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Review-new Speck Smart Shell (black) case

Just placed an order for the black one from gleemobile.com. I have been holding out for a nice back-cover and finally I think this one looks great. Has anyone ordered the case from gleemobile.com and shipped it (Free)USPS priority? If so, do you have an ETA?

Thanks.
 
jedolley, After seeing the picture of the one corner in your post I was very concerned about the quality considering one side of the corner was a lot thicker than the other. I was thinking how could they possibly have that bad of a quality/cutting issue and starting to regret my order. After looking at another picture though I realize it is on purpose. Both corners on the side where the metal of the smart cover connects is thicker probably to help at least a little to protect that area more.

The bowed out portion I will have to see when I get it but I am not concerned about that. I wonder if the reason that extra play is there is for those with skin protectors. If it was very tight right from the start the cover probably wouldn't fit with as many skins.

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xStatiCa said:
jedolley, After seeing the picture of the one corner in your post I was very concerned about the quality considering one side of the corner was a lot thicker than the other. I was thinking how could they possibly have that bad of a quality/cutting issue and starting to regret my order. After looking at another picture though I realize it is on purpose. Both corners on the side where the metal of the smart cover connects is thicker probably to help at least a little to protect that area more.

The bowed out portion I will have to see when I get it but I am not concerned about that. I wonder if the reason that extra play is there is for those with skin protectors. If it was very tight right from the start the cover probably wouldn't fit with as many skins.

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Intentional or not, IMO it's not good. Not only are the edges around those corners rough an unfinished, it just makes the case look bad and cheap. Also the bowing is a bigger deal IMO, but this may just be a defect with mine or a few cases. Either way, it's going back... The SE Cover Buddy is a much nicer clear shell case.
 
xStatiCa said:
jedolley, After seeing the picture of the one corner in your post I was very concerned about the quality considering one side of the corner was a lot thicker than the other. I was thinking how could they possibly have that bad of a quality/cutting issue and starting to regret my order. After looking at another picture though I realize it is on purpose. Both corners on the side where the metal of the smart cover connects is thicker probably to help at least a little to protect that area more.

The bowed out portion I will have to see when I get it but I am not concerned about that. I wonder if the reason that extra play is there is for those with skin protectors. If it was very tight right from the start the cover probably wouldn't fit with as many skins.

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The bottom picture you refer to here is mine. The corners are thicker, this is where it snaps into place and was designed that way. The right hand side is where it kind of slides into place.

My only concern with fit with this shell is the bottom portion, down by the dock connector does not attach to the case as securely as I think it was designed to do. It seems to come apart from the body of the Ipad. It is most evident when you hold it by the bottom right hand corner with your right hand.

At least that is the case with mine. I have been in touch with Speck and sent them photos, so they will fix that if it is a problem, it may be an isolated thing.

The rough edges are probably not an isolated though.

I simply used some very fine sand paper and smoothed them out. This happens when folks rush things to market and do not finish the product properly, no big deal really.

Mine is as smooth as a baby's bottom now. Too bad the fit is slightly off I really like it now!
 
If anyone is trying to find the Speck, I just saw gleemobile.com has them back in stock for 30 bucks.....use that coupon gleefriends and you'll get another 10 off!

Speck does not have any on their site FYI!
 
3goldens said:
If anyone is trying to find the Speck, I just saw gleemobile.com has them back in stock for 30 bucks.....use that coupon gleefriends and you'll get another 10 off!

Speck does not have any on their site FYI!
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Any pictures of the smart cover hinge attached to the speck? Is it as good a fit as the Belkin?
 
unboxing pictures....
 

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3goldens said:
If anyone is trying to find the Speck, I just saw gleemobile.com has them back in stock for 30 bucks.....use that coupon gleefriends and you'll get another 10 off!

Speck does not have any on their site FYI!
Click to expand...

If they don't, they must have recently ran out because I bought the clear and black satin on Sunday and both shipped on Monday with confirming e-mail. :D
 
bouda said:
It is 10% off not $10.
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I always meant %, you'd have to be seriously high to think it was $!!
;)
better than nothing and with free shipping, people should be happy as hell to get them at this price they can't be making a lot on this!!

On the another Speck front they sent me another one today over night no less, lets see if this one is as rough as the first one I got. I found that the bottom was not really snapping into place properly and it was buggin me.

I wrote them complaining about the out of the mold unfinished look and sharp feel of the edges, in addition to the bottom being loose.

Went back and forth a few times, sent them pictures and they apparently found one to send to me as they are completely sold out now, which was very nice of them to do and I appreciate that totally. These folks are very serious about their customer service, very serious. They want customers to be happy and that's a very good thing!

So I will report back later and let y'all know what the verdict is!
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Which the second one I received was much better overall finished off much better, not as many rough edges as the first one. The two areas by where the hinge attaches are still a little on the sharp side but can easily be smoothed down.

I would say the first batch probably were rushed out of the gate, so they took care of it and I applaud their responding quickly to the issue and a customers complaints about their product!
 
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Just received my clear smart shell and am fairly satisfied with it. Only complaints are that the rotation lock requires a fingernail to operate and the cut out at the 30pin port is too small for the camera adapter. I don't understand all these case companies ignoring the fact that a lot of people use the camera adapter. There's no reason they can't make the cutout a few mm wider. I had the same problem with my Belkin gripvue on ipad1. My only other gripe is that I know the clear will get scratched up. Would have preferred TPU but none has the metal strip in the back to catch the smart cover. That was actually the feature that sold me on the case to begin with. It does work well. I'm not sure why Apple didn't incorporate a steel patch on the back of the ipad so the smart cover would cling there.
 
Blorzoga said:
I'm not sure why Apple didn't incorporate a steel patch on the back of the ipad so the smart cover would cling there.
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That actually would have been a great idea for Apple to have some sort of plate on the inside of the aluminum ipad skin to do as you say catch the cover...maybe no room or they didn't think of it!
 
Blorzoga said:
Just received my clear smart shell and am fairly satisfied with it. Only complaints are that the rotation lock requires a fingernail to operate and the cut out at the 30pin port is too small for the camera adapter. I don't understand all these case companies ignoring the fact that a lot of people use the camera adapter. There's no reason they can't make the cutout a few mm wider. I had the same problem with my Belkin gripvue on ipad1. My only other gripe is that I know the clear will get scratched up. Would have preferred TPU but none has the metal strip in the back to catch the smart cover. That was actually the feature that sold me on the case to begin with. It does work well. I'm not sure why Apple didn't incorporate a steel patch on the back of the ipad so the smart cover would cling there.
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You may wish to check your case because I can attach my camera adapter without any issue. I also can toggle the rotation/mute switch with my finger alone and does not require a fingernail. :apple:
 
Payton3485 said:
You may wish to check your case because I can attach my camera adapter without any issue. I also can toggle the rotation/mute switch with my finger alone and does not require a fingernail. :apple:
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I just checked and the camera adapter does not fit. Did apple come out with a new one? I got mine about a year ago. Or maybe your case is different. Can you show a picture of your camera adapter fully inserted in the port?
 
I got my clear today and I'm bummed that it's not the satin matte finish like the black. I agree with Blorzoga, this is thing is going to get scratched just by looking at it. I'm definitely sending it back and exchanging it for the black.
 
TypeMRT said:
I got my clear today and I'm bummed that it's not the satin matte finish like the black. I agree with Blorzoga, this is thing is going to get scratched just by looking at it. I'm definitely sending it back and exchanging it for the black.
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I don't think the black is matte. I've seen pics of it and it looks just as glossy.

Correction: the inside is glossy. I'm still keeping the clear.
 
Well, placed an order for a black one today. This thread was very helpful, so thanks to all who provided their thoughts.

I was going back and forth between the Smartshell and the Switcheasy Coverbuddy. Ultimately, the lip, metal piece on the back, and the fact that the cover aligns flush with the Smart Cover spine were the features that won me over. Plus, I like that it's translucent.

The one thing that I think looks better on the Coverbuddy is the grill over the speaker. Too bad Speck didn't incorporate that into their design.

I went with free shipping.....anyone have an idea of how long it will take to arrive?
 
I ordered thorough Speck directly late Sunday night. My order shipped on Monday and was received today. Now that is pretty fast I must say :)
 
Sending it Back

Ok. I gave it a try. After much contemplation, I've decided to send back the smart shell and return the smart cover. It was a neat setup, but in the end it had too many shortcomings.

The smart shell: too prone to scratching, cut out too small for camera adapter, not particularly grippy, little if any drop protection.

Smart cover: I've always been anti-smart cover, my main gripe being that it wouldn't stick to the back of the ipad when folded back. This was actually the one feature that convinced me to buy the smart shell. The problem is the magnet that holds the smart cover closed is so weak that the slightest force makes it flop open. And the magnet is even weaker when it's flipped onto the back. Not to mention the fact that it's overpriced, the colors are not that appealing unless you want to spend $70, and it leaves vertical lines on the screen that have to constantly be wiped off.

I originally bought an STM Skinny and that's what I'm sticking with.

The smart cover is really just too gimmicky for me. Sorry Apple.
 
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