Blog

iPhone Leash

• February 2014
• Gadgetry Gear Reviews

I love taking photos, and I really love taking them with my iPhone. Partly I like the convenience for sharing on Instagram and Facebook, but I also like the challenge of shooting with this tiny (albeit great) lens and dialing in its delay for action shots, and of course the small size and portability. It’s pretty sketchy though pulling your iphone out of your pocket on a multi-pitch route and downshooting while also belaying your partner up to you, or standing at the edge of a cliff leaning over with the phone in your hand while your friend jumps off. Though part of me revels in the riskiness of trying not to drop this slippery little thing, more of me realizes it would be a big bummer. Since I also have an obsession with minimalism and fast-and-light gear, I have some serious limitations on size when it comes to phone cases.

I bought the Lanskin lanyard case first, primarily because this awesome photo convinced me it had total relevance to my lifestyle.

20 bucks to not lose my phone, and have it handy at all times including hiking, climbing, base jumping, gardening, etc, seemed like a good deal to me. Luckily for me, I always inspect my gear regularly, and after a few weeks, I noticed that the rubber on the cord was starting to tear away from the case, which seemed like it was bound to happen from the getgo. As a result, I have been forced to keep my iphone in my pack lid rather than around my neck for the last few days, causing me to miss no end of priceless photos like the little girl in the princess gown holding the brake end of her dad’s belay rope while her mom led a pitch at the Chuckawalla Wall in Saint George yesterday. Lanskin, you suck and I will never forgive you.

So the Lanskin lanyard case went from A+ to F pretty quickly. All was not lost, because I just cut off the cord and saved the silicone case which has done a good job so far of letting me drop the phone on the ground occasionally (it does not have a screen cover, but is soft and sticky around the sides, which is also good for grip).

I started researching other options and came up with the Netsuke, which actually screws into the tiny screw holes next to the charger port. This one was $25 (so yes, I am now in it for $45. On the bright side, I may have just saved you 20 bucks).

Screws are much more bomber than rubber, although they are relatively microscopic which does raise a few questions in my mind. I don’t plan to exert major force on this iphone leash, and I hope it doesn’t happen at an inopportune moment. I had a lanyard lying around which I girthed on, and I will no longer be missing priceless shots 🙂

Though I haven’t used the netsuke for long yet, I think it’s the best option I’ve seen so far, and once again I will never be separated from my camera!