Element Vapor Case

[Sulaco]

I was emailing Element on the weekend and they have some new stuff coming down the pipeline. Try doing the pre-register again and it might work in your favor. They seem to have cooler options as the weeks crawl by.

Appart from a bad lack of contact via emails etc. This is the thing that burns me the most about EC. They can't pick a thing and stick with it. The photos are different so you can't get decent comparisons between them. Then the don't tell you what is coming out so you pick one not knowing that there may be a better choice for you on it's way soon. I wanted as close to the phones metal as possible. They eventually said the Nickle was closest. However next week could be the actual finish I'm looking for. The don't even say 'well if it is that your after we will / won't be doing it and it's likely to be arround X weeks till we do'. Just commercially a very bad model as the cost / function will prohibit multiple purchases. The should say from the start what they plan. Then you can chose what is best.

Ok back in my box.

 

[White/Rhino]

Appart from a bad lack of contact via emails etc. This is the thing that burns me the most about EC. They can't pick a thing and stick with it. The photos are different so you can't get decent comparisons between them. Then the don't tell you what is coming out so you pick one not knowing that there may be a better choice for you on it's way soon. I wanted as close to the phones metal as possible. They eventually said the Nickle was closest. However next week could be the actual finish I'm looking for. The don't even say 'well if it is that your after we will / won't be doing it and it's likely to be arround X weeks till we do'. Just commercially a very bad model as the cost / function will prohibit multiple purchases. The should say from the start what they plan. Then you can chose what is best.

Ok back in my box.

You are totally right. They really need to take a lesson in business culture. These guys are an art gallery trying to please the demand of a much larger consumer base. They love making pretty stuff but have no idea what to do when you pull out your credit card. They are gauging success based on how many orders they have vs how many satisfied customers they have. I'm still hoping that they can turn this around. They really need the services of a good business advisor.

 

[thepsychopinkie]

You are totally right. They really need to take a lesson in business culture. These guys are an art gallery trying to please the demand of a much larger consumer base. They love making pretty stuff but have no idea what to do when you pull out your credit card. They are gauging success based on how many orders they have vs how many satisfied customers they have. I'm still hoping that they can turn this around. They really need the services of a good business advisor.

Agreed,

 

[BlackedBobby]

It's interesting how little they know about their own products. There are two processes to add nickel to a metal surface. One is a chemical bath using heat to transfer the nickel (produces a matte finish) the other is electroplating which produces a shiny finish, regardless of metal prep.

 

[Kansasjayhawks]

To be honest, nothing surprises me about them anymore. I have ordered a case and it's been a month and still nothing. I just demanded a refund and finally got it. And after reading some of the reviews and watching that youtube review, kind of glad I did.

 

[jamis]

I ordered my Vapor on the Sept 4, I was in group 5 with my emailed code. I got the notification that they purchased a box to send me the case I paid for on Sept 10. So who in group 5 has received their case yet? I am really excited to get mine. I knew before I hit order that it was gonna be a waiting game. But i want it now. Im sure everyone that ordered when I did want theirs too, but how many have actually received theirs.

I ordered on Sept 2nd and received the case on Sept 17th.

Group 5, extreme metals nickel case.

 

[thepsychopinkie]

I just got my Vapor out of the mailbox. Im putting it on tonight and in a few days I will post some pics and my thoughts on it. My initial thoughts are that installation was simple and the Carbon plate was very easy to apply perfectly. The overall look is very nice and the feel is like a high quality product. I have noticed that I lose 6-10 dbs, at home, after installing, and the gps seems just as quick. I do not use a BT so I wont be commenting on that, but wi-fi seems just fine. The case is graphite on graphite and with the carbon it looks amazing. I will ask friends their thoughts on the style and get a small consensus. Give me a day or two to get pics up, because my schedule is pretty busy tonight and tomorrow.

 

[kaikai830]

Ordered and received my Extreme Metal, Nickel Plated case. Reception has not been an issue to this point. However, there are issues with it:
1) I use Shure SE 210 headphones, the headset jack does not fit. I had to whittle down the hard plastic surrounding the input jack
2) Only the new Iphone charger will fit into the bottom of the case, the older versions are too large.

However, these are manageable isssues with work arounds. My biggest issue is after 3 days of use, THE NICKEL IS TARNISHED. Not sure why but if anyone else has this same case, please comment on the state of your case. I want to know if the case I have is defective or if it an issue for all of the cases.

I appreciate the feedback.
DJ

Today I just see my case has some tarnish also, I guess it happens to all the nickel plated finish case.I think it gets tarnished from the acid from your sweat.

 

[damant]

Here's a recently added alternative: http://www.karaskustomsonline.com/?p=161

KarasKustom case.

What do you guys think?

 

[kaikai830]

Here's a recently added alternative: http://www.karaskustomsonline.com/?p=161

KarasKustom case.

What do you guys think?

I don't know it's in stock or not but I just placed an order for it anyway.I think it looks kinda cool, not as nice as the vapor though.Next up is the fusion raw. I think I'm starting to be a case whore like WhiteRhino.

 

[DoubleRsport]

Just received my gunmetal vapor case today, so far so good. Maybe one drop in signal bar here and there but I am also in a good service area (Denver), wifi is good and GPS seems to be pretty accurate though I never used it much before the case. Will test the bluetooth in the car later on tonight.

Order Number: 963*

Ordered: September 5th

Shipped: September 15th

Still kinda interested about the fusion raw though!

 

[Rooskibar03]

Just received my gunmetal vapor case today, so far so good. Maybe one drop in signal bar here and there but I am also in a good service area (Denver), wifi is good and GPS seems to be pretty accurate though I never used it much before the case. Will test the bluetooth in the car later on tonight.

Order Number: 963*

Ordered: September 5th

Shipped: September 15th

Still kinda interested about the fusion raw though!

Don't go near Boulder, horrible reception up there. Killed my signal in most places.

 

[n0de]

I can't believe this thread is still going on.

 

[johnnybgood15]

I heard they were only available for about an hour. That was the hour I maybe should have ordered the Stealth Black one - but I chickened out. I was in the lucky group 5 that received the email with the "Extreme Metals" option.

I was told via email the matte black option was likely going to be an ongoing option.

 

[Sulaco]

I ordered on Sept 2nd and received the case on Sept 17th.

Group 5, extreme metals nickel case.

I ordered same day as you, Group 5, arrived in the UK this morning. I'm trying to work out the signal issues. Perhaps someone here can translate.

3G off. In my house 2 th 3 bars, -87 to -97 hand held in bumper, -78 to -84 left on table.
Phone on it's own, no case, -103 if held in the 'death grip', -81 to -84 if held in 'normal' fashion. -77 if placed on table.

In the Vapour 3 to 4 bars, -87 to -97. GPS had initially a hard time, on both the standard maps and a Navigon app. However wet outside and it found me spot on appears to do that now inside the house too.

I then remembered to do a speed test. I've really no idea what this info really meens. Holding the phone the Ping is 308ms, Download 1.65mbps and Upload 1.60mbps. On the table, Ping 279ms, Download 1.35mbps and Upload is 1.40mbps.

My Seidio Rugged also arrived so I'm off to try that now. Anyway please let me know what you think. The finish of the case is superb, and I like the real of it for films / games.

 

[SESpy]

Hey guys,
I finally got a reply from elementcase and it seems that my cases are on the way. They have been shipped out and I am just awaiting for their arrival.

 

[White/Rhino]

Hey guys,
I finally got a reply from elementcase and it seems that my cases are on the way. They have been shipped out and I am just awaiting for their arrival.

That's great news man. Just try and remember that there can be very big difference on shipping times depending how they feel when they ship it. I hope it gets there right away but try not to hold your breath.....unless you bought a Blue Vapor and you wanted to match.

 

[bunshark]

Hey Bunshark

Please don't drill holes in your case. You case isn't working well due to the strength of your Mobile Service Provider. Unless you have the option to switch like I did then the case won't work for you. If you have lined it up properly so it fits without toughing the sides and have a lucky labs or other form of skin protector going around your antenna you have done what can be done. It is far better to sell it to someone who can use it and maybe buy the Fusion Werkz Raw that has exposed sides and should solve the problem you are having.

Just my option. Hate to see ya throw away money and have a mangled piece of aluminum wrapping you phone that once resembled the Vapor.

Problem is I don't like any of the other designs (including Fusionwerkz) as much as i do the Element case. You have to admit, it's a really nice design. I'm wondering if there's the off chance that Element will read this and decide to redesign the case in a way to prevent the reception problems. Again i realize some people don't have the problem, but I certainly do. So i may try drilling holes. What I'd really like to do is rout out the entire side, sort of how they've done with the other openings, but i'm not a machinist so i know i'd mess it up quite badly. thanks for your concern though!

 

[thepsychopinkie]

Here they are, pics that is. The case does not contact the glass = big +.

 

[SophiaLee]

Ugh. The Vapor is so beautiful.

 

[White/Rhino]

Problem is I don't like any of the other designs (including Fusionwerkz) as much as i do the Element case. You have to admit, it's a really nice design. I'm wondering if there's the off chance that Element will read this and decide to redesign the case in a way to prevent the reception problems. Again i realize some people don't have the problem, but I certainly do. So i may try drilling holes. What I'd really like to do is rout out the entire side, sort of how they've done with the other openings, but i'm not a machinist so i know i'd mess it up quite badly. thanks for your concern though!

No worries. We haven't seen the final products from Alumacase and Fusionwerkz yet and you might like one of those when they are completed. I owned a Vapor and yes it is a good looking case but I don't think it is the best in overall design as far as signal, cut outs for headphones, accessories and protection go.
If you do keep the Vapor you could run a series of holes about 3/4 the size of the plus minus buttons down the left underneath the plus minus buttons. You just need a friend with a drill press to ensure that the holes line up properly and a good cutting bit so it doesn't move and scratch the case.

Or contact Element and ask if any of their new cases will have the side cut out. They have been pretty responsive with their emails lately.

Either way, good luck and whatever you decide to do.

 

[orijinal]

PayPal concluded their investigation on non-fulfillment of my order/ultimately a refund claim, in my favor, after a week. Still no replies from ElementCase, but in the end I finally got my money back. Glad I'll never have to deal with these bums at EC again.

 

[asleep]

PayPal concluded their investigation on non-fulfillment of my order/ultimately a refund claim, in my favor, after a week. Still no replies from ElementCase, but in the end I finally got my money back. Glad I'll never have to deal with these bums at EC again.

Ridiculous that you had to escalate it to that extent.

 

[thepsychopinkie]

PayPal concluded their investigation on non-fulfillment of my order/ultimately a refund claim, in my favor, after a week. Still no replies from ElementCase, but in the end I finally got my money back. Glad I'll never have to deal with these bums at EC again.

Did you receive an order code for pre-order or did you try to jump in and order without a code? Sad that you had to go that route.

 

[Gkf9]

Well I finally got my case yesterday here in the UK ( 21st Sept ) ordered on the 3rd, so little over 2 weeks for it to arrive, which I don't think is back for the distance it's travelled.

I love the case no doubt about that, but I'm still testing it out yet so can't give a full report yet.

I've been having alot of trouble lately at home with my network signal BEFORE the Vapor was fitted. Signal has been up and down for the last few weeks. 2-3 bars then 1 bar then into searching!
The girl friends phone as been the same, so I know it's not my phone.

Anyway what I'm trying to say is that I can't do an accurate test at home with the Vapor until I find out what's going on with the signal, because it's all over the show.








My wi-fi at home is fine and so far Gps as been fine both with the native maps and Co-Pilot sat nav app I bought off the app store.

Signal outside my house and at work as been good to, Think I'm loosing about 1 bar here and there, because my work mate seems to get one bar more than me on the same network using a 3GS iPhone.