Review: Otterbox Storm Defender Case
Rating: [rating:9]
Link: http://www.otterbox.com/blackberry-cases/blackberry-storm-defender-case/
Price: $49.95 (USD) + postage
Color: Black (come on OtterBox… give us a yellow one)
Over the years, I have been quite partial to OtterBox products. Their constant attention to detail, overall design, competitive pricing and rugged good looks has always been a winner with me. Combine that to a company that really listens to their customers and keeps up with latest handsets then these guys are here for the long term.
Design:
I’ve not kept it much of a secret that I’m not a big fan of the Storm. From day 1, I have truly disliked this model and after about a week of solid use, I retired it as my main device in favor of the 8220 Pearl Flip. As I had signed a 24 month contract with Vodafone for the Storm it took pride of place in my 15 year old daughters array of electronic gadgetry.
Now I thought I gave my devices a hard time… I’ve got nothing on my daughter. Her Storm gets thrown around more than a baseball at a Yankees vs Red Sox game… Thanks to OtterBox, I don’t have to worry too much. Damage is kept to a minimum due to their standard 3 layered protection system.
The hi-impact polycarbonate shell is integrated to a clear membrane that covers the touch screen allowing full functionality to your Storm. A silicon skin outer is then fitted to a number of ribbed clips surrounding the polycarbonate shell. Lastly, the whole lot fits inside a tough, hard plastic holster with a strong, positive locking belt clip.
Both access ports (Micro-USB and Headphone) are still accessible by simple removing the attached plugs. The front and rear speaker is covered by a fine gauze filter preventing the ingress of dust and sand into these 2 susceptible points.
One problem I did have with the OtterBox for the Bold that I reviewed some months ago was with the flash reflecting off the inside of the clear cover over the lens. OtterBox have addressed that issue with this model ( and as I believe they have also rectified it on the Bold defender case). Although there is a clear cover over the camera lens and flash, I have experienced no interference and the pictures turn out well.
The status LED is clearly visible and all bottom, side and topside buttons are easily usable.
There is only 2 drawbacks that are a sore point with me, neither of them are an issue of OtterBox. The first one is that it can be tricky to fit the first time around. To all the Storm owners out there… You know how many times you have to do a battery pull reset per day… Can be quite a long and drawn out affair once you have an OtterBox fitted. (Although as the case loosens up a bit, it does get easier). Secondly, the cleaning bill to my Jeep. Seems that every time I do an OtterBox review, it gives me an excuse to go out and find some mud so I can get some pictures. (That’s my excuse, and I’m sticking to it… 🙂 ). (It’s actually white under all that…)
Pros:
- Looks Great
- Ridged Plastic Camera/Flash Protection that is functional.
- Same Bullet Proof feel as the previous OtterBox Defender cases for Blackberry.
- Snug fit and somewhat stouter, plugs over the charge/headphone ports.
- Filter over ear piece and rear speaker port.
- Magnet for sensor in the holster to keep the ‘factory’ type behavior happening.
Cons:
- With all the battery pull resets on the Storm, it can be a lengthy process.
- Makes the device more bulky than it already is. (Although not a notable as is on the Bold).
- No yellow available (yet?)
Conclusion:
In todays current financial times, people may be seeing something like the OtterBox Defender as a bit of a luxury instead of a necessity. I think the opposite is true.
You, as the consumer, can’t afford to buy a new device every time you drop one down a flight of stairs or accidently leave it on top of the car. (Not that I’m saying the OtterBox will save your device from certain death… But it will definitely delay it).
It makes sense. If you have invested your hard earned dollars into the latest device, your don’t want to be shelling out more for a replacement… It’s kind of like an insurance policy for your BlackBerry against stupidity… or Hard-Core fun…
ste7enm ( View Profile) - Posts: