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I am having a hard time deciding between the seidio Rugged or one of the otterbox cases. I am a contractor and need a protective case badly. I have had the incredible since launch. used the case/belt clip combo from verizon store...the one that doesn't cover the ends...dumb case imo. and ended up taking that off recently to just slide phone in pocket, as that case didn't protect the phone very much at all. but the best one available at the store at launch.
I ended up having to get a replacement phone, and recieved it today. I want to be able to protect this one better.
Physical damage and dust are both a problem durring work hours.
I wish I could find these new cases at a local store to compare in person.
Has anyone seen both of these types of cases?
which do you like better, and why?
I am leaning toward the seido because of the two different cases that come with it. I like to slide the phone in my pocket on weekends.
thanks,
Jon
jon1029 said:
I am having a hard time deciding between the seidio Rugged or one of the otterbox cases. I am a contractor and need a protective case badly. I have had the incredible since launch. used the case/belt clip combo from verizon store...the one that doesn't cover the ends...dumb case imo. and ended up taking that off recently to just slide phone in pocket, as that case didn't protect the phone very much at all. but the best one available at the store at launch.
I ended up having to get a replacement phone, and recieved it today. I want to be able to protect this one better.
Physical damage and dust are both a problem durring work hours.
I wish I could find these new cases at a local store to compare in person.
Has anyone seen both of these types of cases?
which do you like better, and why?
I am leaning toward the seido because of the two different cases that come with it. I like to slide the phone in my pocket on weekends.
thanks,
Jon
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Click to collapse
Oh wow, your story is a direct parallel to mine! I am a mechanical contractor (HVAC/R) who also has the incredible since launch, I myself have been using the the belt clip and shell that resembles diamond plate sold by verizon, an ok case but just doesnt cut it in the trades.
A month ago I bought the Otterbox defender, while it covers the phone well and adds much better protection, the fit of the phone inside is poor, I broke the belt clip two weeks into owning it. Otterbox did replace the belt clip but the time it took was almost two weeks. Just a few days ago the little detent on the otterbox that holds the phone in the holster broke so now I'm back to square one.
Just yesterday I decided to ordered Seidio Rugged case from amazon, I never owned nor held one but I figured it would be money better spent rather than buying another otterbox. I just don't think the otterbox quality is quite there. I expect to have the new case on or around 1-06-2011 and after I get it and put it to use I will update you on it so you can make a better decision.
thanks for the response...
I have read about different peoples experiences with these different cases, and still wish I could see them in person before purchasing. I am really close to going ahead with the Seidio Rugged, and might order it today.
Jon
I'm also a contractor installing satellites and am very happy with the Seidio Rugged.
What sold me on the Seidio Rugged was the "Face In" design and the 3 layers of protection. Sure, the 3 layers adds mega thickness but doing all the "cell destructive" stuff I do, it's a very minor thing to deal with. In fact, the few times I've taken the case off, the phone felt too small and fragile.
On the second Seidio Rugged case simply because in a stupid moment just grabbed the phone and ripped it off my belt instead of taking the clip off. No idea what was thinking but needed a new clip so just got the whole thing again.
But yeah, if you use a tool belt, climb ladders, crawl under houses, or any of the crazy dirty stuff contractors do, get a Rugged.
landscape installer/maintainer here. go with the seidio. im hard on all my stuff. and i have had the rugged for 6 mo. and havent destroyed it yet. locking mech. and belt clip still work fine. and the 3 layers on the actual case is very protective.
got mine on amazon for under 40 shipped.
seidio rugged here also.. best case Ive used...
I ordered the Seidio rugged today.
looking forward to it getting it here...
My Seidio Rugged outer skeleton snapped yesterday. I wasn't applying any pressure, just taking it off and snap. So I ordered a Case-Mate Tough Case. I'm sure it will work just fine.
cuban11182 said:
My Seidio Rugged outer skeleton snapped yesterday. I wasn't applying any pressure, just taking it off and snap. So I ordered a Case-Mate Tough Case. I'm sure it will work just fine.
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This happened to mine as well. Seidio is good about replacing it....no real need to buy a new case. At any rate I recommend the rugged case. I have dropped my phone more times than I would care to admit and this case has saved it a few times over. I figured my exoskeleton was weakened from all the drops...and I had the tendency to take it off and put it back on for no reason when i got bored. Also it looks bad *** in my opinion...
Well as I explained in an earlier post I have been using the Otterbox Defender and while it offers more protection than other cases I have used it simply seem to lack quality and convenience. I did order the Seidio Rugged case to give it a shot and to my suprise when I came home from work today my rugged case was delivered. I wasn't expecting it until 1-06-2011.
I have to say after getting my phone in it and set up my initial feelings are it appears to be a well designed case that offers very nice protection to the phone and actually adds less bulk than the otterbox. I have not used it in the field yet but I will update after a day or two in the field. But I must say at this moment I am very pleased with my decision on the Rugged case and am kicking myself in the but for not making it my first my first choice.
received the Rugged case today....
the case was in the mailbox today.
I am impressed with the case. and will feel a lot better about the protection for my Incredible phone when on the job site. When all of the case components are on the phone, it definitely adds quite a bit of bulk. That will be something for me to get use to, for sure. But, I feel that it will not be a problem.
I can totally understand how some people have accidently torn the rubber access piece off that covers the micro usb port. I hope I don't tear it off, but realistically feel that it is just a matter of time, as it is a very small piece of rubber that keeps it attached...
I really like the fact that the innocase II is the base layer. I expect that it will be my weekend case.
I thought about not applying the screen protector, due to the problems i have had in the past applying screen protectors (ie...bubbles that won't go away, dust particles, etc.)...but, decided to try it. Well, it applied better than I ever could have hoped for. I started by aligning it at the top around the ear speaker, and just smoothed it out as I let it apply itself to the screen. It fits well for the most part, but could have been just a hair longer from top to bottom.
I am excited to have this case. I only wish I had not waited this long to make myself spend the money on it.
Hopefully i will be this happy with it in the coming days and weeks...
Jon
jon1029 said:
I can totally understand how some people have accidently torn the rubber access piece off that covers the micro usb port. I hope I don't tear it off, but realistically feel that it is just a matter of time, as it is a very small piece of rubber that keeps it attached...
Jon
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I tore the rubber camera protector flap off my rugged maybe 2 months ago now, I contacted Seidio and they had a replacement outer rubber to me within a week. They are good about replacements.
(Note I was also only a week outside of the warranty period)
Seidio Rugged is a Wonderful Case
I have had the Seidio Rugged case for about two weeks now and it's wonderful! I don't find myself using the holster much, only when I go on a run do I attach it to an armband and slip the phone in the case so I can track my runs with Cardio Trainer.
I really like the feel of the case. It makes me feel like I'm holding a more powerful phone in my hands, whereas without the case, I feel like it's just too light to perform as well as it does. lol. However, size doesn't matter as some say, and is always a personal preference.
I would definitely say get the case if you want more protection and are willing to make the phone a few millimeters thicker. I definitely worry less about my phone breaking now. My only gripe is the camera cover tends not to stay pinned back in the little restraint Seidio made for it. Beyond that, wonderful case all around and I'd recommend getting it.
lightninjay said:
My only gripe is the camera cover tends not to stay pinned back in the little restraint Seidio made for it.
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Bloody hell!!!!
Have had this case for months and have FOUGHT that damn flap every time!! Never even noticed that little hole.... Use the flash light app every day almost to see behind peoples TV's and audio equipment and have always had to hold the flap down....
Thank you VERY MUCH for your post. Feel like an idiot, but happy to know it now.
As a construction worker, I was about to buy an Otterbox before stumbling upon this thread. Did some research, looked at a few videos, and I think I'm gonna settle for the Seidio now. Either way, both look like great cases and I couldn't go wrong with either. The Seidio on the other hand converts to a normal case when not on the job site, so that's where it wins IMO. Also, the belt clip looks better designed. Thanks XDA! You guys rule!
Cannot say I have ANY complaints about the rugged. Think about it this way: when you need it protected, you have 3 layers + a holster. If you want simple, but cased, you got the Innocase II underneath which still can hold its own as a case not to mention that it looks nice and slim also. The thing that sold me though was the holster. It comes with a lock switch which means that this baby aint never falling off. I can remove, unlock, lock, attach the phone all with my index and thumb. So easy, yet so secure.
However, I did have one gripe about this phone, and that was the covers for the USB port and the Headphone jack. It has no notches to pull out easily and it tends to get lost in the groove that it fits in to. At first, I was extremely aggravated that this happened and was worried I would ruin the rubber. BUT I found that when I pinch the sides of the case (which I totally forgot was rubber), the flaps would pop out like nothing.
So yes, the one thing that would have held me back was solved, and I am happy to report that this thing is a beast. Of course if you don't want a big thing to lug around, then don't get this, but I gotta say... it feels like a tank, and I feel secure taking this thing everywhere with me now. =D
I've had the rugged for quite a while...just to have it really. Being a social worker doesn't really but my dinc at risk. I do enjoy the feel of having it in the case when I do though, although it seems that sometimes the holster seems to catch the rubber a bit more than I'd like. I'm glad to see it seems to be a step above the otterbox.
i'm been using the ottorbox commuter and i've had no problem, i love it cause its not as bulky as other cases.
Ya definitely going with the seidio rugged case setup. I can do without the belt clip attachment though. I can see that breaking off within a week at work with me. But the rest of the case(s) are just what I'm looking for.
Thanks for the thoughts, I am in the same boat as you guys.
These cases look amazing and I'm interested in to getting the Nillkin one which is made for the i9023 Nexus S, but is it really just for looks? I don't want to get this case if it doesn't protect my phone from a simple drop while walking on the street. I've watched and heard many good reviews about how the case looks and feels, but how good is it protection wise? Thanks.
It's common sense that a case is there to protect the phone. Even though in this case (pun intended) you cannot expect it to offer the protection of some other bulky alternatives, it's still better than nothing. As long as the sides protected by the nillkin hit the ground first I believe you should be ok.
I ordered it about a week ago, should be here in one or two weeks and I'll be able to provide a more hands-on opinion.
Flukzr said:
It's common sense that a case is there to protect the phone. Even though in this case (pun intended) you cannot expect it to offer the protection of some other bulky alternatives, it's still better than nothing. As long as the sides protected by the nillkin hit the ground first I believe you should be ok.
I ordered it about a week ago, should be here in one or two weeks and I'll be able to provide a more hands-on opinion.
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Ehh.. Can't resist the temptation. After reading some more reviews from the G2x Thread and the Nexus S post I think I'll get it..
I've always been a fan of rubbery/TPU cases myself. Most hard cases I've used in the past pop right out when dropped and those "light" hard cases don't protect your phone on all sides.
Dunno, just seems a bit light on the protection in the end and more expensive than TPUs.
I really like this incipio feather. Its hardly noticeable.
OK so my Nillkin case finally came. I didn't expect much since in the past I bought some other products made to look like other product (ripoffs). Thought this was the case with this and the Incipio Feather. I'm happy to say that it I was wrong.
It adds very little bulk to the phone, and has a snug fit. It feels much better in the hand, due to the rubbery finish, and the cutouts are exactly where they should be.
The screen protector bundled is acceptable although as I was previously aware, due to the curved screen there is a small gap on all sides and the top and bottom does not stick very well. There probably are are better ones out there but I'm happy with it.
I'm not into the habit of dropping my phone so the minimal protection it offers is enough for me. If you are looking for a case to withstand minimal impact, prevent scratches an look awesome I do not believe there is a better alternative for the i9023.
Flukzr said:
OK so my Nillkin case finally came. I didn't expect much since in the past I bought some other products made to look like other product (ripoffs). Thought this was the case with this and the Incipio Feather. I'm happy to say that it I was wrong.
It adds very little bulk to the phone, and has a snug fit. It feels much better in the hand, due to the rubbery finish, and the cutouts are exactly where they should be.
The screen protector bundled is acceptable although as I was previously aware, due to the curved screen there is a small gap on all sides and the top and bottom does not stick very well. There probably are are better ones out there but I'm happy with it.
I'm not into the habit of dropping my phone so the minimal protection it offers is enough for me. If you are looking for a case to withstand minimal impact, prevent scratches an look awesome I do not believe there is a better alternative for the i9023.
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Thanks for the review, think I'll buy this one.
I've been using a Incipio Feather and I'm loving it!
Hey, do you have a link for that Nillikin case? Bc I went on their website and I didn't see anything.
tase25 said:
Hey, do you have a link for that Nillikin case? Bc I went on their website and I didn't see anything.
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Look around on obostore.com. I decided last minute that I wasn't going to get this case, but get the silicone and TPU cases from Nillkin. Anyone have either of them(Nillkin Silicone/Nillkin TPU)?
Got a Nillkin lately which is OK. Wondering though how does it compare to Incipio Feather in terms of thickness. Which one makes it more bulky ?
BTW, wondering any frame cases for NS...
Quite like the look of the Case-Mate. Seems like a good balance of protection without adding to much bulk to the device.
The thin cases like these really do help... although they look skimpy they have saved my Nexus a few times. I dropped it down the stairs the other day and not a scratch. If it didn't have it on there I don't know how smashed up the back would have been...
Hello everyone,
Ive been looking through this accessory thread ever since I owned my note 2 trying desperately to get rid of the crappy Body Glove case I was "borrowing" from Tmobile. Well, my three other cases came today, and after testing them all, I will tell you what I settled with.
First things first:
The Body Glove: I don't have any pictures of this crappy case, but you don't need any. Apparently I found out today after returning my version of the BG that they have OTHER styles which are far superior then the one that I had. But probably still pretty bad. This is the beginners case that you settle on if you have no idea how to surf the WWW. Obviously if you are reading this, you would never settle for this case, especially at the outrageous $30+ price tag.
Now for the 3 puppies that arrived today. I purchased these all on amazon.com.
The Seidio Active Case:
My initial thoughts are that this would be the case I would be settling with, especially after the youtube reviews... But after putting it on, and upon comparison, I realized that this case offers minimal protection as far as a drop would be concerned. It feels extremely cheap with the white plastic, and I had no idea that this is what I was purchasing. Not only that, but it has the same issue as the body glove - Slippery bastard. Sure the sides are rubber, but its an extremely soft smooth rubber that doesnt "Stick" if you know what I mean. Don't get me wrong, this is a pretty nice looking case, and I like the kickstand...but it's not for me. They also have other very vivid colors. As far as price goes, this case is a rip off at $30.35. Almost as bad as the body glove, but slightly cheaper and prettier.
The Ballistics Case:
This is the case that I read reviews about and heard is supposed to offer some of the best protection outside of Otterbox Defender case. Not to mention it looks good. Well, I opened this bad boy up, and noticed a few things right away. The rubber shell is not snug at all. When you snap on the plastic, it gets a little more snug, but I guarantee this case will fall apart everytime you drop your phone. This already had me worried. Another issue is the damn sides of the case. ITS CHEAP 100% SLIP-GUARANTEE Plastic! Damnit. I had really high hopes for this case.
If this doesn't already kill all your hopes and dreams, it makes your phone much more gargantuan. However, I digress, when it comes to drop protection, even though you'll be picking up the two pieces of your case + your phone, I would feel confident that the majority of impact from the initial drop would be absorbed into this case, before it falls apart. Price to protection value is decent at $23 dollars. Note that this case is cheaper now at $19 which increases the appeal of this case if you have a decent grip of your phone at all times.
The final case is the Boxwave OA3 Resolute:
So check this out, I only found this case on accident thanks to Slickdeals.net. I read reviews about boxwave's case for other phones such as the SIII, and I was prepared to be disappointed with this case. But alas, none of those previous problems exist and ironically, I am keeping this case even though its MUCH cheaper than all the other cases I've tried. This case almost looks identical in design to the Ballistics, which is what I think the company was going for. However, it is only one piece of hardened rubber. It fits very snug, and feels great in the hand. It doesn't make the phone as huge as the ballistics case, and I still feel confident that this case will offer a decent amount of drop protection. Another bonus is that it has a kickstand... but don't count on it for very long, because its the cheapest feeling kickstand you'll probably ever see in your life. I can almost bet money that it'll break with regular usage. So enjoy it while it lasts. You definitely cannot beat this case for the price as it was only $10.00 total. Not to mention its all black, no cheap looking white plastic.
I have attached all the photos I took. Sorry I don't have photos of the case on the phone, as I had taken the pictures with the note 2
Hope you found this post helpful.
Here are the links to all the cases, except for the Body Glove!
Ballistics: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00AAA8U0W/ref=ox_ya_os_product
Seidio: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00A45SGFW/ref=ox_ya_os_product
Boxwave: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000H163JE/ref=ox_ya_os_product <--Unfortunately Sold out until Feb 28th Courtesy of SD.net
Thanks!
Thanks for for the pictures. I personally am still waiting on the seidio convert case for the extended battery, I enjoyed the one I had on my thunderbolt. The case I have on my note 2 is the $12 (now $8.95) rugged case from ebay. The case uses the same style of synthetic rubber that the seido case uses and prevents me from dropping the phone. What are you going to do with those left over cases?
Good review, and I do agree with you on every point. While waiting for my UAG case, I'm using right now $7 ebay case (first one in my review link: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?p=36730711&highlight=rugged+dual+layer#post36730711) - which is a copy of Seidio Active and also similar to Otterbox Commuter. Commuter has a higher quality inner rubber lining, without a doubt. But Active is exactly the same stuff, or I should say that ebay cheap knockoff is exactly the same design and quality as Active
Btw, the Boxwave one you can get from ebay shipped for about $7. Its not their original design, just a generic ebay case they purchase in bulk from China and sell conveniently for local us shippment.
Thanks for the compliments. I am returning the other cases to amazon for free since I said that they are faulty, lol.
Useful review but I disagree on the ballistics case after going through other reviews and more than enough websites I found the ballistics case was the indeed the case which had the protection. The box said 8-9ft drop so I tested it with a leap faith and the case phone stayed together with no damage and didn't come apart. Also you say slippery wrong again I can apply minimum pressure using my little finger and thumb dry and wet with no slippage. The case is made from decent materials not the stuff you would get from a 5 dollar case which I have been through several. The case offers better screen protection from laying flat on a surface screen down than any case with the added corner protection. The back is non slip also and makes good resting on a slanted surface say a car roof, bonnet or dash board. And with a year warrantee you can't get far wrong. In general its makes the whole overall grip better and nice to the touch. Feels very manly to and with a simplistic look. With the plastic support the case holds firmly all round the note. Down side only two colours black and white, little flimsy top and bottom of screen. Price is fair for the case was 22.99 off eBay stores, cheaper if you get a deal on it.
Amazon gives a 4.5/5 overall for 33 reviews that's pretty good like.
Sent from my GT-N7100 using xda premium
Hi XDA! I am looking for my PERFECT case/smartcover for the Nexus 7.
So the official Nexus 10 has a smart cover that is incorporated into the "rubber feet" on the back. Today, while walking through a mall, I saw these Blackberry Z10 smartcovers that are incorporated into the battery door.
Do you know of a case that is similar for the N7?
this is what the Blackberry Z10 battery door/smartcover look like http://bit.ly/10KGnO9
tried looking around, I haven't yet found anything so I gave up. Now my N7 has no case but I might just sell it an get an N10 anyways
The back has never needed any protection so these folio cases are pointless....it's the front that always has, and a bumper of sorts with the smartcover built in would be ideal
Exactly. The N7 is pretty bulky as is, dont need an extra layer in the back.
ace9988 said:
tried looking around, I haven't yet found anything so I gave up. Now my N7 has no case but I might just sell it an get an N10 anyways
The back has never needed any protection so these folio cases are pointless....it's the front that always has, and a bumper of sorts with the smartcover built in would be ideal
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I have a moko cover that's pretty sweet. Its a portfolio case that let's you stand it in landscape to use with a Bluetooth keyboard or just to watch videos.
I tried posting a link but since I'm a new users, the forum won't allow me to. Just go to amazon and search for "moko slim-fit case" $15.99
Similar to the Blurex cases.
I've tried lots of cases. I DID like the Blurex/Moko style. However it did add a considerable amount of thickness. I also tried the Poetic case, which is a slim hard back plastic case with a smart case attached. It worked pretty well and latches shut at the end to keep closed. The Poetic case is the best case I've found for a smart cover type protection.
I eventually settled on a hardback book case. It is stylish and gives it a little more protection. The lid stays closed with a strap but some include wood shells with magnets. I opted for the cheapest solution and find it very good. In fact it has held up very well. The tablet is held in by sticky tape. I've owned mine for months and never had it fall out or need to be cleaned/restuck.
http://shop.portenzo.com/hardback-for-nexus-7/
Plenty of color combinations. I have a Red exterior, white inner liner, and a black strap. Nice and clean.
So iPAD mini like smart covers isn't available for the N7 ? I too just need a lightweight smart cover only to protect the screen and not the back and was wondering if something like poetic slimline exists?
The Poetic Slimline does exist, as my previous posts states, for the Nexus 7:
http://bit.ly/192m6YK
The iPad Smart Covers uses many magnets around the edge of the screen to keep the flappy flap tight against the surface. Others just use one side of magnets at the edge of the closing point.
Very good price too. I purchased mine for $20, but it is showing $9.95 at Amazon right now.
The Poetic was nice and I liked it but out of the 4-5 months I owned it, I had to replace it 3 times because the material would break at the seams. Poetic has a 3yr warranty and replaced it hassle free by just emailing them my Amazon order number. Because they are so cheap, they don't even bother wanting the old one returned... so while they were falling apart, other N7 owners didn't mind a free slightly worn case.
Here is a video of them:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MjQMcjb352Y
player911
Awesome, im going to have to pick one of those up soon
olstudios said:
player911
Awesome, im going to have to pick one of those up soon
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Yea. In doing the research and finding that video, I noticed the different colors. When they first came out they only had black. I'd almost wouldn't mind picking up a baby blue or red one.
I noticed colors are a little more expensive.
@player911
After so much of research with matching my requirements, I just couldnt find an alternative to Poetic Slimline case. Looks like it isnt available in my country (India) which is not cheap option.
Any idea if there's any similar chinese ones or replica? Have seen few smart covers from China on Ebay but they have the problem of turning off the screen when cover is flipped around.
rakeshishere said:
@player911
After so much of research with matching my requirements, I just couldnt find an alternative to Poetic Slimline case. Looks like it isnt available in my country (India) which is not cheap option.
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I've heard good things about the Nillkin smart-wake cases. While the case covers both the front and back, the folding section does not, which makes it a bit slimmer (Hard to explain, take a look at the link for a picture). Apparently these cases don't suffer from the waking issue when folded backwards, either.
Here's a review I found: http://www.androidcentral.com/nillkin-leather-flip-cover-nexus-7
Dad recently bought a Nexus 7 and we ordered this case, though we haven't received it yet so can't offer any first-hand impressions.
Insomniac535 said:
I've heard good things about the Nillkin smart-wake cases. While the case covers both the front and back, the folding section does not, which makes it a bit slimmer (Hard to explain, take a look at the link for a picture). Apparently these cases don't suffer from the waking issue when folded backwards, either.
Here's a review I found: http://www.androidcentral.com/nillkin-leather-flip-cover-nexus-7
Dad recently bought a Nexus 7 and we ordered this case, though we haven't received it yet so can't offer any first-hand impressions.
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Heard about Nillkin so let me see
EDIT:
Doesn't protect the screen as cover doesn't have magnets on edges(magnetic closure) like poetic one to close it 100%
EDIT2:
Ordered Poetic Slimline
So I've ordered and received the following 2 cases for my M8 so far:
SUPCASE Unicorn Beetle Premium Hybrid Protective
Aduro Shell Holster Combo Case
I'm not completely happy/unhappy with either one, so I've gone ahead and ordered the following cases:
Minisuit Clipster Kickstand Case - This one looks identical to the Arduro case but is $3 cheaper. If I decide to keep it, even after I ship back it will be the cheaper option.
HTC M8 One 2 Puregear Kickstand Case Holster Combo - This one looks very similar to the Arduro/Minisuit, but I'm hoping the shell covers a bit more and/or the holster might be good with one of the other covers.
Seidio Surface Case with Metal Kickstand and Holster Combo
Otterbox Defender Series
Spigen Capsule Clear
i-Blason Prime Series Dual Layer Holster Cover with Kickstand and Locking Belt Swivel Clip
SUPCASE Premium Hybrid Protective Bumper Case
I'm not planning on writing complete reviews because it would be too time consuming, but I would be happy to answer any questions that anyone has.
I have preferred SEIDIO cases in the past with the holster combo. I had those on my HTC Tilt and my first Droid 2 - which was lost at an airport when I think a piece of luggage pulled the whole thing from my belt when I lifted it. Apart from that experience (which I blame myself for as much as anything), I'd been happy with SEIDIO...the Tilt survived a motorcycle accident that totaled my bike, but the phone was fine. SEIDIO was pretty expensive though, so I went through 2 or 3 much cheaper rip-offs (sans holster) over the last couple yeats of my phone.
I think the traditional SEIDIO rubberized cases provided a good balance of protection without being too incredibly bulky.
I'm caught at an impasse now with the M8 because it is such a nice looking phone I'd like to show it off with more of a light and clear case. OTOH, I have a 2 year old that I'd like to protect it from. Also, the M8 is much bigger than the phones I've had in the past (height and width wise, thickness is actually thinner) - so I'm not sure how a thick case will influence my carrying it around.
I think the best solution for me may be a case that provides protection somewhere in-between a TPU and a Otterbox (i.e. middle ground) and ideally be able to fit into some holster. I feel that the holster is necessary due to the size of the phone in a jeans front pocket - especially if a case is grippy and hard to get out.
Anyway, the above thoughts are how *I* will be judging the cases and some of them may change my mind entirely (e.g. The Otterbox, which I really don't think I want, but thought I would give it a shot).
I'll ship all the ones I don't want back to Amazon. I figure $10 return shipping is a good investment to find the right case for 2 years of my life.
Let me know if you have any questions about the cases and I will try to answer them!
TraderJack said:
HTC M8 One 2 Puregear Kickstand Case Holster Combo - This one looks very similar to the Arduro/Minisuit, but I'm hoping the shell covers a bit more and/or the holster might be good with one of the other covers.
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I would like to hear more about this one. I have a similar one from verizon but it doesn't look that slick or feel great in my hand
d1ez3 said:
I would like to hear more about this one. I have a similar one from verizon but it doesn't look that slick or feel great in my hand
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Sure. I think the one from Verizon is identical to the Minisuit/Arduro ones I mention above. None of them look that slick...with the black cross-hatching. About they only thing they have going for them is a good holster setup...but that's why I'm hoping the Puregear has something else going for it rather than a slightly different design.
The cases will be here on Wednesday and I hope to try them all out then.
This is great.... Im very interested in SUPCASE Premium Hybrid Protective Bumper Case
but was holding off ordering from Amazon. Can you tell me how much thickness it adds and overall feel, comfort etc... I agree, I love the body of the M8 and needs to be shown off however it also needs to be protected at the same time.
How's spigen capsule clear? Is it a fingerprint magnet? I presume it's slippery?
As long as we're talking about cases, you should try looking at the Dualtek case for the M8. It's a little bulky but definitely protecting the phone and looks stylish. Feels great, too.
I've been using Otterbox cases for every phone since I switched to Android years ago but I agree that the Defender and Commuter cases make this phone too bulky. Luckily they have the Symmetry Series which is slimmer (one piece, plastic shell with rubber liner built in) but still provides great protection. Color schemes are limited, I went with black, but they have around 5 choices if you like brighter colors.
Cons are that the case is a little slippery for my tastes and it adds bulk to an already big phone but I drop my phone every day so it's a trade-off.
http://www.otterbox.com/Symmetry-Series-for-HTC-One-(M8)/htc28-one-m8,default,pd.html
I just got the cases this evening. I'll respond directly to the questions asked, and then I'll give my overview on the others:
d1ez3 said:
I would like to hear more about this one [HTC M8 One 2 Puregear Kickstand Case Holster Combo]. I have a similar one from verizon but it doesn't look that slick or feel great in my hand
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The Puregear is almost identical to the Arduro and Minisuit cases as I assumed it would be. It has a slightly different cutout for the camera (which I like less), and a different surface texture from the cross-hatching type on the other two. You can clearly see the surface texture differences in the Amazon pics. While I like the design texture on the Puregear slightly better, it is really so equivalent in every other way that it isn't worth the $4-5 premium you would pay over the Minisuit. These are low bulk cases..good holster. These cases would do virtually nothing in a drop except maybe allow a bounce before the phone snapped out of it. That being said my similar case for the Droid took a few drops and the phone was no worse for wear.
cue_32 said:
This is great.... Im very interested in SUPCASE Premium Hybrid Protective Bumper Case
but was holding off ordering from Amazon. Can you tell me how much thickness it adds and overall feel, comfort etc... I agree, I love the body of the M8 and needs to be shown off however it also needs to be protected at the same time.
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This one is maybe one of my favorite from the bunch. It is way easier to take on and off then the SUPCASE Unicorn Beetle Premium Hybrid Protective case I also purchased. Unlike the Beetle, the back is totally clear instead of frosted - so it shows off the phone. The sides however are not rigid like the Beetle, which is why it can be removed from the phone easier. The back is more rounded like the phone, whereas the Beetle is more squared. It has a slightly tacky feel...maybe not as much as the Spigen below, but it is grippy. I would say it is kind of your standard TPU type case, but of the utmost quality for these type. Since you can find TPU cases for $3-4, I think the $10 for this is not totally out of line. I'm really unsure that either of the SUPCASEs would offer any real protection from a drop. I will almost definitely be keeping one of these cases for now.
One other benefit of this case is that it fits into the Minisuit/Arduro holster really well.
richteralan said:
How's spigen capsule clear? Is it a fingerprint magnet? I presume it's slippery?
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Despite the term "soft" being in the description in Amazon...I thought this was going to be a hard case - so I was a bit surprised.
It is actually not slippery at all, quite the contrary. I also don't think it is that bad of a finger print magnet. It is in some ways similar to the SUPCASE Premium Hybrid Protective Bumper Case I mention above, except that it is clear all around instead of having a black bumper. However (and I think I read this elsewhere in the reviews) the clear color of the case has a yellow tinge to it that is really disappointing since the main feature of this case is to showcase the phone. This case may have just a *bit* more cushion than the SUPCASE - but in all honesty I still don't think any of these are offering great drop protection. I think I prefer the SUPCASE (either one) to this one - it just doesn't have the same "sparkle" that you get from the pics.
Going onto the other cases.
The Otterbox and the SEIDIO - the two most expensive ones. And, probably because of that, the two biggest disappointments:
The Ottterbox was just ugly out of the box. I've never had one before because I always thought they were bulky and ugly - but I wanted to give it a chance. Even though the Otterbox probably would protect better than most of these, I still don't think it would be foolproof. I also really dislike the screen covering piece which is non-optional. For the cost, I just wouldn't consider something like this over the i-Blason (see below).
The SEIDIO had the same nice finish I was used to on their matte cases. I wasn't a huge fan of the two piece snap together design. I also got one with a slight manufacturing defect and the pieces didn't line up perfectly. Because of the two piece design, it was able to stay as a slim case but protect all around the edges. However I'm sure the case would snap open if the phone fell onto a hard surface. Additionally, as much as I enjoy the quick release holster of the SEIDIOs, they are not without their problems and can easily get caught on things and drop your phone (happened to me not infrequently with my other cases). The kickstand on this phone was also not that attractive being a bit flimsy and off to the side. Like the others, I also really don't know how much protection from a drop this would give you - probably somewhere just north of the SUPCASE/Spigen. Like the Otterbox, just not worth the money on this phone.
Finally the i-Blason... I think it is one of the better in terms of protection - being a 2-piece shell case. South of the Otterbox maybe, but better than the rest. Not a bad looking case, though not beautiful. I almost wish they had a model without the kickstand and big fat grooves on the back. I don't know if those grooves serve a real functional purpose, but if you removed those pieces you would have a much cleaner looking case with probably the same level of protection.
Looks wise - I think overall the SUPCASE Premium Hybrid is my favorite... I'm just not sure it is going to give me the protection I want from my toddler. I'm considering keeping that and the Minisuit (mostly for the compatible holster). Or, perhaps I will keep the i-Blason for most of the time around the house, but also the SUPCASE for a svelter pocket profile and when I want to show off the phone.
I'm going to keep looking I think for something else like the iBlason. I might give up on the holster idea altogether as I realize it isn't the 90s anymore. I need to see how well this phone does in my pocket over the next week or two to decide if it's a priority.
If you all have more questions on these, I'll do my best to answer.
I just purchased the Case Mate Naked Tough Case from Amazon. So far so good. It has some shock protection and still shows the good looks of the phone. I'm using it in conjunction with a Zagg glass shield. I would post a link, but I suppose I need to post a few more times before I can.
I've only used Otterbox defenders in the past. That being said, I just bought a M8 today and looked at the reviews on Amazon. A lot of people complain about the clear screen protector being bowed or warped and not tight against the screen. What's your impression on this issue? And from the sound and looks of the design, it sounds pretty similar to the M7.
Sent from my HTC One_M8 using XDA Free mobile app
FearlessAZ said:
I've only used Otterbox defenders in the past. That being said, I just bought a M8 today and looked at the reviews on Amazon. A lot of people complain about the clear screen protector being bowed or warped and not tight against the screen. What's your impression on this issue? And from the sound and looks of the design, it sounds pretty similar to the M7.
Sent from my HTC One_M8 using XDA Free mobile app
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Definitely. Honestly I played with the otterbox for all of 30 seconds. First off, I just thought it was ugly...
Put it on and it seemed pretty bulky, although I was going to give it a chance since I knew that with that bulk came good protection.
The minute I touched the screen though I observed exactly what you are stating, the screen protector is not flush and that gave it an overall cheap feel.
So here is my update as I am leaving town for a couple of weeks and am choosing a case to come with me for the first real road test:
Based on my observations above, and the info from this thread, I think I'm going to stick with the Supcase Beetle.
While I like the SUPCASE Premium Hybrid Protective Bumper Case as well, I feel that it just doesn't offer great protection. Also, I find the volume buttons a little loose, as if they move too much off contact with the phone when you press on them.
The Beetle may only be a ~6-7 in the protection department, but the only ones that beat it are the Otterbox and probably the i-Blason. I just can't do the otterbox, and the i-Blason is a tad bulky and doesn't showcase the phone at all. I wish they removed the back nubbins and kickstand from the i-Blason. I haven't found a really nice and lean 2 piece case (internal silicon, hard outer shell). The Spigen 2-piece (not reviewed here) is a good contender for that role but it blocks the IR port, which is a non-starter (even though I will rarely use that feature, on principal I don't want a case that removes features from my phone).
So, for now I'm opting more for an "8 looks and 6/7 protection." The UAG looked like a good alternative that might have been 8 on both fronts, but from my thread linked above someone who has owned both feels that the Beetle is close on par with the UAG from protection standpoint. Price wise, the Beetle wins hands down.
I am still left though in a situation where I don't have a holster. I don't know yet how big of a problem that will be. I need to see how the Beetle does in my pants pocket over the next week. If it doesn't work out, and I can't find a compatible holster for the Beetle, I may have to abandon it all-together because it is just too hard to take it out of the Beetle on a regular basis to put into a holster-compatible case...I don't want to have to do that even weekly.
Dang. That is kind of a let down. I don't mind bulkyness at all but if that screen protector isn't tight, it's just pointless for me. I work construction and need something that won't allow the dirt to get between the screen and protector. I'll look into a few that you suggested. Thanks!