3rdalarm's Full Review: OtterBox Defender Case for Apple iPhone, Black/Bla...
While I love the iphone, including its sleek, sexy body and wide screen, it is simply too expensive and fragile to go around naked. There are no repair/damage contracts available for iphones, only extended warranty to cover the battery/internal failure, not loss or damage. So count on investing in a case to protect your investment.
My friend dropped his iphone screen-down on a pebble and shattered the screen. It was painful for me to look at, and I didn't even own it. He ordered the Otterbox Defender for his replacement phone, and loved it. I got one in black for my 3GS and one in pink for my wife's 3G. They also come in white and yellow/balck.
The Otterbox sells for $50 at the AT&T store and Bass Pro shop. Get it for $30-$35 on Amazon or ebay, just be sure of what you are getting. Also for sale at less expensive prices are the case without the belt clip, replacement belt clips, etc.
If you read the reviews, you will likely find that Otterbox is one of the most effective, protective, and rugged functional cases for the iphone on the market right now. Complaints generally fall into 2 categories. One is the "oil slick"effect of the screen protector pressing against the iphone screen. There is a simple fix to this. The other is echo, as the voice pickups are more protected and the earpiece has a piece of felt under it. I personally notice no significant difference.
The case is easy to install. The rubber jacket outer coat stretches easily off. The hard molded plastic case splits into two sections to encase the phone. Now, before setting your phone in the case, perform this simple procedure to remove any "oil slicking": First, wipe down your iphone with a microfiber cloth Next, wipe both sides of the Otterbox screen protector with a microfiber cloth. Take a squeezable bottle of baby powder, hold the bottom side of the screen protector (that will contact your iphone screen) about 2 inches above the bottle, and gently squeeze the bottle. You do not want loads of powder on the protector, you just want a small cloud to "coat" the protector. Wipe off excess powder with the microfiber cloth, and repeat puff/wipe if necessary. The protector may APPEAR a bit hazier than before, but it will function fine. Now, encase your iphone in the plastic shell, snap the halves together firmly, and pull on the rubber jacket, tucking in the tabs along the side.
All controls are accessible, though the vibration switch is recessed and more difficult to manipulate. The rubber case feels GREAT in the hand. The back of the case has cutouts for the camera lens and the Apple logo. The belt clip can be rotated, and does has a nice positive "click" feel to secure the phone. I am planning on buying another spare clip for $10, and modifying it to fit my bike handlebar.
The added bulk does create one more issue, and that is that you lose the ability to use docks. This could be a dealkiller for some, but not for me.
The Otterbox is NOT waterproof. While I have not tried and do not plan to try to test this theory, it definitely looks "splashproof." And providing the screen is not struck directly, it looks like it could survive a 3'-4' tumble onto a hard surface. If you need waterproof, Otterbox makes a hardshell case, but it is VERY bulky, and appears to be designed for the field, not casual use.
As a firefighter, I need to protect my gear because dings and drops are not a question of "if", but "when". Yes, the Otterbox Defender does add bulk to your sleek, smooth, little baby, but come on...you'd feel terrible if something happened to her, right? So if you want solid, functional protection, I highly recommend the Otterbox Defender.
The Otterbox& Defender case for the First Generation iPhone& is designed to accommodate the 4GB, 8GB, and 16GB iPhone& models. It offers bump, shock, ...More at Dick's Sporting Goods
The Otterbox& Defender case for the First Generation iPhone& is designed to accommodate the 4GB, 8GB, and 16GB iPhone& models. It offers bump, shock, ...More at Sports Authority
The Defender series smart phone case is unlike any iPod case we ve made in the past! This slim, sleek, semi-rugged case provides complete user interac...More at Buy.com Marketplaces
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