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I watched the youtube video and their findings are very accurate. We did a similar test with the case and found the same loss in signal strength. We sometimes lost between 25 and 35 db's. Which to most people mean nothing. But that is atleast 1 bar and sometimes 2. So unless your in a high signal area you could be in real trouble. I live in an area where I only get 2 bars most of the time and with the vapor on I would lose service. My phone showed no service 90% of the time. When I went to Wichita and tested it, I was still losing the same amount of signal but still had 3-4 bars because the signal was that much greater. We tested numerous element cases and not 1 of them performed correctly. Everyone of them through off our gps terribly. That's the true test. Go for a drive and try out maps and see if your gps is still working like it should. Like i said, we tested numerous cases and none of our phones gps's would were correct anymore. I guess if you live in a high signal area, the vapor may work for you, but if you live in somewhat of a poor signal area then your going to have problems. Mine would even go from 3g to edge almost non stop. Like i said, I loved the case but I was not willing to sacrifice all that for the look but if others will, then good for them.
 
2DB loss with Vapour

the fresh released yotube video by gearlive quote
" 20 db weaker signal" WITH the elementcase ON"

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OFiJ2WFxpyY

i dont get the 99% though ...
the range an iphone signal is working goes from -51 db to -121 according to anandtech ... so getting 20 dbm worse is not killing 99 % !

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sure it is a bad case despite of not killing all of your calls ;)

i guess elementcase puts design over everything
- no dock conector compatibility to most of the other docs
- many other headphones dont work ether...
- 20 db signal loss
but hey it looks good :cool:
 
I think I might sell my case and wait till the new ion case comes out for the IP4 from element and totally eliminate the problem since the ION is rubber. It comes out in Oct. I love the vapor but I am getting tired of the issues.
 
the fresh released yotube video by gearlive quote
" 20 db weaker signal" WITH the elementcase ON"

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OFiJ2WFxpyY

i dont get the 99% though ...
the range an iphone signal is working goes from -51 db to -121 according to anandtech ... so getting 20 dbm worse is not killing 99 % !

Actually a 20 dBm reduction is exactly that. To quote from a previous post which gives a link:

http://www.sss-mag.com/db.html

To quote from this:

20 dB attenuation means that 0.01 of the input power survives
 
Well I was really looking forward to getting my case (when it finally arrives) but with all the reports of signal and gps issues the excitement is wearing off fast!
I will give it a good test, and if it's not up to scratch I'll sell it, then i think i will buy the new mophie juice air case instead, as long as the reviews are good once it's out in circulation.
 
The bottom line for me is I've never had a dropped call. I don't know what it's like to have a dropped call no matter where I am in my daily travels. My data speed is astonishing.
As long as that's true no one can talk me out of using the case. It works for me.
 
Can u imaging: having to disassemble the case just to make a urgent call in an poor signal area...?

I sure hope the Elementcase people are reading this thread to remedy the signal degradation issue.
 
Gonz I'm feeling the insulation with the Shrink-Wrap was probably a bit of a overkill. But in slicing the lucky-labs wrap in width with an X-Acto knife & straight edge to fully cover antenna edges is IMO the way to do it. Along with the full interior of the Vapor insulated with your choice of 3M tape :).

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Thanks. I'll give it a try.
 
what a load Shi**t, with all that crap load of equipment they still give false readings...

Yes, of course.

The really smart guys with all the expensive equipment who get paid the big bucks to do this type of testing every day ...

are wrong this one time.
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http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OFiJ2WFxpyY

Man, those numbers are much worse than I ever expected.

I wonder how much it would really cost AT&T to put up 10 times as many towers as they have now? :p
 
...3dBm increase or decrease is equivalent to a doubling or a halving in the power...
So if we start off with 100% signal,

one 3db drop cuts that in half to 50%,

second 3db drop cuts that in half to 25%,

third 3db drop cuts that in half to 12.5%,

fourth 3db drop cuts that in half to 6.25%

fifth 3db drop cuts that in half to 3.125%,

sixth 3db drop -- 18db total -- cuts that to 1.56% signal remaining???
 
My Db's are the same with or without the case. Like I keep saying it has a lot to do with your service provider. That's why the results are so varied. The case is the same, the test are the same it's the only variable that makes it hard to research. Not all data and radio clarity are equal.
 
Most tape is radio transparent - i.e. they do next to nothing for impeding signal strength. However, metal and carbon fiber are NOT - so using tape (which is) to create a gap / isolate the conductive bits - helps.

Speaking of - ZORNET - what's the verdict? Did it help any? Have you tested (with an DMM) the case to see if it's isolated?

I'll <3 this thread forever. It's been so entertaining (on so many levels) It just won't die. :)

"slicing the lucky-labs wrap in width with an X-Acto knife & straight edge to fully cover antenna edges is IMO the way to do it."

Have you run any quantitative comparisions to verify the effectiveness of
these modification? Just curious.

Not yet guys do to other obligations... But I have realized that as the Vapor 4 Case is anodized aluminum that this causes the lack of continuity between the frame & cap w/o the screws inserted. My multimeter doesn't even show any continuity with the frame or cap by itself, that is putting the meters test probes at each end of either part unmounted on the iPhone. The continuity would though be present through the screws if not insulated. Also as shown in this re-posted photo I'll need to slightly enlarge a small area of the cap where the anodized coating may become to thin around the inserted screws, causing continuity :eek:.

Deal NOT done, oh how one thing leads to the next step, enjoy :rolleyes:.

original.jpg
 
remember when I ordered a case from these guys and never got one and then they said they would send me a new one and then I haven't heard from them since?

wicked!!

Weird is I ordered and received a case in hand exactly one week later.

I am now moving on to atomic case. They have been great in responding and said it will ship today but I haven't received a teCking number yet.
 
Weird is I ordered and received a case in hand exactly one week later.

I am now moving on to atomic case. They have been great in responding and said it will ship today but I haven't received a teCking number yet.

How the Atomic case differ from the Vapor in signal and Gps issues etc?
 
I poster earlier that I had some Atomic cases coming and they showed up today.Here is my review of both of my Atomic Cases. I received them both today and they are beautiful pieces. They fit great, the cutout at the bottom is larger to accept bigger cords. It may even dock, I don't have one so I am not for sure. I field tested my phone naked 3 times before putting on either case and also speed tested it with 3G and my WIFI. Then I put on the first case which fit great, then field tested it not expecting the results it yielded. My phone naked with my micro cell in my house gets between -55 db's and -57db's, my 3g speed is horrible from my micro cell so I never actually use it so I am not sure what speeds are accurate for it. But they were between 775 down and 58 up. I know, terrible and that's why I use my wifi. My wifi speeds were all in the 2650 range down and 850 up. My internet speed in only 3000 down and 1000 up. So then I added the first of two cases and my results were using 3g speed were between 796 down and 56 up. My wifi speeds and my db's are shown in the pictures. So, after all that I went on a drive and tested the gps and it was spot on with both case. So I have owned the vapor and now the Atomic and the Vapor just got owned!! Everyone always says pics or it didn't happen, those your pics! Pictures don't lie so here they are.
 

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I already said that's my Invisishield and my screen cover you are seeing. I don't care what you say, maybe to you its not as good looking as the Vapor. I totally disagree but I guarantee you it out performs it in every way. You post up your db levels and we will see how they stack up. I did, I have nothing to hide, like I said pictures don't lie. I only lost 5db's from going from my rubber bumper to the Atomic Case but when I had my vapor I lost 30 db's!!If element was so great, why is there two pages of people dumping them on ebay? And look at this thread, almost everyone that post is dumping on them. Give me a break man.
Nolesfan I'm sorry to say but that is one unflattering lOOking iPhone 4 Case. As shown with your posted photos the liner or insulation seems to be coming out from between the case and the iPhone. I'm one that isn't big on ripping off ones intellectual property or products, this is one poor excuse of both IMO. This probably should be left on the Atomic billet aluminum Ip4 case thread :rolleyes:. Good luck Atomic :eek:.
 
I am also in group #5 waiting for an extreme metals case.... same boat as you guys. Got my shipping info notification, but still awaiting shipment on my order status.

Group 5 also. I'm in the UK and got my shipping notification last week. However I've just been told the Nickle cases came in yesterday and are being assembled for shipment tomorrow. I also understand that the Nickle cases will not have ANY logos on them. Apparently it would ruin the plateing.

Anyway please can those who get the extreme cases post pictures and thoughts when you get them. Obviously customers in the US will get them sooner than those 'over the pond'. Best wishes. Sulaco
 
What is the gooey stuff pushing out of the sides of the case. Is that their "special secret I-foam" Looks like it has more than Element



Sulaco This is what I got from element case last night

Another excuse

"Sorry for the delay in getting back to you. Our e-mail service is randomly showing messages now that weren't there previously.

We will provide you with one as soon as our tracking program is back up from maintenance.

ElementCASE Customer Service"

I was told they will ship on the 7th when I got my preorder and then no contact after I paid for it. So, I emailed them on saturday and they said it shipped on friday. Then I emailed them again to get a tracking number and they said it is awaiting shipment and I called them on the whole shipped friday thing and they sent me the above email......
 
I have found no issue with this Carbon case. We are developing it still but the silicone surround seems to eliminate any problems. The carbon is just a bonus.

P1000206.jpg
 
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