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well, went out on a limb & got the metal case off EBAY $28 to the door, in under a week from hong kong to arizona.
plus - fits real good, light, sturdy
plus - keyboard folds back flat against back if you're not using it
minus - keyboard will need double sided tape or something to hold it in - its a press fit into a neoprene cutout, works fine 1st time you close/opent the case.. 2nd time the keyboard will be held to the unit by its magnets.
minus - no 'real' latch, relys on the keyboard magnets
minus - hinges are plastic, and when closed, the 'top' keyboard side has some slop, can move a little side to side.
I guess I'll have to wait for a nice thin leather case, with a real latch. (I dont like the thick clips on the stock one)
I was curious about this case, as I'm looking for something I could use to mount my Advantage on my motorcycle. What I would basically do is take the front or flip portion of the case off, and connect a RAM mount to the back of it.
So my main question is - if I did take off the flip portion of the case, would it still support the Advantage in a sturdy fashion? Thanks for any info!
support
yeah, the main portion you actualy have to force into position, it slides from the hinge side in, there's 2 small indentations (near the speakers) that it slides under.
when you slide it in/out it rubs a bit on the volume slider, presses the wireless button down etc, not sure i'd want to be doing it alot.
azcaddman said:
well, went out on a limb & got the metal case off EBAY $28 to the door, in under a week from hong kong to arizona.
plus - fits real good, light, sturdy
plus - keyboard folds back flat against back if you're not using it
minus - keyboard will need double sided tape or something to hold it in - its a press fit into a neoprene cutout, works fine 1st time you close/opent the case.. 2nd time the keyboard will be held to the unit by its magnets.
minus - no 'real' latch, relys on the keyboard magnets
minus - hinges are plastic
BIG MINUS - for me ... internal gps in leather case - locks 9 satelites in my house, 3-4 at 2/3 strenght, rest at 1/3-1/2, but when in metal case ... locks 4 satellites, all at 1/3-1/2 strengh .. so it significantly interferes with gps reception .. not sure about phone as I dont use it for that (yet).
I guess I'll have to wait for a nice thin leather case, with a real latch. (I dont like the thick clips on the stock one)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Could you post some pics of the case with your device in it? Im looking for a case to just carry around my Ameo in without the keyboard, think this may be going over the top but may well be just what i need.
Thanks
Photos are at my photo page at 1600x1200 res, a bit big for here.
it can be slow at times, so be patient
and no, i didn't dust it off first
after giving it another try, the gps seems to be getting a good signal in the case.
Thanks for the pics, looks alot better than i thought. Im looking more for a hard case or skin for the screen part only, im not to fussed with carrying the keyboard around as this ads to the bulk of the device, and when carrying in the pocket, my trousers are already around my ankles as it is!
This case does look really good tho, and does provide some protection for the unit which is another concern of mine.
Mmm, got me thinking now!
was debating on getting the metal case or the black book-type...both of which can be found in ebay. i opted for the metal case since it covers the entire unit...the book-type still leaves some areas exposed. covering the entire unitis quite handy especially as i chuck it in the diaper bag in the weekends =)
the metal case does not cover it 100%, the end where the hinges are, is uncovered (except for the plastic hinges) including the 2 corners
also, the case covers the reset 'button' on the back
photo HERE
yeah the case doesn't cover the unit 100% but it's more than enough for me. mine arrived yesterday...got it from hong kong as well...looks good and i'm quite satisfied with it. the only gripe i have is that the reset button is partially covered =) but other than that i'm quite pleased with it. thinking of getting the black metal case as well just for the sake of diversity =)
cheers
One could consider drilling a hole if the reset access is needed???
EDIT: Images did not show up... I linked them now. ;/
Hi ladies & gents!
Before I jump to the verdict, here are some pics: [note- apart from black, there are several other case colors]
Front
Face Shot!
Back
Due to the 2x minor "lumps" of plastic that adjusts the kickstand, your Note 2 will not rest completely flat on its backside when using this case.
Left Side
You can see the Volume buttons here as well as a clear shot of the comfy grips.
Right Side
Here's a view of the right side housing the Power button.
Top
This is the only real fault that I have w/ this item- although it won't affect everyone, if you have an "L" shaped headphone jack, it will not slip all the way in. Yes, it still worked for my HP., but a light pull/nudge on the jack or on my lengthy HP. wire will dislodge the connection.
Bottom
You can clearly see the mini-USB cutout is not centered. No problems at all (re)inserting the original charging/transfer cable in & out. Furthermore, the stylus cutout is fine!
Kickstand
The kickstand in its full glory! Oh how convenient this feature is! Exhibited no concerns folding in/out & locking back into place. I would not lean on the Note in kickstand mode though...
VERDICT
Great case for UNDER $10!
+Very good fit
+Nicely made (has some pleasant grips on the borders)
+All buttons are responsive
+Good kickstand
+Cheap
-Cutouts are not accurate ("L" shaped headphone jacks WILL have issues w/ the cutout)
-If you use a 3rd party mini-USB (not sure about the MHL cables) that feature a larger head jack, it may not fit as the cutout here isn't centered. BUT, the original mini-USB/transfer cable has NO issues.
*Final Thoughts*
Guys & gals:
This is a $700 device, doesn't matter what case you'll prefer- just outfit ANY high end item w/ one. For me the kickstand's a major selling point; it wasn't pricey & the availability was within the 2nd week of the Note 2 release. I saw a bulkier cellphone case that had a bright yellow kickstand but I felt the color would just invite thieves. IMO, I'll likely upgrade to another kickstand case that has neater cutouts & a somewhat thicker frame- make no mistake though, this is a terrific 1st case for those that like kickstands.
Miscellaneous Observations:
1. Again, the Note 2 is NO TOY. Someone in this forum recommended the Spigen Ultra Oleopobic. Works as advertised. Try to do this in a small room w/ minimal dust & no windows (I used my bathroom). Make sure the surrounding screen area is clean (use their included cloth) & apply the screen protector carefully. You'll want to get it right so don't RUSH it. I've tried Zagg & Martin Fields on other devices in the past. Both had protected the screens well but this model (as stated by another member here) has no issues w/ the stylus & IMO (perhaps it's the epic screen) hides scratches really well.
2. I was on the verge of purchasing a really awesome leather flip/latch case. Very professional & I just love the smell of leather. But... some of these cases do NOT have the perimeter of the Note 2 protected & using the camera would be undesirable. That's a deal-breaker for me.
In closing, I bought the case here. Shipped quick, no problems.
I hope this was helpful to those case shopping! Cheers everyone! (=
That's a Fosmon TPU, correct? How's the button press responsiveness for the power and volume buttons? I had a Fosmon TPU for my Skyrocket, and the button press meant I had to take the case off to flash anything, as well as making it difficult to turn the phone on and off, even adjust the volume. I ultimately cut the volume rocker and power buttons out of the case, which left them so far embedded that I couldn't reach them.
T.J. Bender said:
That's a Fosmon TPU, correct? How's the button press responsiveness for the power and volume buttons? I had a Fosmon TPU for my Skyrocket, and the button press meant I had to take the case off to flash anything, as well as making it difficult to turn the phone on and off, even adjust the volume. I ultimately cut the volume rocker and power buttons out of the case, which left them so far embedded that I couldn't reach them.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hey TJ,
I've never heard of Fosmon- but I'll take your word for it. I can assure you that the case buttons are tops for the Note 2. If you've already looked at the pics you probably noticed that I have both the black & the clear model. Both colors have great button placement & tension!
Thanks for the review, I just ordered one. It is the most efficient case I have seen so far and for less than 10 bucks I dont think you can go wrong.
I have one of these Fosmon cases too, and love it. I also had one on my GS3. My only annoyance is the two bumps for the kickstand hinge, but it really isn't a big deal. Buttons are nice and responsive, cutouts are perfect. To OP, make sure you line the cutouts up as you put the phone into the case, there is a lot of initial play...
fen_nyc said:
EDIT: Images did not show up... I linked them now. ;/
Hi ladies & gents!
Before I jump to the verdict, here are some pics: [note- apart from black, there are several other case colors]
Front
Face Shot!
Back
Due to the 2x minor "lumps" of plastic that adjusts the kickstand, your Note 2 will not rest completely flat on its backside when using this case.
Left Side
You can see the Volume buttons here as well as a clear shot of the comfy grips.
Right Side
Here's a view of the right side housing the Power button.
Top
This is the only real fault that I have w/ this item- although it won't affect everyone, if you have an "L" shaped headphone jack, it will not slip all the way in. Yes, it still worked for my HP., but a light pull/nudge on the jack or on my lengthy HP. wire will dislodge the connection.
Bottom
You can clearly see the mini-USB cutout is not centered. No problems at all (re)inserting the original charging/transfer cable in & out. Furthermore, the stylus cutout is fine!
Kickstand
The kickstand in its full glory! Oh how convenient this feature is! Exhibited no concerns folding in/out & locking back into place. I would not lean on the Note in kickstand mode though...
VERDICT
Great case for UNDER $10!
+Very good fit
+Nicely made (has some pleasant grips on the borders)
+All buttons are responsive
+Good kickstand
+Cheap
-Cutouts are not accurate ("L" shaped headphone jacks WILL have issues w/ the cutout)
-If you use a 3rd party mini-USB (not sure about the MHL cables) that feature a larger head jack, it may not fit as the cutout here isn't centered. BUT, the original mini-USB/transfer cable has NO issues.
*Final Thoughts*
Guys & gals:
This is a $700 device, doesn't matter what case you'll prefer- just outfit ANY high end item w/ one. For me the kickstand's a major selling point; it wasn't pricey & the availability was within the 2nd week of the Note 2 release. I saw a bulkier cellphone case that had a bright yellow kickstand but I felt the color would just invite thieves. IMO, I'll likely upgrade to another kickstand case that has neater cutouts & a somewhat thicker frame- make no mistake though, this is a terrific 1st case for those that like kickstands.
Miscellaneous Observations:
1. Again, the Note 2 is NO TOY. Someone in this forum recommended the Spigen Ultra Oleopobic. Works as advertised. Try to do this in a small room w/ minimal dust & no windows (I used my bathroom). Make sure the surrounding screen area is clean (use their included cloth) & apply the screen protector carefully. You'll want to get it right so don't RUSH it. I've tried Zagg & Martin Fields on other devices in the past. Both had protected the screens well but this model (as stated by another member here) has no issues w/ the stylus & IMO (perhaps it's the epic screen) hides scratches really well.
2. I was on the verge of purchasing a really awesome leather flip/latch case. Very professional & I just love the smell of leather. But... some of these cases do NOT have the perimeter of the Note 2 protected & using the camera would be undesirable. That's a deal-breaker for me.
In closing, I bought the case here. Shipped quick, no problems.
I hope this was helpful to those case shopping! Cheers everyone! (=
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I bought this case over a month ago before the phone was released. I used it on my original Note and also the S3. So I knew this case would be perfect for the Note 2. It fits nicely and the added grip on the sides helps from slipping. Also the mild lip that wraps around the front of the screen protects it from scratching from counter tops or tables when placed flat on the table. Good stuff!
bwillet said:
I have one of these Fosmon cases too, and love it. I also had one on my GS3. My only annoyance is the two bumps for the kickstand hinge, but it really isn't a big deal. Buttons are nice and responsive, cutouts are perfect. To OP, make sure you line the cutouts up as you put the phone into the case, there is a lot of initial play...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Right on! Always fiddle w/ a case to ensure you've got it fit correctly! I can't do anything about that HP cutout though... modding a phone case is not something I'm willing try. In terms of the hinge, I rather enjoy the "bump" as the phone's easier to pick up.
I've picked up 5 different cases so far all for $35..... Looking at picking up the body glove case to make it an even 6. Trying to find the best fit for my life.
So I needed a case for my S6 edge as I am rather active during the day and while I have never dropped a phone, I didnt want to have an oops moment adn drop this one and break it. Bought a case from Speigen which normally has good reviews... but the case seemed like it was made about 1mm to long and it constantly bugged me that my phone moved around in it a little. But me being cheap and realizing that the case while annoying protected my phone just fine, never replaced it.
Then I got my hands on the RooCase... First impression was seemed decent, about on par with my other case, but seriously how different could it be? Boy was I about to get an eye opener...
Installation: the fit was TIGHT! I actually used a micro screwdriver to help the edges over the phones power and volume buttons. I didn't really need to I found out but as I said this case fits good and tight and I hate putting a lot of side load on small switches and buttons. once on the phone the case is nice and firm. No wiggle at all. Much better than my old case. The only issue I had with installation was that the edge of the case pushed my film style screen protector up and caused it to bubble a bit in a couple spots. this was alleviated with my micro screwdriver gently lifting the edge of the case and using a guitar pick to smooth the bubble out before releasing the case edge back down. If you installed a screen protector and it is off center you may need to watch out for this. I don't blame the case for this, but just giving heads up.
Feel: I'm not going to get into the technical manes and such, and for that I apologize, but here are my impressions of the case in hand. the back of the case is a lightly textured hard plastic. the top and bottom edge of the back is a rubbery type material. the sides are the same plastic as the back of the case, but with rubber inserts down the middle. I found that the back is a little slick and slides a touch in my hand, but with the rubbery top and bottom it really isn't an issue. I would love to see some sort of rubbery addition or something to the back to aid in anti-slip if I could have everything I wanted... the rubber inserts on the sides, while rather thin, do a wonderful job of adding just enough grip to the device. In the hand the case feels great. No sharp edges, just enough tactile feel, nad good and solid.
Design: The case has small protrusions on the back so that when you lay it down the Camera and such is well protected. these protrusions are formed i the rubbery top and bottom parts and I found that they also do a wonderful job of keeping the device from sliding around on smooth surfaces. the top and bottom edges of the front are also protruding past the device protecting the screen and again keeping the device from sliding, albeit it will slide just a bit easier than the back.
the openings are all well shaped and cut out to perfectly line up with the phones charging, speaker,headphone jack and what ever the two openings on the top of the phone are... Cant remember what they are right now, Oh well...
on the outer edges of the corners there is a larger protrusion of rubber that will protect the phone if dropped on the corners. I don't feel like dropping my phone to test this, but they seem well designed and placed. large enough to add extra protection, but still small enough to flow with the case and phones lines perfectly.
My favorite part of the case design is the buttons. I really love the buttons on this case. Most cases have marks, or molded bumps for the buttons. This case has real, actual freaking metallic buttons! They actually feel better than the phones stock buttons. the power button has two vertical lines cut into the face of it and in the dark it is so easy to slide my finger down the side of the case until I feel that and I know instantly my finger is o the button to either turn on or off the screen or what ever Im trying to do. the volume button is a nicely prominent as well with a nice line cut in the middle to differentiate between up and down. again, very simple and easy to feel with your finger to adjust volume. the buttons are nice and prominent, but still low profile enough to not be a bother. the corner bumpers I mentioned earlier are just a touch wider than the buttons are, so again, everything flows very well.
Protection: well... the case is great. I work in Law Enforcement. we do all sorts of active training adn what not and because of my unit I am always on call so I have to keep my phone with me at all times. I had it in my pocket the other day and my phone took two hits from simunition... the screen was destroyed. instantly and catastrophically. so I figured why not, the phone was already destroyed and going to be replaced... So I set the phone up with the case facing out and hit it a few times with the simunition rounds. the marks on the case wiped right off, and when I puled the case off the phone was undamaged. the case protected the back glass perfectly.
Conclusion: I love this case. The color, fit, finish, details such as the buttons and the level of protection it affords without becoming obtrusive such as Otterbox or lifeproof are exactly what I want and expect in a case. It looks great on my phone, feels great in my hand, slides in and out of my pocket easily with out snagging. I would highly recommend looking into this case if your in the market for one.
Ill add pictures of it later, Im at work right now and cant post them from here.
schollianmj said:
So I needed a case for my S6 edge as I am rather active during the day and while I have never dropped a phone, I didnt want to have an oops moment adn drop this one and break it. Bought a case from Speigen which normally has good reviews... but the case seemed like it was made about 1mm to long and it constantly bugged me that my phone moved around in it a little. But me being cheap and realizing that the case while annoying protected my phone just fine, never replaced it.
Then I got my hands on the RooCase... First impression was seemed decent, about on par with my other case, but seriously how different could it be? Boy was I about to get an eye opener... .
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hey there schollianmj!
Thank you for your amazing and thorough review, we're happy to hear that you enjoyed our case! We definitely try to go for designs that are stylish all while withstanding getting hit with simunition. That's why we call it our Exec Tough case, because if it can't withstand getting shot at then what is a case good for, am I right? We're eager to see pictures, let us know when you have them up and once again, thank you for the review!
Bev
Roocase Representative
I have been searching for a protective case for the note 5 and having tried a few I can say that the Poetic revolution is the best one I have tried so far.
It's not ungodly heavy like some of the other ones, it does add some heft but more in line with what I would expect.
It offers full body pritection, including a plastic screen protector. I have a love hate relation with them honestly, they ultimately end up scratched up and I remove them in time. I put the phone in the case with my tempered glass protector still in place so that is probably the reason but this one I have yet to decide if I like it, it's crystal clear but slightly impedes touch sensitivity and does not sit flush against the glass, requiring you to tap just a bit harder. That's actually a plus tho because on some other cases, the screen protector sits right on the glass and you end up with watermarking. Like I said tho, I kept my glass one on so that's my own doing. The cut outs for the home button, speaker and camera are dead on.
The corners are squared off which should distribute the force of an impact over a larger area, hoping to protect better. The sides are pliable while the back is hard.
I like the volume buttons, having 2 buttons instead of like a slider deal allows easy adjusting with no guessing. The ports are all covered with flaps, it looks to be a tight fit for larger headphones although the stock ones fit fine. The s-pen, I don't know...I am 6'4 and have larger hands but I can not access it. It sits too deep, a key or something you could pop it out I am sure, depending how often you use it, it might be an issue. I think if you need a protective case that's a minor annoyance, just worth noting.
The kickstand works well, mainly in landscape. It's easy to pop out and close, doesn't rattle and stays put rather well.
The only real downside to this case is wireless charging does not work for me. I have a Spigen 3 coil charger and placing the phone on it I get nada. Most likely due to the metal kickstand I would guess.
Depending what's important to you in a case will ultimately determine if this one's for you. I work in construction and welding, I need reliable protection and will use this case when working. Weekends, etc I'll put on a less protective case. Personally, glad to have this one as an option and if you are looking for a good quality, protective case, keep this on your short list.
More pictures
Couple more
My review of the Poetic Revolution case
Disclaimer: I got this case free in exchange for this review. I have previously recieved and reviewed Poetic's Affinity case, a slim case which I like so much it has become my daily driver. How will I like a big case such as this one after using the featherweight, unobtrusive Affinity? Well, let's see....
The case arrived quickly. It was plainly packed in what appeared to be a non-retail plastic envelope. I don't know if the retail package ships with instructions, but mine didn't.
The case looks very sharp. It is big and blocky, with a somewhat military look. It consists of two pieces. There is a black plastic front, which features a built-in clear plastic screen protector with cut outs for the front camera, speaker and home button.. And then there is the back piece. Like the other Poetic case I have reviewed, this one is a seamless combination of hard plastic and rigid rubber. The plastic parts are black, and the rubber is a military drab greenish brown that suits the look of the case. The plastic and rubber meet in a combination of ridges and bumpers that are aesthetically sound. An aluminum kickstand sits squarely in the back. The top right corner of the case has a squared off rubber "loop" which is maybe for hanging the phone on something? I can kind of see the appeal of such a feature, but it adds bulk to an already big case without feeling substantial enough that you want your device hanging from it. There are also some "screws" and "rivets" which seem to be purely cosmetic and just molded into the plastic. Inside the back there is some kimd of texture that looks like it is designed to distribute force and further protect the device in case of a drop or other impact.
The ports line up perfectly. There are covers for the charging port, headphone jack, and even the S-pen. I like the complete protection (and this is the best S-Pen protection I've seen), but I will say that the S-Pen port is kind of hard to squeeze your finger into.
The front part of the case is supposed to snap on. Normally, I do not care for cases that are rigid inside, as I feel they jack up the phone's finish. While this may have been true of Samsung's previous chromed plastic bodies, I have no such concern about the aluminum edges of the Note 5.
Like the poster above, I tried to leave my glass screen protector on when first installing this case. It is obviously not designed for this. No fault of the manufacturer. My results were the same: a bowed out, unresponsive, mushy feeling screen cover. In addition, the convex fit made an easy access point around the camera, speaker and home button for dust and lint, which soon began to accumulate. So, I took off my glass. After doing this, the front of the case snapped on snugly with a satisfying "click". The screen protector, which is visibly thicker than that of the Otterbox Defender, sat flush and tight on the surface of my phone. Two days after taking off the glass(which I left on for two days), I see nothing accumulating under the screen at all. I am seeing some very fine scratches, but nothing visible.during normal use. And, for the record, I only clean my phone's screen/screen protector with lens cleaning wipes. Never dry. And my phone is usually in my pocket when not in use. I work indoors in clean dry conditions.
The front of the case goes on easily (once you remove your glass lol). The back, like most rubber over plastic cases, stretches slightly over the back and hugs a lip on the front of the case. It fits snugly and well, ....except for one part. The lower left. Not a huge deal, but it just doesn't seem to sit flush like the rest of the case, no matter what I do. There is a pic of this corner attatched. But, aside from that small quibble (well, small to me, YMMV), the fit is good and solid. Even the part that isn't 100% flush doesn't feel loose or mushy.
The case is bulky, no doubt. Either you like the way that feels in the hand or you don't. The back of the case is hard plastic with some rubber ridges. The sides are rubber with a barely visible micro texturing that seems to add a nice grip. The phone is not slippery in the hand. Nor is it slippery on a table, whether laid on its front or back. Though big, the phone feels good in the hand, not slippery or slimy. If you use your phone in landscape mode a lot, you need to be mindful of the "loop" on the top left corner. It may get in your way, prompting you to flip your device over to play your game or watch your video.
The lip around the screen has a nice angle to it, so you don't feel like you have to worry about hitting the screen anywhere. It doesn't interfere with the function at all. Can't really say the same for the port around the camera. It's deep and plenty protective, but it doesn't have any kind of bezel or anything like I've seen on some Note 5 cases. This can make it feel like you're "digging" for the heart rate monitor, which is kind of a pain.
The buttons are perfectly covered. But they do feel a little spongy. In addition, the sides of the case are angled inward, kind of under the top, almost like a saucer, get me? This angle has the effect of making the button pushes feel slightly awkward.
The hole around the speaker is deep (the rubber here is very thick) and more tube like than funnel shaped. This has the effect of changing the sound from the bottom speaker somewhat. Making it kind of "canned" sounding.
The kickstand is good and solid. It sets the phone at a good angle for viewing/gaming in landscape mode (but again, you have to be mindful of where the loop is). It works in portrait mode as well, but I dont know if it is intended to be used that way
The case is kind of a bear to take on and off. I put my phone into an armband when I run, so I take mine out of the case a lot. I found a workaround (jamming the thing case and all into my old Note 3 armband lol).
Lastly, as the previous reviewer noted, wireless charging does not work with this case. I must say, as common as wireless charging is becoming, this seems like a grave oversight.
At the end of the day, the phone offers good, solid protection, looking very good while doing it. But it does seem to sacrifice form in favor of function. For those who require, or just like, like solid protection, don't mind bulk, and don't need the case to slip on and off like butter, this may be the case for you. It certainly is substantial and protective. But it isn't terribly user friendly in some respects, maybe even less so than other cases of its type. In any event, even though I generally prefer a slimmer case, I am.in no hurry to switchn and will probably continue to use this one until the next time I absolutely have to charge wirelessly or wear skinny jeans. I don't see it as a daily driver for me. Partially because I just prefer smaller cases (which is no reflection on the product or manufacturer)n and partly because this case does seem to have a few drawbacks. I can definitely see myself using this for occasions when I am traveling or feel the need for extra protection. Ultimately, I have mixed feelings about the case. It has its strengths and weaknesses.
Pros: solid, offers complete coverage and protection, dual-layer (plastic/rubber), thick, and snug screen protector, covered ports, kickstand, nice grip, good looking, great value for the price (around $20)
Cons: S-Pen difficult to reach, difficult heart rate monitor access, bulky, loop adds bulk and reduces ease of use, buttons mushy and slightly awkward, no wireless charging, case affects speaker sound
More pics
NOTE: I received this at a discount in exchange for reviewing it.
Also NOTE: This is an outstanding case and the first fully protective case where I have given it five out of five stars on Amazon as well as here.
Please see the photos. Wireless charging works well with this case on. The phone is fully protected, front back and the sides - with this case. The only con I can find about this case is - which is not even a con - is that the two piece fit together so well that when it arrived with no instructions on how to pull it apart to insert the phone, that it is puzzling at first how to do so! DO NOT do like I did which it to try to pry the pieces apart with a knife on the front to try to open it - fortunately I did not scrape the case but soon discovered that the rubber lip on the front around the edges can be pulled back, and that is how to get the front of the case away from the back.
The pieces fit together with very tight tolerances. You first put the phone into the front of the case (and use no screen protector because one is included as part of the front of the case) - and it snaps on nice and tightly. Then you push the flexible heavy rubber-life back onto the front. When you are holding the phone case with the front facing you, and feel along the back edges on the sides of the phone, when you run your fingers up and down those edges they may feel lumpy. If you just push those lumps in then you will feel them snap into place and flatten out - this case fits the phone very well.
One thing I like in particular about this case is the raised lip around the front edge of the phone is raised higher than you will find on most other protective cases, without seeming like it is too fat around the edges of the phone. Additionally, the lip is raised less down near the home button on the phone so that there is no issue with people with large fingers trying to get the fingerprint reader to work well - another good design consideration included with this unit.
The back of the phone's hard plastic surfaces are matte so it is not at all a 'fingerprint magnet'. The indentation for the camera lens has walls that are reflective and slanted so the lens would never be obstructed by the case and there would never be any kind of shadowing affect. On the back of the phone case there are also small fake 'screw heads' that stick up and are in fact made of the heavy rubber material - and they do a good job of actually acting like nice rubber 'feet' on the back of the phone so that it will not slip when put onto a slanted surface. Although the corners and edges of the phone are made of this material, the case is still not too bulky - and not too slip resistant - to stop you from being able to slip it easily into your pocket.
The bottom edge has plugs which only cover the ports which the case designer feels would be used less often - the headphone jack and the charging port. The speaker grille is of course left uncovered and the S-Pen is actually easily accessible - the case is designed so that corner of the phone is still protected from falls, while the S-Pen is still easily reachable, which shows how well the phone case is designed. The only other case I have reviewed which had better plugs is one with plugs slightly larger than the hole with extra ridges on the side of the plug, so that it would still stay in the hole even after being pulled out hundreds of times - that is not the case here, but these plugs still fit pretty tightly and the only way to test if these would stand up to long term daily abuse is to test that for many months of wear and tear. However, I do not think that would be a problem with this phone.
To help with the grip a little better, which may be unnecessary due to the material used in this case anyway, the sides have raised ridges sticking out all the way up and down both sides of the phone. The buttons work very will and do not work so well that they would be pushed in by mistake. Additionally the buttons are easy to find by feel without looking - but in fact they still do not stick out so they would never catch on anything either!
As far as a protective rubber case for the Note 5, this one would be my top choice! Outstanding job Artech 21!
Looks like a great case, similar to the otterbox defender. Two questions? Does Tech 21 have a lifetime warranty for this case (like otterbox) and does the slot where the home button is allow too much dust in?
I am not sure about the warranty. With regards to the slot where the home button was, I only took that photo to show it was ever so slightly misaligned but forgot to mention it. I don't think any dust would get in there...