Rugged iphone cases

[Mrfarmertrees]

I have the iphone 4 and use the Otterbox Defender as well. Got mine through Amazon and paid around $20 for it. Count me as a vote for the Defender.

 

[archerynut]

I have a life proof case on as I type this reply to the thread. It's very good, waterproof, shockproof, dustproof, and 10 month and 3 year old proof. No complaints except the headphone hookup does get annoying I you do it over and over. I haven't submerged my phone but I have run in under water to clean the outside with no side effects.

 

[Ozykioti]

One more vote for the otterbox, keeps your phone "fresh"

 

[Dogtrainer]

I have the Otter Box and it's paid for itself many times over. Just don't plan on using charging bases of external speakers or anything you need to plug the phone into. The case pretty much limits anything except earphones and charger cable.

 

[rsewill]

I know there have been a few threads about how little some folks use their cell but I use mine for everything from email, checking the local radar during hay season and calling the GF to order lunch. :licking:

What, you're not using the TBN mobile app? Heresy. ;-)

My daughter dropped her iPhone 4 in the toilet. I dried it in front of a forced air vent (during heating season) and it still worked. She had it in a case but a non-waterproof one. Apple will replace a water soaked phone. See below.

Apple offers two service options for iPhones that are not eligible for warranty service.

Battery Replacement Service
If your iPhone requires service due to the battery’s diminished ability to hold an electrical charge and it is not covered under Apple's warranty, an AppleCare service contract or statutory consumer rights, Apple will service your iPhone for a service fee. For more details, please refer to the Battery Replacement tab on the left. You can also contact your carrier (except AT&T) for more information.
Out-of-Warranty Service
If you own an iPhone that is ineligible for warranty service but is eligible for Out-of-Warranty (OOW) Service, Apple will service your iPhone for the Out-of-Warranty Service fee listed below.

iPhone model Out-of-Warranty Service
iPhone 4S $199
iPhone 4, iPhone 3GS,
iPhone 3G, Original iPhone $149
A $6.95 shipping fee will be added if you arrange service online or by calling Apple Technical Support. All fees are in U.S. dollars and are subject to local tax.

When setting up out-of-warranty service, Apple will request credit card pre-authorization for the maximum service fee listed above. This amount will be deducted from your credit limit. The final service fee we charge will be determined during testing and may be less than the service fee listed above.

Certain damage is ineligible for out-of-warranty service, including catastrophic damage, such as the device separating into multiple pieces, and inoperability caused by unauthorized modifications. However, an iPhone that has failed due to contact with liquid may be eligible for out-of-warranty service.

Apple reserves the right to determine whether or not your iPhone is eligible for Out-of-Warranty service. iPhones that are repaired or replaced have a 90-day limited hardware warranty or assume the remainder of your standard warranty or AppleCare service contract coverage, whichever is longer. Please see Apple's Repair Terms And Conditions for further details.

 

[buck12]

I have the Otter Box Defender on my 4s and had the defender on my previous phone a 3 gs (which my daughter now has). My phone had been dropped many times and to date has survived in the defender case. On my last phone I had to replace the case due to a drop but the phone held up fine. I can't comment on the other cases but the Otter Box has done its job for me. My sister's phone fell off a moving truck and laid in a gutter over night and still works fine thanks to an Otter Box. Now that I have said all these nice things about the Otter Box I am currently waiting on my new iPad to arrive and I think I will look at cases other than the Otter Box for it. For the iPad the Otter Box seems too bulky and I don't envision using an iPad in the same manner as a phone. Any suggestion for an iPad case?

 

[Depmandog]

I tried the Otterbox, I hated it. Normally I will carry my phone in my shirt pocket. With that bulky case, it would barely fit in my pocket.

I now use the Incipio case. It's the best case I have EVER had. PERIOD.

Comes with a "no bubble" screen protector. It has a firm case that has protected my phone from a 5 foot drop to concrete. The texture of the case is smooth but not slick. All of the controls are accessible.

It doesn't cover up any part of the screen. The only negative it's not submersible waterproof, which I can live with.

 

[rsewill]

Any suggestion for an iPad case?

I use a clear plastic case that snaps on the back of my iPad. It protects the back from denting. I don't use anything on the screen. I bought the case on eBay. I also bought a sleeve to use when traveling. You can leave your electronic device in a sleeve when clearing airport security.

 

[milkman]

I have the Otterbox Defender on my HTC and it has saved my phone several times. I caught it on a door frame and broke the belt clip, emailed Otterbox and they sent me a complete Defender free, great service. The wife had an Iphone and didn't like it so traded it for HTC Inspire, lot more user friendly and has the Otterbox also. Like others have said, it does add bulk and the case makes it really cling to the inside of a shirt pocket, so the belt clip works for me and can store the phone face in or face out.

 

[PapaPerk]

I like my otterbox defender. I have broken the holster clasp (retain phone) and the locking tab on the case itself numerous times. Otterbox has sent me free replacements every time. :thumbsup:

Great customer service!!!! :thumbsup::thumbsup::thumbsup: And my phone looks brand new after 1.5 years of use. I use it all the time!

Oh... and buy off Amazon. Way cheaper than those rip off cell stores!

 

[Boiler74]

Had on Otterbox on my iPhone 3GS and liked it. Except the rubber on it was a dirt magnet. I guess they changed that rubber, but now it isn't as durable. I have a buddy with an iPhone 4s and he broke two otterbox defender cases. So when I upgraded I looked around and found lifeproof. Was very impressed. It's not bulky, water and dust proof, and the rubber doesn't get all nasty. Sure, the headphone jack is a bit of a pain, but I don't use it that much. The BEST thing about it is the belt clip, sold separately. It LOCKS! Which was another big complaint of the otterbox case. I don't have to worry about my phone coming out anymore. No regrets with the lifeproof case. Sure it's pricey, but I do believe you get what you pay for.

 

[JDgreen227]

Have had a number of different cases on my four year old Blackberry bit never an Otterbox. The first two or three I used were an aluminum snap on hard case that did a good job of protection but added bulk and difficulty in using the keypad and trackball. Current case is a snap on Seido that is a very snug fit that adds little bulk but provides excellent protection and a bonus is the rubberized finish that improves my grip. The only real downside I have found to various cases is that if any grit gets inside a case it will quickly mar the finish of your device. For that reason any case I used had to be easily removable for cleaning.

 

[buck12]

Had on Otterbox on my iPhone 3GS and liked it. Except the rubber on it was a dirt magnet. I guess they changed that rubber, but now it isn't as durable. I have a buddy with an iPhone 4s and he broke two otterbox defender cases. So when I upgraded I looked around and found lifeproof. Was very impressed. It's not bulky, water and dust proof, and the rubber doesn't get all nasty. Sure, the headphone jack is a bit of a pain, but I don't use it that much. The BEST thing about it is the belt clip, sold separately. It LOCKS! Which was another big complaint of the otterbox case. I don't have to worry about my phone coming out anymore. No regrets with the lifeproof case. Sure it's pricey, but I do believe you get what you pay for.

The rubber covering on the Otter Box 4s case allows the phone to come out of my pocket easier and doesn't seem to attract as much lint.

 

[NHmitch]

I know that this is a few weeks old, But i have the lifeproof case, and I switched from the otterbox case, and the Ballistic case. The ballistic case was by far the toughest, but the lifeproof is completely waterproof, and you can take you phone underwater. I wash my phone off in the sink, and I have dropped into water, and spilled coffe on it several times, and I just put it under the water in the sink, and rinse it off. I had a friend who would talk on his in the shower, and take it into the pool, but for me that is a bit too much. I really don't want to talk to someone while they are in the shower. Great case, and they have replaced my case once for free, after I dropped it from about 12 feet, and I was worried about the watertight seal.

 

[tungularafishcamp]

I too have had good luck with the otterbox, case is beat up now but phone still looks new when I take it out. Have had a couple friends get theirs too wet with the case on and it has caused problems. That is where the lifeproof one shines, had one friend go overboard with his in his pocket and it was fine.

 

[PapaPerk]

Check out Life Proof cases.

 

[westbrooklawn]

Haven't read all the responses, but I will add one big + for the otter box. I am VERY hard on cell phones, and my iPhone has been well protected for over a year and a half with the otter box. You can buy them on Amazon for around $23 last time I checked.

 

[Dogballs]

I have a Drisuit Iphone case. 100% waterproof, rugged as ****, and really well made.

driSuit Endurance Waterproof iPhone Case

 

[DT86]

I never thought there would be so many replies! I have read each reply and used other peoples phones with the Lifeproof and the Otterbox installed. It looks like I'm going with the Lifeproof simply due to the fact that it is 100% waterproof.

 

[NHmitch]

I am very happy with my life proof after having used all three myself. I have the ottorbox on my ipad, but I have to have the life proof on my iphone, because of the waterproofing. It has held up very, very well, and the only complaint that I would have, is that you have to use the factory charging cable, because that is the only one that fits.