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Reviews > Packs > Pack Accessories > PHOOZY Phone Case > Test Report by David Wilkes

Test series by David Wilkes

PHOOZY
APOLLO II + ANTIMICROBIAL - INSULATED PHONE CASE

Initial Report - Feb 1 2021
Long Term Report - June 29 2021

Tester Information

Name: David Wilkes
E-Mail: amatbrewer@yahoo.com
Age: 55
Location: Yakima Washington USA
Gender: M
Height: 5'11" (1.80 m)
Weight: 210 lb (90.7 kg)

Biography:

I started backpacking in 1995 when I moved to Washington State. Since then, I have backpacked in all seasons and conditions the Northwest has to offer.  I prefer trips on rugged trails with plenty of elevation gain. While I continuously strive to lighten my load, comfort and safety are most important to me. I have finally managed to get my basic cold weather pack weight, not including consumables, to under 20 lb (9 kg).

Product Information

Manufacturer:

eXclaim IP, LCC

Year of Manufacture:

2021

Manufacturer’s Website:

https://phoozy.com/

MSRP:

$39.99 USD

Weight:

Not Listed
Measured 42g/1.5oz (Medium size)

Measured size:

3.8" x 7.2" x 0.8" / 9.6cm x 18cm x 2cm
(see manufactures specifications below)

Product Image
Product Image

Product Description:

The PHOOZY APOLLO II Series Thermal capsule is a protective case for cell phones, primarily designed to protect the device from heat/cold as well as add some shock (drop) protection and includes an antimicrobial lining. It is one of an assortment of electronic device (phone, tablet, computer) protective cases they offer.

Initial Report

Feb 1 2021
The APOLLO II series products comes in three colors (Diamond Silver, Diamond Gold, Seafoam) and two sizes.

    * Medium Size: Interior Dimensions 6.0" x 0.40" x 3.0" / made for iPhone 6/7/8/X/11Pro,12/12Pro/12Mini, Galaxy S6/S7/S8/S9/S10/S20/A20, Pixel 2/3/4/4a and most medium size phones.
    * Large/XL Size: Interior Dimensions 6.5" x 0.40" x 3.75" / made for iPhone 6+/7+/8+/XR/XS/XSMax/ 11/11ProMax/12ProMax, Galaxy S7+/S8+/S9+/S10+/S20+/S20Ultra/ZFold, Note 8/9/10/20, Pixel 2XL/3XL/4XL and most large phones.

Having a Samsung Galaxy S7 I selected the medium size and received the Silver color.

The Apollo II is advertised to extend the devices battery life by up to 4 times, protect the device from drops up to 9'/2.7m, is water resistant, and floats. In addition it includes an antimicrobial lining by "AGION". The manufacturer’s web site includes details on the the antimicrobial lining and testing results. A final feature is a split-ring/key-ring attached to one of the two fabric loops.

I find the photos of the product (mine as well as what is available on the web site) do not quite do justice to the reflective qualities of the outer material. The shiny (glittery) material combined with the diamond stitching detail makes me think of high end purses I have seen in department store. It is a bit flashy for my taste, but I understand how this is more a matter of practicality (being reflective is a key factor in its ability to protect the device from gaining/loosing radiant heat), than of fashion. I would mention that if it mattered to me that much, and it doesn't, they also offer other styles that are more 'my style'. The top of the pouch is secured with strips of hook-n-loop and has two fabric loops to make it easier to open. These loops also provide a method of attaching the PHOOZY to something (e.g. my pack) or attaching things to it (e.g. keys via the included split-ring). Close examination of the product suggests it is very well constructed. I could find no flaws or irregularities and the stitching is straight and of high quality. The inner seams are even finished with material leaving no raw edges exposed inside or out. The material between the shiny outer shell and the internal antimicrobial lining feels like maybe a thin neoprene-type material.

The top is simple to open but appears to close securely. I placed my phone inside the PHOOZY, closed the top, then holding it by the bottom corners inverted the product and gave it a few good shakes. The phone remained securely in the PHOOZY.

My phone measures 5" x 2.7" x .5" / 12.7cm x 7cm x 1.27cm and fits easily in the PHOOZY with lots of room to spare. I also have an external phone battery that measures 5.7" x 3" x .6" / 14.5cm x 7.6cm x 1.5cm. It also fits easily in the PHOOZY and while it is kind of a tight fit, I can get both the phone and battery in at the same time.

My phone weighs 5.35oz / 152g. I placed the PHOOZY with my phone in it and can attest that it did float easily. However it floats on its side so water immediately entered the case. So it does float, and the material does seem to be water resistant, the opening is not. Therefore it could prevent me from losing my phone should I drop it in water, but it will not provide much protection from the water itself. Not a deal breaker as a damp phone is still better than losing it entirely.

During the next 3 months of testing I expect to be doing some Nordic Skiing (for recreation as well as my duties on the ski patrol), snowshoeing, hiking and camping. And if conditions allow (weather and COVID restrictions are still making things difficult) some overnight backpacking.

Long Term Report

June 29 2021

Bike patrolUse:
Ski Patrol – White Pass Nordic Center Washington - 4500' / 1371m
Snow camping - White Pass Nordic Center Washington - 4500' / 1371m

I used the phone case for 8 days of ski patrol and one overnight snow camp.
Due to COVID  restrictions my ski patrols days consisted of being outside for almost the entire day (8am-4pm). These days consisted of a mix of Nordic skiing, snowshoeing, and riding my bike on the trails.
One weekend I chose to overnight in the ski area. I set up a simple snow camp (tarp) in a wooded area among the Nordic trails.

Prior to receiving the phone case when on patrol I was having to turn off my phone or set it to airplane mode in order to conserve battery power. If I did not, and even sometimes when I did, by the end of the day my phone would show very low battery or even be completely dead. Complicating matters is that when the phone is cold, if I tried to charge it, I would get an error about detecting moisture and I would have to warm it up prior to being able to charge it. When using the PHOOZY I was able to go all day with my phone on with no problems. A couple of days I placed a chemical hand warmer in the phone case along with my phone, and on those days the phone was warm enough to immediately plug into my charger when I got to my vehicle at the end of the day with no moisture error.

in snow3Crashing while skiing and on my bike is not uncommon, and occurred a few times during the testing. As such the phone (in the case) was slammed to the ground and covered with wet snow a few times, with no ill effect. I did however find if I carried the PHOOZY right side up, snow would get into the case and my phone would get wet, so I started carrying the case in my pocket upside down. Some sort of flap to close the top would be a great improvement.

As a test, one day I chose to store my backup power bank in the case (it is about the size as my phone and fit nicely) in place of my phone. As expected the power bank was protected from the cold so still had its full charge at the end of the day... however my unprotected phone would not allow me to charge it from the power bank due to the above mentioned moisture error.

My overall impression is that the phone case does a very good job of insulating and protecting my phone from impact. The lack of a flap covering the opening is about the only room for improvement I could find. Despite getting dropped a few times as well as getting stuffed into various pockets of my patrol pack (during and between uses) the PHOOZY still looks as good as new so it appears to be durable.

I anticipate using the case any time I expect my phone to be exposed to temperature extremes, and am looking forward to using it in hot sunny conditions (e.g. an upcoming Mexico vacation)



This concludes my Report. I would like to thank the folks at eXclaim IP. LCC and BackpackGearTest.org for the opportunity to test this product.

 



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