The DiffCase, a follow-up to my quick look

Following on from my comments on the DiffCase, Jim Armstrong from DiffCase got in touch to let me know that they have produced the following video to address mine and others concerns.

Having used the DiffCase in anger, I can say that it performed extremely well. My wife managed to drop my iPhone from about 3ft and the phone and case stayed intact, and this past week I used it for a video shoot, and the light shade was perfect for the job. Whilst the DiffCase does still have some design issues (access to the connector is a real problem), I have found it to be a very useful case for shooting video and for providing good all-round protection, but it's still not quite an everyday use case. That said, this is a 1st generation design, and I look forward to seeing what the 2nd generation has to offer when it has been finalised and put in to production.

More information on the DiffCase, and how to fit and use it can be found here.

Comments

[garwayvillager]

i have bought this case and been trying it out and am very disappointed. i agree with glyn it's definitely not for everyday use. i find it fiddly taking the screen on and off. if you have it in the shade position it impedes use of the iphone as a phone/texting device. as for being a kickstand? well to do that it means fiddling about moving its position to the backside and doesn't effectively support the iPhone. slips all over the place and collapses all the time. didn't they test this thing before marketing it? i have given in and put this in the bottom drawer. i homemade something out of a cheap case and glued on a bit of flexible plastic/rubber sheet which makes a great viewing hood. on and off in a second. easy! cost about £5.

[Suzé]

Glyn, thanks for posting this video. I received the DiffCase as a gift and I'm very concerned over the use of what I would call cheap flimsy plastic. I've been very nervous about placing the shade on and off as I was afraid I would break the holding pins. This video help allay my fears somewhat. I like the fact it has two universal tripod mounts and the sunshade was a key factor for me as I live in sun 362 days a year. The screen glare here in AZ can be a real pain during photography sessions. I do wish it had the same plastic construction as my Otterbox commuter case. It definitely would not appear to be a case for daily use, at least for me.
I'll give it another go this week before I decide to return it or not. You were great on the Skype interview with Jack, btw!

[espekayen]

Hmm, interesting case. I love the fact it has two tripod mounts; that is a great selling point. But the flimsy looking lid worries me, despite reassurance from the company. It just seems like too much of a faff to take on and off and I might end up losing it. And at $41.25 to ship to the UK, it's slightly too expensive for my budget (that's about £27).

The website mentions a possible metal version of this case; now that is something that definitely would interest me, assuming ALL the parts are constructed of metal. However, I suspect the price of the metal version would be prohibitively expensive, for me at least.

I'm interested in possible updates to the design of this case, specifically to address concerns with a) the design surrounding the charging port and b) the apparent cheap and flimsy plastic that is used in its construction. However, the website does state that ABS plastic is used, which I know for a fact is very strong (I have a Samsonite suitcase that is made from ABS) so perhaps those particular fears are unfounded. I guess time will tell.

[rcg]

I could understand some need for it if I happened to be in war zone, but for daily use it's just bulky & rather ugly.

[Marc Roman Bravo]

Im disappointed, too. The cover simply does not work as they show in the video. It does not "lock" into any position to use as a stand. Almost every time I move it at all it just falls off. Also, every time I press the power button to sleep the phone, the case opens up. I hadn't heard they might make a metal case. This might make it useful. Oh & just fyi--they don't really have a red case. The case I got was the color of dirty bubble gum. I asked them wtf & they immediately sent a black case out while we wait for a true red case. Customer support has so far has been very cool.

[Christian B]

Great, happy to know they decided to make an instructional video. I have been thinking tho, I might cut this case in half so from middle of iPhone to top is open and Olloclip ready. Basically I am just gonna use this case as a tripod. It's hard to use it as an every day case since i always use my Richard Solo charger and it is not possible to charge it without having to take the case off.

[Constance Terry]

I ordered this case and like it fairly well. It does protect the phone and, with the cover, I feel comfortable having it in my bag rattling around with my keys, etc. My one issue is that the charger in my car (which works with every other case I have) would not work with the Diff case. It seems as thought the case design prevents the cord from making a full connection. For this reason, I stopped using the Diff case on a daily basis. I will probably use it if I'm just specifically going out to shoot.

[Suzé]

I'd like to amend my previous post. I decided to use the Diffcase while I'm here visiting Dallas. It's a rugged little case. I can easily screw my gorillapod into the tripod mounts and while the stand isn't that sturdy in portrait mode at 90 degrees, it tends to work better in landscape orientation at 90 degrees.
Two things I think could be improved, first, access to the charger, it only allows the apple pin mount charger. I can't fit a backup battery charger into it.
But more importantly, i'd like to be able to better access to the volume snap shutter. There is a ridge that could be shaved off to allow better access to that control and the off button. I have to use my fingernail to shut my phone off. Button access could be improved.
But I am liking it and I think it a good travel case because of the double tripod mount. Not as flimsy as I initially thought.

[Leslie]

I ordered the diff case mainly due to the tripod mounts and the potential for using a "shade" over the screen.

Your video helps understand the various ways to use the cover, however one of the pins broke almost immediately contrary to the claims in the video that the pins are extremely durable.

[Adal Del]

I am a video artist using the iPhone 4s as my main filmaking tool. I use Fílmic daily and this case is a wonder tool. I use it as my case and find It to be useful and a good protector of the phone. The shade is a bit flimsy, but it works just fine for me. At the beginning I had issues with the charging cable and now I am fine with. As with anything else, it takes getting use to. This case as is, accommodates my need for a tripod adaptor and it's low price, makes it a fine tool for me.

[Leslie]

Amending my post above. I contacted DiffCase about my broken lid pin and they immediately mailed me two additional lids. Great service!