As many of you know, I specialize in equestrian travel. That means that sometimes my office is a dude ranch or you may find me horseback riding on the trails. I have been known to drop my camera or cell phone when horseback riding. Fortunately for me, my smartphone is protected by the Otterbox case.
I first learned about this Fort Collins, Colorado based company in 2009 when I reviewed the Defender case for my iPhone 3. The Otterbox Defender series offers three layers of protection. The high-impact plastic shell cradles your iPhone (the company makes case covers for a variety of cell phones) the built-in screen protector is on the front and a durable silicone skin completes the package.
Otterbox Defender Case heavy duty protection
My friend is a construction worker by day and a cowboy by night. He, too, has the Otterbox Defender case. He likes it because it protects his phone from dust on work sites and when he’s working cattle on horseback. My son also owns the Defender Case. He is a waterpolo player. I used to cringe when he tossed his swim bag on the pool deck with his cell phone inside. Now that he has the Otterbox Defender case, I know his cell phone is properly protected from scratches and dents and the unique USA cover makes his cell phone stand out from the many black iPhones floating around his high school.
Otterbox headphone jack
My one issue with the iPhone 4 Defender case was that, to my eye, the phone case didn’t align with the headphone jack. I called Otterbox customer service to ask about this and learned that the hole is to accommodate an internal antenna in the phone. The headphone jack is meant to be covered so that no dust or dirt enters the area. Simply pull back the silicone cover to expose and connect to the headphone jack. Mystery solved; case closed.
Insider Tip
If you plan to use a docking station to listen to your iTunes, this is not the cell phone case for you! I suggest the Otterbox Commuter case for ease of removal.
If You Go:
Suggested retail price: $59.95
Otterbox provided me with the iPhone 4/4S Defender case for review purposes. All opinions are my own. Travel gear review and bottom Defender case photo courtesy of Travel Writer Nancy D. Brown.
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Very cool for people that own iPhones.
@Laura
Otterbox makes cases for iPhones, Andronids, iPads etc.
Thanks for sharing your review of the Otterbox iPhone 4 Defender Case. Last summer, I purchased one and I was really disappointed because parts of it wore down and broke off. I still have an earlier case for the iPhone 3GS which keeps on going and going.
@Sonya
I’m sorry to hear your newest Otterbox didn’t live up to its reputation. Are you aware that Otterbox has a warranty and customer service line?