Any site that sales/makes Custom battery covers? - Galaxy Note 4 Accessories

I'm not looking for a custom case for my note 4, because I don't use cases or screen protectors for any phone I have ever owned. (all of them still look almost brand new after having owned them for over a year) What I am looking for is a website that either sales, or will let me design a nes controller back cover for my note 4. I know that I can goto a site like skinit, and design a sticker that I can put on my phone, but the back cover is removable, so why can't I just completely replace it? It'll not only make my phone look even cooler, but also remove the AT&T logo on the back (which isn't even the reason for do this. I just want a fancy back cover) I know that this probably isn't that popular since most people put a case on their phone, but I don't want to put a case on my phone. Yes I know it isn't smart to go without a case on an $800 phone, but I don't care. I like how the phone looks and feels without it.

I was wondering the same thing. I found an R2D2 one which was awesome but I have the charcoal one. Right now I'm just going with the stock white cover.

I used to be all about skins and such on my phones, ordering a couple from.... I forget the site, it's not DecalGirl, but the other pretty popular one (much better quality). Then I was about to order a new one one day, and it struck me; "I don't really want to spend $15 and wait 2 weeks for this... I bet I could get myself a pack of vinyl adhesive inkjet paper, put together a template in PS, then print whatever design I want on high quality paper..." Well, that's a bet I would have won.
To really print up a nice looking skin, first make sure your template's perfect, good paper isn't super cheap, but again, you can find a pack of 10 for about $15, so I could print out a new one... ya know, in the interest of keeping it fresh, then cut very carefully... I use high quality scissors for most of the outline, then break out the exacto knifes. To cut out some holes, I attach a super sharp exacto knife to a compass, and for really small ones, sometimes I'll use an old soldering iron which works quite well. Last thing before application, I highly recommend 2 coats of this "finishing" spray. It both protects the image from degrading, and makes the colors pop nicely. The stuff I use is called Modge Podge super acrylic sealer. Two light-ish coats letting it dry after each, and using a brush to smooth out the spray on the image immediately after each coat.
Depending on your... "arts and crafts" skill,s a skin that you order will likely be higher quality, but with a little practice you can make your own that are close enough, then you can change it up whenever the mood strikes you. Just a suggestion, but personally I ended up preferring my own OG work, plus I've got a stash of vinyl sticker paper just in case anything else happens to be in need of some decoration. If you decide to go that route and need some advice, don't hesitate to hit me up

iAmkin9 said:
I was wondering the same thing. I found an R2D2 one which was awesome but I have the charcoal one. Right now I'm just going with the stock white cover.
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Where did you find this r2d2 back cover?

Can't post links but eBay "Star Wars R2D2 Robot Battery Housing Back Cover For Samsung Galaxy / Note Phone"

Making my own sounds like a lot of work. I suppose if I so ever decide to go the stick on route, I'll probably just buy one.

I decided to make a ballistic nylon back like the Droid Turbo.if I ever go through with it I'll post pics.

Related

Cases / Shells - what're you getting / reviews:

Ultimately I settled on the trident case, pictures in this post. Thanks to gtny930 for finding it for us.
There are some other good case recommendations scattered through the thread, as I get the time I will source them up here for easier reference.
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Hey all, i've been searching amazon off and on for cases for our wonderful device, and finally pulled the trigger on one:
Link here
Says it's by HTC, and I ordered from BlueMall, at $0.32 I couldn't not get it...
Rubberized case, two pieces to fit the slide function, looks like a winner.
I doubt it'll be as good as an otterbox as far as protection, but a buddy of mine has an otterbox for his Inspire 4G - and suffers from serious overheating problems. Since our phone already suffers from that with the stock battery i'm gonna pass otterbox by on this phone. (Anker 1900 battery solved overheating problems for me)
Anyways, at less then $3.50 shipped, seemed like a fantastic deal.
Meantime, I have a screen protector and bodyglove on it now, which seems to be a good temporary fix until some proper protection was available. Love the glove, but to me it's only a temporary solution.
What're the rest of you doing for a case or protection for your phone? I'd love to hear about it.
ArmorSuit and HTC Messenger
I got this:
http://www.amazon.com/ArmorSuit-MilitaryShield-Protector-T-Mobile-REPLACEMENTS/dp/B0058XMYDU/ref=sr_1_3?s=wireless&ie=UTF8&qid=1314661800&sr=1-3
I posted "customer pics" of what is looks like on my phone too at Amazon.
I'm coming from the G1 and was used to the G1 sleeve so I also bought this:
http://www.amazon.com/HTC-Messenger-Pouch-HD2/dp/B003DZ13OG/ref=sr_1_1?s=wireless&ie=UTF8&qid=1314661896&sr=1-1
It's a nice fit and doesn't stick out the top.
As a side note.. I also bought the case you posted. I like it but it won't fit over the ArmorSuit and I really like how the suit looks and feels on the MT4GS. The phone with suit fits well in the pouch...good combo in my opinion.
Found this on Ebay. Still waiting for it (and MT4GS) to come. =[
I'm not allowed to post links yet so just put a dot in between.
http://www ebay.com/itm/HTC-MYTOUCH-4G-SLIDE-Hard-Cover-Case-SUMMER-FLOWER-/220839183408?pt=PDA_Accessories&hash=item336b0a8430#ht_2773wt_673
Lily.
MT4GS Cases / Shells
The rubberized hard Body Glove shells offered by T-Mobile (and sold on Amazon, eBay, etc...) are bulky and are missing holes for the microphone above the camera lens. I ended up buying the full body Invisible Shield and it looks great. The only problem is that they didn't include a piece for the bottom front of the phone (under the buttons and around the touchpad). I can put a hard case over the shield if I want, for extra protection or to just change up the look.
I have the solid black case. Just some things to note. First, the back piece is very tight, and I don't think it will ever fall off. However, when removing and replacing the cover, the clips can easily scratch your phone. Second, one or two clips may not actually "clip" to the phone, but rather just get stuck near the top so it still holds from pressure. This really isn't noticeable, but it leaves indents from the pressure on the phone's case. In addition, the clips scrape up against the backside of the screen when sliding up the phone, and over time, start leaving a very noticeable mark. I corrected this with a just a strip of tape over where it was scraping.
The protector for the sliding part of the phone was a bit of an issue. It clips very tightly to the phone, but the clips scrape a lot against the edges of the phone next to the keyboard. In addition to making it a little more difficult to slide the phone, it leads to wear overtime (noticeable wear actually started in less than a few hours of normal use for me). I corrected this by actually cutting off the clips, and using double sided adhesive to stick that part of the case on. It doesn't scrape anymore, but at the same time, it just doesn't look good as the case doesn't properly hold together.
I don't really see how much of this can be fully fixed. I used to own a G1, and I didn't notice the issue of cases scratching the phone until it was too late, but I was able to notice it on my MyTouch. I'm hesitant to go for the BodyGuardz. I had one on my G1, and though it was nearly invisible protection, and protected 95% of the phone, I ended up dropping my phone and it landed on a sharp rock on part of the 5% that happened to not be covered (which ironically actually are the corners of the phone, where it is very likely to land on).
I'm actually a fan of the body glove case. I'm just waiting for something with more clearance because of the anker battery. I've heard goods things about the otterbox, but it is kinda bulky.
Sent from my MyTouch 4G Slide
SolemnWishing said:
I have the solid black case. Just some things to note. First, the back piece is very tight, and I don't think it will ever fall off. However, when removing and replacing the cover, the clips can easily scratch your phone. Second, one or two clips may not actually "clip" to the phone, but rather just get stuck near the top so it still holds from pressure. This really isn't noticeable, but it leaves indents from the pressure on the phone's case. In addition, the clips scrape up against the backside of the screen when sliding up the phone, and over time, start leaving a very noticeable mark. I corrected this with a just a strip of tape over where it was scraping.
The protector for the sliding part of the phone was a bit of an issue. It clips very tightly to the phone, but the clips scrape a lot against the edges of the phone next to the keyboard. In addition to making it a little more difficult to slide the phone, it leads to wear overtime (noticeable wear actually started in less than a few hours of normal use for me). I corrected this by actually cutting off the clips, and using double sided adhesive to stick that part of the case on. It doesn't scrape anymore, but at the same time, it just doesn't look good as the case doesn't properly hold together.
I don't really see how much of this can be fully fixed. I used to own a G1, and I didn't notice the issue of cases scratching the phone until it was too late, but I was able to notice it on my MyTouch. I'm hesitant to go for the BodyGuardz. I had one on my G1, and though it was nearly invisible protection, and protected 95% of the phone, I ended up dropping my phone and it landed on a sharp rock on part of the 5% that happened to not be covered (which ironically actually are the corners of the phone, where it is very likely to land on).
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I was going to edit in my response about the case I got in the first post - but after this one I quoted I need say not much more.
I really want to like the case, it feels nice and looks good on the phone...but it makes it too much of a pain in the ... to get the back of the case off.
I didn't realize how often I pop the back of the phone open to swap out memory cards until I put the case on.
It lasted on my phone for about 3 hours before I took it off...and it scratched one corner of my phone when I did it. Scratch isn't bad, and it'll probably buff out over time, but it's the first damage the phone has suffered - ironically from the thing that was supposed to prevent this.
If you are never going to pop open the back of the phone to get to the memory card, and you don't mind the backside of your screen-half of the phone getting scratched up when you slide it open - then this is a pretty decent case.
I think the scratching the back of the screen part can be solved by using a knife to cut a sliver off the part that sticks op, then maybe using a small piece of electrical tape to cover that clip.
I like it, I want to like it, but I can't use it - I take the phone apart too damn much for a case like this to be practical.
I'm on the lookout for a gel-type case now. Think that'll be the perfect solution. If anyone finds one, please mention it here.
I got the black cheap case today. After reading the reviews I knew better than to just throw it on there. So I took a small metal file that I have, and proceeded to shave each clip down just a little. After a few trials I got the clips shaved down enough that they all fit and are not pressing against the bottom of the screen hard enough to scratch it.
The coating on this case was not really rubber. Its more of a dusted flat black. It's not slick to the touch, but it doesnt grip like the rubber of the phone.
The phone still fits into the generic style T-mobile mount. But its not as secure as without. I can turn it upside down and give it a light shake without coming loose. So hopefully it will be fine.
I got my psychedelic cover and I'm not very impressed with it. It makes the phone very bulky and awkward to hold (maybe because of my small girly hands -_-).
I find taking the back cover off particularly stressful because I'm scared I'd rip the screen off the keyboard.
Protection wise I haven't dropped my phone yet to see what kind it would provide but I'm guessing it wouldn't fall off the phone if dropped.
Haven't seen any dents or scratches caused by it.
I think I'd prefer it if it had a more rubbery feel as the texture is kind of smooth and slippery.
Overall, I'm satisfied with it but I wish I could figure out a way to take off the cover without the fear of destroying it. Haha.
Lily.
@siani_8
I got this: ....
.....
As a side note.. I also bought the case you posted. I like it but it won't fit over the ArmorSuit and I really like how the suit looks and feels on the MT4GS. The phone with suit fits well in the pouch...good combo in my opinion.
Quick question - in the pictures you uploaded to Amazon the phone back and sides seem to have a checker pattern. Is that pattern due to the protector?
The otterbox exists for this phone? Or you speaking generally about the otterbox product line?
Sent from my MyTouch 4G Slide using xda premium
ssb33 said:
@siani_8
I got this: ....
.....
As a side note.. I also bought the case you posted. I like it but it won't fit over the ArmorSuit and I really like how the suit looks and feels on the MT4GS. The phone with suit fits well in the pouch...good combo in my opinion.
Quick question - in the pictures you uploaded to Amazon the phone back and sides seem to have a checker pattern. Is that pattern due to the protector?
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Yes, it's a woven "carbon fiber" pattern. I took the pictures at angles where the light shows it more clearly. I think it looks nice and provides a "non-slip" surface as well without adding any bulk to the phone when you want to use it, which I personally prefer.
siani_8 said:
I got this:
http://www.amazon.com/ArmorSuit-MilitaryShield-Protector-T-Mobile-REPLACEMENTS/dp/B0058XMYDU/ref=sr_1_3?s=wireless&ie=UTF8&qid=1314661800&sr=1-3
I posted "customer pics" of what is looks like on my phone too at Amazon.
I'm coming from the G1 and was used to the G1 sleeve so I also bought this:
http://www.amazon.com/HTC-Messenger-Pouch-HD2/dp/B003DZ13OG/ref=sr_1_1?s=wireless&ie=UTF8&qid=1314661896&sr=1-1
It's a nice fit and doesn't stick out the top.
As a side note.. I also bought the case you posted. I like it but it won't fit over the ArmorSuit and I really like how the suit looks and feels on the MT4GS. The phone with suit fits well in the pouch...good combo in my opinion.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for linking this and posting the pics on Amazon., I'm going to order one today.
Thanks. I ordered one and installed it yesterday. The front and back went on great. I had more trouble with the sides but that is because I am not the most deft person around. There are a lot long thin pieces but MT4GS has a lot of moving parts. The phone looks great from the front. But the back has a bubble or two - again my clumsiness.
I wonder how long Otterbox will ignore this phone? Annoying....
Meanwhile, this HTC shell is gettin it done. Only complaint is that its not Otterbox.
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B005H98VI2
_atlien_ said:
I wonder how long Otterbox will ignore this phone? Annoying....
Meanwhile, this HTC shell is gettin it done. Only complaint is that its not Otterbox.
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B005H98VI2
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That's about the same thing I got that I posted about before - just mine is in black.
I know I said a few posts back that I wasn't going to use it, but I had to do something to try to keep it safe.
I've been using it for a few days now, and while I have my gripes, I suppose it's okay.
I got tired of not being able to put it down anywhere, for fear of scratching the camera lens. This case sits further down then the lens, so it isn't the thing the weight of the phone rests on.
Before, i'd have to find something soft to put it down on everywhere I went, which was annoying. I wouldn't put it in my pocket, because they are always full of dust and whatnot - that little grainy stuff gets into the phone and I didn't want that.
Now, with the case on, it doesn't fit in my belt holster anymore - so I have to put it in my pocket or carry it. Desperately seeking another solution but coming up short.
What i'm thinking about doing is drilling some holes in the back of the case, and attaching a belt clip to the hard case shell itself.
So now i'm looking for either a belt holster or a clip I can attach to the hard case itself. Whatever ends up happening, i'll get some pictures and put 'em up here.
What I really, really, really, really want is a soft-rubber case, like a gel case of some sort that can absorb shock - not some hard plastic thing.
_atlien_ said:
I wonder how long Otterbox will ignore this phone? Annoying....
Meanwhile, this HTC shell is gettin it done. Only complaint is that its not Otterbox.
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Can you 2 that got this case tell me if it fits OK? I hate cases that feel like they are going to fall off after they are on...does this one do that? Specifically when you slide the keyboard up with your thumbs does the front part of the case feel like it would fall off because of your thumb pressure?
Just wanted to be sure it was somewhat well constructed...the $5 price tag just has me concerned.
cOvertKEEN said:
Can you 2 that got this case tell me if it fits OK? I hate cases that feel like they are going to fall off after they are on...does this one do that? Specifically when you slide the keyboard up with your thumbs does the front part of the case feel like it would fall off because of your thumb pressure?
Just wanted to be sure it was somewhat well constructed...the $5 price tag just has me concerned.
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Click to collapse
No, it's fine. I've dropped the phone twice and the case hasn't come off. And it certainly isn't about to come off from handling/usage of the phone. It fits snug. Supposedly its made by HTC, if that means anything. The case does it's job without problems.
Just waitin for Otter.....
Any body have a silicone case? Or one of these?
http://www.ebay.com/itm/HTC-MYTOUCH...Accessories&hash=item231421d01f#ht_1896wt_922
Looks good. Other colors available too.
cOvertKEEN said:
Can you 2 that got this case tell me if it fits OK? I hate cases that feel like they are going to fall off after they are on...does this one do that? Specifically when you slide the keyboard up with your thumbs does the front part of the case feel like it would fall off because of your thumb pressure?
Just wanted to be sure it was somewhat well constructed...the $5 price tag just has me concerned.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
_atlien_ said:
No, it's fine. I've dropped the phone twice and the case hasn't come off. And it certainly isn't about to come off from handling/usage of the phone. It fits snug. Supposedly its made by HTC, if that means anything. The case does it's job without problems.
Just waitin for Otter.....
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Click to collapse
It fits snug, coming off accidentally isn't a problem. Both the top piece and the bottom piece are secure, normal - or even some exaggerated abnormal - use won't knock it off.
The longer I use the case the more it grows on me, I really like the silky feel of it. There have been a few situations already where having a case protected the phone - I haven't dropped it and hope I never do, but since it's becoming a portable video game system/controller amongst other things it can't be without one.
I suppose you could do far worse then this case, but i'd trade it for a gel-type rubber case in a heartbeat. Hard cases don't protect from shock damage.

[Review | Sleeve] Waterfield Suede Jacket for the Galaxy Note 8.0

Until my recent purchase of the official Samsung Book Cover, I was a firm hater of cases. To me, they never offered enough utility to justify the extra bulk and when opened, tended to annoy me enough that I'd simply rather not use the device. That's fine for a tablet that stays at your desk, but when you need to move around and toss the thing in your bag, you're really running the risk of scratching the screen. So my standard solution are cheep, easy to use sleves. Low bulk, screen protection in transport, and easily removed for device use. Sounds like win to me.
Normally I just go for whatever budget sleeve I can find on Amazon, but the Note 8.0 being such a "special" device, I wanted to treat myself and try something a little higher end. As it happened, Waterfield was already a step ahead of me and had updated their product page with a Note 8 version of their Waterfield Suede Jacket. I pulled the trigger as soon as I saw this as it sounded like it fit the bill perfectly. So how did it do?
Product Info
Waterfield Suede Jacket
http://www.sfbags.com/products/tablet-cases/tablet-suedejacket.php
Price: $19 + $6 for Optional pouch + Shipping
Ordering & Shipping
Apparently, Waterfield wasn't not as ready for the product as their order page suggested. About 4 hours after my order was placed, I get the following email:
Thanks again for your order. We will have your Note 8 Suede Jacket shipped by April 26th. Sorry this wasn't listed when you placed your order.
If there's anything we can do for you in the meantime, just let me know.
Best regards,
Chris
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Fair enough. This was April 12, mind you. So the tablet had only been on the market for a day at this point. As I'm sure you've figured out by now, I didn't have to wait until the 26th for the package to ship. In fact, I found a shipping confirmation email along with a FedEx tracking number in my email on the 19th. Sadly by that point I had already purchased the official Samsung Book Cover from my local Best Buy the day before, so I was already thinking of trying to cancel the order.
Unboxing
..or rather, unbaging as the cover is contained in a thin slip of plastic with a simple, nondescript postcard inserted as boxart of sorts. I assume they also have a retail location as the package itself was graced with a small, green sticker with a handwritten "19" on it as a price label.
First Impressions
This thing is thin and that's both good and bad. On the positive, it won't add any real bulk to the device and that's important when you're lugging around as much gear as I do day-to-day. This, however, also means my faith in the sleeve's ability to protect against scratches, which was its primary purpose, is equally as thin. I feel like it would survive a battle with a loose set of keys floating around in a bag, but any real pressure and I'm afraid it won't do a bit of good.
Another concern of mine is the suede itself. It wasn't out of the bag for more than 5 minutes before it started collecting a crazy amount of dust and pet fur. I don't own anything made of the material so I can't say I know the proper way to remove this stuff, but trying to brush it off was a pain and mostly unproductive as for every spec of dust I removed, a streak of dead skin and/or more dust would replace it. Only time will tell how big a problem this will be.
A third concern here is that for the opening, there is no flap or cover here. So an edge of the device will always be exposed. This seems like a big oversight in the design to me.
Beyond that, the construction seems really nice. The seams are well stitched, the material doesn't feel cheap and the fabric cuts look uniform.
Actual Use
The fit itself is snug. Not in a fat-girl-in-yoga-pants way, mind you. It's very glove like and putting the device inside is easier than most other sleeves I've used in the past and doesn't give me a feeling that the tablet is going to fall out. The only improvement with regard to the fit that I wish were part of the design is the sleeve has sharp, 90 degree corners at the bottom, where the Galaxy Note 8.0 is rounded. This leaves both corners a little more squishy than I'd like.
Sewn to both sides and again at the bottom are these little holding tabs for helping you remove the tablet from inside. This is a nice feature I wish were in more designs. Now, instead of fighting to find a place to counter-pull and perhaps stretch or rip the sleeve, it's very clear where I should do this. In tern, this makes removing the Note 8 super easy. So it gets high marks in that department.
Verdict
At $19, it's nearly 3x as expensive as other sleeves I've owned and now see on Amazon. I'm betting the build quality of those can't touch this guy, but that's not enough of a trade off for me considering the constantly exposed opening and the thin material. If I had been given a chance to play with this before hand, I can honestly say I wouldn't have gone with it as a solution for my needs. I'd even go so far as to return this one if it wasn't for the fact I paid an extra $12 for 2 day shipping.
Would I recommend it? Only if you have very basic needs. If your bag contains a laptop and this, it's a stylish option for sure. If, however, your bag contains a 5D MkII, MacBook Air, several lenses, memory cards, lens caps, lenspens, keys, cables, etc...not so much.
Photos
Coming soon.

[Review] Boxwave Book/wallet case

Hey everyone, I'm back with another review. This case caught my eye and I had to own it...immediately. The first case that I actually *wanted* to own. Honestly it wasn't perfect based on the pictures. It is a flip case made in the style of a book. Bookbinding is one of me hobbies and I thought that it was very fitting. So, here is my review. [EDIT] I must have misread the page, I read it was genuine leather, but it is leatherette, and that is why it smells so terribly.
Amazon Link: Boxwave book case (leatherette)
PRO's:
It fits nearly perfectly
Provides adequate protection for the body/screen with one flaw (see cons)
It has enough space for 6 cards (doubled in each pocket) and space behind the cards for a few folded bills.
CON's:
Smell. holy mother of god was this smelly when I took it out of the plastic bag. I choked a little and had to let it air out outside for a day before it was bearable to use in the house. (yes, that bad) and it still has a scent.
Volume. While it doesn't add much weight at all for the size of the phone and case, it does add a lot of thickness. Though it does look exactly like a book, so I guess that is expected. Might be more of a casual case for use in a backpack or purse, so maybe not a con, for you but for me I use my phone in my front pocket.
The card slots are made of something other than leather and it left greasy marks on my xtremeguard screen protector. Not sure if it was because I left it outside over 24 hour period or if that is how they are in general. Your choice.
The volume and lock buttons are a little cramped, though the case holding the phone in place is actually really thin and easily pressed still. Just something to note.
Overall I would say the my desire to own this case has given me a little favoritism in my review. I honestly LOVE how this looks and wish more companies would make them. A really unique design for this unique phone. If you love having something that 90% of the people owning a Galaxy S4 won't have ever heard of, then this case if for you. Everything works nicely and is cut nearly perfectly. a solid 4*/5* for this one for me. Photos and *maybe* a video. I'm just getting started with reviews and I am not use to talking to a camera instead of typing reviews. But tomorrow photos will be uploaded and posted. (batter dead on camera!)
I forgot the pictures! :victory:
Review update: I love the way this case looks as I have said in the previous post, but I want to add that the fact that you cannot use a plastic screen protector on your phone without modifying the case. For this alone I would give the case a new 2*/5* It just isn't worth the problems...but it does look awesome...
I had to take the pockets out of the case because of a problem with them sticking to my screen protector which screwed up two of them before I found out the reason behind it was the adhesive they used to keep the leather attached to fabric inside on the actual pocket.
you can see the line of adhesive here.
Problems with the case that holds the phone on. It has cracked in the upper right and bottom left corners and I have not dropped the phone, either in the case or out, there is no reason for it to be breaking yet. Waste of money I think. I'm going to be sending an e mail to box wave tonight.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I337 using XDA Premium HD app
Rhamza161 said:
Problems with the case that holds the phone on. It has cracked in the upper right and bottom left corners and I have not dropped the phone, either in the case or out, there is no reason for it to be breaking yet. Waste of money I think. I'm going to be sending an e mail to box wave tonight.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I337 using XDA Premium HD app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Did you get a response? I was looking at one of these myself because I want a good wallet case with the clear space for the ID, and those are hard to find.

Cruzerlite Skin review (x-post from general accessories)

Full disclosure: The guys over at Cruzerlite helped out Carbon when no one had heard of use by donating a few free cases so we could run some giveaways on our social networks. We went to them because we liked their product and the way that they interacted with the Android community. They were so excited about their new skin product that they arranged to ship a MotoX and one of their skins to me so that I might review it and give them, and you, my honest feedback. The device and skins have been since sent back to them. I was not paid or otherwise compensated for this review. Mostly I just wanted to check out a new product, have an excuse to play with a Moto X, and play with the lightbox I built last week.
I hate cases. To me, they've always been a necessary evil. I generally go with the thinnest TPU case I can find so I know my phone will be protected, and try and find one that actually looks cool. Which is why I've always liked the Cruzerlite cases. Very android friendly, and there were always lots of looks to choose from - android themes, art, etc. My favorite was the Tardis case. I was always very careful with my device. But scratches and things happen, and like many of you I never plan to stay with one device for more than a year or so. That means you gotta keep it looking like new so you can sell it later.
To me, that's the niche that the Cruzerlite skins occupy. If you drop your phone all the time this product isn't going to keep you from denting it or smashing the glass. It's vinyl, not TPU. If you're a purist who insist on rocking a totally naked phone, this product also isn't for you. If you're one of the many who hate cases but want to protect the phone in some way, or are confident in your ability to not drop your phone but want a custom look, then this product is where it's at. It'll protect your device from light damage, give you any look you want, and preserve the size and feel of your device.
The product comes in the form of thick vinyl stickers. As it's a brand new product they don't yet have a set of instructions on the site. They tell me they have that in the works and we should see them soon. With that in mind, I'll overshare my installation process and what I learned for you folks. Cruzerlite clearly wanted to make sure that you'd be happy with the installation of this product, so they've given you a single sticker for the back, two sets of stickers for the sides, and three sets for the front. You can screw this up and try again without ordering a new set. Note that I say stickers, but this is actually vinyl of a nice thickness, not some elmo sticker you'd get from the doctor after a checkup.
So having checked out both the vinyl and the Moto X I setup my lightbox and got down to business. I applied the back vinyl, taking great care to align the camera and microphone. It worked, after a fashion - it looked like a sticker slapped on a phone. A phone with a lot of curves. So far... meh. I stuck the sides on as well. It looked... like a bunch of stickers slapped on a phone. They didn't conform to the curves of the phone at all. So I called up Joel at Cruzerlite and told him that while I thought he had a nice idea, this was probable something that would only work on a phone with simple surfaces like an iphone. I showed him how it looked and he asked me when I was planning to finish the installation. Finish the installation? What? Heat. You apply heat after installation. Ohhhhhh. For a guy who was just told that his half-installed product wasn't very good, he was pretty cool about it. Thanks Joel.
Ok, so with that in mind, I dug out the hair dryer and got to heating. It looked a lot better. With a bit of heat and some pressure with my fingers, the vinyl conformed to the curves of the device and started to look like they belonged there. That said, because I installed them like they were stickers, there were gaps. Teal gaps. It didn't look great - but that was on me.
You might want to color match better than I did. Teal and
wood grain aren't known for being a classic combination.
So the first install didn't look so great. The vinyl was curved to match the phone, but I had ugly gaps that ruined the look. When I put the sides on, I aligned things like I would with regular stickers - not heat shrinking vinyl. But Cruzerlite clearly anticipated that, so I had more! Off came the vinyl on the sides and and back to square one. This time, I made sure there was some overlap so that when heat was applied, it would properly fit. Here's what it looked like:
You can already tell it's going to come out better this time. Out comes the hair dryer!
Now we're talking. No gaps, all the buttons are nicely cut out... it looks great. Again, the color combination shows why I'm not ever going to be a graphic designer, but it certainly highlights just how well the product fits the device. There's a slight edge where the vinyl on the sides and the back overlap. It's not unpleasant, but I'd like to play with this product some more to see if I could even avoid that. I've asked Cruzerlite to send me a few more and another phone, and hope to have a follow up on this in the future.
Yes, it has front stickers. The great thing about this product is it's up to you what you apply - if you don't want the front stickers, don't put them on. You could even mix and match them if you wanted. Get different colors and make the phone version of this:
Yes, that's a real thing. It's a Harlequin Golf and comes
that way from the factory. Please don't do this to your phone.
So after installing and playing with this, I like it. The vinyl is thick enough to feel like a high quality and durable product and on the whole I found it to be easier to apply than a screen protector. Sure, it's a bit tricky to align, but you don't have to worry about dust and the use of heat makes this a relatively forgiving product. I'm certain that I didn't do a perfect job with this, but I don't hate it the way you'd hate a screen protector with a bit of dust under it. I did manage to tweak the back a bit when applying it, and you can see the bulge from it. Again, this is something that I'd be able to differently now that I know how the product works so I'm not particularly concerned about it.
Cruzerlite has a whole range of vinyl to choose from too - 57 at the time of this review. There's wood grain, antibacterial colors, metallic, and leather skins. We're spoiled for choice and if you can't find something you like you might want to ask yourself why you're so picky.
I'd say this is a buy. They look great, feel great, and will do a fantastic job of protecting your phone from light damage. They're easy to apply, and at just under ten dollars you can't beat the price. For those of you who picked up a Moto X before Motomaker was a thing, this is a great way to change your phone's look without buying a new one, or get the look of wood without paying an extra hundred bucks for a single woodgrain option. (bamboo? seriously?) At the time of this review, the skins are available for the Moto X, Nexus 5, Note 3, Galaxy S4, and iPhone 5/5s.
I'll update this thread in the future if I can get my hands on another device and more vinyl. If possible I'll try something other than wood grain, too.
You can check out the rest of their skins at http://www.cruzerlite.com/skins

Unicorn Beetle Case

Hi
My unicorn beetle case just arrive and I want to share my toughts with you.
First I order it from Amazon as I live in Chile the final cost was around 50 bucks.
I drop my first moto x 2014 (the one in the pics) and it screen shattered so a case for my new moto X was a must.
The case came in a really simple cardboard box, inside you find the 3 parts of the case:
- Front panel
- Back panel
- Belt clip holster
The plastic bag that contain them have a QR code with a link to a video of how asamble it but is really very easy.
The front panel have a integrated screen protector and only leave the mic, front camera and speaker unprotected (this is why this case is not waterproof).
The backpanel leaves the Motorola, the camera and the back mics unprotected also, but it have protectors for usb port and the audio jack.
The only fail that I notice is the holster, only once I was able to attach the phone to it, I haven't been able to do it again, it should be a lot more easier, but anyway I dind't plan to use it.
The phone dosn't gain a lot of weight and I still feel it comfortable.
Some photos
https:// scontent-b-gru.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xaf1/v/t1.0-9/10405301_10152553649268087_4469391920130927022_n.jpg?oh=8d7511c2cbfc010f120973702630fb9f&oe=550D4C81
https:// scontent-b-gru.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xap1/v/t1.0-9/10806349_10152553649388087_3407626409072602358_n.jpg?oh=2a8abb90dd5144da3481391dbc1befdb&oe=551C27EA (bubbles are from the phone screen protector not the case)
https:// scontent-a-gru.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xpa1/v/t1.0-9/10805777_10152553649488087_2531340061064646856_n.jpg?oh=91403792398331180f6afe21ecc3baf2&oe=55074813
https:// fbcdn-sphotos-c-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-xpf1/v/t1.0-9/10389011_10152553649728087_8947927708711168419_n.jpg?oh=73d17d5df7fff4b68b84570d2aa7289c&oe=5518C45F&__gda__=1428036896_20efd91e8fa2e0d5d4718e9fde82870a
https:// scontent-b-gru.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xpf1/v/t1.0-9/1972507_10152553649968087_18121166613486209_n.jpg?oh=741823360366a47bb0c241a1021c1439&oe=5506B170
https:// scontent-b-gru.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xfp1/v/t1.0-9/10393956_10152553649863087_2683143752115958080_n.jpg?oh=6bf6b9fa2264386a272e4bf24af1d7ec&oe=54D99F75 (the stains are my fault)
Where did you buy it from? I am looking on amazon and I dont see it for sale any more.
blkbltwrestler said:
Where did you buy it from? I am looking on amazon and I dont see it for sale any more.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Amazon here is the link
http:// www.amazon.com/SUPCASE-Full-body-Pr...sim_cps_2?ie=UTF8&refRID=19648HH318XVMNJXQVH7
But now appears as unavaible.
It don't show up in the company webpage neither I don't know why.
Update:
The holster works great but the screen goes looking inside, the camera face out that is the reason why it dont fit when i tried
CTuna said:
Amazon here is the link
http:// www.amazon.com/SUPCASE-Full-body-Pr...sim_cps_2?ie=UTF8&refRID=19648HH318XVMNJXQVH7
But now appears as unavaible.
It don't show up in the company webpage neither I don't know why.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks! thats all I was able to find too.
blkbltwrestler said:
Thanks! thats all I was able to find too.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Look at the reviews at amazon one of the last ones say that the guy bought 70! of these maybe they are out of stock.
CTuna said:
Look at the reviews at amazon one of the last ones say that the guy bought 70! of these maybe they are out of stock.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
yikes that is crazy. Thats probably what happened they just sold out. Hopefully they get more in stock soon.
Can you give me the name of the Amazon Seller that you bought this from?
l_stevens said:
Can you give me the name of the Amazon Seller that you bought this from?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I think that was supcase as they made them, but I can't give you a specific answers as I bought it from Busca Libre a website that buy the things for you and handle all the shipping, taxes and other and charges you in local currency
Its back in stock!
CTuna said:
Its back in stock!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I actually just picked one up. I really like it. Its kinda big so I am not going to use it as my daily case just when I need the extra protection.
blkbltwrestler said:
I actually just picked one up. I really like it. Its kinda big so I am not going to use it as my daily case just when I need the extra protection.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I don't know if that will be a great idea, I use mine all the time but for a test that I really need to use wolfram alpha I remove it, I haven't been able since then to use it with out bubbles in the screen protector.
Actually bought one,
Very happy with it, just the hard plastic back is easily scratchable, i already got a deep scracth in it... Tried it on a coloured back moto X too and the frosted back is wonderful !
15€ on Amazon.fr
any updates? i tried the link you posted but had no luck. i got my phone on jan 2,15 and havent yet been able to find a case i like for it.
I've had this case for about a week, and I have mixed feelings. It's a very rugged case, and I feel comfortable about the phone not being damaged. However, there are a few things I would change about this case if I could. First, since the case isn't waterproof, it could do without the integrated screen protector and headphone/power port covers. It takes a little bit of dexterity to hold the cover open just to plug in the charger. Secondly, the power and volume buttons could be more pronounced. I have accidentally turned off the screen many times while trying to adjust the volume.
I don't regret the purchase, though, and I'd definitely recommend it as an alternative to Otterbox.
I've had this case in white for just over a month, here are my impressions.
- sturdy case
- excellent quality
- great price
First thing I did was yank off the screen protector. It is a far better plan to apply something like a BSE skin than to keep using the screen protector that's included.
This means you can take off/on the case with little fuss as much as you want. Its easy to remove and seems up to the task of repeated removal.
The fact that the front of the phone sits in the trim piece is awesome. Makes for a sandwiched and protected feel.
I like the port covers. Yes, they can be a pain to pop open for time to time but again they also seem to be built well enough to take the abuse.
Since we don't have a waterproof phone but only the nanocoating inside I like the added ingress protection that they offer.
I have the white/grey case and it is gaining some darkness on the corners but I'll blame my grubby mitts on that one.
The holster is good not great. Phone sits well in it and feels well made. Too bad its missing the kickstand in the clip.
All in all I give it a 9/10.
For the price it sells for and the protection it offers its a no brainer.
Sent from my BambooX
white unicorn?!
@shanedragon, could you please post some pics of the case? I'm about to pull the trigger on the black/blue version, but I'm curious about how the white looks in real life.
I'll do the same, if I get the blue.
Thanks!
-Brian*
buraian98 said:
@shanedragon, could you please post some pics of the case? I'm about to pull the trigger on the black/blue version, but I'm curious about how the white looks in real life.
I'll do the same, if I get the blue.
Thanks!
-Brian*
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I have it in white. Here are a few photos I took. The photo of the front is a bit blurry.. Sorry!
I've had one of these cases for a while. I only use it when at work and do a manual job with dust, grit, grime and angry bovines. Well they're not angry all the time! The case is the dark gray/black and is in not bad condition considering. The Moto X on the other hand is pristine despites drops out of open tractor doors, drops onto concrete and countless excursions onto cab floors.
The built in screen protector is useful as I don't have anything on my moto x 2014 screen. I tried a couple of the glass screen protectors but removed both after a short time with the edges lifting and dust getting under the lifted edges. I also like the port covers though agree both are a little tricky to open. That said I rarely open either when the case is fitted. On previous phones I've has dust and chaff get jammed in the usb port and once somehow managed to get an animal feed pellet stuck in the headphones jack.
When I ordered the Unicorn case, unbeknown to me the mrs had ordered me an Otterbox Defender case so have that as well. It seems to bulk the phone more than the Unicorn case and the rubber texture makes it less easy to remove from pockets. It is also harder to fit compared to the Unicorn but on the other hand you about need a tyre lever to remove the Unicorn. It's a good case but prefer the Unicorn. I say again I only use a case on my Moto X for work. For pleasure it goes bare
I ordered the Beetle case, and it is in my opinion, the best case I have tried for the phone.
Thanks for the suggestion

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