The Great "Third Party Band/Strap" Thread

[jaymc]

Think it's the same muted lavender. Will check today; dropping by Apple.

 

[jaymc]

Is the Moko lavender band actually lavender? Or is it the same dirty gray color of the "lavender" Apple band?

Just came from the Apple Store... It's actually lavender. See the iPad cover vs my band. (iPad cover same "lavender" as the Apple band; Moko is a brighter lavender)

 

[deany]

My watch has nearly fallen off my wrist due to pentalobe screw coming out of its own accord.
Lug was preattached when purchased so I haven't touch the screw. Don't want other macrumor members having this happening to them, could have been worse.

I have opened a dispute with an aliexpress seller:
7 Colors strap Guaranteed 100% Genuine Leather Band For Apple Watch 42mm Classic Buckle & Metal Adapter Watchbands Free Shipping
http://www.aliexpress.com/item/Guar...uckle-metal-clip-adapter-1-1/32414313674.html

"Please refund money as product faulty after wearing about three times. My watch could have fallen off and smashed on the floor."

What concerns me is I have dropped my first watch on concrete by accident and the screen was totally broken. Also the screw must have just dropped out.

I have a few different straps with this type of lug.
Do other users put a drop of 'Loctite thread lock' to secure the pentalobe screw to prevent this from happening again on the other straps I have.

Strap worn about 3 or 4 times.

Cheers

 

[lg251]

My watch has nearly fallen off my wrist due to pentalobe screw coming out of its own accord.
Lug was preattached when purchased so I haven't touch the screw. Don't want other macrumor members having this happening to them, could have been worse.

I have opened a dispute with an aliexpress seller:
7 Colors strap Guaranteed 100% Genuine Leather Band For Apple Watch 42mm Classic Buckle & Metal Adapter Watchbands Free Shipping
http://www.aliexpress.com/item/Guar...uckle-metal-clip-adapter-1-1/32414313674.html

"Please refund money as product faulty after wearing about three times. My watch could have fallen off and smashed on the floor."

What concerns me is I have dropped my first watch on concrete by accident and the screen was totally broken. Also the screw must have just dropped out.

I have a few different straps with this type of lug.
Do other users put a drop of 'Loctite thread lock' to secure the pentalobe screw to prevent this from happening again on the other straps I have.

Strap worn about 3 or 4 times.

Cheers

Yes this has happened to me as well when the adapters were not fitted with "loctite" at first. You can buy some at hardware stores. Just put a bit on the pentalobe screws and tighten them up again. Nothing ever fell off since I did that.

Using a proper pentalobe screwdriver (not the cheap one they give with adapters) makes a difference as well when putting the right amount of force. Cheap ones, just strip right away.

 

[maflynn]

My watch has nearly fallen off my wrist due to pentalobe screw coming out of its own accord.

This is probably my major concern with going with 3rd party band makers. So far I've only purchased a couple of third party bands from highly recommended sources but still the concern is there.

 

[deany]

Yes this has happened to me as well when the adapters were not fitted with "loctite" at first. You can buy some at hardware stores. Just put a bit on the pentalobe screws and tighten them up again. Nothing ever fell off since I did that.

Using a proper pentalobe screwdriver (not the cheap one they give with adapters) makes a difference as well when putting the right amount of force. Cheap ones, just strip right away.

Hi

Thanks for your reply. Yes I will use the Loctite as you say.

This make seems good: wiha pentalobe?

I've ordered this already:
Loctite 243 Lock 'n' Seal Fast Acting Thread Lock and Sealant - 3 ml https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B003ZUXQIA/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_awd_vubAwbXDTT370

thanks

Deany

 

[maflynn]

wiha pentalobe?

A type of screw

 

[deany]

A type of screw
View attachment 604567

Hi maflynn

Thanks for your reply. A slight misunderstanding as I ammended my post in a hurry and it must have given the impression I didn't know what a pentalobe screw is.

I used to own a PJB-100 before apple made ipods and I upgraded the hard drive to 60GB that must have been well over ten years ago. I needed a pentaloble screw driver for the PJB-100 mp3 player. Those were the days!

Cheers

Any advice on this though please from yourself. lg251 or anyone:

I was thinking about getting one of these 'lugs' anyway:

https://www.etsy.com/listing/234489631/better-quality-space-gray-aluminum-apple

This comes with the pentalobe screwdriver do you think the screwdriver will be of a decent enough quality?

Thanks in advance.

 

[maflynn]

It looks decent, but you cannot tell the quality of the metal by a photo.

For 23 bucks you get the screw driver and lugs, so it probably couldn't hurt to roll the dice.

 

[maflynn]

It looks decent, but you cannot tell the quality of the metal by a photo.

For 23 bucks you get the screw driver and lugs, so it probably couldn't hurt to roll the dice.

 

[lg251]

Hi maflynn

Thanks for your reply. A slight misunderstanding as I ammended my post in a hurry and it must have given the impression I didn't know what a pentalobe screw is.

I used to own a PJB-100 before apple made ipods and I upgraded the hard drive to 60GB that must have been well over ten years ago. I needed a pentaloble screw driver for the PJB-100 mp3 player. Those were the days!

Cheers

Any advice on this though please from yourself. lg251 or anyone:

I was thinking about getting one of these 'lugs' anyway:

https://www.etsy.com/listing/234489631/better-quality-space-gray-aluminum-apple

This comes with the pentalobe screwdriver do you think the screwdriver will be of a decent enough quality?

Thanks in advance.

As maflynn said, hard to comment on the quality of these adapters. However, look for screwdrivers like these: http://www.amazon.com/Ihuniu-Repair-Pentalobe-Screwdriver-Magnetic/dp/B00IH7MVXW

Rugged, with a proper metal construction and magnetic. This usually solves 90% of the adapters falling off problem. The cheap ones given with the adapters are garbage and strip instantly. You think it's tight, but it's because you aren't able to apply any proper "force" any more.

If you get good adapters with loctite and a proper screwdriver, we won't every hear from you again

 

[deany]

It looks decent, but you cannot tell the quality of the metal by a photo.

For 23 bucks you get the screw driver and lugs, so it probably couldn't hurt to roll the dice.

thank you, very much appreciate your help and advice.

 

[deany]

As maflynn said, hard to comment on the quality of these adapters. However, look for screwdrivers like these: http://www.amazon.com/Ihuniu-Repair-Pentalobe-Screwdriver-Magnetic/dp/B00IH7MVXW

Rugged, with a proper metal construction and magnetic. This usually solves 90% of the adapters falling off problem. The cheap ones given with the adapters are garbage and strip instantly. You think it's tight, but it's because you aren't able to apply any proper "force" any more.

If you get good adapters with loctite and a proper screwdriver, we won't every hear from you again

thanks also, very much appreciate your help, advice & your humour!

 

[Mik3F]

I've just ordered this Milanese from eBay http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/191699661...49&var=490731864717&ssPageName=STRK:MEBIDX:IT

Pretty sure its been posted before

 

[swarlos]

I bought a hoco link band and the adaptor part of the band broke when I was taking it off my watch.

So I just bought a SBSS watch off of eBay and going to sell my Space Grey Sport. I bought the band off eBay and don't know how I'm going to get a replacement band or refund. Freaking sucks.

 

[maflynn]

I bought the band off eBay and don't know how I'm going to get a replacement band or refund. Freaking sucks

You cannot contact the seller?

 

[swarlos]

You cannot contact the seller?

I did and they said I was outside the return window and that they would contact the factory? I haven't heard anything back yet.

 

[maflynn]

That bites - good luck, but I think you have your answer (by no response).

 

[swarlos]

That bites - good luck, but I think you have your answer (by no response).

Yeah if I had used my credit card to purchase instead of PayPal credit I would have been able to easily dispute it. But with eBay or Paypal they only give you the options of either not receiving the item or the item didn't match the description. Pretty mad to just lose $89.99.

 

[Binarymix]

Can't you pop the plastic piece back in? I had an adapter come apart like this, and besides it being a royal PITA to find the springs, it went back together easily enough, and was secure afterwards.

 

[deany]

Bought this from https://www.biancamosca.com after reading a review on A Watch To Blog. Louisiana alligator handmade in France.

suprised at three hundred and seventy five dollars they dont offer a space grey 'lug' option!. Hope its a good one.

 

[ChubbyChubbs]

My first foray into third party bands. SB Foot Leather (Red Wing Shoes) courtesy of The Hide Shop in Orlando, FL.

 

[Ojay]

I don't trust those easy release links for a $600 watch for a knock-off band

 

[ChubbyChubbs]

My first foray into third party bands. SB Foot Leather (Red Wing Shoes) courtesy of The Hide Shop in Orlando, FL.

View attachment 605515 View attachment 605519 View attachment 605520

 

[myrtlebee]

Has anybody actually found a good quality 3rd party 38mm Apple Watch Leather Loop band that hasn't had leather separating from the connector or other issues? I still don't understand why Apple doesn't make these for 38mm watches. If they did they would have my money so fast.