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New ElementCASE cases
- Thread starter JASApplications
- Start date
- Sort by reaction score
Initial Thoughts
Initial Thoughts:
I was disappointed by the earlier Vapor case, and had been considering getting the Vapor Pro when I received the email about the Formula 4. I am glad I chose the Formula.
I put the case on my iPhone moments ago, and my initial impression is that it feels really good in the hand. The materials feel of a good quality, and it has a soft matte texture (with the exception of the carbon fiber on the back – think the carbon fiber 3M backs they include with their other cases).
The cut out at the bottom of the case is wide open, as is the cut out for the volume buttons and mute switch. At the top, there is a button cover (good tactile feedback) for the on/off switch, and the headphone port and secondary mic are open.
On the other side, the SIM card slot is completely covered, and there is a “rubberized” ElementCase logo that provides additional grip.
What I REALLY Like:
The case does not touch the screen at all; so it works with my screen protector just fine. (I also have an SGP crystal clear back shield. No issues.) The case sits on the steel band of the iPhone.
I don’t normally dock my iPhone, but I don't have to fight to get the bottom piece off the phone. More importantly, there is a satisfying “click” when the two pieces are connected, so I am not worried about the two pieces coming apart.
The case adds very little bulk and keeps the form factor and thinness that is to be expected from the iPhone 4. I have a lot of cases, and my normal case is a MagPul -- if you're familiar with that case, it rivals it in adding bulk to the iPhone.
A Couple Things to Note:
I too was worried about the pic on the ElementCase site showing the carbon fiber back slightly lifted. On my case, the carbon fiber back is flush with the case.
One little gripe of mine is that there is a tiny gap on one side of the case where the two pieces come together. The connection is definitely more flush on one side than on the other. But, like I said above, the case clicks when it’s locked in place. So for now, I’m not too worried about it.
Hope that helps!
Initial Thoughts:
I was disappointed by the earlier Vapor case, and had been considering getting the Vapor Pro when I received the email about the Formula 4. I am glad I chose the Formula.
I put the case on my iPhone moments ago, and my initial impression is that it feels really good in the hand. The materials feel of a good quality, and it has a soft matte texture (with the exception of the carbon fiber on the back – think the carbon fiber 3M backs they include with their other cases).
The cut out at the bottom of the case is wide open, as is the cut out for the volume buttons and mute switch. At the top, there is a button cover (good tactile feedback) for the on/off switch, and the headphone port and secondary mic are open.
On the other side, the SIM card slot is completely covered, and there is a “rubberized” ElementCase logo that provides additional grip.
What I REALLY Like:
The case does not touch the screen at all; so it works with my screen protector just fine. (I also have an SGP crystal clear back shield. No issues.) The case sits on the steel band of the iPhone.
I don’t normally dock my iPhone, but I don't have to fight to get the bottom piece off the phone. More importantly, there is a satisfying “click” when the two pieces are connected, so I am not worried about the two pieces coming apart.
The case adds very little bulk and keeps the form factor and thinness that is to be expected from the iPhone 4. I have a lot of cases, and my normal case is a MagPul -- if you're familiar with that case, it rivals it in adding bulk to the iPhone.
A Couple Things to Note:
I too was worried about the pic on the ElementCase site showing the carbon fiber back slightly lifted. On my case, the carbon fiber back is flush with the case.
One little gripe of mine is that there is a tiny gap on one side of the case where the two pieces come together. The connection is definitely more flush on one side than on the other. But, like I said above, the case clicks when it’s locked in place. So for now, I’m not too worried about it.
Hope that helps!
Attachments
Agreed, I love Priority Mail. Much more affordable and faster in most instances.
Thanks for the review. Some great information. If this is as thin as the Magpul case, that is pretty awesome. I see what you mean about the gap there. I hate when these slider cases don't seem to match up flush. That drives me nuts and i always seem to return the cases. I will be interested to see what others may say when they get their cases.
Larry, I hope you will be getting one and doing a video review.
Here they are being shown at CES. If you go to about 1:30, it shows the Formula 4 in Red. I think I'm going to wait a few weeks and see if they come out in a variety of colors.
Thanks for the review and awesome pics! Looks good! I'm seriously tempted...
Looking forward to the video review Larry Have you contacted them yet?
Looking forward to the video review Larry
Have you contacted them yet?Looks very nice, but worth the $80 its going to cost to get one to be shipped to me? Doubtful
Yes the shipping price is to be honest disgraceful!
I used Royal Mail First Class International and it took 5 days to Australia from UK and it cost £2.50! Quite a large price difference.
For those that have asked, yes I have both cases coming.
Should be here middle of next week.
CA to PA ground is slow.
Should be here middle of next week.
CA to PA ground is slow.
For those that have asked, yes I have both cases coming.
Should be here middle of next week.
CA to PA ground is slow.
Hoping you get this up soon so I can know if I wanna buy or not.
Hoping you get this up soon so I can know if I wanna buy or not.
Yes I'm anticipating this as well.
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Hum, I don't think it should. It is no different than the carbon fiber stickers you can get to put on the back of the phones.
der-kaiser said:
Hum, I don't think it should. It is no different than the carbon fiber stickers you can get to put on the back of the phones.
I don't get it. Can somebody explain what the big deal with carbon fiber is? Does it have magical powers? I just think it's unattractive.
What am I missing here?
What am I missing here?
Carbon Fiber symbolizes strength, light weight, space age, aircraft engineering, beautiful pattern weaves.
Apparently modern trends.
ElementCase have always created some stellar quality cases, but the big thing that I have an issue with is their pricing honestly.
The Ion and Formula cases seem to be priced on the high end even though they are not aluminum, just regular polycarbonate/TPU cases (one with carbon fiber which I know is expensive but still). I can totally understand from a quality standpoint they are second to none but the premium on that quality seems a bit high.
Just my 2 cents.
The Ion and Formula cases seem to be priced on the high end even though they are not aluminum, just regular polycarbonate/TPU cases (one with carbon fiber which I know is expensive but still). I can totally understand from a quality standpoint they are second to none but the premium on that quality seems a bit high.
Just my 2 cents.
I've read quite a few posts of users experiencing degrading of signal/wifi/gps with the use of real carbon fiber stick on backings or cases. Just wondering about the significance of that.
carbon fiber does mess with signal and gps.... with it just being a small piece on the case it might not effect very much but we will see. i understand what you are saying
I've got a real carbon fiber case for my 3gs and never had a problem. I have more of a problem with the new iphone updates which have left me constantly dropping to 1 bar, especially after i exit an app. Anyone get that?