I purchased 6 Incipio feathers (for my family's SP2's) from our local Fry's store -- 4 black, 1 cyan, and 1 magenta. I noticed that the store had been out of stock of the black model for awhile, then suddenly got a big batch in (the color models have remained in stock in smaller quantities). Knowing all the user complaints about the feather's fitment, I was secretly hoping that it might mean the release of a product revision, at least for the black (which is part of the reason why I'd held off buying existing stock online)...
Can't tell for sure, but my cyan and magenta cases have the metallic magnet strips, whereas my black cases have strips of black foam pads (as someone had mentioned). Not sure why the magnets were needed anyhow, since the sides of the case already have ridges that attach to the kickstand? Perhaps they replaced the magnets since they had a habit of getting unglued, or perhaps were scratching the Surface? In fact, while the magenta case at least had the magnets glued neatly, the cyan case was sloppy with excess glue all over the place. Worse, the excess glue had formed sharp, pointed spikes in one or two spots, that I refused to even try it on. I tried to smooth it out with rubbing alcohol without success, and I was afraid to try chiseling as I'd end up scoring the surrounding plastic.
But even with the black feathers I still found the inevitable manufacturing variance from unit to unit. On one unit, a side lip of the bottom piece clamps too tightly to the screen, which caused the screen protector film on that edge to get pinched or pushed and caused bubbling (I had to remove, smooth the film, and put the case back on a few times, each time trying to press the screen down away from the lip as I slide it in). The other feathers weren't that bad, in that regard.
Yet a couple of units seemed a bit looser than others, such that when picking up a unit by the edge, the lip can wobble around, or the back makes a noise as it flexes into contact with the surface metal.
But the most common defect with my feathers is that the top half tends to pop off and separate from the bottom whenever I open and close the kickstand (unless I do it very gently). Some online reviews have noted the same problem... The two halves are secured by 3 small nubs sliding under their corresponding slots, which unfortunately seem to be easily bumped off, especially since the feather's contour doesn't seem to hug the rear surface of the SP2 tightly. I was thinking I could drop some super glue onto the 3 latches, but that seems kinda permanent? Or I could run a strip of tape (like the black vinyl electrical tape) over the line where the two halves meet, but that might ruin the look? Anyone have suggestions?
Anyone use a feather case with a screen protector on? I saw the video where a screen protector was not recommend.
FWIW all our SP2's have a
screen protector. I think it may depend on the thickness of the film and how much it covers edge to edge, but also the particular manufacturing variance of your feather (see above).
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