Sidebar Sidebar
Become a MacRumors Supporter for $50/year with no ads, ability to filter front page stories, and private forums.

LUNATIK EPIK Apple Watch Kit Review: Rugged Protection, but Not the Best Fit or Comfort

MacRumors

MacRumors

macrumors bot
Original poster
Apr 12, 2001
67,493
37,783



LUNATIK, the company that made a name for itself a number of years ago by creating popular watch bands such as the TikTok and LYNK for the sixth-generation iPod nano, has debuted a similar offering for the 42 mm Apple Watch with its new EPIK lineup.

EPIK began as a Kickstarter project that raised over $240,000 and offered a protective anodized aluminum casing for the watch itself paired with an integrated silicone sport band or aluminum link bracelet. Intended to aid in using the Apple Watch in more rugged environments, the EPIK adds protection to the Apple Watch in the form of enclosed sides, a significantly raised bezel to protect the face from impacts, and coverings for the device's physical features.

Following the Kickstarter campaign and an early launch of a special low-end polycarbonate version initially made available through Best Buy for $60, LUNATIK is today announcing the broad release of EPIK for all customers. Aluminum models start at $140 for either a silver or black housing paired with a black silicone band, stepping up to $150 for a black housing paired with either a black or brown leather band. At the high end are the link bracelet models, which come in silver ($200) or black ($220) housing and band combinations.

lunatik_epik_wrist.jpg

LUNATIK sent me one of the black link bracelet models for review, and I've spent nearly a week wearing it as my sole Apple Watch band. Overall, I found it to be an interesting addition that adds some nice protection for the Apple Watch but which has a few drawbacks.


Click here to read more...

Article Link: LUNATIK EPIK Apple Watch Kit Review: Rugged Protection, but Not the Best Fit or Comfort
 
Article Link
https://www.macrumors.com/review/lunatik-epik-apple-watch-kit/
Looks like it'll protect it. But it's also a way to make a ugly watch even more ugly.
 
Kobayagi said:
Looks like it'll protect it. But it's also a way to make a ugly watch even more ugly.
Click to expand...
I will agree that this detracts from the looks of the Apple watch, but I cannot agree that the apple watch is ugly on its own. I absolutely love the way it looks on my wrist. Then again I have the SS with the Links. Really the best looking option of all the options.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Reikochan, brianbunge, KPOM and 1 other person
Cuban Missles said:
I will agree that this detracts from the looks of the Apple watch, but I cannot agree that the apple watch is ugly on its own. I absolutely love the way it looks on my wrist. Then again I have the SS with the Links. Really the best looking option of all the options.
Click to expand...
I'm currently wearing my Space Gray Sport model with a blue leather loop, and, agreed, I also love the way it looks, as well as the way it works. If one's opinions on watch aesthetics start and end with Rolex, then yeah, you probably won't like the Apple Watch (but then why would you bother to read articles about Apple Watches, except for another chance to tout the superiority of your preferred watch?). But guess what, I don't much care for the way Rolexes look.

This case on the other hand... I can see the point, if you're participating in a lot of rough-and-tumble sports and want the fitness tracking to monitor them. But for normal wear? Dork Central. How often do you smash any other watch into hard objects, on a weekly basis? I've had mine three months today, and not a scratch on it. Personally, I just as soon wear my lovely Apple Watch most of the time, and switch back to an old Casio G-Shock if I ever decide to, say, take a ride inside a washing machine.
 
Last edited:
  • Like
Reactions: KPOM
Cuban Missles said:
I will agree that this detracts from the looks of the Apple watch, but I cannot agree that the apple watch is ugly on its own. I absolutely love the way it looks on my wrist. Then again I have the SS with the Links. Really the best looking option of all the options.
Click to expand...

There are times when I think the watch is ugly as hell and others where I really like it. I do agree that the SS version looks nicest, though our opinions on the links bracelet differ. It reminds me too much of those cheap watches I remember seeing in toy vending machines in the eighties.
 
Another issue with this is that it's made out of aluminim. Place that on an Apple Watch, you have stainless steel in contract with aluminum. That is a dissimilar metal junction.

Several Apple Watch users have claimed that tappng this guard creates an external voltage spike that crashes the watch.

The only way to bring it back supposedly the two button press resetting the Apple Watch. So far, Lunatik has yet to reapond about this issue.
 
If you think you need a case for an Apple Watch, you shouldn't buy an Apple Watch. I've had mine for over four months. No scratches. It looks pristine. This ugly case is a waste of money. Why bother buying an Apple Watch if you're going to wrap it in something this grotesque and ugly?
 
I get that some people may need or want a case for rugged environments. Like others have said this looks pretty ugly. I have a Nano and the original Lunatik case for it. Only problem is that this is the same case with a new band and some minor changes. There's no innovation to their product, same basic design, same seam down the middle, same screw together process. Maybe that's their thing, but in 3 years or so now you think that Scott Wilson and company could actually design something.

What I also don't get is how a company starts off on Kickstarter, is extremely successful, expands to make iPhone cases, but can't launch new products like this without going back to Kickstarter. It's called R&D and product development. Use company profits to make new products, not crowdfunding. It reeks of lazy and risk averse.

Where is any of that information in the review. Do a little journalism, rather than a typical 'I got promo product to do a free ad'.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Eduardo1971
HowieIsaacks said:
If you think you need a case for an Apple Watch, you shouldn't buy an Apple Watch. I've had mine for over four months. No scratches. It looks pristine. This ugly case is a waste of money. Why bother buying an Apple Watch if you're going to wrap it in something this grotesque and ugly?
Click to expand...
To each his/her own?
 
If you need one.... your wearing the wrong fecking watch... get a real sports watch designed to take a beating. dumb dumb dumb
 
  • Like
Reactions: beanbaguk
What product analyst / manager comes up with this junk?!! Who even adds a case to their regular watches?!

I wear a $5.5k watch and it's covered in scratches, and even light dings. It's part of the character and beauty of wearing a watch....however saying that; an Apple Watch doesn't exactly have much character....and there's very little beauty to behold.

Maybe it's more appropriate than I thought... :rolleyes:
 
I have hard time understanding why anyone would want to cover their watch with a case. Then again maybe Apple Watch is not so much watch then it's computer sitting on your wrist. Hard to say... Regarding fit of the bracelet, one should wear link braclets rather loose and not the way you wear leather straps. If you wear steel link bracelet tight it will be uncomfortable. Then again, 9mm links sound rather large indeed.
 
I picked up a copied version off ebay a while ago in red. Love mine and constantly get comments how nice it looks. Having said that, these cases are not for people who like bulk. I personally love big watches and this helps give that illusion on the Apple Watch. The protection is amazing, hit it in a door way and not a single scratch on the case or my watch. True its difficult to take on and off if you want to switch bands but I don't think this is the case for you if your looking to constantly swap. I wish they would make other bands that you could purchase separately because I would love to pick up a red band if they ever made one. If you used their ipod nano case from the past, you'll feel right at home here because it's basically the same thing. I loved it then and I love it now even though I'm using a copied version because again I like the color red, which they've not made yet.
 
I have the polycarbonate version and I LOVE it. I am a person who is a caregiver and I am taking a wheelchair in and out of a CRV 5 to 10 times a day hitting corners all day. I does a wonderful job protecting the watch it keeps the crown from gumming up as many have experienced and I have 235 mm wrists and the strap fit me!

and when I sell my APS with the blue strap the strap will be in perfect shape!

I find the look better with the case/strap on!

The Apple Watch Sport with Blue Strap I find it looks too girly for my tastes.

each to their own.
 
Last edited:
I have the "replica" $22 version of the all metal model of this case. For my lifestyle(bang my watch around a lot) this isn't much different than my black gshock watch.

For @ $22 I pretty much have the same opinion about this watch case experience. I wouldn't buy the all metal case for $200.

I'd like to add that haptic feedback isn't as strong with this case.

Actually looking forward to adding scratches to this case.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Register on MacRumors! This sidebar will go away, and you'll see fewer ads.
Top Bottom
Back