buzzmo
12-04-2008, 10:08 AM
Very disappointing for a $45 case. It's quite pretty, and while it adds a lot of bulk, it does give the impression of serious protection. However, the bulk is its downfall.
First off, the screen cover suffers from a lot of bubbling. I guess it sits a micron or two above the actual surface of the phone's touch-screen, so you'll start to see "sticky" areas where you've touched, with the surrounding areas looking a bit dimmer. basically, it looks like you've got water spilled on the phone... all the time.
The "window" that surrounds the touch-screen also have a very tall ridge that butts right up against the actionable area's edge, which makes it difficult to use controls at the top or bottom edges of the screen. Double-tapping the status bar to scroll to the top of an app is nigh-impossible.
The biggest, problem, however, is that the case is so thick that using the buttons becomes very problematic. The home button is the least affected, requiring just enough extra pressure to operate that I'd end up having to hit it twice most of the time until I got used to it. The volume buttons require a lot of force, though, and the lock button is almost unusable. You have to really mash down hard to get it to click.
Worst, though, is the silent switch. It's not covered, but recessed. Unfortunately, it's so far in, and butts up right against the wall of the case, that it simply cannot be used. If I didn't have long fingernails on my right hand (for fingerpicking guitar), I simply would not be able to use the switch at all. A normal adult finger simply cannot access the switch.
Overall, the Fuse turned my phone from an elegant appliance that's a joy to use, into a bulky, painful box with a grainy, ugly screen. Big thumbs down.
First off, the screen cover suffers from a lot of bubbling. I guess it sits a micron or two above the actual surface of the phone's touch-screen, so you'll start to see "sticky" areas where you've touched, with the surrounding areas looking a bit dimmer. basically, it looks like you've got water spilled on the phone... all the time.
The "window" that surrounds the touch-screen also have a very tall ridge that butts right up against the actionable area's edge, which makes it difficult to use controls at the top or bottom edges of the screen. Double-tapping the status bar to scroll to the top of an app is nigh-impossible.
The biggest, problem, however, is that the case is so thick that using the buttons becomes very problematic. The home button is the least affected, requiring just enough extra pressure to operate that I'd end up having to hit it twice most of the time until I got used to it. The volume buttons require a lot of force, though, and the lock button is almost unusable. You have to really mash down hard to get it to click.
Worst, though, is the silent switch. It's not covered, but recessed. Unfortunately, it's so far in, and butts up right against the wall of the case, that it simply cannot be used. If I didn't have long fingernails on my right hand (for fingerpicking guitar), I simply would not be able to use the switch at all. A normal adult finger simply cannot access the switch.
Overall, the Fuse turned my phone from an elegant appliance that's a joy to use, into a bulky, painful box with a grainy, ugly screen. Big thumbs down.