View Full Version : eXo 2 Belt clip poor quality?
Dakhor
11-25-2003, 09:06 AM
Ok got my eXo2 on the mail today -- looks nice -- I think the case part - the silicone part is what ud expect it to be - the look and feel of it -- fits nicely to my 30 gb iPod.
But the belt clip just sucks - it broke the first time I tried it on my belt - the small nipples that acctually attach the case to the belt clip just snapp out of the steel pad inside the case.
Sure I can just snap them in again but whats the point if they keep snapping out every time I bend the belt clip a little. Ie try to put it into a belt.
Why they havent fimly attached the "bults" or whatever they are called in the first place is beyond me... Ill just have to do some welding. For me an easy job ( ie ask my father ) - but for most people it might not be so.
/D
Dakhor you may not be aware but these days you have to specify if it is exo2 by Xskn.com or exo2 by iskin.com - 2 different cases, 2 different companies - same product name.
vanillamike
11-25-2003, 09:31 AM
I agree with others here, Lajo, you should change the name of the exo2, maybe like Xskn 3G or something like that. Because now you are going to get affiliated or mistaken for the manufacturer of the exo2 with the low end belt clip.
Mike
Dakhor
11-25-2003, 09:52 AM
First of all I have the iSkin eXo 2 - heh a bit cunfusing with these two names...
Here follows some pictures - note that the steel plate acctually goes inside the case - but its outside now so ppl can more clearly see whats has occured...
I will keep you updated with what iSkin replies to my email...
EDIT: Note that the middle nibble is the MOST important one -- its #### well critically important. Cuz its the one with the lock on so the whole belt clip dont simply fall out of all the nibbles. With it off the whole contraption just broke loose and the ipod would have fallen to the floor if I would not have been holding it at the moment... Now then I would have been MAD !!!
I was acctually contenplating to use some kind of superglue but since I realised this I think welding is the only way. I might even make another kind of nibble - somehow attach it from the back like a bult or something.
And yes the #### iSkin logo on the screen protector is somewhat annoying - more so without the backlight on.
/D
Dakhor
11-25-2003, 09:53 AM
Number 2
Dakhor
11-25-2003, 09:53 AM
And with the nob loose or "broken"...
Infamouschitlin
11-25-2003, 10:00 AM
well...the first lajo-look alike comes and has proven to be cruddy already...
Obviously the xskn' exo2 will reign supreme.
Eh Lajo, isn't the "exo2" name trademarked....you could get big bucks if you sued them...
Dakhor
11-25-2003, 10:05 AM
I think the Lajo website is extremly annoying - it makes my skin crawl just trying to figure it out. Why try to be so different and stylish when its obvious it has to be at the cost of user friendliness?
Thats why I bought this one...
Dakhor
11-25-2003, 11:11 AM
The metal block back has some padding on it so I dont think scratching is an issue unless u want ur iPods back spotless - wich is hard if not impossible to achieve by normal usage.
As for the logo on the screen protector -- here comes a pic of it -- I took about 8 pics and all were bad in one way or another. Its hard to capture the real effect of it. I must rearrange the lights etc if I am to make a better pic - but uhh - its not a review anyways so :)
/D
Dakhor
11-25-2003, 11:27 AM
As far as I see it -- after looking at the thing and playing with it for a few hours. There are a few things that could be improved...
1 - Well the clip sucks in some ways. As Ive not been much of a clip user - nor have I tried some other new clips I cant really say whats good or bad about it except whats clearly VERY bad about it.
2 - The screen protector logo -- I mean ... COME ON !!!
3 - The buttons are now harder to reach, cuz they are in holes of the silicone - wich might be fixed in the Lajo version where the buttons are cowered also.
4 - The hold button is a pain to get to - but I dont see a way to remedy that really.
But other then the clip problem I got what I thought I would get - I knew of the logo before I ordered it and its not a major problem.
I like the feel of it and its much harder to put into my pockets now since it does not slip into them like the plain ipod does - but thats the whole point really... Im so glad I can throw away the originall case -
But someone please -- make a decent remote !!!
Im waiting for some more info on the wireless remote from http://www.engineeredaudio.com/products/remote.html
/D
styles
11-25-2003, 02:00 PM
That sucks about the belt clip bro. I should be getting my iskin exo2 by the end of this week. Luckily I don't use the belt clips anyway...
theipodking
11-25-2003, 02:10 PM
Lajo, I hope your belt clip is better than that, it looks like it took two minutes to make, the idea is to make it looked stream-lined, not put a massive circle on the back which takes away the whole sleekness of the ipod. The new belt clip your bringing out doesn't look like that does it? Can't wait to see yours because at least i know it will be good quality, i'll be there first to buy it...any more details of when it will be out, like before christmas?
cheers,
theipodking
styles
11-25-2003, 04:12 PM
The big circle part fits on the inside of the iskin, so you can't really see it, unless you're using a more transparent exo.
Lajo, another question, I was just looking at the pictures you posted of the new xskn, and I was just wondering how you fit the ipod into it w/o the hole for the touchwheel? Does this mean you'll have to completely take the ipod out of the xskn to dock, or even charge it?
AptMunich
11-25-2003, 04:16 PM
i think we can safely say that lajo would not stick THAT thing on his cases....
Come on that looks like it was home-made in someone's garage!?!
shermanash
11-25-2003, 05:41 PM
you could charge with the cable, but to dock, yes it must come out unless you take the docking cover off (discussed in another thread), and lajo said he is looking into a silicone docking solution for his cases. personally, i could live without the dock.
knivesout
11-25-2003, 05:42 PM
I believe in Lajo's new eXo2 the iPod will be inserted through the screen hole.
We are working on color images of all the exo, exo2, xskn2 cases along with feature and bonus sheats etc. The belt clip is actually clips because I do not see a one clip for all situations, there are 4 clips now and I will be giving all of you a $10 coupon in my new key program to use to buy one of them to replace that generic plastic clip I have now. Your letters and some phone calls have help shape the design and function of these clips so they are your designs as much as they are mine. And they will be a few colors, well what Lajo product would not come in colors? You will see the belt clips up soon as they are near completion and ready for market (the competition is always watching). One of these clips can be you with some of the other soft cases like DLO etc.
Some asked about the brightness of the menu light in an exo2, with asphalt (solid black color) the red glow is quite striking, much more than the picture I posted on one of the other threads, the menu letters are also molded into the silicone so you can see them. If you check around on some of the other threads you will see asphalt. There are 10 colors now and I have started on the next 10 colors. Here is a exo2 in snow.
Dakhor
11-25-2003, 08:15 PM
Originally posted by theipodking
Lajo, I hope your belt clip is better than that, it looks like it took two minutes to make, the idea is to make it looked stream-lined, not put a massive circle on the back which takes away the whole sleekness of the ipod. The new belt clip your bringing out doesn't look like that does it? Can't wait to see yours because at least i know it will be good quality, i'll be there first to buy it...any more details of when it will be out, like before christmas?
cheers,
theipodking
Acctually the whole Idea of that "massive" circle is not a bad one, for one I it reduces the chance of leaving any kind of marks on the iPod itself due to it beeing larger in diameter then lets say the old version one.
And also the wear and tear towards the silicone case prob would be lower also. But again I must point out im only guessing here. And logic does not always apply to practicall use - ie the test of time.
The acctuall attachment part, the metal circle. that cant be removed ( unless you remove it from the inside by taking out the iPod first etc etc ) does in no way take away the iPods "sleekness" - except for the small nipples coming out the back there is nothing to be seen or felt. ( that is when the acctuall belt clip is off ).
I think the ability to remove first of all as much of a trace of the belt clip option when u dont use it - and the ability to completely remove all annoying sleekness removing nipples and screws, whatever, for those who never use the belt clip, has to be commended.
So the thought in many ways is not wrong at all - the design idead quite good acctually - and u can turn the whole belt clip 90 degrees in any angle.
But the fact that the nipples are not fimly attached is a poor judgement in ways of construktion - not a design flaw.
/D
Dakhor
11-25-2003, 08:16 PM
WoW - Lajo uve broken the 1000 mark -- !!!
breakaway1029
11-25-2003, 08:35 PM
What is this xskn2 I'm hearing about? I ordered an xskn exo2 on sunday and it should be arriving tomorrow, and I am wondering what this xskn2 is. Also....Lajo can you explain how the key program is going to work, because I was thinking about creating a thread all about lajo.biz, based on the other post I made about the differences between the two different exo 2's, exo's, and about the key program, new belt clips, etc... to clarify once and for all whats going on.
Breakaway I have to meet with my computer people and managers and then I will get back to you on that.
Give them a chance this is their first case and they had a lot of things to deal with. A complicated mold for the silicone, screen protector and belt clip. I remember that it took me about 3 months to get the silicone mold right and about 2 months for the mold and testing the different TPU materials for our screen protector and the metal insert in the silicone case about 3 months to design and test. The belt clip is about 2 months work and is just about to be released and I have a full time designer on staff to pump out my ideas. So these are not easy solution and it is very costly and then when you make a lead balloon oh the pain. Then when you think you have it right you find a problem or a better solution and then back to the drawing board.
ipodmetoo
11-26-2003, 12:58 AM
You can not tell me iskin.com~{!/~}s belt clip goes with the 3rd gen iPod design, their belt clip looks like it was designed and built by Sanford and Son. I was originally disappointed they did not offer their 50% special to all of us but had they I would have jumped in with my eyes closed forgetting that they were not responsible for the products that made iSkin what it is today.
The screen protector can you give some more pictures of that too, is it a molded screen protector or a flat sheet of plastic, it looks like it has a big space under the screen open so it must not have the same properties as exo~{!/~}s screen protector.
Dakhor
11-26-2003, 09:58 AM
Ive noticed some collor irregularities in the silicone plastic in certain places. Just like some dirt got stuck in the molding process or something. It dont look very nice with black or grey blotches arround the scroll wheel. I feel an itch that its dirt and wanna scrape it off but I cant cuz its acctually inside the silicone.
And whats even more annoying is that there is the same problem with the screen protector. Namely 3 small black hair looking things that are inside the plastic and really are quite noticiable when the backlight turns on.
A sterile enviroment when making anykind of semi or full transparant plastic is vital for success.
Here comes two more pics of the screen protector. Notice the little hmm ( im straining my english to the limit here hehe ) half globe "feet" in the second picture in the 4 corners. And yes those give the plastic a thin space of air between the protector and the acctuall screen. Wich is pretty logical I think so it wont get scratched.
I just want to clarify that im quite happy with the case part of this produkt - sure there are minor issues but thats to be expected. And I would not trust my ipod on ANY belt clip - there is just no way I would - im much more into the starp the belt through the case option. I use the belt clip when I put the ipod into my pocket ( so it does not go all the way down )
Lajo I would like a belt clip that u can not remove from the belt except if u remove the whole belt from the pants and pull the belt out of the clip. And then that there is some kind of lock on the part that secures the belt clip to the acctuall case. And I mean some fail safe lock.
For those that constantly want to remove the ipod from the belt this is not an option of course. But you were designing 4 different types where u not?
/D
Ps One day and no reply from iSkin on the broken belt clip ( And counting... )
Dakhor
11-26-2003, 09:58 AM
Number 2
Those dirt spots are a 2-fold problem when working with silicone. First the silicone has to be mixed will silicone color after that a machine has to roll this out quite thin and once it is cut into piece in preparation for the mold they have to check it under a light to make sure there are no foreign objects inside of the silicone (very few companies do this), then when it goes to the mold they have to be very careful to clean the mold every time the newly made cases are removed and here is the real problem, the better the silicone the more it stick to the mold and if it not cleaned then you have waste product. Those two things could cause the blotches you are getting on your case. Manufactures are use to working with low-grade material, which separates from the mold easily. There are only a few manufacturers that have made soft cases so they do not have the experience. In China we have to train people to do it and pay for the cost of lost time and product until they get it right not the type of problems you want to have when you must rush to market.
Dakhor
11-27-2003, 09:59 AM
So I ordered the Remote Remote thingy -- now lets see how long it takes to get here -- ( sigh spend way too much money on my iPod baby ... but thats ok I suppose since my uhh "real" one is abroad working hehe )
http://www.engineeredaudio.com/products/remote.html
And ya 2 days and no reply from iSkin on the broken belt clip ( and counting )
/D
styles
11-27-2003, 02:29 PM
I've been using my iskin exo2 all day at work w/ the belt clip, and I have to say I actually like it alot!!!
It's sturdy, and b/c of the circle that fits inside the case, it's really stable. Also, since it doesn't swivel, it stays put and doesn't accidentally jab me in my side. Plus, it doesn't add too much bulk to the overall thickness of the ipod.
Now that I look at it, I really don't understand how you were able to break that center piece. Was it w/ the locking piece for the clip?
Dakhor
11-27-2003, 04:30 PM
Well as I pointed out in a previous note in this post, the acctuall design of the clip is pretty good in many ways. But if u look at how the little nibbles are acctually attached to the circle plate then u realise that its poorly made. Cuz the fact remains that IF the center nibble comes loose the iPod will simply drop to the floor AND that my friend is not something any of us would like to have happen.
Now the solution is quite simple - just pressing the nibbles into holes with some kind of preassure device is not enough - for a below 100 usd walkman perhaps but not for a sexy little thing as the iPod. No we need some welding or other means of attachment.
I have a few ideas in mind - prob the easiest to manufacture is a kind of screw on solution - ive seen this countless of times in furniture and such - possibly with glue to be sure that the screws do not come undone.
If IKEA can do it so can iSkin hehe
Mine came of when I put it into a belt for the first time - luckily I was holding my iPod at the time. And yes mine was prob a monday version - BUT those come in plenty with a press two metal pieces together and hope it will hold kind of system.
/D
theipodking
11-27-2003, 04:39 PM
Can sum 1 post a pic of this newe belt clip... is it the one by iskin or Lajo?
SFNE Freak
11-27-2003, 10:09 PM
Its the one by iSkin and there are pics on the first page.
Dakhor
11-28-2003, 06:05 AM
I hope Lajo sends some ipodlounge staff or sumthing some of his new clips and da new case for review purposes - better then wasting money on banners and the like ( if the produckt is kick ### so to speak of course )
/D
I am happy to say the new clip will kick a**
moppe
11-28-2003, 02:23 PM
Nothing personal Lajo but I just got my new iSkin eXo 2 and it is better then the Lajo eXo in my oppinion.
And folks, are you kidding? The round circle goes inside the case, you dont see it. Dont worry, it's cowered on the side so it wont hurt the iPod. It is only 3 small "dots" that goes out of the case. The only problem it is that that one of the dots keep getting lose. I glued to the place. The clip is realy sleek and I just love the design of it. Sanford and Son is not true, You must see it in real life.
Maybe I will get an eXo 2 from Lajo to so that I can post an head-to-head review...
I'm spending way to much money on my iPod. :)
breakaway1029
11-28-2003, 02:42 PM
I just got my Xskn Exo2 from Lajo, and I only have one thing to say: Perfect. This is the ultimate case. It covers the buttons, so they do not get dirty or scratched, and the covering does not impede the usage of the scroll whell or buttons. I can't wait until lajo comes out with the new belt clips and the exodock. Then the Xskn exo/exo2 will be the ultimate iPod accessory solution.
Tomorrow I will give you a preview of exo2 swvclip, 1 of my 4 new belt clips for exo2, exo and xskn.
renderboy
12-01-2003, 03:30 AM
I own the iSkin eXo 2 case and i think the belt clip quality is fantastic! Strong, sturdy and lockable. Just because one nub on your iSkin eXo 2 unit failed doesn't mean they are all defective. Mine is holding up just fine. Some of the original eXo plastic belt clips failed some users too, but I wouldn?t call those belt clips a failure either. My old eXo plastic belt clips held well, but the original eXo belt clip attachment allowed the iPod to swing around too much as to be usable for jogging, but for walking it was fine. With the new iSkin eXo 2 I can actually jog using it and it doesn't swing around at all.
My full review w/pics is here http://www.ipodlounge.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=17055
You can check this thread ( exo2 from lajo) to see a quick jpg of the first of 4 belt clips for exo, exo2 and xskn2. This clip you can get for free through the key program.
Dakhor
12-01-2003, 07:07 AM
> Renderboy
But the fact still remains that IF the middle nibble comes loose, for instance when ur jogging, ur iPod will fall to the ground.
And now we can see from another post here "Moppe" that one more "dots" keep getting loose and he solved it by gluing it in place.
I never said the iSkin belt clip was poor design - I said it was poor choice for manufacturing it.
If only one nibble stands in the way of a securely attached iPod to your belt, or a iPod on the ground. Then it is absolutely imperative that that nibble is very strong.
And this is not the case on the iSkin beltclip - and it is quite easy to make it the case by a simple change in production.
6 days and no reply from iSkin on the broken belt clip ( and counting )
/D
Dakhor have you sent them more than 1 email?
Dakhor
12-01-2003, 10:19 AM
Ive sent 2 --- but concerning different issues. One was about 2 weeks ago but it concerned another issue. I have not gotten any reply on that one either.
Will write another email today or tomorrow.
/D
I have answer all the email everyday and take a break on Saturday and Sunday, which address did you send them to and what was it concerning? I don't want to miss your third one.
I am sorry, I did not realize this was a problem your are having with iskin.com in Toronto. I am Lajo from China not the same company. Go luck Dakhor with you reply from them. They read this forum everyday so they know about your problem already.
Dakhor
12-01-2003, 10:40 AM
Since it is not obviously clear I must point out again that I have the iSkin eXo 2 - the company based in Canada. And it is to them that I have sent an email concerning my belt clip.
I have had absolutely nothing to do with Lajo nor have I gotten any of his products. ( Except heh mentioning that I think lajo.biz webpage is horrible. )
/D
styles
12-01-2003, 01:54 PM
Originally posted by Dakhor
> Renderboy
But the fact still remains that IF the middle nibble comes loose, for instance when ur jogging, ur iPod will fall to the ground.
And now we can see from another post here "Moppe" that one more "dots" keep getting loose and he solved it by gluing it in place.
I never said the iSkin belt clip was poor design - I said it was poor choice for manufacturing it.
If only one nibble stands in the way of a securely attached iPod to your belt, or a iPod on the ground. Then it is absolutely imperative that that nibble is very strong.
And this is not the case on the iSkin beltclip - and it is quite easy to make it the case by a simple change in production.
6 days and no reply from iSkin on the broken belt clip ( and counting )
/D
Just for the record, there are three so called "nibbles" that hold the belt clip in place and not just one. It's just that the lock, is on the middle one, and that happens to be the one that you broke off somehow. Again, I don't know how b/c I haven't had a single problem with my belt clip, and I've been using it for about a week now
renderboy
12-01-2003, 02:33 PM
Dakhor has a legitimate gripe if his product was defective as described. I would expect the iSkin eXo 2 makers would replace his defective belt clip disk with a new disk. This thread is helpful to determine if enough others have this problem as to be a concern. My iSkin eXo 2 belt clip disk is still solid after 2 weeks of use. Dakhor should get his replacement part so that he can fully enjoy his cool new iSkin eXo 2.
styles
12-01-2003, 03:02 PM
I agree...I guess it upsets me knowing that others don't enjoy this case as much as I do!!!
Dakhor
12-02-2003, 05:49 AM
Ok so I wrote another email to iSkin and got this reply quite fast...
> Hello Sam,
> Thank you for contacting us.
>
> We did send a response email to you. I have indicated that we will be
> sending you 2 belt clips by regular post. It is sent already by
> regular post, so please allow for a few days delivery.
So it seems that the first reply got lost in the void - wich happens in this zero and one world hehe...
I am now very pleased with how this issue has been concluded.
And I MUST once again point out that I think the design of the belt clip is very good, its small, its metall, its removable and all that u see then are the small nibbles on the back of the case ( unless u remove them also by taking out the ipod from the case and removing the metall plate)... Now this is quite a preliminary judgement on the belt clip as I have not time tested it, and I prob wont since Im not the typicall belt clip user. I use the belt clip when the iPod or other product is already inside the pocket in order to have the product not sliding all the way down in my font pocket.
I must also report that my father who has a history of engineering said to me that there is not that much fault in the construcktion of the plate with the nibbles, ( he had some minor points on what to improve in the way the plate is pressured together with the nibbles ). My father also said that although such a construktion should be very strong when successfull, he would not trust it to hold a 500$ piece of mashinery at his belt due to the high risk of a "monday" versions with this kind of construktion technique. ( monday version - ie plates where something went wrong in the produktion process ). He also said he didnt think that the company checked every plate closely since it is not a high cost produkt.
Now to why ive gone to all this trouble of writing far too much in way too little time. Well we could say I am in for constructive critisism and have a goal to see the completion of my "dream" belt clip, or it might be that ive been grounded home by a 2 week long ear infection and have had very little else to do arround here after hours of gaming and endless movie watching.
.D has left the building ( for a while at least )
Dakhor
If you have an idea for a belt clip send it along. I can tell we have our set designs on the casual clip, revoling clip, fixed clip and sport clip. If you feel you have a ideal clip maybe we can talk. Through my key program I can pay designs and inventors on the sale of product that they have made some constructive input.
Dakhor
12-02-2003, 06:37 AM
Well as we all know designing an altogether new product is much harder then improving on an excisting one.
There is of course much to talk about when the issue is the "ideal" belt clip. And there are many loops to one field of ussage. For instance the sport clip... Who uses a belt when running anyways? And if u dont then u use some kind of puch thing - for water bottles perhaps. Most of those come with a spare pouch for keys etc - mine is big enough for the iPod. But I dont use the iPod for running even if I could. I use a memory based mp3 player for that.
I can go as far as giving some ideas on how to improve a product, but as for jumping into the design of a product I feel that that would take up time that I can not give at the moment. And I do not want to start something I think I do not have the time to give it that it requires. I fully understand that at the moment I have ideas due to the simple fact that this is a new gadget for me, the iPod case, but that will fade in time and then im back to beeing the average user.
I tend to take things too seriously and I dont have the time to put my mind on the path of the ideal case design hehe...
But thanx for the offer :)
/D
Dakhor
12-23-2003, 06:06 PM
Aight time for an update -- 3 weeks ago I got a reply to my email saying the replacement belt clips where in the mail and I was supposed to wait a few days or so for them to arrive... Well 3 weeks later here I am and still no mail -- Time to email iSkin AGAIN !!!
Sigh ---
And whats up with them People at Engineeredaudio.com with that cool ipod wireless remote. I ordered it a month ago -- have written multiple emails asking if they have gotten my order since my credit card has not been charged yet -- No reply whatsoever. I got a order number and confirmation from them ---
I think this behaviour is totally unacceptable!!!
/D
GormetSilFwog
12-23-2003, 06:15 PM
Maybe your just a MONDAY person (ie. everything seems to go wrong??)
My advice to anyone that really has a problem. CALL THEM!
I couldn't find their phone number on their website (odd, usually it's simple but I guess they don't want to advertise it) but it was in an email I had from them from before. 4169249607.
Dakhor
12-23-2003, 06:21 PM
Call them -- from Sweden? Yeah sure and they will be most likely put me on hold for half an hour...
/D
GormetSilFwog
12-23-2003, 06:25 PM
*loosens imaginary tie*
Yea, that'd be a problem. I tried calling buy costumes because they didn't refund my money for three months... they told me I would wait for a half hour before It alked to anyone.. sure, okay.. so waiting 45 minutes (while at work) and I say "I WANT MY MONEY!!" they say okay good bye have a nice day... NO MONEY. I emailed them and compained, they gave me my money back..
Try them again with something obscure in the subject line. >;]
Dakhor
12-24-2003, 08:24 AM
Aight got a FAST reply as follows ...
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Hello Sam,
Thank you for contacting us. We will send out another replacement pad for
your beltclip tomorrow to ensure you receive the item. The last package we
sent you might have been lost in the mail or been sent to the wrong address.
The address we have in our database is:
XXXX
We apologize for the inconvenience and are awaiting your response.
Regards,
XXXXX
--------------------------------------------------------
GormetSilFwog
12-24-2003, 09:51 AM
Hehe, I got caught on my MSN by some companies before.. :) THAT gets things solved fast.