My Covertec case arrived yesterday. My mini-review therefore follows.
Postage was swift directly from Covertec and the order tracking excellent.
The case seems well put together with high quality leather and good stitching. Exec fits nice and snugly and is held in by sliding the keyboard in to a plastic cover. This isn't what I wanted but in practice seems to work quite well and the keyboard still feels the same to me.
It is held closed by a strong magnetic clip and the front clear window is really useful for seeing who is calling. I used to keep the phone in PDA mode but now phone mode seems more appropriate.
There are holes for the answer buttons, power button (recessed), camera and phone speaker and headphone socket. The speakers, camera and voice button are also accessible. The case has to be opened though for charging as the power input is covered. A belt clip and mount is provided separately but I haven't fitted it yet.
Unlike the Krusell case, the front panel isn't designed for using the Exec as a PDA, but simply so you can see who is calling. The rest of the screen is covered by the strap and the navigation-pad is totally covered.
Unlike the Pielframe case it has the window to view who is calling. Doesn't have the leather strip over the bottom of the keyboard but doesn't have a hole for the charging socket.
All in all I'm really really pleased with it. I now keep the Exec in phone mode and find it totally usable for calls without opening the case - although I feel even more of a dork holding it up to me ear than I did before... <G>
Related
I'm looking for a Tripod to record video's with my S2 without holding the phone.
The video's will be for reviews to upload to YouTube, obviously using your hands to to hold the phone and record will look unprofessional.
So has anyone used a tripod or know of a cheap enough tripod that works and is suitable for a galaxy s2.
I've already looked on eBay and Amazon, there are some there, but not convinced on them.
Thanks in advance.
Aaron.
nobody?
Tripod with Bracket
Hi,
I owned already a mini-tripod for a camara (Amazon has several on sale, mine is a Cullman). So I tinkered a bracket to hold my phone (actually a Lenovo China phone:
- you need some tools to work metal (bench vise; saw or angle grinder; hammer; file; sandpaper; drill)
- a strip of alumin(i)um, about 1 mm thick;
- a piece of thin leather (suede is the best, never throw away worn leather clothes) or soft fabric like velvet;
- all purpose glue, like Pattex
Cut the strip of metal to the needed length and width.
Form with bench vise, hammer and a round piece of metal which is about as thick as your phone (a drill bit f.e.) hooks at the end of this strip. The phone must fit loose into this bracket.
Smoothen the surface with file and sandpaper.
Drill a hole a little smaller than the screw an your tripod into the lower hook. If you have a fitting threader, use it. If not, force the screw into the hole and let the screw cut a thread.
Glue leather or fabric on the bracket, on the inside of course, but also on the outside if you like.
Adjust the hooks with the help of strong pliers, if necessary.
Enjoy.
Here you see mine:
Didn't see a review for this case up here yet, so thought I'd make one.
I saw this case on Amazon (http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B008E9T442/ref=pe_217191_31005151_dp_1) and it had mostly good reviews, so went ahead and ordered one, paying £7.95 + shipping
What I like -
Extra bulk/weight (or lack thereof) - Looking at the images of the case on Amazon I had suspicions that this would add a lot of bulk and weight to the phone, especially looking at the 'raised' sections on the inside front cover, used for when the cover is in 'stand' mode. Surprisingly, it does not really. Even though it covers your phone back and front, it does not feel bulky like some other cases do, and the raised sections on the inside front cover actually act as an extra bit of cushioning for the screen, giving a bit more protection from drops. The phone still fits nicely in my pocket and I can hardly tell the difference with or without the cover.
The Fit - The cover fits very nicely on my S3. The corner clips hold the phone snugly, but not so tightly that it is difficult to get the phone out of the cover if you want to.
The 'Feel' - The cover has a nice feel to it. It feels as if it's soft leather though it isn't (as far as I can tell), and it sits nicely in the hand. The way the case is slightly bigger than the phone adds 'protruding edges' that your fingers grip nicely on, and that means that you are less likely to let the phone slip from your hand.
Design / logos - The design of the case (imho) is quite nice and not at all flashy. I think Poetic have gone for a more 'functional' look than anything else. There is a Poetic logo on hte front of the case, but you hardly even notice it. One thing I was also concerned about when I first ordered was that the 'stand/hinge' on the back of the case would add an uneven 'lump' to the shape of the case. It does not. At all. Poetic did a great job of designing this case.
Integrated Stand - I bought myself one of these covers for my Nexus 7 and I really like the integrated stand. It's really handy when I put my tablet on charge in landscape and watch videos, read, browse web etc. The only issue I have with that case is that the 'corner clips' that you have to undo when you open the stand will probably wear over time. With the Poetic HardBack case, this is not a problem, as you do not have to unclip the corners holding the phone when you open the stand. When in stand mode, the case holds the phone at a great angle for you to use the phone for videos, reading, music etc. Obviously (like with any other stand / dock for landscape mode) you will not have access to the volume buttons when the case is open in stand mode.
Operation - Opening and closing is simple enough, though can be a little fiddly when trying to do it one handed.
Compatiblity - It fits the phone perfectly and has spaces in all the right places allowing access to camers, flash, speaker, microphone, headphone jack, volume, power etc.
Build Quality - It looks like a well made case, with clean, even stitching and no edges protruding where they shouldn't. Backed by a three year manufacturer's warranty, I will most likely get a new phone before I need to buy a new cover.
What I don't like - Nothing
Please look on the Amazon link above for pictures of the case.
Moko Slim Folding Case
Pros:
1. Case fits well.
2. No part of the screen is obscured by the case.
3. All ports, buttons are accessible with case on, with exception of SD Card slot.
4. Works with Quick Cover feature of GPad.
5. Magnetic closure is strong enough to hold the cover closed with any normal handling
6. Elastic strap can be used to secure cover closed or open.
7. Landscape mode stand position is very stable.
Cons:
1. Only one standing position in landscape mode.
2. No standing position in portrait mode.
3. Hand strap is tight if you have a large hand. This may loosen up with use.
4. SD Card slot is difficult to get to with case on.
I see these as features, you may not.
1. When the case is open and held in portrait mode the case can be folded so that there is about 1/2 inch sticking out from the edge. I find myself using this to hold the tablet.
2. The power button and volume control are accessible, but are recessed a bit. For me this means I don't accidentally hit them when holding the tablet.
Note: The pictures displayed with the case at Amazon on 12/13/13 are accurate.
marvin02 said:
Moko Slim Folding Case
Pros:
1. Case fits well.
2. No part of the screen is obscured by the case.
3. All ports, buttons are accessible with case on, with exception of SD Card slot.
4. Works with Quick Cover feature of GPad.
5. Magnetic closure is strong enough to hold the cover closed with any normal handling
6. Elastic strap can be used to secure cover closed or open.
7. Landscape mode stand position is very stable.
Cons:
1. Only one standing position in landscape mode.
2. No standing position in portrait mode.
3. Hand strap is tight if you have a large hand. This may loosen up with use.
4. SD Card slot is difficult to get to with case on.
I see these as features, you may not.
1. When the case is open and held in portrait mode the case can be folded so that there is about 1/2 inch sticking out from the edge. I find myself using this to hold the tablet.
2. The power button and volume control are accessible, but are recessed a bit. For me this means I don't accidentally hit them when holding the tablet.
Note: The pictures displayed with the case at Amazon on 12/13/13 are accurate.
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thanks. looking at this case now.
Ordered this case yesterday so your revew makes me feel better about that. Now I just wish it would hurry up and get here.
Thanks for the review. In my opinion the case is flat out ugly but everyone has different preferences for what they like their tablets it so am glad you like it.
Plus there are so few cases out, I'm handling my tablet like it is made out of eggshells until the case comes in.
I prefer the thin cases, Moko does a great one for the Tab 3 8.0, very IPad Mini style.
That is what I was looking for with the LG (so far only the VOIA seems to fit and it cost me $50 shipped, way too much for an aftermarket case).
Asuxtek is supposed to have one out on Amazon.ca but the pic for it is wrong so no way to know what it really looks like.
RobilarOCN said:
Thanks for the review. In my opinion the case is flat out ugly but everyone has different preferences for what they like their tablets it so am glad you like it.
. . . . .
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Click to collapse
I have been using the cover since December and it has not gotten any prettier , but it does a great job protecting the tablet and I still like it :good:. I haven't looked for anything to replace it.
After I bought that BUKcase and reviewed that I wanted something which let me access the volume keys easier, so I decided to go with Caseable. This will be my third purchase from them.
If you haven't heard of Caseable, they make custom cases with either images provided by the customer or a selection of artwork from their site. This particular case was made with some of my photography. This is the typical tablet case they offer, a folio style cover with elastic straps to hold the device in place and keep the case closed. It's reasonably functional too, on either side of the case there are thin rubber strips. These act as 'feet' to keep the tablet secure when it is propped up as a stand, and it works surprisingly well (Though when you initially open the package, the rubber 'tyre' smell is pretty potent)
This case costs £39.90, though caseable offer a 15% student discount which I used. Postage is free for orders above £30.
As I said, the images on the front and back can be customised. The quality of the printed images is very good. With my Caseable orders, I use high-resolution photos and the result is fantastic. The material on which it is printed on is also very nice, it's a kind of soft almost-neoprene like material. It has a certain 'sponginess' to it, I imagine to cushion it against falls. As well as the graphics on the front and back, there is a choice of inside colour, white or black. This case is handmade for you in either Berlin or Brooklyn, depending on where you live.
The elastic straps don't block any of the ports, but the upper-right one does cover the power button. It loses a little of its tactility but is still perfectly usable. The volume rocker is also perfectly accessible, which is a massive plus coming from the BUKcase. The speakers are also not blocked, so the sound is not muffled. However, there is no cutout for the camera at all, not much of a problem for me to be honest.
There is a small pocket inside the case for cards and documents, which isn't really all that useful for storing stuff, but it does have another use which I'll come onto later. The main gripe I have about this case, it doesn't have SmartCover functionality. This is strange because the Caseable iPad cases have this, but none of the others don't.
Conclusion, there's no way around it, this is a unique case, the rubber strips for the stand are a nice little touch. Although the main reason I bought this is to have a way to show off my photography, and for that purpose it's great. Although it's still a functional and protective case, it seems a bit basic (And maybe overpriced?) without Smartcover functionality.
Remember that pocket I mentioned? Not useful for storing documents or cards, but It can store a magnet pretty well. I butchered an old Kobo SleepCover I had lying around and extracted the two magnets. I slipped one in that little pocket, and voila, it's a Smartcover! The pocket is pretty tight so I can't imagine the magnet would slide around too much in there, but if it does I might put some light adhesive on it to keep it in place.
Just a warning for anyone that might want to buy the following case, https://www.ebay.com/itm/302566199967 . The brushed aluminum case is first low quality (should've known from the price), the bumper portion is fine, however, the backplate is just a cheap and thin insert with a fake coating. The rear microphone cut out on the lower back is cut incorrectly, covering most of the hole up, while the case itself completely blocks GPS from working. (Had to find this out the hard way) Using apps such as GPS Status shows I'm connected to 16/20 satellites, as soon as the case is put on it drops to 0, take the case off, back to 16/20.
Though the following obviously doesn't matter when the case negatively affects the performance of the device, there are some positive points to the case. The color options are all great looking and true to what advertised, the clear window over the HTC logo allows people to see what device you have, the 4 silicone corner bumpers provide added grip and protection, and the indented and texturized power/volume controls is a fine addition. Overall though, stay far away from this case!
It happens most of the time with these kind of cheap metal cases.. also the call signal goes very low
I thought people learned this from 2012 when there was an explosion of these sorts of cases on the market.