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iPhone 4 case

Original Post
chris7 · · Denver, CO · Joined Apr 2010 · Points: 10

I searched for other threads but couldn't find any. If there are some feel free to link me to them.

I am looking for a case to put my iPhone 4 in when I go climbing or biking. I want it to be a crushproof kind of case and I don't really mind if I can't use it while it is inside (I would actually feel better if all of it including the screen was safely covered). I want the outside to be the unbreakable plastic but I would like the inside to have some cushioning so the case isn't simply transferring the shock of a fall straight to my phone. I would also like if it is waterproof, but that is not necessarily mandatory. So far I am looking at these two as my main options.

Pelican i1015

Grace Digital eco pod

The Pelican I have seen in person and I like it, I just wish it was slightly smaller in the back. I have heard it is essentially waterproof but I would prefer for the manufacturer to state that as being true and not just water resistant.

The eco pod I have never tried but looks really nice. I like that it is waterproof and that it is listed as such. Being orange isn't bad in case it goes bouncing away. I also like that it doesn't have the jack that sticks out like the pelican. and I feel two latches is better than the single one on the pelican. It is twice as expensive though and I have one concern. There is no padding on the clear cover where as the pelican has two foam strips to keep the iPhone from hitting the front. The case has straps but in a serious shock I imagine them stretching.

Any thought or experiences with these? Any other suggestions would also be greatly appreciated.

Thanks!

Emmett Lyman · · Stoneham, MA (Boston burbs) · Joined Feb 2011 · Points: 480

Hi Chris,

I've been on the lookout for a case all summer that could provide shock resistance, some water resistance, a clip-in point, and the ability to use it (including the camera) without opening the case or unclipping it from my harness. I thought it was a lost cause until I came across the Exopod 3 yesterday in my local REI's basement. It seems to be pretty much perfect. The only thing I'd like to see and may try to jury-rig is a flip cover to protect the front of the phone better while its swinging on my harness (as is, the phone is set back ~1/4"), but it's darn close to being a perfect climbing case. The reviews are pretty poor, but they all seem to be from kayakers that mistook "water resistant" for "water proof".

rei.com/product/811110/exop…

Good luck,
Emmett

Nathan Stokes · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Oct 2008 · Points: 440

You could go for a standard micro pelican 1010 or the 1020 without the headphone jack and put some foam inside your self. That is how I carry my phone. The 1020 case I have has an o-ring gasket, is basically 2 pieces of well molded plastic and the latch is bomber. I have never had any problem with things inside getting wet doing normal non-sumersion type activities like DWS, cliff jumping or canyonneering.

-sp · · East-Coast · Joined May 2007 · Points: 75
chris7 wrote:...Any other suggestions would also be greatly appreciated. Thanks!
Not water-proof, but pretty tough:
Otterbox Defender
NickinCO · · colorado · Joined Sep 2010 · Points: 155
-sp wrote: Not water-proof, but pretty tough: Otterbox Defender
I've had my defender for about 13 months. Dropped my phone (iphone 4) from 10'+ a few times into gravel. No issues, GREAT case and totally worth the $49 I paid.
Gary Dunn · · Baltimore · Joined Nov 2006 · Points: 35

After trashing many phones, I finally got an iPhone and have been extremely worried about it when guiding in the field.

I have an OtterBox Defender on my phone, and when I go into the field I place it in a Sigg waterproof box inside a neoprene bag.

Overprotective iPhone Parent? Yes, but it has survived longer than any other phone I have previously owned. It is a pain to pull it out of the box when I need it, but really isn't that big of a deal, and when I am in the field, I am usually not checking my phone.

Jonathan Petsch · · Chattanooga, TN · Joined Nov 2007 · Points: 45
bobmirko · · Unknown Hometown · Joined May 2010 · Points: 100
Nick Mardirosian wrote: I've had my defender for about 13 months. Dropped my phone (iphone 4) from 10'+ a few times into gravel. No issues, GREAT case and totally worth the $49 I paid.
+1 and I paid just 22$ for it on eBay

I dropped mine 2 times on concrete from 5 to 6 feet high and the case did the job. Really worth the investment!

Video
edwineidschun · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Nov 2011 · Points: 0

hmm,looks good.

rgold · · Poughkeepsie, NY · Joined Feb 2008 · Points: 526

I have one of these: goballisticcase.com/product….


It is very protective, and the phone is fully usable without removing it from the case. The back has a rotating clip which is very strong but adds to the bulk. There is a removable rubber outer case (shown in the picture) that adds more protection and covers all the plugs and buttons to keep out dirt and dust. The rubber is sticky and makes it possible to put the phone down on slick surfaces like car hoods and, of course, rock features, and not have it slide off.

There isn't any way to attach the phone to a harness (unless you wanted to trust the clip, which is very strong, but not, in my opinion, up to what happens in rock climbing), and in the case with clip the phone is too bulky for a pocket, at least for me, so you'd want to have a pack or, minimally, a small waist pack if you intended to carry the phone up climbs.
Finn The Human · · The Land of Ooo · Joined Jul 2008 · Points: 106

I have exactly zero experience with it, but it looks pretty beefy:

ltdtools.com/

NickinCO · · colorado · Joined Sep 2010 · Points: 155

cool looking case, I wonder what the shock protection is like though.

Taylor Ogden wrote:I have exactly zero experience with it, but it looks pretty beefy: ltdtools.com/
Kevin Stricker · · Evergreen, CO · Joined Oct 2002 · Points: 1,197

Best Buy sells a case similar to the Otterbox but better in my opinion. It is by Platinum, and is actually two cases so you can shed the outer layer for a slim case if you like. It is rated for 10 four foot falls onto hardwood..."military spec"...whatever that means. I chose it over the otter box mostly for the belt clip which has a better feel, also it has a rubber flap that you can close over the camera lens to protect it. While not in the same league as the cases you have posted about you can actually use the phone easily and you can lock the case into the belt clip.

Here are the specs: Platinum Iphone case

wankel7 · · Indiana · Joined Oct 2010 · Points: 10

Its a phone not a museum piece. I have a delicate smart phone and use no protection. Its amazing how careful you are when you don't use pro.

Jamesmcj09 · · Leesburg · Joined Oct 2011 · Points: 15

I actually have an iphone 4 otterbox defender i am not using. the screen protector it had attached i took off and put one of those sticker ones on the phone directly instead bc it interfered with typing. its in perfectly good condition otherwise. let me know if you want it. its black. paypal me $10 bucks for it to cover shipping?

Guideline #1: Don't be a jerk.

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