love the stainless steel and carbon fiber look 
One of my favourite new toys isn’t one I received or bought for review — it’s a combo of two items I was previously given for review: the GorillaTube and the Shift Rivet Clip. I previously wrote that I was looking for a low-profile belt holster, and I think this little combo (stuck together with the Rivet’s M3 adhesive) might just be the ticket. The M3 sticker is actually so strong that I can pull the Gorilla and Shift clip off of my belt without ripping the adhesive. I may still add the super glue to the back to really seal the deal, but the Rivet Clip is stuck so well in place I may never have to.
The GorillaTube is literally just a carbon fiber tube with a thick flap to release the iPhone after a good tug. I’m happy with how tight the fit is, since I can literally hold the case upside down without fear of the iPhone falling out (although shaking it probably wouldn’t be a good idea). I can take the iPhone out of the device with one hand and the strap, or by just tucking my fingers under the tube and pushing the iPhone up.
Inserting the iPhone is a little trickier since the GorillaTube isn’t exactly soft around the edges, but I liken it to the shortest scabbard for the lamest, dullest, most plastic sword in history — but whatever, I still feel like a knight!
I’m very happy with this setup so far: my earphones are out of the way, the holster is relatively low-profile, and it’s hard enough to shrug off minor bumps into desks (what – that never happens to you?!). This is the kind of case I’ve wanted to see for a while now, and I was lucky to have the right pieces on-hand.
Does anyone know of any other cases that might work in the place of the Gorilla Tube?
If you enjoyed this post, make sure you subscribe to my RSS feed!
{ 6 comments… read them below or add one }
Thomas,
Would you mind posting some pictures from it at different angles? My concern with having my iPhone outside of my pants is hitting a corner or a door frame, or of course, my Golden Retriever ripping it off when she jumps. That being said, I never had issue with the case that came with my Bold, but I can’t use that case because of the magnet.
holy crap, keep your dog away from my phone!
Here is your YouTube-ized answer: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KNSppuEa6ic
Absolutely wonderful solution and very helpful YouTube demonstration. Thank you. Maybe you can upgrade your version next year with savage protection? Your hybrid case really does combine the elements of form and functionality. Do you predict a price drop in the $95 tube in the near future?
Cheers
I'd hope for it, but it's not all that likely since carbon fiber cases tend to be more expensive. However, you don't have to use this particular case. If there's some sort of other hard case out there without a belt clip you could just attach the rivet clip to that. Darn thing is I don't know of any other hard cases that are like the GorillaTube, just leather and suede pouches.
How do you think the Rivet would work with a Morphie?
A Mophie Juice Pack is pretty heavy – about the weight of an iPhone, unless you mean the Air. I had actually thought about doing this with my 1st-gen charger and iPhone, but I wasn't sure if the clip could take the weight. It also means that you're probably going to scratch the crap out of your Mophie if it doesn't work out and you try to take the Rivet off. At least with this carbon fiber case it won't show very much, but a Mophie has a rubberized exterior if I remember correctly, and that'll definitely look worse for wear should something go wrong.
That said — it would be a kickass holster, and I've always wanted the Mophies to attach to the hip. They now have their own belt clips, but it's an exterior leather thing that seems HUGE.
You must log in to post a comment.