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Defender2010

Cancelled
Jun 6, 2010
3,131
1,097
To those having the metal connector showing (generally inkoo bands), I fixed mine but without the tape trick which really sucked. The problem is indeed the black rubber pieces either side of the moving connector mechanism. They don't give enough traction to keep the band from pulling out slightly when fastened.
I pushed out the rubber pieces- they are both very easy to push with a pin or sharp pointed knife.
The official Apple ones are not rubber. They are two pieces of plastic glued into the connector. Using a pointy knife I removed the pieces from 2 S/M sport band pieces I won't use. They are glued quite tightly so be careful. 4 pieces to be removed altogether.
I put these into the holes on the leather loop (one on each side of the band, whereas the rubber piece was one, u must do both sides.
They fit tightly and will not come out - even though there is no glue.
The metal connector showing issue is now totally gone. The whole process is reversible if u ever decide to sell that unused part of the sports bands. You need 2 bands to do the whole leather loop. The band can be quite right to connect to the watch body now, but loosens up when taken off and on a few times.
Photo enclosed...
Ps. To push myself further I also swapped the moving connector part from the sport band to the leather loop. It's surprisingly easy to do and again, reversible.
No tape. No metal showing. Just a nice 3rd party loop that fits great. Plus I got a 50% refund from the seller due to the initial problem.
 

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Supermallet

macrumors 68000
Sep 19, 2014
1,975
2,174
I just received my blue HappyCell and my first impressions are very positive. I'm not seeing any separation of the leather and the connector, the magnets are very strong, and the connection between the strap and the watch feels solid, no wiggle. It's very comfortable on the wrist as well, and looks close enough to the real thing.

This is the first additional band I've gotten, up until now I've only used the black sport band, and so far this is more comfortable.
 
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bigup

macrumors 6502
Mar 7, 2008
282
251
United Kingdom
Got my inkoo leather loop blue today. Looks ok , I see a slight bit of Metal on the smaller band, the band has different size grooves than the original though. Yours the same ?

Black is original. Blue is inkoo on eBay uk

Magnets are very strong
 

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dread

macrumors 6502a
Jun 16, 2009
735
4
Got my blue leather loop from inkoo yesterday. The strap is soft and is midnight blue but unfortunately it has the metal connector showing which is a shame. Waiting to hear back from seller. I'm impressed with the leather though. The two small black rubber parts next to the connector moving part seem too small to stop the strap moving. I've ordered two replacement pieces so hopefully I can fix the issue as they just pop out easily. Tape solution is too difficult to do as it makes putting on and off the strap too difficult.
You might have the installed incorrectly. Turn the short piece around.
 

BSG75

macrumors 6502
Jul 21, 2015
356
242
Tennessee
Got my inkoo leather loop blue today. Looks ok , I see a slight bit of Metal on the smaller band, the band has different size grooves than the original though. Yours the same ?

Black is original. Blue is inkoo on eBay uk

Magnets are very strong

As someone who owns an Apple leather loop and a non-OEM version, is there that much of a difference in quality to justify the Apple price over the knockoff? I have the blue inkoo band like yours and I'm satisfied with it. Just curious if the Apple band is softer than the inkoo band.
 

thebuzz

macrumors member
Mar 26, 2015
38
1
is there that much of a difference in quality to justify the Apple price over the knockoff?

It is relative. If you care about it being perfect, such as everything lining up. As well as wearing well overtime. Then the knock off version probably doesn't make sense for you.
 

Supermallet

macrumors 68000
Sep 19, 2014
1,975
2,174
Looks like the edges of my HappyCell are starting to pull back from the connector. I've only had it a few days, so this is disappointing. I'll likely return it as defective and buy a Moko sport knockoff instead.
 

vistokid

macrumors 6502a
Jun 26, 2007
655
434
Just my 2 cents to the thread. I've ordered 2 leather loops now.

First one from majpro2012 (ebay) - Blue
Second from Inkoo888 (ebay) - Black

I've had the blue for a while and it's been great. No issues whatsoever. Metal connector not showing at all. Magnet has been very very strong.

The Inkoo I got yesterday. The leather is thicker (which might be good in the long run), but the loop isn't quite as tight as the majpro2012. Also the metal connector shows on the Inkoo888 band which is a real pain to me. I've already contacted Inkoo about what he can do.

I've had a few issues with Inkoo so far. Ordered a Milanese and the clasp broke after a few days (posted pic in another thread). He sent a replacement and it was too long (longer than the first one I ordered). I ended up selling it to a friend for what I paid and ordered 2 more Milanese from another seller (still waiting for them). Then my black leather loop and a white sport band never showed up. He had to send them again but yesterday I only got the leather loop, no sport band. Also had to contact him last night about that.
 
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bigup

macrumors 6502
Mar 7, 2008
282
251
United Kingdom
A reply from inkoo About the metal showing on the connector.

"i am so sorry about,there are two springs under the middle embedded object in order to fasten the watch more tightly, you can press it and get the strap slipped into the slot. And if you want you take it off, please press the two buttons at the back of the watch and get the strap slipped out accordingly. Would you please try again and let us know the if the problem still persist? Thanks."
 

dread

macrumors 6502a
Jun 16, 2009
735
4
Perfect! :D

[It's also linkoo - with a leading "L", not "I".]

I have initiated a return and replacement through amazon for my happy cell blue LL. After one month of daily wear the edges are starting to peel and will eventually expose the magnets. It would probably last another month but I don't want to get stuck with it after the return period. Hopefully the next one holds up better.
 

dread

macrumors 6502a
Jun 16, 2009
735
4
I got my replacement band and it is nicer than my original. The adapters fill out more of the opening, but still are a bit too small. Hopefully this one holds up better than the last.
 

rsxmachine

macrumors 6502a
Dec 19, 2007
599
92
replacing the rubber bits from with the ones from the sport band really helps out and makes it a better fit without showing metal.

I do notice on mine that the small band has a tear between the metal and leather at the top, therefore there is a small gap. I have sent complaint to Inkoo
 
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Cremerhm

macrumors 6502
Mar 24, 2012
388
134
The Netherlands
I've ordered a Sikai Leather Loop through Aliexpress 1.5 week ago. Can someone tell me more about the size?

I've got kind of a small wrist, in the apple sports band (42mm watch) I use the s/m strap on the third hole. Is this Leather Loop gonna be to big for me?
 
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maikel7505

macrumors member
Oct 20, 2014
60
15
Spain
I've ordered a Sikai Leather Loop through Aliexpress 1.5 week ago. Can someone tell me more about the size?

I've got kind of a small wrist, in the apple sports band (42mm watch) I use the s/m strap on the third hole. Is this Leather Loop gonna be to big for me?
YES, i bough one and i had to sell it.... the size of Sikai is a Medium size (it is between the small and the large size of the original)
 

jimmeh1988

macrumors regular
Oct 22, 2014
125
34
I've just had a response from Inkoo about the metal showing on my leather loop; they offered me £4 refund to keep it.
 

LanWolf

macrumors member
Apr 12, 2007
72
83
The Netherlands

maikel7505

macrumors member
Oct 20, 2014
60
15
Spain
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It doesn't show the metal, the connection of the long part is maybe half millimeter (or less) longer than it should be, but nothing annoying
 
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