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Originally Posted by David Smith
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Doesn't affect my range in the least.
Using aluminum case though, so it's "metal" (alloy)...but not really a metal.
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I was gonna give my impressions, but then I thought, Hey, how about an empirical test? Well, it was less than scientific, since the readings you get of signal strength bounce around a bit no matter what. However, WiFiFoFum and PocketWinC pretty much agreed in their measurements, so here are my "findings." [IPaq h4350 and an Innopocket titanium case.]
(1) With a nearby router--a PocketWinC signal of 100%--the case makes no difference.
(2) With a distant router (my neighbor across the street, I guess) and a signal just on the threshold of usability (PocketWinC of 25% or less), the metal case will wipe it right out.
(3) With a signal in the middle--my home router (old and not too powerful) from the furthest place in my house, PocketWinC about 75%-82%--the case cuts signal strength by about a quarter.
My case allows me to push the iPaq up in it so its "head" sticks out--and I assume the radio unit is there. Doing so returns the signal to its out-of-case level.
So there you have it. If these results prove to be unreproducible, I won't be surprised, or offended.
Marc