monCarbone Hovercoat for iPhone 5S Case Review

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Gear Diary monCarbone HoverCoat 001

The monCarbone Hovercoat is one of the lightest and classiest iPhone 5/5S cases available. Made from carbon fiber, the monCarbone Hovercoat is “basalt enhanced” to help make sure the case doesn’t destroy your signal reception. No, this case won’t protect your iPhone 5/5S when it is dropped, but it will keep it scratch-free and looking amazing. Check it out.

Gear Diary monCarbone HoverCoat 003

The monCarbone Hovercoat is compatible with both the iPhone 5 and 5S. A simple snap-on case, it fits perfectly on the phone and all but disappears when you look at the screen. That’s a mixed bag, since it also means the case provides zero lay-on-the-table protection. Yes, this is a case that is more about the look of your iPhone than anything else. A soft-touch internal lining helps prevents minor scratching of the iPhone when it is placed into and removed from the case.

As you can see this case is thin… and light… and awesome.

Gear Diary monCarbone HoverCoat

One change monCarbone has made to their carbon fiber cases is the addition of strategically positioned Basalt fibers intermixed with the carbon fibers. The company did this to improve antenna reception and add strength and durability. I’ll have to take them at their word, since I didn’t see their previous cases killing reception, and I don’t see this case giving much of a signal boost. In other words, the addition of Basalt fibers may have a positive impact, but it certainly doesn’t have a detrimental one. And it does make for a good marketing angle. 🙂

Gear Diary monCarbone HoverCoat 19

The monCarbone Hovercoat is more akin to a carbon fiber skin than anything else. Like a skin, the Hovercoat protects the iPhone from being scratched. Like a skin, the Hovercoat adds virtually no weight to the phone. And, like a skin, the Hovercoat will do little to help protect your iPhone in the event you drop it. Unlike a skin, the monCarbone Hovercoat isn’t some cheap decal you slap on your phone. The monCarbone isn’t super-protective, but it is totally awesome. Get it here.

MSRP: $59.99

What I Like: Looks amazing; Remarkably light; Fits like a protective skin; Basalt fiber promises improved reception

What Needs Improvement: Not protective in a drop; Pricey; No included screen protector

Source: Manufacturer supplied review sample

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About the Author

Dan Cohen
Having a father who was heavily involved in early laser and fiber-optical research, Dan grew up surrounded by technology and gadgets. Dan’s father brought home one of the very first video games when he was young and Dan remembers seeing a “pre-release” touchtone phone. (When he asked his father what the “#” and “*” buttons were his dad said, “Some day, far in the future, we’ll have some use for them.”) Technology seemed to be in Dan’s blood but at some point he took a different path and ended up in the clergy. His passion for technology and gadgets never left him. Dan is married to Raina Goldberg who is also an avid user of Apple products. They live in New Jersey with their golden doodle Nava.

1 Comment on "monCarbone Hovercoat for iPhone 5S Case Review"

  1. Any idea how this combines with something like the Holy Grail screen protector?

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