Recently we told you about the Rokbed V3 case by Rokform. I was lucky enough to get one to test from the Rokform folks at Macworld, and I would like to let you guys know how I feel about it.
Here's a quick overview of the case and what's included in the packaging:
The Rokbed v3 case is built from tough injection molded polycarbonate and is made to handle abuse. Also included in its packaging are a lanyard (that you can attach to the case), an anti-slip grip insert (the black rubberized spot on the back of the case), and Rokform's RMS (remote mounting system). In most cases (pun intended), a case is just a case. So what makes this one different? Its mounting system is what sets it apart. It just works, but more on that later. The case is actually a two-piece slider. You pull the case apart, insert your iPhone, and put the pieces back together. The Rokbed doesn't add much bulk to your phone. That being said, I should mention that the case fits VERY well; you may be in trouble if you use a thicker screen protector on both sides of your phone. After a few days with the Rokbed V3, I can say that I am pretty impressed with the case, although I did experience a few hiccups as well.
The Good
The Rokbed V3 case is solid. It feels great in your hand without adding much extra bulk to your phone. The included mounting system works flawlessly. I used it in my car, and it felt natural to mount my phone there within the first day. The 3M adhesive shows no signs of wear. I'm actually more worried about how to get it off my car than it coming off while trying to unmount my phone. The grip insert does its job well. it prevents your phone from slipping on uneven surfaces. I can't say how often one would put their phone on an uneven surface, but if you do, the Rokbed has you covered. Attaching the lanyard didn't seem necessary to me, but I tried it. Surprisingly, I used it a lot more than I thought I would, even while walking around my house. It's surprisingly strong for a freebie. I can't complain about it.
The Bad
The case itself was extremely difficult for me to remove from my phone. I could just have weak fingers, but I still feel like its removal required more effort than necessary. Also, the case doesn't completely cover the back of the phone. While, that's an obvious design choice, this still allows dust and small debris to get wedged between the case and your phone. Although this has nothing to do with the case itself, it would have been nice if an extra RMS was included. Once you realize how useful it is to mount your phone somewhere, it seems like a good idea to mount your phone anywhere all of a sudden.
Verdict
Overall, the Rokbed V3 is a great case and worth its price. There are plenty of other cases in the same price range that do nothing more than protect your iPhone 4/4S. The Rokbed V3 adds extra functionality to your case while keeping your phone very well protected.
Offered in 13 colors, you can check out the Rokbed V3 case by Rokform on their website, as well as extra mounting options (tripod, belt, and magnetic). If you have this case, or would just like to share your thoughts on it, be sure to let us know in the comments!
