Hello! This is a quick review highlighting these two products. Of all of the cases I've tried (believe me, I have about 7 or 8 at home...) these two reign king. I'm unsure of which one I'll ultimately go with, but I do have some opinions about each that I'd like to highlight. For what it's worth, you can't go wrong with either case - but they do have slightly different features which may or may not sway you in those corresponding directions.
This entire post isn't really a defined "this is my Speck FitFolio case review" and then following "this is my eBay case review," but instead it's kind of a mish/mash of the two products all at once. I'll compare them, highlight differences/similarities between the two, etc.
To start, here is the direct link of the one I purchased from pandamimi2011 on eBay. I went with this user because it ships out of California so I knew I wouldn't have to wait two months for it to come from China, plus his/her feedback looked solid. I paid for the middle tier of shipping and it came on Wednesday when I ordered it on Sunday. I'm in Pennsylvania (on the other side of the country), and we just had hurricane Sandy rip us a new one. To say I'm satisfied at the shipping speed is an understatement.
The feel of this case is pretty nice. It has tiny grooves over it, so it almost seems like a very faint "metal file" feeling of some sort. It's got a slight rubbery texture, which when coupled with the grooves feels a bit more grippy than the Speck case, which is something I like. It does however present it with a slight -1 in the pocketability department. The Speck can be slid into my back pocket of my dress pants somewhat easily. The thickness of the Speck vs the width of my pocket makes pocketability decently possible, however if the thickness of the N7/Speck were any thicker, it'd be a different story. With the eBay case, I can make it happen, but I have to wrestle with it for a few extra seconds first. Not a big deal, but it's enough of a deterrent that when I'm walking up and down the hall at work, for short walking bursts from one tech issue to the next I may just hold it.
When both cases are opened and folded back the magnet does not interfere. Each one wakes up/sleeps the device easily and predictably. I will say this, though... when I was trying different variations of the eBay case to ensure the magnets worked properly, I noticed something. It appears as if the wake up/sleep magnet on the Nexus 7 is located on the left side - not on the right. I say this because due to the eBay's case design, it has a "tri fold" thing going on with the front flap that covers the screen. If I fold it so only the left side is flat on the screen, yet the middle and right is up in the air away from the tablet, it indeed sleeps/wakes up the N7. Whenever I saw other video reviews, people would point to the right side to indicate it had a smart feature. Either way, doesn't matter, but just an observation worth pointing out.
The back shell (the skeleton) cradling the Nexus 7 in both scenarios is solid. With each case, the N7 pops in easily and securely. With the Speck case I found it's easier to "eject" the N7 when starting from the left side, where there are some spaces in the mold. It's much more difficult to start on the right side where it's full length. See picture to see what I mean. Meanwhile with the eBay case, both the left and right side spans the entire length. Because of this, it makes the "eject from left side" idea (which works great on the Speck) fail with this case. Instead, it's easiest to eject the N7 around the charging port cutout at the bottom. See picture.
Another difference between the two worth noting is the latching mechanism. The Speck case has a clip, and a very well designed clip. The clip itself is attached to some sort of heavy elastic, which has a very slight amount of "give" when securing the flap. It's very solid and gives me 100% confidence that if I drop my case, it will not open unless, somehow, it's an epic fall that manages to break the clip itself. The eBay case however latches based on magnets. There's a magnet strip in the flap that folds behind the tablet when closed. It's not a strong magnet, however because it's an entire magnet strip, it holds on decently. I held my tablet with both hands and shook it until the flap opened up. You sure have to give it a good solid swift movement in order to have enough momentum for the flap to fly open. If my tablet were to take a tumble down a flight of stairs, the Speck case would almost definitely have the +1 because I believe the magnet would give way and open up. For just general protection, excluding extreme falls etc, the magnetic flap provides adequate security. This didn't really sway my opinion in either scenario, since I was just happy to have a case like this where there is a magnetic flap to keep it closed... whereas some cases like this don't have this magnetic flap whatsoever.
Speaking of the latching mechanism, one concern I have about the Speck case is while it latches securely, I do wonder how it'll hold up in the long haul. I use my Nexus 7 for a lot at work as I work in IT. I'm frequently opening, closing, opening, closing, over and over and over possibly hundreds of times a day. In the 10 days I've had the Speck case, I've noticed that the latch has become much easier to clip and unclip. Some may attribute this to being broken in, but considering it's hard plastic vs hard plastic, some degree of wear may be a side effect. So while the Speck latch holds closed more securely, the eBay case would almost definitely have more longevity. I also like with the eBay case that I can kind of throw the front flap shut in my hand, and thanks to the momentum, the magnetic flap flips around the back of the case and stays put thanks to the magnets grabbing it, which is kind of nice because it doesn't require a physical need to latch the clip. This may be splitting some rather extreme hairs, but I wanted to document exactly what my thoughts were on all accounts, as major or minor that they might be.
The other difference I want to notate is the button cutouts. The Speck has volume up/down in one cutout, a separation, and then the power button cutout. This is nice because when I'm feeling for the buttons it's more obvious that I'm hitting volume up instead of power, which often happens. The eBay case has one open cutout for all three buttons. However, while all three buttons are lumped together, the actual thickness of the plastic mold is indeed thinner, making the feeling of the buttons easier to detect even though there's not a separation. It's one of those half empty/half full things that likely doesn't matter in the grand scheme of things, but there's pros and cons to notate on both sides.
The stand up positions with both cases are decent. The Speck offers a little more versatility for some of my uses, as I'm often laying down in bed on the N7. Due to the wider platform the case gives when it's propped up in horizontal mode, it's a bit easier to prop it on my stomach/chest without issue. This probably goes without saying since most people would detect this immediately when they see a picture, but with the eBay case, due to its tri-fold design, it makes the "propped up on stomach/chest when laying down position" near impossible. It does however provide a decent range of prop positions when on a table/desk of some sort, much like the Speck. Certainly not a deal breaker, but worth mentioning.
Overall, you won't lose no matter which case you get. Both of these cases are easily contenders for the #1 spot of all of the cases I've used. The number 1 thing I love about both cases is the plastic mold they fit into. There's nothing covering the bezel anywhere and there's none of this 6 prong thing going on around the edges like the BluRex Ultra Slim case among other various cases. (not to say it's a bad design, but I personally prefer the mold design). I do believe I'll be sticking with the eBay case for a while, as I find the magnetic flap to be a little more well suited for my uses. I also think the eBay case has a slightly better price-vs-product ratio, as even with mid-tier shipping I paid 18 or 19 bucks for it, while the Speck ran me 30 bucks. Considering both of these cases are directly on par with one another, it stands to reason that the eBay case in this scenario could easily be the winner for being the "better bang for the buck." Either way, both cases are very worth their money and both are highly recommended.
Great in depth review! Need a pic gallery comparing findings would be nice. Not saying to post every single pic, but maybe host it somewhere where you already uploaded them?
Nevertheless, the review is well done! :good:
kpjimmy said:
Great in depth review! Need a pic gallery comparing findings would be nice. Not saying to post every single pic, but maybe host it somewhere where you already uploaded them?
Nevertheless, the review is well done! :good:
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That was my intention when I wrote the review a few days ago. The above info I had written up before and just saved in an office doc, so to post I just pasted over. I'll be able to add pictures later this evening.
Which one is thinner?
Ehh we may have a show stopper finding here. I was using my tablet earlier with the eBay case and when folded back it shut off at one point. I spent what felt like five full minutes trying to replicate it but couldn't. Later on when I got home I was able to... it's only at a very exact point that it happens, but once I got the hang of it I could replicate it a bit easier... I just find it crazy that for hours after unboxing it I wasn't able to notice it. The eBay case indeed has a design flaw in that regard. I'm going to email the seller and see what he has to say about it.
Something else worth noting is when the Speck case is folded back you can clip it in place which is a nice touch. Without clipping it when folded back cases like this tend to have a sloppy feeling when holding it with one hand. That being said, I'd say the Speck takes the cake here.
Sent from my Nexus 7 using xda app-developers app
JaSauders said:
Ehh we may have a show stopper finding here. I was using my tablet earlier with the eBay case and when folded back it shut off at one point. I spent what felt like five full minutes trying to replicate it but couldn't. Later on when I got home I was able to... it's only at a very exact point that it happens, but once I got the hang of it I could replicate it a bit easier... I just find it crazy that for hours after unboxing it I wasn't able to notice it. The eBay case indeed has a design flaw in that regard. I'm going to email the seller and see what he has to say about it.
Something else worth noting is when the Speck case is folded back you can clip it in place which is a nice touch. Without clipping it when folded back cases like this tend to have a sloppy feeling when holding it with one hand. That being said, I'd say the Speck takes the cake here.
Sent from my Nexus 7 using xda app-developers app
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Any word from the seller?
I prefer the Blurex/Moko style than your ebay case. It is classy and suitable for business style. ebay case looks cheap with the plastic cover, and it may hurt the Nexus 7's plastic sides.
Related
This is a review for the CaseLogic ETC-107 7" Inch Tablet Case for the Nexus 7.
I was looking for a case to take with me overseas to a combat zone, so I had some requirements for a case to hold my Nexus 7:
Durability (able to withstand being thrown around and having heavy baggage piled on it, between a Pelican Case and Otterbox)
Screen coverage (Closes over screen, no need for screen protector, screen not vulnerable to hard things)
Price
Availability (Leaving very short term, no time for shipping)
I drove to WalMart and played with a few of their different case options, putting my tablet inside and testing how solid and safe they felt, and walked out with the CL ETC-107 for $18.99 (it is referenced on the CaseLogic website as being on sale for $24.99).
The case is made of 2 main components; an outer EVA (read: hard plastic with a cloth-y feel) shell with zipper and an inner flap with a velcro tab that holds the tablet. The case is quite sturdy and doesn't have a lot of give when pushed on, making for a solid casing that resists when something impacts it but seems to be able to take a fall pretty well. The edges of the casing are also solid EVA with zippers outside of them, not attached to the edges themselves (see pictures for a better idea of what I'm saying) so when the case is zipped up, the case provides shell protection from all angles. The case is just slightly wider and taller than the Nexus 7 and about 1" thick. Unfortunately, this case only comes in black, which is a pain if you're trying to mark this case with permanent marker.
The inside contains a flap for holding the tablet, with one end sewn into the outer case and a velcro tab on the other, more on the tab in a minute. The flap uses 4 elastic bands on the corners to secure the tablet. The bands come around the corners of the tablet (only over the bezel portion, though) to secure it in place, and while the bands feel taut, they are don't seem overly stretched. On this flap the tablet sits high enough to be able to access the microUSB port and both buttons, though the band near the buttons may make some users uncomfortable. As seen in a photo below, the band goes right by where the buttons are. In the picture the band is slightly more taught due to the pose for the picture, but, from my experience, the band does not interfere with access to the buttons and doesn't seem to be at the right angle to press the buttons. The Nexus 7 fits perfectly into this case, stays in place on the flap, and seems very secure inside.
Now onto the odd velcro tab. The velcro tab enables a feature that is not very prevalent (yet) with these kinds of cases, the ability to convert the case into a stand, albeit rather oddly. The entire inside of the case can attach to the velcro, so by removing the tab, folding over the lid and placing the tab on the outer edge of the inner lid, the cases becomes a stand that looks much like a clam showing off a tablet. Button access isn't as easy in this mode and the viewing angles are limited (which the CaseLogic website markets as "privacy") but it is an interesting feature I've used, and I can say it's functional.
In summary, here is my rating for the case followed by final thoughts:
Ratings (1-5, 5 being best):
Durability 4/5 (Seems like it can take being handled roughly and dropped while keeping the tablet secure)
Screen coverage 4/5 (Screen is completely closed in when zipped up, though I can foresee scratching problems if sand gets inside the case)
Price 5/5 (Good quality for a very reasonable price, especially for a brick-and-mortar store)
Availability 5/5 (Found in a WalMart in a small Georgia town, have to imagine this case is not too hard to find nationwide)
This case feels like a decent low-price compromise between an Otterbox where the tablet is always available and the Pelican case where the tablet might as well be in a vault of safety. While I can live with the stand function, many users will probably find it lacking due to the clam like look and limited viewing angles. I would recommend this tablet to Nexus 7 users who need a cheap case till something better comes out and are worried about breaking their tablet without one or to users who don't mind the size of the case who want some durable protection not offered by the OEM case.
Thank you for reading, please leave any comments and questions, as this is my first review I would like some feedback.
(Be advised, I wrote some personal info on the inside of the case, that's why you see symbols in the pictures)
EDIT: After using the device for a few weeks now, I can say that if you have the case in an upside down stand mode (great for watching something with the tablet on your stomach laying down) with the button side down, sometimes the volume buttons will get depressed. Still haven't had the power button depress.
Great review, but I do not see the pics
Here's one I found online
kpjimmy said:
Great review, but I do not see the pics
Here's one I found online
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Pics added, thanks for the heads up
NP, you must have your last name and your 4digits of a number as good ol boot camp has instilled in us?
kpjimmy said:
NP, you must have your last name and your 4digits of a number as good ol boot camp has instilled in us?
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that's affirmative, haha
Those side strings look a bit flimsy? Like over time they'd become less elastic? Do you get that feel or no
Good complete review.
Via my HTC Rezound
krelvinaz said:
Good complete review.
Via my HTC Rezound
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Thanks...might drive to Wallmart today and try it out
The strings feel and look solid. After a year or two of pulling the tablet out and putting it back in I can see it wearing out, but its going to take time for them to wear out.
Sent from my Nexus 7 using XDA Premium HD app
Didn't see one of these for the Note 2, so here we go:
The Shellster comes out of the box looking nice, very nice. Looks like it cost way more than $15-20. The case itself snaps onto the phone very, very snugly. It's on there to the point that getting it off involves so much pressure that you feel like you're going to break the phone, and it will probably drag across the volume rocker as you go. Kind of scary to do to a new phone.
The holster itself lacks and kind of clip to keep the phone in, but that's not a huge issue because of how tight a fit the cased phone is in there. It feels very snug and secure against your waist. The belt clip on the holster has a metal slider inside that allows it to prop the case up as a holster in either landscape or portrait orientation. It's a very nice touch. The belt clip can be rotated along a 180-degree axis to fit the phone more comfortably to your waist--a big help when your phone has a 5.5-inch screen!
All that said, there are some very real problems with it. The case does not have any protection along the top of bottom of the phone. The holster does, as it extends slightly above the top and has a plastic loop on the bottom for the device to rest in, but not the case. The case does have a raised bezel, but not by much. Given all that, I do not believe that the Amzer Shellster offers much in the way of protection in a fall.
The second big issue, and the reason mine is being returned, is poor build quality. Earlier today, less then three days worth of use on the case, I bent over to pick something up. I am not a big guy; bending over shouldn't generate a ton of stress. The holster was aligned so that it rested horizontally along my side, as opposed to resting straight up and down. As I bent over, I heard a snap, and the holster had fallen off and hit the concrete floor of my garage, with the belt clip still on my waist. Luckily, my phone was out of the holster at the time, so there was no damage. All the same, a product breaking under normal conditions three days after getting your phone just stinks of terrible build quality to me. Because of that, I can't recommend the Amzer Shellster case to anyone. Poke around on eBay or Amazon, and you'll find other holster-style cases for considerably less money. They might be of similar quality, but at least you're only breaking $8-10 instead of $20, right?
Pictures attached:
1. Phone lying on its back, case attached. See the thin strips on the side? That's the case.
2. Back of phone, bottom. Access to the S Pen remains easy.
3. Back of phone, top. Nice, raised case protects the camera and LED.
4. Top of phone. Shows the complete lack of protection up there, as well as how little of the case is up front to keep the screen from being damaged while lying face-first.
5. Damage to the holster itself, with the belt clip that popped off.
Thanks for sharing. I thought about getting one of these, but I could see that it lacked protection for the top and bottom of the phone (based on YouTube videos for other phones). Plus, as you mentioned, the hard plastic cases have the tendency to scratch phones, especially when removing them. Thanks again.
I completely agree with you in your review. I have used only seidio cases and holsters on my past 5 devices. Unfortunately, they just were not ready and shipping and I did not trust this giant phone to being in my pocket bare. I ordered the amzer case and holster and was able to get it this past week.
First thing I noticed off the bat was how tight an initial fit it was getting the case onto the phone. Was afraid I was going to crack the case or damage the phone. I was very unimpressed with the back texture of the case. It is waaaay to slick for my taste. Compared to the bare plastic of the phone, it feels like it wants to slip out of my hand holding it one handed. As you stated, there is NO protection on the corners of the phone. Top or bottom. A fall from any height that lands on a corner will have nothing protecting it.
I also noticed a huge amount of flex in the belt holder. it is made of very thin/cheap plastic. Trying to quickly take the phone in and out of the holder is more of a two handed job. Sadly, I am returning it and getting the seidio. They are finally in stock.
My advice, avoid the case. While it is inexpensive, it just will not do a good job of protecting the phone and the belt clip is just about useless.
Damm I just ordered this from expansys 2 days ago.. waiting for it to come now.. Wish I would have seen this before.. To late now.. I had this case for my Galaxy Nexus and I was happy.. That is the reason I reordered it.. Well I guess I will see what happens when I get here
Edit: got the case yesterday. I like it.for 15 bucks you can't beat it
removing Amzer Shellster case
Can you explain describe how to remove this case frome Note 2
Good review and good info. Looks like one to pass up.
I have this case since a holster case is a MUST on my list. And I do agree with OP with his concern (my clip also comes off one time but I can re-attach it without problem). But the first issue could be resolve with using another case with the holster (I did the same thing with my Note 1). Currently, I am using this Cruzerlite case with the holster without problem (a bit tight but get the work done). Therefore, it's not that bad as a cheap solution until I found better alternative.
Double 0 7 said:
Can you explain describe how to remove this case frome Note 2
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Slide a fingernail between the case and the side of the phone at a corner (power button side is "easiest"), force the two apart. It honestly feels like you're going to break the phone in half.
First, I bought this lime green wallet case from eBay, because I work in the pizza delivery and it's easier to carry my driver license and phone in one pocket as a single unit, and my keys in the others.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/30083493888...eName=STRK:MEWNX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1497.l2649
I bought that one because it was the only one that had 4 card slots from what I was able to tell.
First, the negatives.
The cutout for the S-Pen is only on the part that holds the phone, but not the leather. So it is really hard to take off the Pen without taking off the phone from the case.
Second, the cut out for the camera and flash is slightly small, so when you take a picture with Flash, the green bleeds into the flash, and thus into the picture. I'm going to attempt to cut it slightly larger with a knife if possible.
Third, once the phone is attached, it doesn't properly close like you would think. I have to push the latch slightly more into the middle and it'll connect.
Those are the three main concerns I have, and am wondering if its just the quality of this case or if all wallet cases are like this.
The Pro's
The leather is actually nice quality, and doesn't feel cheap or fake at all! I was surprised by how amazing it feels.
The slots for the cards are perfect fit. I am not struggling to get the cards in or out. Same with the cash part. As long as I don't put a 100, $1 bills, it shouldn't be a problem.
Over all, if I can recommend it, I'm not sure. I am happy with it, but just really only wish the S-Pen had a larger cutout on the leather.
Oh and, the leather portions do extend past the phone bezel, so in case of a fall, it should protect the bezels, but no doubt the magnet would fail and open the case and probably damage the screen. Although, no more worst than the official Flip Case.
I know there are probably already plenty of these, but I thought I would share my views, and hopefully help someone! I have had this case several months, so this is not a first impression For the lazy ones, skip to the bottom for a summary. :silly:
Many of you have probably seen this case on amazon or this forum. It is a PU leather with a landscape stand, sold under many different brand names on amazon.
Instead of the case coming around the bezel of the device, or using a breakage-prone plastic clip on case as some others do, this case has 6 or 7 clips (depending on the version) to hold the Nexus in. There is one on each corner, and another on the top and bottom. 2 of the corners unclip and the device flips out in landscape mode to make a stand (no portrait stand, but this is common to most cases unfortunately). Some variations also have a hand strap.
Now, the big question on everyone's minds. Quality. I have found this case to be very good, as have others who have tried them. Unlike some other cases such as the Nillkin smart cover, there are no plastic parts to crack, or joins/edges covered in that waxy plastic coating, that seems to be prone to cracking and peeling. All the edges are sewn, so no issues there.
Another worry I have seen come up on the forum is the metal or plastic clasp that clips over the edge of the device for closure. Some worry this could scratch or damage their Nexus. Don't. I have been using this case for around 3 months now, and my 7 still looks as good as the day I got it (well, apart from the filthy screen ) In fact, I prefer this to a magnetic strap, as it is far more secure!
Although this is a great case, it still has its issues. At first, the clasp is quite tight, and hard to close, but over time this loosens as the case stretches slightly. This happening is great, apart from the fact that on mine, it no longer held the smart cover magnet close enough to the screen, so the smart cover only works intermittently. I understand mine may be from an old batch, and this has been fixed with a stronger magnet.
For all of you in the USA, this case is easily available on Amazon, but for me in Australia, it is not so easy to find. There is a variant by Caseen called the Soft snap, but this is 3x the price of the Chinese amazon version. For anyone outside of the US, I could not find it on eBay, but eventually found one on a Hong Kong wholesale site, Aliexpress. I will post a link once I am allowed to.
So, for all the lazy ones who skipped to the bottom, to sum up:
Pros:
Slim, adds very little bulk
Clever stand design, does not add thickness
Cheap
Secure clasp
Cons:
Hard to get outside of Amazon USA
Clasp too tight at first
Some have issues with smart cover
Yeah, there are quite a few threads for this that you could have posted into, but this case IMO deserves attention. A few people at work have asked me about mine and have gotten one (although one apparently wasn't paying attention and got a similar case and he doesn't like it.. he's getting the moko now )
Besides fit, form, and function which are all great on this case, I expected the strap to stretch out and the pleather to scuff up, fray on the edges, rip, etc and look shabby like almost all PU does. Nope. This is good stuff, whatever crazy chemicals it's made out of. The case looks the same today as it did when I bought it a few weeks after the N7 was available, straps are still tight even though I use the hand strap quite a bit, snap is still good (and as you said; no damage anywhere) etc.
Thanks for the feedback! I will try to find others next time to keep clutter down.
At least in the US there is finally some movement in the accessory market for the TF701. There is a Moko case available for $20.00 and eligible for Prime! Hopefully there will be some aftermarket chargers/cables soon.
http://amzn.com/B00B0MLTD4
Mine's coming thursday. This thing is too big to risk an unprotected drop.
Thoughts on the MOKO
lbp102 said:
Mine's coming thursday. This thing is too big to risk an unprotected drop.
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I purchased two, for the two 701's in my family. The exterior look was very good. The stitching neat and even. The case is very light, and does not add too much to the size, and heft of the tablet. Every hole lined up as they should, though the camera hole on the back is close. The flap that keeps the tablet in also tends to get caught on its velco. I recommend putting a piece of paper against the velcro, then insert the tablet and the flap as far as you can into the pocket, and then remove the paper. This will ensure that your "baby" is well positioned into the pocket, and thus aligned better for the holes.
The only negative is that on both cases, the interior "felt" surfaces were not very well glued to the case. The result was very unsightly wrinkles in the felt in both of the cases. Nothing functionally wrong with it. Just very unsightly.
Still, worth purchasing, and of note is the hole in the case that allows you to charge the tablet while the case is closed.
Update: After a few months of average use, the facing is splitting. The area on the left, where my thumb rests when in landscape mode has split. Very disappointing in an otherwise great case.
god damn where is that Transcover
I purchased the Moko case from Amazon for my TF701T as well. The fit is near perfect. Construction is decent. The feel is not cheap. The accessory pockets are a nice touch to carry biz cards, id, stylus and a misc document or two. Overall not a bad buy for $20.
Looks nice. This one has been handy for me.
http://www.cyberacoustics.com/store/Products/iPad--Tablet-Accessories/IS-4000
Im looking at getting some kind of gooseneck tablet holder as well.
Something like this. http://www.amazon.com/generation-smartphone-transformer-blackberry-Easy-Adjust/dp/B00A86QWN0
But Im not sure which one is good.
One with an arm
http://www.amazon.com/LapWorks-Armb...sim_cps_7?ie=UTF8&refRID=03H7CAZ7PFYE69GM575A
Car holders
I have seen a few rolling around the EU side of Ebay. Headrest adapters, and window suction cup holders to use a nav panel I imagine.
I'm still new to the site, so I can't post links until I hit 10 posts. :/