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tech 21

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newtothis1

macrumors member
Original poster
Oct 1, 2014
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what do all of you think about the tech 21 cases?

i went into a t mobile store and had the sales associate throw, and i mean throw onto the floor, his iphone 6 with a tech 21 case on it to demonstrate to me the need to buy a case. i decided to wait until i get my new iphone to grab a case but hadnt considered getting a tech 21 before that scenario.

i had been leaning towards a Ringke Fusion but now i think tech 21 is in the running, and back in the running is the urban armor gear and the Thule Atmos X3, for protection reasons.

which one would you go with? what experience do you have with any of those cases?

seems people like the fusion on a different thread ive posted on but not sure if the protection level is there with that case, any input would be much appreciated, ill be getting a case sometime this week.
 
I had the Tech21 impact mesh on my 5s and it was a great case. Protection was great and I thought the orange D30 material looked pretty cool to. I tried the impact check for the plus and I liked it but I didn't like the check design. So for now I'm hoping they come out with the Tech21 evo mesh case. Which Apple currently sells for the 6 but not plus. Imo it offers a lot of protection and isn't as bulky as other cases. Tech21 cases are great. You won't regret it.
 
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Jase718 said:
I had the Tech21 impact mesh on my 5s and it was a great case. Protection was great and I thought the orange D30 material looked pretty cool to. I tried the impact check for the plus and I liked it but I didn't like the check design. So for now I'm hoping they come out with the Tech21 evo mesh case. Which Apple currently sells for the 6 but not plus. Imo it offers a lot of protection and isn't as bulky as other cases. Tech21 cases are great. You won't regret it.
Click to expand...

thats great to hear, thank you for the input Jase718
 
these are the models of tech 21 cases

The Impact Check has a creative check print on the interior

The Impact Frame utilizes the structure of the Impact Band with a permanent frosted hard PC backplate

The Impact Shell features a smooth, glossy finish, without any pattern design

The Impact Trio features a triple-layered protective system together with a smooth, glossy finish

Impact Tactical is a ruggedised Impact Shell complimented with a unique matte finish for added protection

which tech 21 case would be the best?

Jase718 do you have a link for that evo mesh model?

im looking for the 6 version, not 6+..
 
Last edited:
thanks for the input guys, really appreciate hearing your experiences.

jds4300, is the Tech 21 Impact Tactical protective on the back, if the phone with the case fell on its back? also do you know if the back is scratch resistant? I think Ive seen mentioned that some of the tech 21 cases backs are..

whsbuss, did the bulk on the width make it hard to hold and use?
 
newtothis1 said:
thanks for the input guys, really appreciate hearing your experiences.

jds4300, is the Tech 21 Impact Tactical protective on the back, if the phone with the case fell on its back? also do you know if the back is scratch resistant? I think Ive seen mentioned that some of the tech 21 cases backs are..

whsbuss, did the bulk on the width make it hard to hold and use?
Click to expand...

Not hard to hold but it limited thumb-to-finger touch which hinders one hand operation For ME.
 
newtothis1 said:
these are the models of tech 21 cases

The Impact Check has a creative check print on the interior

The Impact Frame utilizes the structure of the Impact Band with a permanent frosted hard PC backplate

The Impact Shell features a smooth, glossy finish, without any pattern design

The Impact Trio features a triple-layered protective system together with a smooth, glossy finish

Impact Tactical is a ruggedised Impact Shell complimented with a unique matte finish for added protection

which tech 21 case would be the best?

Jase718 do you have a link for that evo mesh model?

im looking for the 6 version, not 6+..
Click to expand...

Personally I feel that the impact check, impact shell and evo mesh would be your best bet. It is true that it will make the phone a bit wider and taller. I've never tried the impact trio but I've held it in my hands and it's pretty much like a speck candyshell. Seems the glossy back like the candyshell will scratch up very easily. The tactical looks like a beast in a good way. Will definitely offer great protection. I just don't like how it looks.

Here's the link for the evo mesh for the 6.

http://store.apple.com/us/product/H...earwhite?fnode=47&fs=f=iphone6&fh=35e9%2B43ba
 
Tech21 Tactical

I have the Tech21 Tactical on my Space Gray 128 6+ and love it! It does not add much to the phone and keeps it a one handed device for me. I've not test out the throwing on the floor capability, but I am confident it would protect my phone. My one concern is with screen protection. The lip is very small. I currently have an Xtremeguard Spartan Glass protector on but have a Zagg Glass to put on in it's place. The Tech21 Tactical is black and looks and feels great. I highly recommend it. :)
 
I use the Impact Mesh case on my 5s. It has protected the phone from three drops onto the street (one of them cut a sizable gash on the corner of the case), and a few other indoor drops.

The primary drawback is that over time, the injection holes on the inside of the case created small circular abrasions on the side of my phone. Also, the black trim around the camera opening came off. I brought this to Tech21's attention, and they sent me a new case (albeit one of the old versions with the unreinforced bottom opening).

Basically, the case will last through about a year of wear and tear, and I'm not sure if Tech21 ever fixed the abrasion issues (the replacement case I received does the same thing).
 
bmdub said:
I have the Tech21 Tactical on my Space Gray 128 6+ and love it! It does not add much to the phone and keeps it a one handed device for me. I've not test out the throwing on the floor capability, but I am confident it would protect my phone. My one concern is with screen protection. The lip is very small. I currently have an Xtremeguard Spartan Glass protector on but have a Zagg Glass to put on in it's place. The Tech21 Tactical is black and looks and feels great. I highly recommend it. :)
Click to expand...

Honestly, I think with a tempered glass screen protector and a Tech 21 case, you are pretty much protected completely for any accidental drops. My only complaint seems to be that the back of the cases don't offer any protection, especially with the bending issue. So I will use the Tech 21 Impact Check when I have my phone in a leather holster (office environment) and use the Spigen Slim Armor when the phone is in my jeans pocket, the Slim Armor has that hard plastic back that should protect from any bending of the phone.
 
thank you for the input guys, lots of great points.

scott99, you dont think the back of the case has protection from drops that land on the back and preventing the phone from bending? do you have a 6+?

Woochifer, your experience is that tech21 cases only last for a year or so before the case begins to wear and fall apart?

Jase718, thanks for the break down and suggestions, liking the impact shell and evo mesh.

bmdub, glad to hear about your positive experience with the Tech21 Tactical, how do you feel about the back and it being scratch resistant?
 
I have the Impact tactical and don't like it. It's too slippery. It doesn't have a lot of protection. Other than that its ok.
 
at bestbuy they say that the case is not scratch resistant, can anyone confirm whether it is or isnt?
 
55test55, why do you think it doesnt come with good protection, are you referring to the back not being very protective, or the orange stuff on the sides?
 
Has anyone dropped their 6/6+ in a tech21 case?

I originally purchased a leather Apple case on launch day, but was concerned that it was too slim to offer much drop protection. For the past few weeks I have been using the tech21 Classic Check on my 6+.

The Classic Check feels sturdier than the Apple case, but I'm not 100% confident in D30 material. I also saw a YouTube video of a tech21-clad iPad Mini being dropped and ending up with a shattered screen.

Does anyone know if the newer Evo Mesh case with FlexShock material handles drops better than D30? I inquired with tech21 but it seems like they didn't want to commit to saying one product was better than the other.

Any real-life reviews would be appreciated.
 
Shikaka said:
Has anyone dropped their 6/6+ in a tech21 case?

I originally purchased a leather Apple case on launch day, but was concerned that it was too slim to offer much drop protection. For the past few weeks I have been using the tech21 Classic Check on my 6+.

The Classic Check feels sturdier than the Apple case, but I'm not 100% confident in D30 material. I also saw a YouTube video of a tech21-clad iPad Mini being dropped and ending up with a shattered screen.

Does anyone know if the newer Evo Mesh case with FlexShock material handles drops better than D30? I inquired with tech21 but it seems like they didn't want to commit to saying one product was better than the other.

Any real-life reviews would be appreciated.
Click to expand...

From what I've read, Tech21 says the Evo Mesh with FlexShock is suppose to offer the same protection as the d3o cases. I have the Evo Mesh and it's a nice case...I'm not digging the glossy finish though. The way I see it, Tech21 created FlexShock as a proprietary alternative to d3o, so they wouldn't have to pay them to license it for the Evo Mesh line. It also allows them to make colors for the cases that don't have to have that signature d3o orange. I think FlexShock is probably just a different blend of TPU that is honeycombed. I'm probably going to return the Evo Mesh and get the Tech21 Tactical Case which is matte.

I would think d3o is probably a bit more protective than FlexShock, since it is patented and proven to absord that energy. d3o is used in Motorcycle armor after all...the US Ski Team used to have Spyder suits with d3o in it. I have some snowboarding protection pads that use d3o and they've saved me a couple of times.
 
I used to have a Tech21 impact mesh case on my 5, and it was great. Perfect fit, no complaints. When I had an iPhone 6, before I returned it, I tried out the impact check and the tactical. I preferred the finish on the tactical over the impact check--less slippery feeling. The impact check isn't that slippery, but you can imagine it getting a little slippery if you handle it with oily or sweaty hands. I just liked the tactical finish more. The fit of the Tech21 cases on the 6 was perfect--nice and tight, without being impossible to get on or off. When I switched to the 6 Plus, I found that the Tech21 cases were not as good for that model. I tried several, and they just didn't fit quite as tightly, plus the lip was smaller than on the 6 version. Sadly, I can't quite recommend them. I ended up switching to the Thule Atmos X3 for the 6 Plus and I am in love. Check out my youtube review if you are curious for more info on that case:
http://youtu.be/K4qkELfJH-g
 
kgenova said:
I used to have a Tech21 impact mesh case on my 5, and it was great. Perfect fit, no complaints. When I had an iPhone 6, before I returned it, I tried out the impact check and the tactical. I preferred the finish on the tactical over the impact check--less slippery feeling. The impact check isn't that slippery, but you can imagine it getting a little slippery if you handle it with oily or sweaty hands. I just liked the tactical finish more. The fit of the Tech21 cases on the 6 was perfect--nice and tight, without being impossible to get on or off. When I switched to the 6 Plus, I found that the Tech21 cases were not as good for that model. I tried several, and they just didn't fit quite as tightly, plus the lip was smaller than on the 6 version. Sadly, I can't quite recommend them. I ended up switching to the Thule Atmos X3 for the 6 Plus and I am in love. Check out my youtube review if you are curious for more info on that case:
http://youtu.be/K4qkELfJH-g
Click to expand...

saw your video earlier last week, how do you feel about the expanded width on the side near the middle? seems you really like the case, any cons since you made the video?

it looks like a very protective case, think it comes with lifetime warranty, tech 21 is only for a year. only down side is the size i think, would love to hear feed back on the Thule Atmos X3 if any one has experience or is using them for their iphone 6/6+ currently.
 
newtothis1 said:
saw your video earlier last week, how do you feel about the expanded width on the side near the middle? seems you really like the case, any cons since you made the video?

it looks like a very protective case, think it comes with lifetime warranty, tech 21 is only for a year. only down side is the size i think, would love to hear feed back on the Thule Atmos X3 if any one has experience or is using them for their iphone 6/6+ currently.
Click to expand...

I really don't notice the extra width on the sides when I am holding the iPhone. I do notice it visually, a little bit. It looks just a little funny. However, if it helps protect my iPhone from drops, then it is worth it to me.
I am still very much in love with the Thule case after using it for 10 days. Somehow, it looks sleeker in this case than in the Tech21 Tactical. Perhaps the chamfered edges of the case help? Perhaps it is the two-toned coloration (I have the blue and black version), versus the all-black of the Tactical? I'm not sure.
There is only one problem with the Thule case and that is the port cutouts. I don't have any big audio plugs, so the small headphone jack is fine for me (fits my Bose Quiet Comfort 2, my Square credit card swiper, my Yurbuds, etc), but the problem for me is the lightning cutout. I haven't found a lightning cable other than the Apple OEM one that will work. I bought a Dynex lightning cable that looked really small on the lightning connector side and I was sure it would fit, but no dice. Maybe the Monoprice lightning cables would work, I've heard they are very small, but I'm not willing to take the chance to order one.
Good luck case shopping, and thanks for watching my youtube video!
 
I've been quite interested in the classic shell wallet for the iPhone 6, but it isn't for sale in Canada and gets quite expensive by the time shipping and exchange rates get applied on an eBay sale.
 
newtothis1 said:
thank you for the input guys, lots of great points.

scott99, you dont think the back of the case has protection from drops that land on the back and preventing the phone from bending? do you have a 6+?

Woochifer, your experience is that tech21 cases only last for a year or so before the case begins to wear and fall apart?

Jase718, thanks for the break down and suggestions, liking the impact shell and evo mesh.

bmdub, glad to hear about your positive experience with the Tech21 Tactical, how do you feel about the back and it being scratch resistant?
Click to expand...

Yeah the back of my Tech 21 is very soft and anyone can bend the case very easily, it would lay flush against the back of your phone, and I doubt it would protect it too well from falling right on it's back, and from bending. It's the part where they have all the D30 (the orange stuff) is where it's very protective (the border around the case). If they can make the case where the whole back inside of the case would have the protective D30 material, that would be the ultimate case.
 
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