OtterBox iPhone Defender series - solid protection, but pump up the volume

May 19, 8:15 PMTechnology News ExaminerDarrell Proctor

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I've tested several OtterBox products over the years and have always come away satisfied with the results.

In other words, I'll always make a case for folks to use their protective cases.

So I was pleased when OtterBox asked me to look at more of their products and offer my opinion. I opted to checking out the iPhone Defender series - but since I'm not a runner, I had my colleague Carol Orsini put it to the test. Here is her review:

Recently we had the good fortune to be able to sample some fantastic accessories for the iPhone 3G from OtterBox. Founded in 1996, OtterBox is dedicated to making gadget protection for the infinitely clumsy, just like us.

The first accessory we had the good fortune of getting our hands -- and ears -- on was the iPhone 3G Defender case. With a name that fierce you’d expect quite the amount of protection for your best friend and you wouldn’t be disappointed.

When you’ve finished the somewhat complicated process of getting the actual case on your iPhone, that device is secure. Yes, we did drop it on the floor to make sure. (We don’t recommend it – it was just one of those days …) With a built in screen protector, camera window and  rubber plugs to make sure no dirt or debris creep into your iPhone’s crevices, the Defender adequately sealed up nearly all ways to damage your technological marvel.

Perhaps too well, it seems.

The only downside to the iPhone Defender case was that your phone was so sealed up, it was difficult to hear incoming calls, not to mention the person on the other end of the line. As iPhone users, most people get the frustration of having the phone verge on too quiet at times and the Defender does nothing to remedy that. Aside from that issue the Defender protected adequately and actually made the iPhone easier to hold with the rubber grip as well as easier to locate in a purse or bag. Plus, if you’re really cool, you use a Bluetooth receiver anyway, so you really don’t need to hear out of the speaker, right?
 

Because at Examiner.com we are constantly active and all in the prime of physical health, we decided to try out pairing the iPhone 3G Defender Case with the Defender Series Armband. With great active applications like iMapMyRun available in the iPhone’s app library, it makes more sense to get your activity on with your old pal the iPhone rather than shifting to a smaller model like the iPod Shuffle. Strapping an MP3 player that doubles as a GPS for your outdoor activities is always a great idea, especially since running with your iPhone in hand can quickly get old. After some initial nervousness about the iPhone falling out of the armband, it proved quite functional if you’re a fan of running with an armband of some sort. You insert an iPhone, iPod Touch or iPod Classic (dressed stylishly in the Defender series) into its cold rubber grip and the stickiness from the two rubber layers keeping your gadget nice and safe while you torture yourself with exercise. It does get a little sweaty and slides a bit, but nothing too concerning or distracting.

If you’re a klutz, we would definitely recommend trying out the Defender series for that special gadget in your life. Just make sure you have a Bluetooth enabled headset so you don’t have the problem of hearing the person on the other line – because we all know you’re crazy popular.