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[Review] Seidio Innocase Active Limited Edition

pingpongboss

Android Enthusiast
Apr 19, 2010
541
278
Update: New Exoskeleton design out, dubbed the Innocase Active (not Limited Edition anymore). Look at the end of this first post to see more about it.

Update: Seidio is considering whether they want to offer the Innocase Active exoskeleton in more colors. What do you think? Let us know in the thread.

Update: Seidio is looking into making the Innocase Active work with their Car Dock and Multimedia Player! This is going to be the best case ever.

Update: Amazon is now shipping earlier than expected! Shipping June 15th instead of July 1st I believe.

Hey guys, I've been playing around with my new Seidio Innocase Active Limited Edition for a while, and I am have been very impressed by it.

YouTube - [Review] Seidio Innocase Active Limited Edition for the HTC Evo 4G

IMGP2359.JPG


For those who don't know, Seidio is widely known for making superb smartphone accessories, and are best known for their cases. They compete with Otterbox, BodyGlove, and others. This new Innocase Active Limited Edition is available exclusively on Amazon.com.

This new Innocase, the Active Limited Edition is made for those who need more rugged protection for their HTC Evo 4G. The main difference between this and the Innocase II Surface is the thickness, material, and feel.

My Innocase II Surface review: http://androidforums.com/htc-evo-4g...e-screen-guard-htc-evo-4g-pictures-video.html

Thickness: The Active Limited Edition claims 2.2mm thickness, while the Surface claims 1mm thickness. Having used both, I can definitely tell that there is a big difference between the two. The thickness of the Active Limited Edition is crucial to its ruggedness. I feel like if I dropped my Evo on the floor with this case on, it will bounce right back up.

Material: The Surface is made of felt, hard plastic, and rubberized finish. The Active Limited Edition is made of a rubbery polymer "glove", and a hard plastic exoskeleton that also has a rubberized finish. The rubbery polymer inside piece is flexible and smooth. It will not harm the Evo that's docked inside. It also has grooves for your fingers, so that the phone does not slip out of your hand. Very nice. The exoskeleton strategically covers up the 4 corners and the middle, both protecting your device at its most critical points, and holding the flexible rubber polymer in place. Because of this new "glove" like design, the Active Limited Edition is a bit harder to put on and take off than the Innocase II Surface. Any "push" buttons on the Evo (power and volume) will be covered by the rubber. I actually like this approach more than leaving a gap, since the rubber helps to push against the button. You have to push a bit harder than without the case on, but it doesn't block the buttons from fat fingers, like the Innocase II Surface might.

Feel: The Active Limited Edition feels very professional. People may complain that the build quality of the Innocase II Surface is subpar, because the device moves around a bit inside the case. However this is not the case for the Innocase Active Limited Edition. The rubber polymer that contacts the back of the Evo molds itself to fit the Evo perfectly. No squeaky noises due to the hard plastic. Also, the material is very lightweight, plus the exoskeleton only covers the important parts of the Evo. Thus you end up with a case that does not feel heavier than the Innocase II Surface. I'm not sure which one is heavier actually.

Overall: I'd say that most people would prefer the Active Limited Edition more. The Innocase II Surface's main protection comes from the very hard plastic, versus the Innocase Active Limited Edition, which relies on the soft rubber polymer. If you've taken high school physics, then you'd already know that the softer rubber polymer provides superior protection. However, the Innocase II Surface is perfect for those who wants a case that provides protection without sacrificing thinness. When added to the Evo, the Active Limited Edition is indeed thicker and bulkier. However personally I will stick with the Active Limited Edition. It just seems like a product for me :D

Pictures:

IMGP2337.JPG

From left to right: Innocase Active Limited Edition, naked Evo, Innocase II Surface

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The insides.

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Top

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Bottom

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Left

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Another top. Note the covered Power button.

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Right. Note the covered Volume buttons

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Bottom

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Finished product. The corners are protected by the hard exoskeleton.

IMGP2359.JPG

Works perfect with the kickstand out too.
IMGP2360.JPG
Jeans bulge.
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The edges of the case comes beyond the screen a bit, protecting the phone if you set it face down.
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The camera is protected by the case too.
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The hole surrounding the headphone port is large enough for any type of plug you may have.
IMGP2358.JPG
Hole for microphone and ports do their job.
IMGP2361.JPG
The inner rubber polymer layer.
IMGP2362.JPG
Hard plastic exoskeleton with rubberized finish.
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Q&A:
Have you had any troubles with pushing the power or volume buttons, or do you actually feel it helps a bit since they would appear less recessed?

I actually consider it a slight hassle trying to toggle the power button on regularly so I thought this might help a little.

You know, I actually feel like the case helps. With a naked Evo, your finger has to be pretty much right on the button for you to push it. However with the case, as long as you push hard enough, you can push a much larger area and still toggle the power button.

It's definitely easier to push than with the Innocase II Surface.

The volume buttons are much easier to push than the power button with the case on.

New from Seidio: Innocase "Non-Limited Edition" Active

Seidio has redesigned the case with a new exoskeleton. This is already out at Innocase Active For use with HTC EVO 4G - Pearl White

CSR6HEV4-WH-2.jpg


User comparison from someone who's bought both the Limited Edition from Amazon, and the Non-Limited Edition from Seidioonline:
I've tried both the limited edition from Amazon and the non limited direct from Seidio. Both are very nice and have generally the same construction (hard exoskeleton over silicone). As the pictures show, the limited exoskeleton leaves more of the molded silicone exposed on the sides, while the Seidio direct has an exoskeleton that covers the whole sides of the phone. I significantly prefer the limited version as I like the look better, and the molded sides are slightly easier to grip. The limited exoskeleton also has a tighter grip on the silicone, especially on the left side, though the Seidio direct version didn't slip as long as I didn't fiddle with it.

Both are nice, though, so it's mostly a matter of preference. I got the blue limited from Amazon. It's not nearly as bright blue as the photo shows (more of a subtle blue-black, with a blue matte iridescence is direct light). I love it.
 
Nice bulg- err I mean, review.

Have you had any troubles with pushing the power or volume buttons, or do you actually feel it helps a bit since they would appear less recessed?

I actually consider it a slight hassle trying to toggle the power button on regularly so I thought this might help a little.
 
Upvote 0
Nice bulg- err I mean, review.

Have you had any troubles with pushing the power or volume buttons, or do you actually feel it helps a bit since they would appear less recessed?

I actually consider it a slight hassle trying to toggle the power button on regularly so I thought this might help a little.

You know, I actually feel like the case helps. With a naked Evo, your finger has to be pretty much right on the button for you to push it. However with the case, as long as you push hard enough, you can push a much larger area and still toggle the power button.

It's definitely easier to push than with the Innocase II Surface.

The volume buttons are much easier to push than the power button with the case on.
 
Upvote 0
Appreciate the video!

You showing us that the soft rubberized layer can be peeled away from the phone brings one concern to me that I've always had with most hard cases that don't possess a silicone layer inside. With cases like this, the hard layer doesn't push down on the soft layer along the entire edge so while your phone is in your pocket, the pocket can actually peel back the soft layer as you move and any particulates from your pocket can find its way into the space between your case and your phone. It's not as big of a deal for a case like this that has an actual soft layer against the phone and doesn't have any chrome bits one the sides, but it has been an issue in the past for me. I guess I'd like something that encloses the phone more tightly.
 
Upvote 0
Appreciate the video!

You showing us that the soft rubberized layer can be peeled away from the phone brings one concern to me that I've always had with most hard cases that don't possess a silicone layer inside. With cases like this, the hard layer doesn't push down on the soft layer along the entire edge so while your phone is in your pocket, the pocket can actually peel back the soft layer as you move and any particulates from your pocket can find its way into the space between your case and your phone. It's not as big of a deal for a case like this that has an actual soft layer against the phone and doesn't have any chrome bits one the sides, but it has been an issue in the past for me. I guess I'd like something that encloses the phone more tightly.

You're right. The outer hard cover pinches in the soft layer in 6 places. This covers most of the phone, but in between these 6 points the soft rubber layer may peel back a tiny bit.

Not enough to peel the entire case off the phone, but enough for maybe dust to get in. I haven't had a problem though, and it's been in my pocket for 2 days.
 
Upvote 0
You're right. The outer hard cover pinches in the soft layer in 6 places. This covers most of the phone, but in between these 6 points the soft rubber layer may peel back a tiny bit.

Not enough to peel the entire case off the phone, but enough for maybe dust to get in. I haven't had a problem though, and it's been in my pocket for 2 days.
to complement, it also doesn't attract much dust or lint like other silicon rubber cases.
 
Upvote 0
any idea when seidio would make the decision to offer the exoskeleton in other colors? I currently have an order waiting to ship w/ amazon and wondering if I should cancel and wait for more colors.

Well, there's been a hug demand for colored exoskeletons judging by the responses on multiple forums. But they haven't updated anyone on it ever since they brought it up. I'll let you guys know if I get some info.
 
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Mine'll be here Monday. I thought it was due today but instead got the stupid 19 cent bag of screws I tacked on to get free shipping. Kinda deflating but I also got the new Alpine stereo + speakers I ordered. :)

Has anybody tried putting both the exoskeleton & skin on over a Innocase II ala Rugged case? I noticed in Pingpongboss's video that the exoskeleton seemed to fit on it pretty easily.
 
Upvote 0
great case design but the material used SMELLS HORRID

interesting the smell was never mentioned in review... lol

i've washed/soaked it in windex, glasses solution, and dawn dish soap

nothing has taken the chemically smell away


cheap chinese silicon?
I never noticed any smell with mine when it was brand new. Its 2 days old now, and there is literally no smell to it at all.
 
Upvote 0
great case design but the material used SMELLS HORRID

interesting the smell was never mentioned in review... lol

i've washed/soaked it in windex, glasses solution, and dawn dish soap

nothing has taken the chemically smell away


cheap chinese silicon?

Yea i'm pretty disappointed in myself for not smelling the horrid odor of your case from miles and miles away :p

But in all seriousness my case did not come with a strong smell. It was great and smelled like "new", kind of like how a new car smells you know.
 
Upvote 0

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