Related
No separate thread on this case so I figured i'd make one, as IMHO it's the best out there for our device, and also the best solution to the slippery battery door issue. Here's my mini review:
The Kickstand case, I got from eBay, for $11 shipped w/ tax (just search for "fascinate kickstand"), which is half off the in store price you'll find. The case has a slight rubberized / soft touch finish, and has a grip pattern in it, which makes it much easier to hold onto. It's quite thin, except for a bump caused by the kickstand, which is leveled so the phone lays flat, by some "feet" on the back. That slight bump I actually like, because I can easily tell which way the phone is oriented in my hand without looking at it. It provides nice protection to the sides and corners and back, so I think it will provide added drop protection. It fits very tight, I wouldn't expect it to come off ever. What I really like, is that it barely protrudes above the front of the phone at all, it adds a very slight lip at the sides, and that's it. This keeps the phone quite flat/thin still and doesn't change how you'd interact with the screen at all. The slight lip should help protect the screen too. All the cutouts are excellent in positioning, and provide nice "cover" for the side buttons against accidental actuation.
Probably the nicest thing of all which I didn't expect, is that the Kickstand works in both Portrait with the phone vertical, and horizontal in landscape, due to the way they positioned the kickstand on the back. It works great - this takes care of one of the things I missed from my Touch Pro2 (the tilting screen). It also has a tensioner, which allows you to tweak the angle in horizontal/landscape a bit because it's "stiff". For the $11 I paid for it, it's worth every penny and seems quite solid/well engineered for the price.
Only downside I see is that it's a bit tougher to take the battery out of course.
Highly recommended!
Also, I missed the idea of using this with a holster, but found a decent universal horizontal belt pouch case that fits nice with even this kickstand case on. This auction is just one seller, there are many instances of this exact same case on ebay listed under multiple names:
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=270648647873
Just look for "carbon droid x pouch" or "carbon galaxy pouch" etc etc, to find one. The brand name is "Luxmo" on the package, the model is "LPHTCHD2CF1HBK". It says it's a "Leather Pouch for Google Nexus 1 / HTC HD2".
They're all the same case/pouch. What I like about this is you can use it with the belt hook for easy removal, OR use the belt loops for a more permanent one - it has magnetic closure, fits the kickstand case well, sits nicely on my belt, has good cushioning. It's easy to remove the phone using the hole in the bottom, just push up on it and the phone pops out. I also like the "carbon fiber look" it has, looks just like my holster belt I wear this on. There are plain leather versions just like this as well, that I'm sure are made the same way / fit the same.
I use this case as well. Being an employee ive tried every case we sell and this is by far the best looking one and adds very minimal bulk to the phone. I love it!
Sent from my SCH-I500 using Tapatalk
I also have this case and it is by far the best one I've tried on. The kickstand is really nice.
The OEM kickstand case seems to have a bad design IMO. The reason I say this is when you watch a movie the volume rocker is at the bottom and not easily accessible. Watching video is the point of the kickstand so why hide the volume controls at the bottom? This was the first thing I noticed when I saw the case at Verizon.
Yossarian09 said:
The OEM kickstand case seems to have a bad design IMO. The reason I say this is when you watch a movie the volume rocker is at the bottom and not easily accessible. Watching video is the point of the kickstand so why hide the volume controls at the bottom? This was the first thing I noticed when I saw the case at Verizon.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Um, that's more a fault of the design of the phone itself. I sorta agree, except Samsung shoulda put the volume should on the right side of the phone, and the power at the top. The normal rotation for landscape is counter clockwise, so the speaker is at the left, and the soft buttons on the right. This is because most are right handed so they're likely to want to use the soft buttons with their right thumb.
So it's no fault of the case that when the phone is rotated normally, the volume rocker is at the bottom. Not like that's a big deal ... just pick it up and change the volume lol.
Also this kickstand works when the phone is vertical/portrait, so it's one of the best kickstand designs I've seen for any phone, as many phone's built in kickstands or kickstand cases, only work in landscape/horizontal.
I third the rec for this case. Its much better than the hard silicone version I tried first, and it allows me to use the phone as a much more useful media screen when on my nighstand or plugged in on my desk at work.
Just ordered the Verizon one yesterday (thank you, 35% accessory discount) and should have it tomorrow or Wednesday. By the looks of it, I'm going to like it.
link to the actual case?
I've had this case since day 1, yeah it sucks about the volume being covered in horizontal but it's an awesome case, and I don't want to change it at all (I've changed cases roughly every month with my other phones)
illtema said:
link to the actual case?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Just search eBay as I mentioned for "fascinate kickstand" - there is only one case like this, you'll find it right away, sellers are selling it new for $11 shipped.
Got my case yesterday. Love it.
I really like it too, been through 3 or 4 others, this is the best.
I can vouch for the kickstand case too. Without the case, my phone felt flimsy and I was afraid I'll drop it any moment. Now it feels much more solid and comfortable.
On an aside note, do NOT get the screen protectors from Verizon. They suck.
I have the kick stand case too and i love it. i use the kick stand all the time.
nice
got this case based on your guys' recommendations and it's pretty sweet. It's not that grippy silicone that sticks in your pocket. It's got like a nice matte finish and feels pretty solid. Also, the edges don't rise up too high like other cases do so it doesn't get in the way when you're using the touchscreen.
Yeah. VZW(or whoever they get it from) really got this one right. Not to big, but it does add some substance. Good grip, but not sticky. Protects the phone, but doesn't hide the lines.
A+
Sent from my SCH-I500 using XDA App
I notice that it has pretty substantial cut outs at the top of the phone, any idea if this case is car or desk dock friendly by chance?
I picked one of these up based on this thread and I am happy I did. Very nice fit. Feels good and grippy in the hand - kickstand is a bonus. Great on my desk and nightstand.
Wouldn't change a thing.
Sent from my SCH-I500 using XDA App
I'm asking for this for the holidays. I've heard nothing but great things about it. I currently have the OEM silicone case, and it's nothing special.
what is the best epic 4g case? post yours...
I bought the Black Samsung one from the Sprint store for $19.99. It works great and does what I want.
Yeah, I know. I'm boring
TheCraigJ said:
I bought the Black Samsung one from the Sprint store for $19.99. It works great and does what I want.
Yeah, I know. I'm boring
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
haha the sprint cases are fin & your not boring..
I'm using the Seidio Innocase Surface case/holster combo. Nice tactile feel on the case, and the secure spring-clip holster does really well, especially with my clumsy arse...
Sent from my SPH-D700 using XDA App
Definition of the "best" case would be different for every person because it depends on personal preferences, how you use your phone, and how you carry it. Personally, I like the feeling of a naked phone and with my Touch Pro 2 I mostly used Forte leather case (although I tried Seidio Surface for a short period). The advantage of a leather pouch is that you don't have any permanent thickness added to your phone, but disadvantages are that you need to take the phone out of the case to see the screen and you can still drop the phone while out of the case - which is exactly what happened to me a few times. Now when I got Epic, it is thinner then TP2 so I wanted to get a snap-on case for it. Here is my mini-review of a few cases I tried:
1) Seidio Active - it is the case that (among other snap on cases) would definitely provide the best protection if the phone is dropped, it looks good, and made well. The soft gel provides a nice cushion and the plastic skeleton strategically positions hard coverage over areas that could be most impacted during the fall. It seems that the recently found Fishbone case on Amazon is very similar in the design so I would expect it to provide the same protection. Unfortunately, Seidio Active was a bit too thick to my liking and since I usualy take good care of my phones, I didn't feel that the extra protection would justify the added thickness for my needs.
2) Seidio Surface - this is probably the thinnest snap on case you can get. I really like the fact that it adds very little to the overall size of the phone and I thought that it would be the perfect case for me when I bought it and put it on. However, maybe the fact that it is so thin contributed to the fact that it feels a bit flimsy when on the phone. There is a tiny bit of play on both the top and bottom parts (when you squeeze them with your fingers on the sides) and sometimes when you push power button the phone tends to slide open a bit based on how I hold it in my hand. The case seems to fit like a glove but it is not as tight as I would like it to be and it is VERY easy to remove the top part with almost no effort whatsoever. Some may consider it a plus, but I consider it a minus because I am pretty sure that if the phone is dropped, the top part will most likely fall off after the first bump leaving the top unprotected (this actually did happen when I used Seidio Surface case on my Touch Pro 2 and dropped from about 3 feet onto hardwood floor).
3) Sprint Case with rubber back - to me this turned out to be the "best" case, at least for now. In terms of added thickness it is somewhere in between Seidio Active and Surface cases. It fits very snug and tight. I like the rubber backing a lot, it is not slippery, feels very nice in hand, and looks good (at least in black). Some people mentioned that the rubber has a tendency to peel off - I've had this case for a month now and it looks like new and I have no peeling issues; but even if I do, I am sure that a carefully placed drop of crazy glue will take care of this issue permanently. I have removed the case several times and I don't see any scratches left on the phone as was posted in one thread. The only drawback may be that the case is a bit harder to remove then Seidio, but to me it is not an issue and means that it will stay on during the fall. I rarely remove the top part, but I am a heavy phone user so I swap extra battery often and don't have any issues removing the bottom part after getting used to it. There were some reports of snaps breaking off - I have not experience that at all and I hope I won't since this is a perfect case for me at this point.
In terms of price - all three cases are around $20 bucks so price is not a factor. All three cases do not interfere with the sliding mechanism and make the phone feel a bit tighter with less screen play and no more squeaking from the battery door. I also tried one of those invisible shield things which is basically a screen protector over the entire phone. Two issues I found with those: a) no matter what brand you get, they will eventually start peeling and will attract dirt on the edges looking like crap after a while; b) although they provide scratch protection, they won't do much if the phone is dropped.
Hope you'll find your best case.
Cheers.
My sprint case has all the tab breaking off after about a month and a half of use. YMMV.
Geekybiker said:
My sprint case has all the tab breaking off after about a month and a half of use. YMMV.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I wonder if this has to do with how different people remove/put it on. I usualy pick the two corner clips on the charger side with my nail and it removes pretty easily after that (just slide it off). When I put it back I do it in reverse order - I slide the bottom two clips on first and then snap the top ones on. So far it's been working well for me.
I'm using a black Seidio Innocase (regular not active) with the spring clip holster and I love it. I originally had the body glove case and it was just too big.. felt like I was carrying a brick in my pocket. The Innocase doesn't add much bulk and gives a bit of protection from random bumps and scratches. Has a pleasant lip around the screen too so laying the epic flat on its face keeps the screen from contacting a surface.
Sent from my SPH-D700 using XDA App
My experience with case durability is completely different from gorby911's, so it's all YMMV. My Sprint case completely fell apart in 1.5 months of use, what with the clips breaking off, and 2 corners of the rubber backing peeling away. Even after Gorilla-gluing one of the corners, it peeled off again within a week! Just got a Seidio Surface and it fits very snugly and no play.
The downside of the Surface is that its rubberized texture is actually quite slippery, vs. the grippy texture on the Sprint case (especially with its rubber backing). It slightly twists and slips around in my hand that supports it while I'm swiping around with my other hand. But it's got a much thinner profile with what I feel appears to be the same amount of protection.
I hope it lasts more than 1.5 months long.
So the sedio active is the slimmest case? May have to check that out, thanks for the info.
ranchosteve said:
So the sedio active is the slimmest case? May have to check that out, thanks for the info.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Seidio innocase should be the thinnest.
I've been using the BodyGlove that has a the smoked chrome. Stylish and strong. Dropped it a few times and everything's still fine. Sprint Direct/Indirect stores have them available.
gorby911 said:
I wonder if this has to do with how different people remove/put it on. I usualy pick the two corner clips on the charger side with my nail and it removes pretty easily after that (just slide it off). When I put it back I do it in reverse order - I slide the bottom two clips on first and then snap the top ones on. So far it's been working well for me.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I have both the Innocase Surface and the black Sprint case and I too have had no problems with my Sprint case - I take off the back of the case exactly as you have described. Not a single scratch on my phone yet (knock on wood). I prefer the Sprint case over the Innocase as it seems to offer better protection.
For those who are curious, the black Sprint case fits in the Seidio Innocase Holster (the one designed for the Innocase Surface at least). I bought the $40 Innocase/holster combo at Best Buy, but am using the holster with my Sprint case.
I'm using this one. Got it off fleabay for $8.99. Really nice OEM leather case that fits great. I can't stand a phone in my pocket so I have mine on my belt.
If anyone is looking for that case that gives you the protection, in a thin profile. I have had just about every case out for this phone and this is the first one I bought and the one I have gone back to every time is the dualtek. Check out youtube videos of it. You can get the case for around 20.00 and I promise you will not be disappointed, this is definitely different from the version for the galaxy s3. I have the yellow one, and love the color, thinking about the black and white one next, hoping they come out with more colors. The plastic is a grippy, not slick plastic. Extrememly well made
I had one for my s3 then found the black cushion inside the case that touches the back cover left an imprint on my s3 I when the phone got hot and I couldn't get it off and I had to buy a new back cover and puregear sent me a new case but I sold it. I bought the yellow one for my s4 and it started leaving a little imprint also and it was a little too bulky and the buttons weren't as easy press as my uag case so I sold it.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I337 using xda app-developers app
mine should be arriving on Tuesday. from Amazon. the case had mostly 5 star reviews. they did note the buttons were hard to press. if you look at the customer images, one customer shows how he cut a slit on the bottom of each button area in the case, and now has tactile and excellent buttons. i am probably going to try that on mine and will report back.
rjw252 said:
If anyone is looking for that case that gives you the protection, in a thin profile. I have had just about every case out for this phone and this is the first one I bought and the one I have gone back to every time is the dualtek. Check out youtube videos of it. You can get the case for around 20.00 and I promise you will not be disappointed, this is definitely different from the version for the galaxy s3. I have the yellow one, and love the color, thinking about the black and white one next, hoping they come out with more colors. The plastic is a grippy, not slick plastic. Extrememly well made
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I bought the case, but found my SkullCandy headphone jack won't fit through the opening. Yes, I can drill it out, but I notice in a number of online reviews this is noted as a problem to be aware of.
this case is very solid feeling. i was worried about the headphone jack but my 90 degree plug for my Ultimate Ears Triple.Fi's fits in beautifully.
i can confirm the power button is indeed a bit too hard to press and squishy. however the mod that an amazon reviewer posted does work. cut a slit in the rubber on the bottom of the power button and it is now much easier to press and tactile. very cool. the phone is a bit hard to get out but it is very very secure in case of a fall. great lip to protect the front, and this case inspires confidence. sides are grippy. only flaw is that the back of the cover is not grippy. i like that when i put it on smooth surfaces a case has grip on the back.
phones in this thing survived multiple 22ft drop tests on youtube and now i know why. it's built very well.
So I picked up this case at a Verizon store this afternoon. I paid 39.99 minus 25% as I get that discount through my work. I have to say, this case is VERY nice. Adds very minimal bulk and if it works like advertised, should add decent protection. Here are some of my observations:
-The camera is recessed enough that if you lay the phone down on its back, it will not scratch the lens
-The buttons functions very well. Meaning they have good response and feedback through the case
-All of the ports and holes line up perfectly. The mic hole on the left is slightly bigger (oval shape, sort of) so this fits the Verizon version as well. That is the version I have.
-The hole around the camera/flash/pulse meter is plenty large so it will not interfere with the pulse meter function thing
-Not at all a lint magnet. The opposite as a matter of fact
-Does show fingerprints but not a huge fingerprint magnet
-IMHO, has the perfect amount of grip. Slides in and out my pocket nicely
-Edges are raised (I would say 1mm) so if you lay it down screen side down, the screen will not scratch (not sure how it will work with a screen protector though. I don't have one installed so I don't care.)
This one will definitely be a keeper. I also have the OEM S-View case and like it a lot, too.
Hope this helps if you are thinking of getting one.
.... pics?
h3ck said:
.... pics?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'd be happy to add them. How do you add them? I don't see "attach pic" button or anything. Maybe a dumb question. Is it the attach file button?
Depends on app, not dumb at all. Here's how you do via tapatalk.
POSTCEPTION
OK, I think I managed to get pics attached. See my OP. I am definitely not a photographer.
It's a very nice case. They had them in store when I went looking for a case for my phone, but opted to go with the original Samsung case instead.
I have one, very slim, nice feel, not sure about the orange inserts protecting against drops though.
Mine was $34 in store, I couldnt take my spigen tough armor any longer.
The heart rate monitor works (my tough armor didn't work, other had better luck). It fits with tempered glass screen protectors.
Its a tad hard to get off though, to change the battery out
Did they have the clear version?
No love for the Tech 21 case.
I have had a tech21 case for just about every phone both myself and my wife have had. Both of us are kind of clumbsy and we have never had a ding, or crack, or broken phone. Those little orange strips really work! Twice I even accidentally threw my phone and it went skipping on pavement about 15 feet (I was running while holding the phone and it hit my knee and went flying). Not a single scratch to the phone, although there were some good ones on the case. I'm waiting for the case to go to amazon at a much cheaper price since I don't get 25% off
Tech21 Classic Tactical
I have the same case, but in all black, so the orange strips don't show. Really snug fit. Waiting for my tempered glass screen to come. Will report if case interferes with screen protector. Does anyone else have a Tech21 case with wireless charging hooked up? Does it work thru this case?
I was looking for a good case for my M9 on eBay, I found these for $20+. I bought mine on Amazon for $24 w/ shipping and got it in two days.
Complete case with full protection, hard rubber exterior, included belt clip holster. Comes in five different colors, I chose black. Integrated screen protector, tabs covering USB and headset ports, open access for camera, flash, and IR blaster. Two part construction, phone goes in front piece and both go into back piece which "hugs" the front and wraps around.
I've been using it for two days now, and I really like it.
Two complaints:
The screen protector is not a matte finish, so it reflects sunlight using it in the car. It would probably be pretty easy to remove with a little force, or cut out with a pen knife, if you wanted to use a matte screen protector instead (or if the built-in one starts showing its age).
The provided belt clip holster holds the phone well, but depending on how you insert it may cause accidental presses of the side power button, waking the screen. This isn't an issue if you're a pocket carrier and forego the holster entirely, as I figure a lot of people would get sick of taking it out and putting it back if you use the phone frequently.
I would definitely recommend to anyone looking for a case. Sorry for no links but I'm new here and don't have 10 posts. Google search should find it on Amazon and company website with really good pics.
After using the case for a month, I'm still quite happy with it, but I have an additional complaint for a very minor issue.
The case is somewhat thick around the phone, with the rubber sides being about 1/8" - 3/16". Around the camera and flash the holes in the case have angled \____/ sides which are probably designed to they're not inhibiting or encroaching on the pictures you take.
Around the IR blaster, however, the sides are straight |____|, and when combined with the thickness greatly inhibits the "field of view" of the transmitter. If you use a program like Smart IR or Peel to control your devices you have to aim it directly at the sensor because the hole channels the light and prevents it from being used at any other angle.
If you're using a custom ROM on the M9 you may not even be able to use the IR blaster, but if you're still on stock firmware (like me) it's something to consider. I don't know if it would be any better with another case.
I've dropped the phone in the case a few times, including once in a parking lot onto asphalt, and it shows very little wear. The phone itself still looks as good as the day I got it.