Comments on: Review: Case-Mate Fuel Case for iPhone 3G and iPhone 3GS

By: Freddie Boy

Freddie Boy — Sun, 02 Aug 2009 01:03:30 +0000

A few quick comments. # 1, lightest batt pack around. Resembles several holsters. Largest batt (2300 mah), lithium-ion polymer. Polymer very important, higher density, holds chg longer!! Notice power on/off button, if you want to run iPhone batt down & then turn power on. Charge by plugging USB into iPhone wall charger or if you have ATT cig lighter charger, has USB outlet on top of charger plug-in. Or the Griffin charge kit from W/Mart includes cig plug-in with USB outlet. Best on market. $58. on eBay, new in pkg, delivered, no tax 

By: Noonan

Noonan — Thu, 25 Jun 2009 19:58:40 +0000

@icebike

The Mophie Juice Pack Air has a switch. When you're phone is about to die, you flip it and it fills your battery.

I just ordered one and then I saw this blog and hoped that I went with the right one.. but it seems like I did. Juice Pack Air FTW!

By: icebike

icebike — Thu, 25 Jun 2009 17:08:40 +0000

@Party:

The standard (large) 4 pin connector has five wires. 4 pins plus ground.

The mini USB adapter has 5 pins, one of which is not used. That is what is pictured on the device.

http://pinouts.ru/Slots/USB_pinout.shtml

By: icebike

icebike — Thu, 25 Jun 2009 16:57:34 +0000

The one bad thing I've heard from friends who use this (and other "Juicepacks") is that your internal battery never gets run down, and has a tendency to totally screw up the internal charge measuring circuit.

If they don't run their internal down till it power's off and recharge fully once in a while, the Charge measuring circuit starts shutting down the phone prematurely as soon as you start drawing on the internal battery.

Apple recommends you discharge fully once a month or so to retrain the charge measuring circuit.

(No, this is not a battery "memory" issue. Iphone batteries are not susceptible to that, and battery "memory" is largely fiction when you really dig into it past what you read on the monkey-hear monkey-say internet.)

By: PartyRambo

PartyRambo — Thu, 25 Jun 2009 15:05:56 +0000

“To charge the case you only have one option — you must use a standard 5-pin USB cord. One is included but it would be nice to have the option to charge the case without using my laptop.”

I’ve never heard the term “5-pin USB” so I don’t know how ’standard’ that is – if it’s just a standard USB connector, the 3G/3Gs comes with a USB/wall plug adapter so you can plug it in anywhere, not just via a computer. I wouldn’t recommend plugging it in at work, to keep it charged – that’s probably bad for the battery – but you can REcharge it an hour before leaving work…

By: kevlar

kevlar — Thu, 25 Jun 2009 05:29:40 +0000

I’m finding the 3gs very slow to charge via the new smaller wall charger, takes about as long as charging via pc/usb, i.e. very slowly. My old 3g charger used to be twice as fast as the new one. Infact the fastest way I have to charge it now is my incar charger, I noticed yesterday how fast that was compared to the wall charger. Anyone else noticing slow recharge speed with 3gs wall charger?

By: Cobra302

Cobra302 — Thu, 25 Jun 2009 04:16:07 +0000

i’m sorry, but i’d rather charge it at work with a comp, or in the car with a charger. that is a horrendous case and battery. no protection for the phone, seems akward, and frankly i’d feel stupid putting that big thing up to my face to make a call.

By: iPhone lover

iPhone lover — Thu, 25 Jun 2009 02:26:02 +0000

My battery life has been alright so far, although i think I’d have to buy this Case-Mate in the near future. We’ll see how my unit 3G S goes. Nice review on the case…mate!

By: BarryL

BarryL — Thu, 25 Jun 2009 01:26:25 +0000

I was getting only 6 to 8 hrs with my 2g iPhone. Now getting 12 to 14 hrs with the 3GS same normal daily use, much improved battery. The day will come it will last days or weeks only a matter of time.

By: BarryL

BarryL — Thu, 25 Jun 2009 01:25:01 +0000

I was getting only 6 to 8 hrs with my 2g iPhone. Now getting 12 to 14 hrs with the same normal daily use, much improved battery. The day will come it will last days or weeks only a matter of time.