Customer Reviews

Powermat Receiver Case for iPhone 3G/3GS

5 star:		(7)
4 star:		(5)
3 star:		(5)
2 star:		(5)
1 star:		(11)

 

 

I picked up this product and the iPhone case because it seemed like a great idea. After I set everything up I started to wonder if the magnet on the iPhone case was safe in my pocket where I also keep my credit cards and if it was safe near video tapes.

So I called Customer support, after about 20 min wait I was told by the lady who answered my call that I should remove my iPhone from the case after charging because the case was not intended for daily use. I asked if I needed to switch cases two times each day where the time savings was over just plugging my iPhone into the charger, which can be done in the case. At this point the lady got a little snippy and said I should e-mail my question in for a more detailed response, because she did not have any further information.

So I sent an e-mail asking if the iPhone case could be used for daily use and if the magnet was safe around credit cards and video tapes (I work at a TV station) after 5 DAYS of no response I just returned the unit. As of today 14 days later their support has NOT responded. Hello I just paid $159.00 at least tell me you looking into it!!

This COULD have been the coolest product, but I just don't think it is ready for primetime yet and this company needs to learn how to support its users better!

It seems to me you are just trading one issue for a new issue. I was also bothered by the fact their instructions say to remove this case before taking you iPhone into the Apple Store? Would using this void your warranty? Are they just saying that fearing you don't get the case back? I don't know because support NEVER responded.

The case itself, while rather bulky, is usable, and has a nice feel to it. Unfortunately, the magnet in the back of the case used for charging the phone off the mat messes up the compass in the 3GS iPhone.

All in all, I think I'm not thrilled with this (albeit minor) interference with iPhone functionality. Hopefully I'll return the whole system this weekend.

I recently purchased the Powermat and receiver case for my iPhone in an effort to reduce the number of cables I take with me when I travel (iPhone, Kindle, and two USB powered devices). It sounded like a great system (albeit a bit overpriced), so I thought I'd give it a try. Unfortunately it's simply not compatible with the iPhone 3GS. Every time I woke my phone up from sleep I received the standard iPhone error message "this accessory is not compatible with your phone, would you like to switch to Airplane mode to reduce interference" (or something of the sort). This was appearing EVERY time I woke up my phone. This is just not acceptable for a device that was supposedly designed to work with the phone. It became too annoying for me, and given the high cost of the system, I just couldn't justify keeping it.

In addition to the other negative reviews on this product (affects the compass, charging incompatibility) I found my iPhone when on the charging mat would chirp as though starting a new charge every 4 to 5 hours. If you charge your phone anywhere near your bedroom, this is an extremely annoying thing. I wrote the service department and they suggested I send the unit in (at my expense). They returned a new unit but the chirp was still there -- just like in the old unit. Now, it could be that the iPhone has some defect but it charges normally when not in the powermat jacket.

Although there is a convenience to this product, I wouldn't recommend it.

Sounds like a great idea right? A single mat for all of your electronic items.............your DSi, your PSP, BlackBerry, iPhone.....forget all of those frustrating cables.

That's the promise.............

However, the reality of the situation is that this cutting edge technology has so many teething problems that it just doesn't make sense yet. The dilemma.......if nobody buys one they are unlikely to continue funding advancements to iron out the kinks.

The best review I saw so far suggests that the charging sleeve should be removed in order to avoid de-magnetizing credit cards or screwing up your iPhone compass........and then fit the sleeve when you charge it. I agree with the reviewer...isn't this way more work than just plugging it in when you want to charge it anyway?

My suggestion..........buy a regular desk valet charging station ($20), hide all your charging cables inside, plug in as you need and then pray that they find a more practical way to make this technology work at a price that doesn't make you weep.

The iPhone charges with the

powermat. However when the supplied USB to micro USB cable is attached to the Powermat receiver case, the phone is not recognized, and cannot sync. The only way to sync is to remove the case and sync with the regular cable. Tech support is of no help.

I really wanted to love this iPhone case. I have the Powermat and it works so well with the included multi charger. I expected the same results with this case on my iPhone 3GS. And yes, it works, but it is tricky to get the case to line up just right on the mat and if you have the audible tone turned off, you pretty much need to look at the phone to make sure the battery charging symbol appears or you may come back in a few hours or the next morning to a dead phone, which is always very frustrating.

I have to admit, once you use it for a week or so, it becomes easier so I'm going to keep using this for a while but it's not the awesome experience I expected for inductive charging. I was hoping I could just throw it on the mat and let it go. I understand this technology is still fairly recent so I will cut them a little slack, but I expect to see some improvement over the next few years.

The bottom line is that it's currently so easy to charge your phone by just plugging it in which takes 1 second, that a device like the Powermat, while amazing in theory, just isn't as practical in everyday use as I had hoped.

As for the case itself, the quality is great. A beautiful rubberized finish that is every bit or better quality than incase (i had a $30 case from them where the rubber peeled off within 2 months) It protects the phone from falls and even includes a small port at the bottom to charge if you are away from your Powermat.

The case is a bit bulky, however, and is a little awkward to hold. It turns such a slim beautiful phone into a beast of sorts and is another reason why this technology isn't all it's cracked up to be at this point.

If you are really into cool new products and have the money to spend, I'd say you may want to check this out. Otherwise, keep an eye on this technology but hold off for a while.

I got this last year for my birthday, along with the Powermat. About a month into its use the clips on the side that lock the case onto the iPhone snapped off. A couple of days ago the other one came off. Now the case won't stay on the iPhone. The charging is pretty good, that's why I rated it 2 stars and not one. But I'm obviously not going to be able to use this anymore since the case won't stay on the phone. Expensive charger, flimsy parts.

The case is so heavy, and you have to place it just right... can't just place anywere on the mat

I am a gadget junkie and this was the most amazing gift. My daughter bought this for me on my birthday and it's been amazing. I am no longer tethered to a cord and the charge time is very rapid. I have loved this. It's very convenient to have the mat at my bedside where my phone is charging and I can still use it. If I get a text or call I can pick it up, use it, then lay it back down for charging. It's so simple and easy. All the cords are gone and I only have one thing plugged in by my bed where I used to have cords everywhere. I love this! And it provides the cover for my phone. Great product.