Thermal transfer from the phone to the case would have to be in direct contact for it to be as effective as we want. Think of a CPU cooler. The cooler is in direct contact of the chip(ie the phone.) thermal energy transfer is very inefficient through the air space inside the case so the case would have to be touching the phone to act as a heat sink. When I was thinking of a polycarbonate case, I was hinging on insulating the phone from heat, which it does. But doesn't allow it to vent. Aluminum on the other hand will pull heat from the phone if designed properly, but at the same time is conductive from the envioment since you are effectivly putting the phone inside a waterproof greenhouse.
I use the Ram X Mount and carry my iPhone in an Otterbox defender case. The X mounts securely holds the phone and the otterbox. Being OCD as I am, I added a circle piece of velcro on the back of the case and the center portion (pivot) of the X mount. This gives me the piece of mind that the phone will not fall off easily. I have a J&M adapter that allows me to charge the phone from the bike's battery while traveling. I can see the phone clearly in all but direct sunlight. The Otterbox also gives a bit of relief on the occasional run thru rain shower, especially behind a windshield. I also use the Aerostich Elkskin ropers with the metallic threads so I can operate the phone with gloves. Disclaimer - I have all this set up on a Honda Goldwing, and this allows me to listen to the iPhone tunes, podcast, etc via the intercom/speakers in my helmet. I can also take or make phone calls with my helmet on as the phone is paired bluetooth with the J&M Adapter. I generally try not to talk on the phone while riding. If I do get a call, I will pull over to the side of the road or a driveway. I can post some pics if anyone is interested. The J&M adapter that I mentioned is specifically designed to plug-n-play with the Goldwing wiring so it is useless on any other bike. I am sure J&M has other options for different bikes.
Wait... Otterbox is releasing their new Armor series waterproof, crush proof, dust proof iPhone cases on January 8. Might give you one more option.
will it have a way to mount it to stuff? After CES, we should have a few more options on cases and options for the iphone 5.
Don't know. But it's worth waiting a few days to find out. You're right - it's all about CES which is Jan 8 - 11. There will be a lot more iPhone 5 options soon.
http://www.otterbox.com/armor-series/armor-series%2Cdefault%2Cpg.html?utm_source=email&utm_medium=lch&utm_campaign=20130108-ARMOR-VIP-RTG-CES-ANNOUNCEMENT&eid=lch&spMailingID=40799168&spUserID=NDM2ODYzOTIwMjUS1&spJobID=173627484&spReportId=MTczNjI3NDg0S0
after watching a few vids of the new otterbox armor it looks like they copied the lifeproof design only they used a hinge/latch system vs snap together of the lifeproof and rubber plugs for the charging and headphone ports vs the lifeproofs gasketed door and screw in plug, it also looks larger and cost about $20 more than the lifeproof
LifeProof/Ram universal PDA finger mount user here. I off road a lot, with plenty of dirt naps...never lose the phone
My money is going to be on Hitcase. They showed their case at CES today with just one picture on their Facebook and a comment about March 1st release. So a little more then a month away. I'm fairly confident its cold enough I could still charge and ride in the rain and not overheat the phone inside the case. Plus it would be cool to shoot video with the wide angle attachement.
The only time I ever overheated my phone was a very hot/sunny summer day when I returned from a ride, and left my bike/phone sitting in the direct sun, and I forgot to shut off all the stuff I had going on (gps, iPod, etc) or unplug it. I've never had a temp problem otherwise.
The Hitcase looks like it will be great, except you can't charge with it. The Otterbox Armor case will allow charging, which may be an issue for long GPS enabled rides. I think I am sold on the armor with RAM finger mount. I'll post up when I get it - after it comes out.
That is good to hear. I have an iPhone 5 on order and have been considering the Lifeproof case as an option. The reviews on Amazon for it are not good, but then again the general public is often pretty clueless how to effectively use anything more complicated than a toaster. And based on the many of the mobile phone related reviews I read, they are a bunch of whiny little children with unrealistic expectations. I am also considering the Otterbox Armor case that comes out soon. Otterbox products have always worked well for me and the fact that they have delayed release of the Armor case tells me they have been working out the bugs rather than beta testing with their customers. For the OP: I have been using my Android phone in the RAM finger mount and it has been solid on my DR650, even in some moderate off road riding. That phone is in an Otterbox Defender and has fared well. Fine in a drizzle and I just deploy a ziplock bag over it if the rain gets worse.
I haven't read all the posts, but lifeproof also makes a locking handlebar mount that has several sizes of spacers for different size handlebars. Mine has worked great from 15 degrees to 105 degrees, rain, snow, and sunshine. There is now a lifeproof case for the iPhone 5. Sent from my party line rotary dial iPhone using Tapatalk
Im reluctant to use the lifeprrof case. Some user reviews are pretty bad so far. seems people love thr 4/4s version.
If you check out the hitcase FAQ, it says no charging. The Otterbox Armor on the other hand has a charging port.
Wow, a total deal killer. I was really looking forward to that case. Though I do have a Garmin Montana so the iphone is mostly redundant in that respect. Edit: I stumbled upon this tonight. Its called the Quad Lock. I've never seem it before. But they have a few videos of their mounting system that looks pretty trick along with a case to go with it. Could be cool to put a quad lock in a few different places like the car and the kitchen or something. They even have a rain poncho. Though I don't know how well it would do at speed with wind driven rain. http://www.quadlockcase.com/collections/products/products/quad-lock-iphone-5-case
According to some of the Amazon reviews, the bads ones were from a certain vendor and the cases were counterfeit copies.