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I made an iPhone 5 wallet case that doesn't suck. And isn't a case.

Dalton63841 said:
Yea estimated delivery July 5th, but I ALWAYS get mail the day after the estimated delivery date. That and the holiday could push it back another day. I hate snail mail. I wait for the day we can email physical objects.
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Thanks. I went ahead and bit the bullet and bought it so hopefully it will be here by Monday when I get back from vacation. Odds are it won't but I can dream right?

bjamin said:
....
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I just bought a 4S version based on the initial responses you've been getting on here. I'll be sure to post up my impressions and thoughts.
 
Dalton63841 said:
Yea estimated delivery July 5th, but I ALWAYS get mail the day after the estimated delivery date. That and the holiday could push it back another day. I hate snail mail. I wait for the day we can email physical objects.
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Let me know when you pick up a 3D printer. I'll just email you the CAD file then :D
 
Actually this is a great product lol
I would even use it without any cards, just because it looks pretty cool!

Good work, mate
 
Mine was scheduled to arrive tomorrow (7/5) but when I checked the mail this morning there was a note saying I had a package in the front office. So it's sitting there waiting for me. I'll either get it tomorrow or Saturday. We are moving tomorrow so I may not make it by until we come back to clean and pick up the last few odds and ends on Saturday.
 
bjamin said:
I got fed up with trying to find a wallet case for the iPhone 5 that wasn't hugemongous and would hold a couple of cards safely. So, as a curious engineer, naturally I decided to investigate making my own! One thing led to another and, after a ton of great feedback (and nearly a year), I actually ended up molding a bunch.

I wanted to post a note here to share the concept! There are a few pictures and a video here: http://getremora.com/. Not everyone rocks their iPhone bare, but there are a lot of us who do. I can get by almost every day now with just my ID and CC (and a $20 bill stashed in-between).

Believe it or not the whole design, development, and manufacturing has just been run by myself and a good friend. And we only made a few hundred of each color to start. Anyone dig the style? I'd be happy to send off a couple free ones (probably 2-3, in any color) if any forum members are interested in testing it out! More feedback the better. :D

Here's a shot I just took a few minutes ago (and cropped out the background) of my white iPhone 5 with our blue Remora.
Image
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hey man that looks great!
can you give me a website to check out?
 
I just got mine today for the iPhone 5 that I paid for. So far I'm loving it! Install was very easy, and the cards lock in and fit snug. I was a little concerned of it being awkward to hold and having an off balanced look, but it looks great and feels fine in the hand. Very attractive.
ihonda said:
i do have a concern that it is a little on the thick side is there a way you can thin it out for the next batch without compromising the quality?
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I don't think it needs to be thinned out at all, I think it's the perfect size. I don't think it can really even get thinner, it's pretty minimalistic as it is. I had the case-mate case too and this feels a little more thin and I like this a lot better (minus less protection, but I can deal haha).

The only downsides to the case I can see are lack of protection, and not being able to remove just the one card on top instead of both at the same time. Maybe it's possible and I'm just not getting it? Either way, it's a great case and well worth the money!
 
JLarson said:
hey man that looks great!
can you give me a website to check out?
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Hey JL! You can check them out here.

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tylertech said:
I just got mine today for the iPhone 5 that I paid for. So far I'm loving it! Install was very easy, and the cards lock in and fit snug. I was a little concerned of it being awkward to hold and having an off balanced look, but it looks great and feels fine in the hand. Very attractive.

I don't think it needs to be thinned out at all, I think it's the perfect size. I don't think it can really even get thinner, it's pretty minimalistic as it is. I had the case-mate case too and this feels a little more thin and I like this a lot better (minus less protection, but I can deal haha).

The only downsides to the case I can see are lack of protection, and not being able to remove just the one card on top instead of both at the same time. Maybe it's possible and I'm just not getting it? Either way, it's a great case and well worth the money!
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Glad you like it Tyler! Awesome! For removing one card, one approach is to just push both slightly out, then grab the one you want and pop the other back in.
 
I'll definitely order one but I doubt it'll reach my doorstep before I take my trip to California and then Las Vegas (next week Wednesday).
 
Got mine too earlier this morning, then I tried it out the whole day. The case is really sturdy but light. It worked well on my first day, no cards fell inside my pocket. Just a tip too, when putting a card with your name embossed on it, flip the card inwards, so the embossed won't catch the case when you try to take it out or while putting it in.

This case now somewhat replaced my bumper case, I just need to test it for more daily activities, but so far it is really minimalistic and stylish!
 
buymeaniphone said:
Interesting minimalistic design. Would be cool to see an X design for the back so all 4 corners could be covered.
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Then it would cease to be minimalistic. All but a small triangular area on the top and bottom of the back would be covered. What's the point of that? :confused:
 
Just got mine. For those that it matters to I ordered mine, I did not receive it for free.

Initial impressions

  • Great packaging, very clear instructions on what to do.
  • Fast shipping, I ordered Thursday on the holiday, and got it today
  • The back is matte while the edges visible from the front are a shiny plastic. This was surprising to me and I'm not sure if I like it.
  • The cards do not come out unless you use the method they advertise. They are stuck in there very well.
  • I had no trouble installing the case but haven't tried taking it off yet.
  • The home button isn't completely centered up top. It is a few millimeters off but is installed correctly. The pic below shows that.

I have the 4S version. Let me know if anyone has specific questions about the case. I'll come back in a week or so and give a more full review.
 

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JH- said:
Just got mine. For those that it matters to I ordered mine, I did not receive it for free.

Initial impressions

  • Great packaging, very clear instructions on what to do.
  • Fast shipping, I ordered Thursday on the holiday, and got it today
  • The back is matte while the edges visible from the front are a shiny plastic. This was surprising to me and I'm not sure if I like it.
  • The cards do not come out unless you use the method they advertise. They are stuck in there very well.
  • I had no trouble installing the case but haven't tried taking it off yet.
  • The home button isn't completely centered up top. It is a few millimeters off but is installed correctly. The pic below shows that.

I have the 4S version. Let me know if anyone has specific questions about the case. I'll come back in a week or so and give a more full review.
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Glad you like it thus far. As for the on/off button, just give the top a gentle squeeze across the width of the phone. This will center it up like a peach.
 
bjamin said:
Glad you like it thus far. As for the on/off button, just give the top a gentle squeeze across the width of the phone. This will center it up like a peach.
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That centered it up better but it's still off by just a little. Not a huge deal but something little.

Question, why does the inside of the camera uses the highly reflective plastic as opposed to the matte finish on the back? I'm not having any issues with the flash but I'm worried I might.
 
JH- said:
[*]Fast shipping, I ordered Thursday on the holiday, and got it today
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Just curious... Roughly where are you located? I am in Missouri. Mail from Cali generally takes 4 days to get here, and even though it shipped on the first I'm still waiting.
 
JH- said:
That centered it up better but it's still off by just a little. Not a huge deal but something little.

Question, why does the inside of the camera uses the highly reflective plastic as opposed to the matte finish on the back? I'm not having any issues with the flash but I'm worried I might.
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Cool. The blasted finish was chosen for improved scratch and wear resistance. As an aesthetic complement, several surfaces were selected to be polished. We think it looks pretty cool. With the camera, our testing has shown that the color is what really matters, which is why all of our non-black iPhone 5 Remoras have a black ring (also polished) in that area.
 

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I got my Remora Saturday but wanted to wait and use it a few days before posting anything about it.

First of all, yes I'm one of the lucky ones to get a review unit for free.

The packaging is excellent. Simple and clean. You can clearly see the product (Both front and back) before you even open the package. The Remora itself is a sturdy feeling accessory that feels good in the hand before you even put it on the phone.

When you do put it on you can hear a loud enough click that tells you that you've more than likely installed it properly.

The Remora does what it says and it does it quite well. Even though it only covers two corners it actually still feels like my iPhone has some protection. I suppose it's a 50/50 shot of dropping it on one of the unprotected corners. I'm able to slide 2 credit cards (Smooth sides back to back) into the holder or 1 card and 2 bills though the bills have to be fairly new. Or 1 card and my driver's license.

I have absolutely no concern that the credit card or license may fall out. They are both held in place very well. Even one card by itself sits securely in the slot.

My only concern is if you were to keep to cards in there, would the constant sliding in and out scuff the back of the iPhone over a prolonged period of use?

The only other minor concern is taking it back off. I used the bottle opener method shown in the video. With the bottle opener it comes off easy. I then installed it and removed it about 15 times to see if I could eventually just take it off with my thumbs. So far I can't. So if I'm out and about and need to take it off I am a bit concerned about it.

All in all I think it's a great accessory for those that don't want a full-on case or need something minimal to carry a bit of cash and a credit card.
 
rocknblogger said:
I got my Remora Saturday but wanted to wait and use it a few days before posting anything about it.

First of all, yes I'm one of the lucky ones to get a review unit for free.

The packaging is excellent. Simple and clean. You can clearly see the product (Both front and back) before you even open the package. The Remora itself is a sturdy feeling accessory that feels good in the hand before you even put it on the phone.

When you do put it on you can hear a loud enough click that tells you that you've more than likely installed it properly.

The Remora does what it says and it does it quite well. Even though it only covers two corners it actually still feels like my iPhone has some protection. I suppose it's a 50/50 shot of dropping it on one of the unprotected corners. I'm able to slide 2 credit cards (Smooth sides back to back) into the holder or 1 card and 2 bills though the bills have to be fairly new. Or 1 card and my driver's license.

I have absolutely no concern that the credit card or license may fall out. They are both held in place very well. Even one card by itself sits securely in the slot.

My only concern is if you were to keep to cards in there, would the constant sliding in and out scuff the back of the iPhone over a prolonged period of use?

The only other minor concern is taking it back off. I used the bottle opener method shown in the video. With the bottle opener it comes off easy. I then installed it and removed it about 15 times to see if I could eventually just take it off with my thumbs. So far I can't. So if I'm out and about and need to take it off I am a bit concerned about it.

All in all I think it's a great accessory for those that don't want a full-on case or need something minimal to carry a bit of cash and a credit card.
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Thanks for the comments rocknblogger. Glad you liked the packaging! This is actually my first foray into product packaging design, and I had a lot of fun with it.

From a materials engineering perspective, the plastic cards are not hard enough to significantly gouge the aluminum back panel. Most scuffs (marks of plastic, basically) can be buffed out using a nice soft eraser or other cleaning compound. That said, if small pebbles or other hard particles find their way between the cards and the phone, or more cards/objects are inserted than recommended (increased contact pressure), there could be chance of more permanent marks. Using a back protection film might be another option, as long as it's "dry touch" enough not to stick the cards in place.

That said, most iPhones who spend their lives naked will see a degree of wear and tear where perhaps a mark or two on the back panel won't be abnormally unsettling.

The upshot is Remora offers, quite literally, the thinnest/lightest possible package. :cool:
 
Dalton63841 said:
Just curious... Roughly where are you located? I am in Missouri. Mail from Cali generally takes 4 days to get here, and even though it shipped on the first I'm still waiting.
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Atlanta. I used the free shipping code he provided.
 
JH- said:
Atlanta. I used the free shipping code he provided.
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Well I guess I need to go to the post office today. Mine was shipped on the first, and as of today the last scan was "Departing Sort Facility" from San Fransisco, on the first.
 
Dalton63841 said:
Well I guess I need to go to the post office today. Mine was shipped on the first, and as of today the last scan was "Departing Sort Facility" from San Fransisco, on the first.
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Mine never updated from electronic shipping info received.
 
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