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Hi all,
My new silicon case just arrived.
If you're wondering, or looking, it's this one.
I thought I give a small review
Ordered the case via U-Bop's Amazone shop on dec 10, arrived today dec. 17. Not bad for normal airmail shipping I guess. total price 11,23£ shipping included.
Now, about the case:
Grip feels good, not slippery but the nice feel of rubber but a little smoother.
All cut-outs seem ok, there's enough room in the front for all sensors located around the speaker on the top. I was a bit scared that the bottom "rounding" would interfere when you try to use the hardware keys but that is ok*.
On the left side, where your volume buttons are, the case has a special bevelled surface so you still feel where the buttons are. Very nice touch I think making it easy to find the volume buttons without have to make a cutout for the buttons which would result in another dust-gathering trap
The down side of things then: although the case is advertised as being "skin-tight" and "form-fitting" the truth is: it sits to loosely to my liking. I would think that if you make something that is supposed to be form-fitting and skin-tight etc then it would need at least some effort to slip my HD2 in there and it would be as tight as .... well think "men in tights" (was the first thing that slipped in my mind) ...
Honestly. I think if I drop my phone it would be well protected for the first bounce.... but I'm scared it might just be thrown out of the case on impact!
It just feels a bit to 'light' and not much of the tight etc is noticeable.
Another small think I immediately notices was that the moment I had slipped it on and carried it around for a few hours in my pocket, dust appeared out of nowhere, clinging on to my screen where I had never seen it before?!? Strange as I always carry it in my pocket and I can't really remember ever having dust there that clearly... I'll see if that clears after a few days use.
I took some pictures and a small movie to give a general idea of what I mean.
So overal:
the PRO's
- good feel
- anti slip
- drop protection (100% for the first impact... guess % goes down with each consecutive bounce )
- all sensors, camera, flash leds, 3.5mm jack and micro USB are reachable
- volume keys can still be located through touch feeling
- cheap
the CONS
- not at all skin tight as advertised
- dust-magnet?
hope you liked the review. I'm interested en opinions of people using other types of silicon cases that do feel skin tight and secure so let me know what you have!
link to youtube for the movie : http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YZ3fMmOg-zs
Thanks for the review. It looks cool for the most part other than it's not skin tight...
To be honest, I'm getting more and more dissatisfied by the day
Taking the phone out of the pocket is a sure way to get at least 1 corner of the silicone case dislodged from the phone. Sometimes even the two top corners come off so you end up fetching the phone without case
And I can also confirm that the case is a dust magnet in the meantime... so no good there either...
I think I will be filing for the 14 day money back guarantee on this one and trying another one...
DicE
galaxys said:
Thanks for the review. It looks cool for the most part other than it's not skin tight...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yep I'd have to agree 100% with your review, bought one of these cases on ebay and initially thought it was good, but as you say it's not skin tight it's more "underpants tight"...so the case does come off sometimes when you take the phone out of your pocket as it sticks to your pocket...and if you are looking for a static dust magnet this wouldn't go amiss...
Just an idea guys, but does silicone shrink when exposed to heat? If so, you could try bathing it in hot water to shrink it a little... ?
Grtz
Lukas
shrink? you sure about that? Haven't tried that.
case could do with a wash though since it has been sucking in dust like a black whole for the past couple of days so... let me give that a try
If we're sure of one thing then it's that it wont break the case
DicE
Lukasss said:
Just an idea guys, but does silicone shrink when exposed to heat? If so, you could try bathing it in hot water to shrink it a little... ?
Grtz
Lukas
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
DicEvsTytnII said:
shrink? you sure about that? Haven't tried that.
case could do with a wash though since it has been sucking in dust like a black whole for the past couple of days so... let me give that a try
If we're sure of one thing then it's that it wont break the case
DicE
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Did you try it? Coz now I'm curious myself...
Lukasss said:
Just an idea guys, but does silicone shrink when exposed to heat? If so, you could try bathing it in hot water to shrink it a little... ?
Grtz
Lukas
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I very much doubt it will shrink. They use silicone like this as baking trays!!
Hello, I have still yet to take the battery cover off my HD2 since it's brand new, and I need to know the least effortless way to take it off without damaging. I have tried with the little slot by pulling up on it but haven't tried very hard and it never comes off. I'm afraid of breaking it.... Help?
Do a Google search on
"remove battery cover hd2"
PurpleLlamaLover said:
Hello, I have still yet to take the battery cover off my HD2 since it's brand new, and I need to know the least effortless way to take it off without damaging. I have tried with the little slot by pulling up on it but haven't tried very hard and it never comes off. I'm afraid of breaking it.... Help?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yeah, you've got the right idea there...it's built to have tension so it takes a bit of effort to get it open. First, that little slot is indeed for your nail to help pop it open...now, when you pull on it, do it as if the opposite side (with the volume buttons) is a hinge, and the door needs to swing open like that. I place one of my thumbs on the "hinge" side, and pull up on the other. Once it snaps up about an inch, I lift my thumb and it comes right off. Putting it back on is the exact opposite...first seat the side with the volume buttons securely (this takes some practice), and then swing it closed and snap down on the notch side.
Ugh, that sounds really difficult. This is actually making me regret my decision of buying the HD2. I love everything about it but this stuipid battery cover. Why couldn't it take up the entire middle-bottom of the phone!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SfemA_G2QYA
Thanks, but I can't view the movie. Shows up as a white square...
don't worry about it really, your finger isn't going to damage the metal battery cover. it just pops right off.
i hold the phone with my right hand on the top and bottom and push the slot with my left thumb, easy peasy.
I'm not worried about the battery cover, just the phone. I've had it since Wednesday and have been phoneless for the past 2 weeks...
Just pull on it its not going to damage your phone, I do it every day.
Its really not that hard to do, you're making it a bigger deal than it actually is. Its made out of metal so I think you will be ok.
come on purple lama lover! just do it; don't be a pink lama
This thread, coupled with this post from another thread:
PurpleLlamaLover said:
I'm very meticulous when it comes to cosmetics. At night, when I'm not using my phone I wrap it in a lint free sunglass cloth, then in a layer of bubble wrap, then in a small bubble wrap lined packaging envelope, then in a larger bubble wrap lined shipping envelope, and then in a prefectly sized cardboard box that I put very carefully in a drawer. Lol, but the case and all it's openings fit perfect.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Makes me believe that you may need to see a doctor. Your worries are baseless and way too superficial.
You're regretting buying the HD2 because of the battery cover? For real? Definitely don't get an evo then. That one feels like it could snap at any moment when you try to take it off. At least the HD2's is metal.
This is a joke, right? How are you going to damage a metal battery cover? What are you using to take it off, The Jaws of Life?
Just take it off. You won't damage it at all. I know it feels like its just going to rip apart but the HD2 can take it
Guys, Please don't feed the troll.
FlawlesStyle said:
This thread, coupled with this post from another thread:
Makes me believe that you may need to see a doctor. Your worries are baseless and way too superficial.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
WOW...if it rings your wouldnt even be able to hear it much less get it out in time to answer the call...
PurpleLlamaLover said:
Ugh, that sounds really difficult. This is actually making me regret my decision of buying the HD2. I love everything about it but this stuipid battery cover. Why couldn't it take up the entire middle-bottom of the phone!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
"UGHH thats difficult".....This guy / gal is really sad
LOL... This is hilarious!
This is what works for me
1) Phone face down
2) Stick your fingernail in the bottom left corner of the metal cover and lift it up. Voila.
Pocketnow technique didn't really work for me. Almost felt like I was going to break it.
There seriously is a thread about how to remove the battry cover???
I cant belive i just wasted my time in reading it WOW!!!!
Is anyone else having this problem:
I noticed that if I press down on the middle left side of the screen in portrait mode (the very edge of the screen) that I hear a "click" sound, almost like it's loose underneath. The rest of the screen doesn't click, only this part. I've read other reports about people having issues with the screen coming up, and was concerned. Nothing looks loose, and everything feels solid, but again, slightly concerned.
There's another thread going on about this very thing: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1774438
--
Sent from my SGH-I777 using xda app-developers app
Not really. I mean yes at first I had to press down REAL hard and it was a very minute one, but not terrible. Now it's not doing it anymore so it just may have been a placebo effect for me.
Is it very noticeable on yours? I only noticed it when I depressed quite hard in the exact middle left of the border (not the screen).
Sent from my Nexus 7 using xda premium
dzap said:
Not really. I mean yes at first I had to press down REAL hard and it was a very minute one, but not terrible. Now it's not doing it anymore so it just may have been a placebo effect for me.
Is it very noticeable on yours? I only noticed it when I depressed quite hard in the exact middle left of the border (not the screen).
Sent from my Nexus 7 using xda premium
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Sup dzap! :highfive:
Not too noticeable. I hear the click mostly when I left my finger off the side. Almost like something is coming up. On visual inspection, everything "looks" ok.
huge issue on this build, adhesive releases the glass and thus the sound you feel hear. charge it up, N7 will heat up and this sound will become less pronounced becasue glue will soften and then when it cools off the clicking sound will be back. They must be saving on the glue to get it under $199
phonic said:
Sup dzap! :highfive:
Not too noticeable. I hear the click mostly when I left my finger off the side. Almost like something is coming up. On visual inspection, everything "looks" ok.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
dvzzz said:
huge issue on this build, adhesive releases the glass and thus the sound you feel hear. charge it up, N7 will heat up and this sound will become less pronounced becasue glue will soften and then when it cools off the clicking sound will be back. They must be saving on the glue to get it under $199
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for the info. If all it ends up being is a slight noise every so often, I can live with that. If the screen starts falling apart - that's a different story. I didn't even notice it until I started looking for problems .
I had the same problem on my 5th GNex. I exchanged it for another one. It depends how much it bothers you I guess.
dvzzz said:
huge issue on this build, adhesive releases the glass and thus the sound you feel hear. charge it up, N7 will heat up and this sound will become less pronounced becasue glue will soften and then when it cools off the clicking sound will be back. They must be saving on the glue to get it under $199
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I had this problem and am in middle of getting a replacement unit. However, I am hesitant of the adhesive/heat theory going around, partly from others' reports of clicks, although I heard none (but I didn't push as hard as some) and partly as the ifixit teardown didn't mention adhesive other than partially securing the battery to the frame--and, adhesive is something they always like to mention. Moreover, the pics they show suggest a mixture of clips and screws securing things internally. I suppose I am suggesting we try to not take things for granted
kboya said:
I had this problem and am in middle of getting a replacement unit. However, I am hesitant of the adhesive/heat theory going around, partly from others' reports of clicks, although I heard none (but I didn't push as hard as some) and partly as the ifixit teardown didn't mention adhesive other than partially securing the battery to the frame--and, adhesive is something they always like to mention. Moreover, the pics they show suggest a mixture of clips and screws securing things internally. I suppose I am suggesting we try to not take things for granted
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I've been hearing the same. It sounds like people are assuming it's adhesive when it's really some sort of retainer clip that locks the device in place. I can't really comment one way or another, but based on what I've been hearing from user reports, I'd bet my car it's clips... not adhesive. But hey, I may be wrong and riding my bike to work tomorrow.
You are right, I should not be making definitive statements, I checked iFixit and I do not see a glue there but at the min my screen issues have something to do with heat and expansion, once the device on charge or in my hand for extended period of time the left side separates and rises .5-1mm above the bezel, I press it in and then it "sticks" for another hour or so. I am perhaps incorrectly assumed an adhesive but it must be a weak clip that cannot hold the glass once body expands... At the end of the day, my goal was to keep this little powerhouse N7 but hate to press that glass in all the time until I break it. I am sure they will eventually fix it in the new builds 3-6 months from now but all I was saying that many many folks are reporting separating bezel issue, it must be more than a coincidence.Returned to Sam's club it but there is no replacement for it for another 30 days or so coming to Sam's Club and by then there can be competitors coming, e.g. nanoiPad. Even though I really liked the Android N7 too bad Asus QA is not in the big league, but you cannot have everything at $199 or $260, quality costs money, I know Motorola overengineered Xoom to stand up on quality and it did.
kboya said:
I had this problem and am in middle of getting a replacement unit. However, I am hesitant of the adhesive/heat theory going around, partly from others' reports of clicks, although I heard none (but I didn't push as hard as some) and partly as the ifixit teardown didn't mention adhesive other than partially securing the battery to the frame--and, adhesive is something they always like to mention. Moreover, the pics they show suggest a mixture of clips and screws securing things internally. I suppose I am suggesting we try to not take things for granted
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The Nexus 4 is very likely to be my next phone, replacing my old HTC Desire. Anyway, I have one big concern about the new Nexus.
I have had a LG Device once. It also had a silver-shiny bezel, just like the nexus 4. And exactly this bezel attracted scratches like a magnet. You could barely look at it without producing a scratch. It was kind of like the backside of the old iPod touches (if you know what I mean).
Sounds weird, but this is my biggest concern about the phone till yet. I don't want to have a phone which is scratched all over immediately...
Just my thoughts, anyway....
Seriously?
seriously.Probably sounds a bit crazy, but I have had a really worse experience with this. The mentioned older LG device with the metal bezel looked really awfull after few weeks of usage (and I really took care of where I put it etc.)....like it's been used for a few years already...
theoneofgod said:
Seriously?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
He has forsaken the worship of Google and expressed an independent thought doubting the perfection of this device! BURN HIM
Seriously though don't those who have handled it say the outside is soft? It sounds like some sort of rubbery plastic not metal. Could be wrong.
Get a case/bumper
eep2378 said:
Get a case/bumper
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
don't think that'd work out for the front of the device...but even if, I'm not a fan of cases at all, why should I buy a many-hundreds-of-dollars/euros-device and than put it into a case for a few dollars/euros? My old phone survived my jeans also pretty well, the screen hasn't any spotable scratch - and it isn't even gorilla glass or anything comparable...
Perfect example of one of the many things duct-tape can fix.
I have no idea how easily the Nexus 4 will scratch. Guess we'll find out.
I don't think its metal, looks like plastic with chrome paint, but yes if metal it can get dings like the iPhone5.
I've also read that it's a rubbery feeling plastic which doesn't seem like it's scratch too easily.
Sent from my PG86100 using Tapatalk 2
eksasol said:
I don't think its metal, looks like plastic with chrome paint, but yes if metal it can get dings like the iPhone5.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
platic with that chrome paint thing is even worse, it's just like butter. Metal is far better in that kind of stuff, the Desire's frame is some kind of painted metal, too. Got 2 noticable scratches in there, though, but that's not too bad for like 2 and a half years of daily usage with no case...
EDIT:
sporez said:
I've also read that it's a rubbery feeling plastic which doesn't seem like it's scratch too easily.
Sent from my PG86100 using Tapatalk 2
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I think that only counts for the black plastik frame, not the silver one
haloimplant said:
He has forsaken the worship of Google and expressed an independent thought doubting the perfection of this device! BURN HIM
Seriously though don't those who have handled it say the outside is soft? It sounds like some sort of rubbery plastic not metal. Could be wrong.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Indeed. Like all other phones are indestructible.
Nascor said:
don't think that'd work out for the front of the device...but even if, I'm not a fan of cases at all, why should I buy a many-hundreds-of-dollars/euros-device and than put it into a case for a few dollars/euros? My old phone survived my jeans also pretty well, the screen hasn't any spotable scratch - and it isn't even gorilla glass or anything comparable...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
the bumper is slightly raised on the front and in the back to help protect. not guaranteed. i hate cases as well, however, i think i will be giving a bumper a try.
Yeah, I don't like the chrome ring either. My old Vibrant had it and it looked terrible after a couple of months. The paint started to chip and made the phone look really old. Plus it's kind of an outdated design cue. The N4 would have looked much more sleek without it.
Even in Google's promo shots the ring looks black, not silver. Looks much nicer, IMO.
You could always paint the silver ring black like many nexus 7 users have done
Sent from my Desire HD using xda app-developers app
manlisten said:
Even in Google's promo shots the ring looks black, not silver. Looks much nicer, IMO.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
found that pretty interesting, too. Don't they like their own phone? On Googles pics, chrome thing is almost invisible, while on hands on shots you can clearly see it:
https://play.google.com/store/devices/details?id=nexus_4_16gb
VS
http://www.theverge.com/2012/10/29/3569540/google-nexus-4-preview-price-release-date
sassyness77 said:
You could always paint the silver ring black like many nexus 7 users have done
Sent from my Desire HD using xda app-developers app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
but you would have a deformed phone :cyclops:
I'm not a fan of the tacky fake chrome, but I'll probably just get a case/bumper for it anyway.
Wait to see how it is constructed, I normally just let my phones get scratched on their cases and then when come to selling just buy the parts and replace them, it's always as cheap as buying cases.
Bump for awareness. Someone please reply if you know about the quality/material/durability of the bezel. The strange thing is that they designed the bezel like that, to make sure the screen is safe, when put down. One would think that they made it out of a durable material/finish.
Edit: I'm quite sure that it's impossible to replace parts, when damaged. Since the battery door is sealed, I reckon you're f****d when you drop your phone and the bezel gets scratched up. This could be an issue to me, for sure.
gideonMorrison said:
Edit: I'm quite sure that it's impossible to replace parts, when damaged. Since the battery door is sealed, I reckon you're f****d when you drop your phone and the bezel gets scratched up. This could be an issue to me, for sure.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It looks like the back cover is held on only with two screws. Standard screws not some proprietary kind. So in theory (without actually having a device to work with) it should be possible to easily replace the back cover assuming you found a new one. The back cover on this phone has all sorts of circuitry built into it so it might be quite difficult to find a new one.
It is also possible that the warranty sticker is on the bottom of that back cover, so when you take it off you rip off the warranty sticker. We will have to wait for a teardown to see if this is the case.
I saw a few guys complaining about the scratched/bumped bezel which looks ugly because the paint will reveal the metal underneath.
Well, I also damaged my watch by accidentally hitting it . Permanent markers are not a good solution because they do not last.
Apparently the bezel is made out of aluminium and only the watch body is made out of steel, that why, maybe, the bezel is less resistant.
Last evening though, an idea came to my mind, which I also applied on the watch. The result is promising .
Using some fine sandpaper (600) and some real paper after that, I completely removed the paint from the top of the bezel.
As a technique, I laid the sandpaper on a flat surface (table) and then I pressed the watch on it while rubbing it. After the paint was completely removed, I did the same operation but using a regular sheet of paper (to add a nice finish on the metal surface).
Please be careful: you have to press the watch against the sandpaper (laid on a flat, hard surface), not the other way around. In this way you leave no room for mistakes and the revealed metal will be uniform and nice, w/o weird edges.
This is the result.
That actually looks really nice! I'm Impressed with it . Just out of Curiosity what watchface is that also as it suits the watch really well.
That's a custom watch face for WatchMaker (built by me). You can download it from here.
I'm not sure I have the b... sorry guts for this kind of job
First Hardware Mod!
That looks great! I know it's just a matter of time before I will need to do this. I have sanded/polished like this before and may I warn everyone:
Make sure you keep the sandpaper flat. If it rolls up under the face it will scratch the screen.Better yet, only do this with a screen protector.
Really nice. You should offer your services for a fee, to do this for others afraid to do it themselves. Not that you'd offer any guarantees, but you have proof you know how to do it right .
Sent from my Nexus 10 using Tapatalk
Wow that's a great fix for this. Showed the scratches on my bezel to the lg team at ces and they were surprised and would follow up with me after the show. They said they hadn't come across this issue (which I find hard to believe). Like you mentioned OP the bezel is aluminum and the lower parts are steel and seem to be much more durable paint wise.
I'm hoping they might send me a new watch with some better paint but if not I'm definitely going to use this method!
it does look good, however once you do this there is no going back ........
if you want a better finish you may want to try crocus paper after you have removed the paint on the bezel, crocus paper is very fine and may give a smoother finish.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Crocus_cloth
Once you have bumped the outer bezel into an outer object, hard enough to expose the metal under the paint, the is no going back either. But at least, there is a way to move forward .
ro_explorer said:
Once you have bumped the outer bezel into an outer object, hard enough to expose the metal under the pain, the is no going back either. But at least, there is a way to move forward .
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
So very true.
I personally think that looks fantastic and a milliion times better than a scratched bezel. Mine hasn't recieved any scratches yet, but seeing your results, I'm no longer panicked about that happening.
Thank you for a great solution!
yes of course, I like the look of it too
How long have you had the watch since you did this? Is there any signs of corrosion on the exposed Aluminium?
ro_explorer said:
Once you have bumped the outer bezel into an outer object, hard enough to expose the metal under the paint, the is no going back either. But at least, there is a way to move forward .
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I did the operation on January 2nd (when I posted on the forum ). One full week passed since then .. no signs on the metal surface whatsoever (expected, it's aluminum and this does not corrode).
Here is a photo from today.
ro_explorer said:
I saw a few guys complaining about the scratched/bumped bezel which looks ugly because the paint will reveal the metal underneath.
Well, I also damaged my watch by accidentally hitting it . Permanent markers are not a good solution because they do not last.
Apparently the bezel is made out of aluminium and only the watch body is made out of steel, that why, maybe, the bezel is less resistant.
Last evening though, an idea came to my mind, which I also applied on the watch. The result is promising .
Using some fine sandpaper (600) and some real paper after that, I completely removed the paint from the top of the bezel.
As a technique, I laid the sandpaper on a flat surface (table) and then I pressed the watch on it while rubbing it. After the paint was completely removed, I did the same operation but using a regular sheet of paper (to add a nice finish on the metal surface).
Please be careful: you have to press the watch against the sandpaper (laid on a flat, hard surface), not the other way around. In this way you leave no room for mistakes and the revealed metal will be uniform and nice, w/o weird edges.
This is the result.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I've had my watch for a little over a week and don't recall hitting it against anything but this morning noticed my bezel has a scratch longer than half an inch. Doing a Google search brought me here.
I was going to try your method today. I understand using the 600 grit sandpaper to remove the rest of the paint from the bezel but how does the regular paper help the finish? My uneducated guess would have been to try a finer grit sandpaper such as 1200 instead of the paper.
You can use whatever finer than 600 you have (even coarser but you may risk it going coarser that that).
Unfortunately, 600 was the finest I had in house at the moment that why I used id. After that though, the metal finish was matte, missing that fine polishing .... there is where the regular paper got into action. If you use a regular laser printer paper sheet, it will act as a very very fine sandpaper, enough to give that fine polishing on the pure metal (aluminium in this case - soft metal, no other reason.
ro_explorer said:
You can use whatever finer than 600 you have (even coarser but you may risk it going coarser that that).
Unfortunately, 600 was the finest I had in house at the moment that why I used id. After that though, the metal finish was matte, missing that fine polishing .... there is where the regular paper got into action. If you use a regular laser printer paper sheet, it will act as a very very fine sandpaper, enough to give that fine polishing on the pure metal (aluminium in this case - soft metal, no other reason.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You sir are a genius - your solution actually makes the watch look better than before the problem.
dzyuba said:
You sir are a genius - your solution actually makes the watch look better than before the problem.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Please tell us what did you do exactly to the watch, step by step. Thanks.
My request to any other people who want to adopt this method, please record a video of the process. Then upload it to youtube and share it with us. Thanks.
The entire process that I used is described in detail in the first post of this thread.
There is also the possibility to use a nail file (there are some guys who did that and the results are quite nice as well).
Guys,
This looks fantastic. Perhaps even better than stock. I've got a 1/4" scratch, so not quite ready to take the plunge...but certainly thinking about it.
-Doc
I should probably post this here also. I managed to ding up my watch pretty badly crashing my skateboard, and a user suggested I try this method. I did it a little differently by finishing with a 3000 grit and using metal polish cream on the exposed metal to give it a nice shine. Here are before and after pictures.
The metal polish is definitely adding a nice touch. Thanks for the info.
// sent from my phone //