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Accessories Droid X Defender Case now in stock on Otterbox website..

I got my commuter case yesterday for the Droid X. Very nice case and build quality is very good. I would say a 9/10.

The fit, however, could be better. The silicone sleeve seems loose and where the sides touch the screen there is a visible gap where there isn't any 'touchdown'. The silicone material they use also seems VERY attracted to pocket lint and pocket dust leaving a mild white/gray layer of dust.

Some possible improvements they could make would be making the silicone layer glossy to keep lint/dust from sticking to it, and making the silicone layer have a tighter fit. Also, the top headphone cover port I feel could have a better, more 'plush' look seeing that the top part sticks up unlike the bottom part. Once some of you get your case, you will see what I mean.

Other than that, great case and well worth the money, even bought my wife one. I am overly picky so what bothers me will most likely not bother you. Cheers and will post pics for you all tonight.
 
I had an opportunity to check out the Commuter case at the local Verizon store....I was quite surprised to see that it appears to offer less protection from falls and bumps than my Body Glove case.

The BG case has considerable more "heft" to it, and just feels more sturdy. I think at this point, the only thing that the Commuter has over the BG is the covered ports.

I sure hope the Defender is better, or I'm back to square one in my search for something better than what I have.
 
I received my Defender today

I have my extended battery in it and it works just fine.

The feel is GREAT! The silicone piece is not a sticky silicone and is very soft. This case really makes the phone feel incredibly sturdy. I have absolutely no fear at all of it getting damaged. The holster is also very nice for it as well.

The keyboard/screen response is perfect, IMO. I have no problems or lag that I can see. Also, the screen edges are all still accessible and feels very natural since there are curves in the case around this.

One thing I will have to adjust to slightly is the physical buttons on the front of the phone. The camera, volume control, top button, etc. are all perfect. But the physical buttons on the front have to be pushed down ever so slightly with the silicone before you actually reach the physical button below the silicone. I thought it would be more flush with this. Not a deal breaker...just a slight something to get used to as it takes more of a firm push to get to the button than a light tap that I was accustomed to.

The only other negative would be that it does add more bulk, obviously, so the nice, thin, ultra sleek phone disappears....but that was expected for me since you can't add a thin layer of anything and receive this type of protection.

All in all, I'd give it a 9/10. A great case, solid design, covers the ports while still giving easy access, delivers great sound still from the speaker, call quality isn't compromised by covering up anything, and feels great to make phone calls. Does everything that Otter Box promised as far as I can see. Very happy :)
 
when you all say it has an attached screen protector. Do you mean they included a film in the box (like I have seen with other OTTERBOX products) or do you mean that the screen protector film is attached to the case.

I don't really want another screen protector
 
I used my Defender case for 2 days and have not been using it sense. I have a water proof "DryPak" that I put my phone in when I'm out fishing/hunting/hiking and with the Defender case my phone no longer fits in the bag.

If someone is interested in buying my case just send me a PM.
 
Napalm,

It is a hard plastic (?) piece that is attached to the plastic casing under the silicone cover. I know this sounds a little odd but if you've ever used a Griffin or other sports style arm band, a lot of these use similar flexible covers. This one is a hard plastic that looks like it could take quite a bit of damage before anything could even think about getting to your screen. If you look on youtube, there are a lot of defender reviews on there for the iPhone. It's almost exactly like the iPhone one.

If you'd like though, I could shoot some video and upload it to youtube for a more in depth look
 
Airmaxx told me via PM, I think i will be buying his.

I don't really think I will like it but we will see. I know other otterbox cases have come with a screen protector film to use. So I thought this would be similar. I'll check out the iphail one.
 
I wasn't sure what to expect from the screen either but honestly it is just as responsive with it, IMO, and I feel I have better protection that a regular screen protector.

I still love this case and am very happy with it for what it is. The only thing I think I'm disliking about it after using it for a few days is how thick it is. I think it's close to double the depth now due to the amount of protection it has. If I used a holster, I'd have no complaints in the least....but I usually don't tuck my shirts in or wear a belt :p lol maybe it's time to change that
 
Got my Commuter today, it's ok, but compared to the wife's Incredible case (otterbox commuter), it doesn't particularly shine. I don't think I'm going to bother waiting forever for an otterbox in the future.
 
Just ordered my Defender case. XD Can't wait to get it. :D This will be a long 2 day wait. LOL
 
so two questions for those with cases:
1) for those that have had them for more then a few days now, thoughts, opinions? Still like it?
2) has anyone kept their old screen protector on under the screen protector from the case? having two screen protectors? If so, hows the screen responsiveness?
 
I'll let you know when I get mine. If noone beats me too it.

I am already envisioning cutting the screen protector off to use my ultra crystal.
 
When I left my screen protector on, it didn't look right. I don't know how to describe it but the plastic pushing against the screen protector against the screen left a weird mark behind it. Once I removed it, it was crystal clear again!

I wore my holster all day yesterday and have it again today....if you want a holster, this IS the case to get, IMO. I never have used a holster but I'm actually really liking it with this case. It is extremely secure, provides more than enough protection, and keeps it close enough that I'm not smacking it when walking :)
 
jbhumph said:
When I left my screen protector on, it didn't look right. I don't know how to describe it but the plastic pushing against the screen protector against the screen left a weird mark behind it. Once I removed it, it was crystal clear again!
Click to expand...

I had an Otterbox Defender on an iPhone and had the same problem, what you saw is called a watermark. It almost looks like oil. I couldn't get rid of it, and lots of people complained about it. I ended up modifying the case - removing the screen protector that came with the case. It worked for me because I rarely subjected it to extreme conditions (other than my 3 year old son who often dropped it). Removing the attached screen protector also improves the sensitivity of the screen and makes it easier to touch the sides of the screen near the edge of the case.
 
I just received the motorola dock and can no longer use my otterbox case. :( I have the commuter w/unused screen protector for sale. pm me if interested.
 
gadgetmom88 said:
I had an Otterbox Defender on an iPhone and had the same problem, what you saw is called a watermark. It almost looks like oil. I couldn't get rid of it, and lots of people complained about it. I ended up modifying the case - removing the screen protector that came with the case. It worked for me because I rarely subjected it to extreme conditions (other than my 3 year old son who often dropped it). Removing the attached screen protector also improves the sensitivity of the screen and makes it easier to touch the sides of the screen near the edge of the case.
Click to expand...

yeah my friend with an iphone 3g had that on his screen and it looked horrendous. so I was debating on either removing the screen from the case or removing the screen I have on the phone. the Ultra Crystal is so nice I dont want to loose the clarity lol

@jbhumph - yeah I use the regular verizon leather holster now, I've always had my phones in holsters on the hip. thats one of the main reasons im looking at the defender.

thanks for your replies!
 
Watermark! That's it!! lol Sorry I'm on 2 weeks of solid work, including Thanksgiving day...I need a break :p
 
I have been mentally debating the issue of a hard shell vs. a soft one. I have an engineering background, so am aware that even a little bit of softness can help a lot when an object makes impact. The same philosophy same behind air bags in cars.

For my Droid X, I just purchased a hard shell version, that has a thin leather cover. I chose it over a silicone skin because I wanted to a holster that kept the screen outward. This one has a button on the back of the case that slides into a belt clip.

The unit was a "Body Glove Glove Snap-On Case for Droid X" $13.45 Sold by: IntegritySeller2010 on Amazon.

I have been happy with it so far, but would have wished for a bit more cushioning. But, rather than additional thickness, I think I would have designed some bumpers to the corners. This is because the corners are where the most impacts occur, since the phone typically falls onto a flat surface. I have attached an image to make it clear what I am describing.

Has anyone seen corner bumpers on a phone case?
 

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I have had my commuter for about a week now and I really like it overall. The only problem areas for me are the headphone jack plug (aesthetically speaking, it functions fine I just think the layout is ugly and looks wrong) and the physical button coverage.

The menu, home, back and search keys are annoying, ALL the other buttons are FINE, I have no issues with them, however, the lack of the light on the main buttons along with the less "crisp" click from the thinness of the rubber is annoying.

Im thinking about cutting just below the buttons and inline with the screen on the sides to create exposed main buttons .....Ill post some pics if i decide to go that route
 
Just had to report back to everyone that I have had the Defender for some time now using it every day with the holster and honestly it has become my favorite case I have ever owned :)

I have never been a holster guy but I think that's because most holsters I have tried in the past just made me worry it wasn't going to hold the phone securely or else I didn't like how it attached to the belt, etc. This case is awesome and how it attaches to the holster is perfect IMO.

Could not ask for a sturdier case with any better protection. For those on the fence, I'd say give it a shot :) Try amazon as I found mine cheaper on there.
 
Has anyone seen corner bumpers on a phone case?[/QUOTE]

The Seidio Active case has corner bumpers. It's only available on Amazon.com.
 
The description of that Seidio case says that the interior is the shock absorbing part, while the skeleton provides extra impact resistance at the corners.

This is the opposite of what I thought would be advantageous. I was thinking that the corners would be extra thick to allow for the deceleration necessary to reduce the severity of the impact. But, the way this case is designed there would actually be less thickness to the padding. So, the entire phone would experience a worse rate of deceleration. Yet, it would also spread out the impact zone.

So, their designer got it wrong, or perhaps I got my ideas wrong. The deceleration rate may be sufficient with their case design, and having toughness in the corners may be the more important feature. Since I have no case design experience, they are the better source to trust. Hmm.... but then again, the description was written by someone in their advertising department... so place your bets on my ideas!

Joe Dunfee
 
Hey, my first post as well as my first "smart" phone. Just got it 2 days ago and sprung for the defender at the local verizon store. It feels very sturdy, I have no problems pulling it out of my pocket, no belt clip for this guy. I have the "verizon" screen protector as well as the defender screen protector. Screen response feels pretty good, doesn't seem to be too bad at all.

The only thing I don't like is that it literally makes the phone 2x as thick. I have never killed a phone from dropping it, but all of my phones look like they've been through a street fight from being dropped and pocket wear and tear. The other one negative is that having dual screen protectors takes away from the clarity and definition of the screen, but it's way better than my old env3.

Don't know what else is out there, but seems to err on the side of heavy duty.
 
cadcoke5 said:
I have been mentally debating the issue of a hard shell vs. a soft one. I have an engineering background, so am aware that even a little bit of softness can help a lot when an object makes impact. The same philosophy same behind air bags in cars.

For my Droid X, I just purchased a hard shell version, that has a thin leather cover. I chose it over a silicone skin because I wanted to a holster that kept the screen outward. This one has a button on the back of the case that slides into a belt clip.

The unit was a "Body Glove Glove Snap-On Case for Droid X" $13.45 Sold by: IntegritySeller2010 on Amazon.

I have been happy with it so far, but would have wished for a bit more cushioning. But, rather than additional thickness, I think I would have designed some bumpers to the corners. This is because the corners are where the most impacts occur, since the phone typically falls onto a flat surface. I have attached an image to make it clear what I am describing.

Has anyone seen corner bumpers on a phone case?
Click to expand...

Aircraft engineer here and I thought the same thing. However there is something to be said for harder plastic distributing the load that pushes past the silicone.

Meanwhile there is a trident case that had hardened corners too. I thought under extremes it would actually work better. Otter never says drop your device off a clif with our product. hell its not even waterproof. ;)

gadgetmom88 said:
Has anyone seen corner bumpers on a phone case?
Click to expand...

The Seidio Active case has corner bumpers. It's only available on Amazon.com.[/QUOTE]

I was going to talk about that one too. I think the trident would be stonger.
 
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