is right on for the dozen times I have tried it.
Made about 10 calls on the phone from home and from around town and no drops...
We'll see!
These tabs are about 3/4" by 1" wide and I cut each one into 3's so they fit right next to the amazing whatever comes with the case. I stuck the new 'tabs' onto the case, leaving the backing that was touching the phone on, figuring I won't have to clean the phone of the stickiness if I give up on the case.
The additional padding offered NO resistance when screwing the case back together, no sign of it when done and it seems to be fine. The GPS that was occasionally off in Honolulu is right on for the dozen times I have tried it.
Made about 10 calls on the phone from home and from around town and no drops...
We'll see!
lgreenberg
macrumors 6502
I'll address those who disagree that this case has "reception" issues broadly...
1. The three of us who tested the cases for the Gear Diary review are all in different cities.
2. We did test one using Clear Coat around the antenna.
3. We also tested using electrical tape around the antenna.
4. As for the testing that was done yesterday, Judie didn't use anything on the antenna. She placed the case on the phone as Element said it should be placed.
The bottom line is this.
There is no denying this case has some effect on reception. Whether or not it effects you will most likely be a personal thing. Do you choose to modify the case, using tape, or skins, or other items etc. Do you live in an area where you're constantly getting 5 bars etc. All of these things come into play. In places where there is weaker reception, even using a skin (Clear Coat, Lucky Labs etc.) has little or no effect.
But for the average user, who'll just pull the case from the box and place it on as instructed by the user guide, this case will likely present problems (unless you live in a high signal area and never leave it.)
The ETS Lindgren guys started doing this whole tsk tsk thing the minute Judie told them the case was aluminum - and they were surprised anyone would put the metal near the antenna. they thought it was a BAD idea. that's she got the whole lecture about how metal kills antenna / signal strength.
I'm happy if this case works for some of you and if you don't want to believe it has some impact on reception so be it. I can only report back what I and my fellow reviewers experience.
As always, your mileage may vary.
1. The three of us who tested the cases for the Gear Diary review are all in different cities.
2. We did test one using Clear Coat around the antenna.
3. We also tested using electrical tape around the antenna.
4. As for the testing that was done yesterday, Judie didn't use anything on the antenna. She placed the case on the phone as Element said it should be placed.
The bottom line is this.
There is no denying this case has some effect on reception. Whether or not it effects you will most likely be a personal thing. Do you choose to modify the case, using tape, or skins, or other items etc. Do you live in an area where you're constantly getting 5 bars etc. All of these things come into play. In places where there is weaker reception, even using a skin (Clear Coat, Lucky Labs etc.) has little or no effect.
But for the average user, who'll just pull the case from the box and place it on as instructed by the user guide, this case will likely present problems (unless you live in a high signal area and never leave it.)
The ETS Lindgren guys started doing this whole tsk tsk thing the minute Judie told them the case was aluminum - and they were surprised anyone would put the metal near the antenna. they thought it was a BAD idea. that's she got the whole lecture about how metal kills antenna / signal strength.
I'm happy if this case works for some of you and if you don't want to believe it has some impact on reception so be it. I can only report back what I and my fellow reviewers experience.
As always, your mileage may vary.
asleep
macrumors 68040
Thanks, Larry ... your review/research into this went above & beyond.
Keep up the good work.
got a reply back from the elementcase guys...my case is as good as lost and they have agreed to send me out a new one. Hopefully this one makes it to my mailbox this time. I hope the customs agent likes his/her elementcase!
As poorly as this whole fiasco has gone for so many it appears they do care about their customers to some degree and have stepped up and are trying to fix their problems...Now, I wait again. *fingers crossed*
As poorly as this whole fiasco has gone for so many it appears they do care about their customers to some degree and have stepped up and are trying to fix their problems...Now, I wait again. *fingers crossed*