I got my lovely NExT installed in P0 back in February, I’ve mainly kept my phone number written on it so people can scan me and immediately get my number! It should be saving me roughly 15 seconds that I would be spending punching my number into someone’s Contacts app, big stuff.
But sadly I’ve found that most of my attempts to have people scan my hand have failed! I know this is partially because the NFC scanner on every phone is in a different spot, I often find myself holding my hand against someone’s front camera for no reason. Though with my own iPhone 15 I know exactly where the scanner is and the angle at which to scan, but even that sometimes doesn’t work.
The chip seems to be at a fine depth, I can very clearly feel it and move it around a bit (don’t worry, I’m not needlessly doing so), and when I stretch my hand I can even see the shape under my skin, so that shouldn’t cause any issues.
So my question, particularly to other NExT owners: Is this to be expected? Are NExT chips just not optimal for being read by phones? Or could mine have a particularly poor range?
Yes, The tiny implant with a tiny antenna is always going to be more challanging than a Flex Implant.
Other peoples phones where you don’t know where their NFC antenna is or the best orientation.
iPhones dont have the best NFC antennas, but their position is good and consistent across the platform.
With your own phone and muscle memory, you should have pretty consistent reads, and regardless of how good it reads, I would always reccomend a RSP.
Unlikely.
I know for some people it can be a big psychological leap, but a Flex would be your best option as a “business card”
Most HF Flex implants would be a good option for this, so if you have another purpose for another implant, I would suggest you consider an upgrade.
Generally speaking, the larger the implant, the better the coupling.
My personal reccomendation for a dedicated “business card” in a reasonable size is a FlexNT.
The antennas in those are outstanding.
In that size category, the FlexNT is probably second only to the Module.
Fair enough! I might have to find some other cool thing to do with it instead.
I might consider a FlexNT someday. Though my NExT installation was a bit bumpy and that’s just an injection, so I doubt I’ll easily trust someone to actually cut me open and install a flex implant.
Finding a good installer is key, I have a mate who has done most of my installs.
And I have 3 others who have stabby stabbed me.
One of those was a professional body piercer, and she was the… …least best.
I will use any of the others before I would use her again.
Find some reviews or get reccomendations.
I love my xSeries, but my Flexies are just better performers.
It comes down to simple physics
Are there any other flexies with certain capabilities that you are interested in?
If it is mainly a “business card” A FlexNT is still my pick for you.
I understand you’re tentative about getting a flex implant
What if I was to subsidise your implant with $50 store credit?
If you give me the word, I’ll send the $50 to DT
2 provisos
You have to document your install, just an honest opinion, the good the bad and the ugly of the install process.
“Spughetti’s First Flex install Experience”
Once you have healed, do a review on the product and how you are using it and if it was a good decision
"Spughetti’s Life After Flex "
What do I get out of this?
Nothing really,
Often times people will mention how they are scared of going the next size up from an xSeries to a Flex.
We have so many comments after they finally get one ~“felt the same as an xSeries” they are smattered all around the forum and I have to go and find them to convince people to get a flex.
This saves me having to do that.
Your documented experience will give me somewhere to point others who may be trepidacious about getting their first Flex.
What if your install is shit?
What if you don’t like your implant?
If you choose the right installer and implant for your use case, I’m confident that your experience of both the install and usage will be no different from any of all the many others and you’ll be wishing you had installed a Flex sooner.
Regardless of the outcomes, just document it, I would prefer honesty over fabrication.
Whats next?
We will try and find you a better installer in your area.
Where are you located, and how far are you willing to travel?
That’s a very generous offer, thank you so much! I’ll have to take some time to consider it for two reasons; I’m a big perfectionist about my appearance, and the thought of visible scarring is quite scary. I found this recommendation for scar recovery cream which might help. But if I were to get it installed in say, my middle finger, it’d be quite an obvious spot to have a scar.
I’m also a sucker for hand holding! So if a Flex were to noticeably change the texture of the install spot that’d be a no go.
I’m based in the Netherlands and my regular body piercer does body mods as well, so I could probably find somebody to do the installation quite easily!
If I may add some info to the scarring and hand holding bit, I had gotten a flexUG4 on the back of my right hand (R2) and I could barely feel it when it was installed. Even when I tried to poke around and feel it, it was impossible to feel. I am a bit on the heavier side, so my hands are not veiny and thin so that’s something to consider.
As for the scarring, this one was for my flexEM on my wrist that was done last year in April. I replaced my flexUG4 for the Apex 2 module (which has INSANE read distance) just last Sunday so I’m unable to show how that ended up, my skin is also showing some bruising here as I got the dUG4T installed below the flexEM. The scarring is definitely noticable if you’re looking in the right area, but for me the hair hides it easily and becomes hidden.
Definitely find someone who appreciates body mods and knows what they are doing. The guy I go through knows his shit and I feel extremely confident with him and love his work. (USA)
Godspeed and good luck on the choice! I’d suggest the flexUG4 for the ability to change the tag to whatever you like, such as NTAG216 with a vcard, then duplicate a hotel key with the Flipper in that same chip later. Might as well make it versatile since it’s permanently installed.
…least best.
