OtterBox Defender Series Case for the BlackBerry Curve

[Lord NorDeth]

Hello All,
I'm back from an out of town work assignment, and my first stop had to be hear to post a review of new gear from my favorite company to try and break stuff for...OtterBox! (http://www.otterbox.com/)

This one is a Double Shot...two products in one review (Both courtesy of Kristin Golliher at OtterBox, who REALLY is the most patient woman in the WORLD for putting up with me constantly filing late reviews due to me being out of town, and NOT wanting to try and file my review via my BlackBerry...Thanks K, you're the best!).

For this outing, I'll be starting with my second review of a product...the OtterBox Defender Series case, but this time for the BlackBerry Curve. (http://www.otterbox.com/blackberry-c...defender-case/)

I REALLY loved this product when I reviewed it for my BlackBerry Pearl last year, (http://www.abfnet.com/forum/showthread.php?t=26088) so I figured New Device, New Case, New Review...besides, it's an excuse for me to torture test something, and since I was going to be on assignment for a month, I figured I would DEFINITELY get the opportunity to torture it! Please refer back to last years review for specifics and details, in this one I will discuss the major differences in the two rather than re-hash old material.

For those not familiar with the product, the Defender Series Case is a 4 part, layered series of protection for various smart phone products. The first part (which is classed as optional, but since it provides a degree of water, moisture, and dirt/debris resistance to your device, I consider it mandatory) is a transparant membrane that you lay down over your device before attaching the case, the next layer is a hard ABS type plastic which provides the majority of the protection, and then the third is a flexible outer skin (almost like silicone, but its not) that provides grip, and shock absorbtion to the whole system. Then finally there is the Belt Holster (the fourth part of the overall package) which the device and case fit into.

There are a couple of changes to the design for the Curve over that of the Pearl, the best of which, is the fact that the keyboard opening has been widened up and moved away from the side rows of keys so you do not have to jam your fingers in to access the keys on your device (a definite plus if you have hands the size of mine!). The Clear membrane seems to be a little thicker, and the moulding for the keys on the keyboard seems to line up better on the Curve version, but I found that the extra thickness of the clear membrane DID distort the camera lens somewhat, but this I fixed by trimming the membrane from over the camera lens, it reduces the water resistance of the membrane, but the clarity of my camera is essential to my work, so it was a trade-off I was readily able to live with.
The final obvious change between the two devices is one that I actually did NOT like, but it was in no way a deal breaker for me, just more of a head scratcher...on the Pearl version, the ports for your Headphone, and USB charge/Data port are two seperate access points on the case, each with their own individual plug to access them through the case (so for example, you can plug in a set of headphones, without exposing your USB port to dust or moisture), this is not the case on the Curve model, both ports are covered by the same plug, and accessed through one opening in the side of the case that is large enough to cover both ports...this seems like a potential area for problems to me, but since I'm aware of it, I just make sure that if its raining or I'm in a dusty environment, that i use a Bluetooth headset, and keep the port covered.

Overall, for the case, another solid product that offers an AMAZING level of drop and impact resistance for a delicate piece of electronics (The perfect example of this came while I was testing this new case. My line of work occasionally gets VERY physical. On this most recent assignment, while on my way to do Close Body Protection escort for a Corporate VIP, I rounded a corner and was hit full force, head on, by a 230+ lbs Bodyguard who had not yet been introduced to me as his new "Security Advisor" (Read as, he was an eager new guy, and I am a Freelancer who was hired to tell the company what the holes in their security layout is/are/were) I was on my Blackberry at the time, and we both hit the ground in a tangled heap of body parts, my 'Berry flying out of my hand, clattering to the concrete floor, and skittering away like a squirrel avoiding a barking dog! When his Boss came over and managed to seperate us from each other, I walked over, picked up my 'Berry, and resumed my conversation with MY boss, whom I had been discussing the Pro's and Con's of bringing on new staff with at the time of our "collision"...it did not even DON on me until afterwards that without the Defender on my 'Berry, there was a good chance the device wouldn't even work anymore, let alone me being able to just continue my call with the boss. Once again, OtterBox saves the day!

The Second part, is something I have been HOPING/Wishing/Praying that OtterBox would come out with for a while now and it seems my prayers have been answered. In my line of work, I often wear a 2.5 inch duty belt (a heavy duty nylon web-belt for carrying equipment and gear while I'm working) However the Standard Holster for the Defender Series does NOT fit well on it, and it was constantly slipping off. Enter the BlackBerry Curve Defender Heavy Duty Belt Clip! (http://www.otterbox.com/blackberry-c...uty-belt-clip/) It is the same as the standard included Holster with the Defender Series Case normally, but it is designed to fit the 2.5" duty belt, and locks in place under the belt, so that when installed properly, there is no way whatsoever that your holster is slipping off due to the belt clip letting go. It may not seem like much, but to ANYONE in Law Enforcement, Fire Fighting, Uniforned or Non Uniformed Security, this new holster is the answer to your PRAYERS if you own a Curve (or any of the other devices that this Holster is available for, those being the Bold, Pearl, and 8700 in addition to the Curve, i'm not sure about for other Products in the Defender line, since I don't own them, I haven't played with them!)


Overall, same as before, you cant beat this level of protection for your device, especially if you work in any field that has the potential for damage and or mayhem to come anywhere near your equipment...you can't go wrong with OtterBox!

So how does this one score:

Style/Function: 9.0 It's a little bulky, but to me, not an issue.

Durability: 10.0 Rock Solid...I can't emphasize ENOUGH how durable this case is, and now count OtterBox cases to be "Essential Kit" for my staff and I when on duty!

Ease of Use/Assembly: 9.0 The laminate can be a little tricky to position and smooth down, but if you take 2 or 3 minutes, clean your device, and follow the EXTREMELY easy to follow instructions, you will have no issues whatsoever, the rest of it goes together easy as can be, however it DID lose some points this time because of the issue with distorting my camera

OVERALL: 9.33 but, same as before, with a STRONG recommendation that if you need protection for your device, then the appropriate case in the Defender Series for your device is DEFINITELY the way to go!!!!!

[ctcost]

oooo Blackberry curve. Nice. Wanna check out the BB bold, but want to make sure I have at least one in Windows Mobile format; so my Blackjack II is staying.

*Editors note*

Article passed.

[Lord NorDeth]

I played with the Bold, but didn't want to switch carriers to get it, so I went with the Curve (8330 Version)

[ctcost]

Yeah RIM makes some great stuff. Are they as hackable as Windows Mobile?

[Lord NorDeth]

No...only real downside, but stable as hell...except the Storm, but thats another story!

[ctcost]

Yeah the Bold does look sweet. hmmmmmmm *thinking*