The DiffCase, a quick look

I recently received a couple of DiffCase's for a project that I'm working on (more news on this at a later date), and so before the shoot I decided to put the case through its paces, and here are my thoughts on this uniquely different iPhone case.

The case comes in 2 halves, a top and bottom. Fitting your iPhone inside the case is easy, simply just place the iPhone in the bottom half, then clip the two halves together, and you're done.

The case is not overly bulky, and offers some nice features, like a sun shade which will aid viewing the iPhone screen in bright sunlight, the dual tripod mounts for vertical and horizontal mounting, and keyring clip that can be used to either attach keys to, or used to clip your cased iPhone to a belt loop.

Despite some of these niceties, the case has a slightly cheap almost affix kit feel about it, with the hinged lid/sun shade feeling particularly cheap and fragile, with its thin plastic pinned hinges that look like they will break all too easily (only time will tell how sturdy these pinned hinges are). In addition to the feel of this case, I found the charge cable difficult, but not impossible to remove, due to the positioning of the tripod mount.

Whilst I would not use this case for everyday use, it is one that I will be packing for my holidays (vacation), alongside the sun cream, as the sunshade and all-round protection this case offers are perfect for long journeys and rough treks.

For more information on the DiffCase and all its features, visit DiffCase.com

Update on Saturday, December 31, 2011 at 6:38PM by Editor

I raised my concerns with the team behind the DiffCase, and they were quick to respond and reassured me that the pins and case are made of very tough ABS plastic, but said in the event that any should break, the would replace lids for free.

If you have bought a DiffCase, then be sure to provide them with your feedback, good or bad.

Comments

[Dcv2]

I recently purchased a Diff Case and agree with your concerns about the quality. I bought a second lid, hoping both would be useable for different functions (sun shade, privacy, to be used as a stand). However the lids fall off easily, and I find myself tossing them in my pocket so they won't be lost. I am left with the case only. The tripod mount function is cool, but this product needs a little refining.

[Richard Burton]

Just received my DiffCase too and have to say that I agree with most of your comments. It does feel a bit cheap and flimsy with the shade hinges an area of immediate concern. It's not a case I will keep on my iPhone all the time (unlike my XShot iPhone 4 Camera Case which is far sturdier and also has tripod mounts) but I will use it when needed.

[weaksauce12]

I got my brother a Diff case for Christmas. I paid $30 on sale for it. I wish I had only paid $3. It looks like a really tough case in the pictures, but really it's just flimsy imprinted plastic - like you said, it feels cheap and it feels like it's going to snap apart. I think they forgot to put the second cover in, because I only got one cover for mine. It's not even worth calling them on because he left it with me when he went home :(

I like the idea, especially with the sunshade - I'm always using my hand to block out the sun when I'm shooting iPhone video. If they were to do a version 2, I'd suggest going to either a metal case or a heavier-duty plastic (especially for the price - I can get a MUCH nicer shipped-from-China case for $5), and changing the cheap-feeling plastic pin system that feel like they're going to snap off every time you use them. I would also like to see a method for mounting lenses - I can't use my Olloclip lens system with the sunshade.

[Christian]

I purchased this diff case, received it 2 days ago, I was really excited to use it until I had to deal with the lids, I mean these things come off when you close or open them. I tried snapping them into place but when I open the lid it comes apart. I don't get the instructions, they are confusing and I think they should do an instructional video to see what the hell I am doing wrong.

[Randy K.]

I got the DiffCase last week for my iPhone 4s. The case itself seems fairly sturdy in my opinion. I wanted something that I could mount my iPhone onto a tripod or monopod to steady it for photos and videos and it works great for that.

The problem I have is with the lid's. I bought two lids, one for the front and one for the back. As I took the case and the lids out of the package when I received it I was watching the video DiffCase has that shows how to use the case and the lids on their web site. Within a couple of minutes the two top pins broke off as I tried to follow the instructions exactly. The pins lasted about a week until one of them broke off on the side of the lid. When the pins were there the lid worked great.

Also, it seems that every time I opened the lid I would have to take it completely off and then put it back on following the instructions in the video. Once I opened it up to the first or second click I couldn’t close it properly unless I remove it all the way and then put the lid back on.

I think it works great for getting your iPhone onto a tri or mono pod. The lids need a lot of work…