My OtterBox Defender Review

[DolfanCole]

Originally Posted by nordicsmack

I have the same problem with unresponsive keys as well. But I want to clarify. The keys are only unresponsive when the device goes to sleep. So when you set it down, and leave it for a while, the screen goes blank (not in standby). You normally can press any key to get it to respond "wake up".

But with the Otterbox case on, when you press any key it does nothing. You have to press and hold the key (any key) for a couple of seconds. Once it's awake everything seems to work great though.

The big annoyance is that without the otterbox case, when you press a key it does not perform the function of that key, just wakes the device.

But with the otterbox when you have to press and hold the key, it performs the function of the key. So in my scenerio I had gotten accustomed to just pressing the right-convenience key to wake up the system without launching the camera (which is what my Tour is set to do with the right convenience key). But when I do that with the Otterbox, I have to hold down the key and so it launches into the camera even though I just wanted to "wake" the device.

I've tested it with and without the entire case and had the problem.

I've tested it with the full case but without the keypad protector and still have the problem, even when pressing the unprotected keys or the trackball or convenience keys. You still have to hold the key down for a few seconds. (I thought for sure it was a problem with the keypad cover, but this proves it's not).

I then take the rubber casing off and the problem goes away when all there is is the hard plastic shell.

I then placed the device on a shipping envelope lined with bubblewrap (thinking the problem was with the resistance on the device). I still did not have the problem.

I then went a step further and placed it on a bag of shredded paper (which would have almost no resistance). But it still worked.

I then put the silicon seal on, only securing the top half though, leaving the bottem half hang loose. No problem. Keys work as expected.

I put the bottem half on and the problem returns.

I then loosened the charing port cover like you would if you were going to connect the charger. No problem. Keys worked as expected.

I replaced the charging port cover, and the problem returns (my cover has the problem too where the charger doesn't fit in the port without modificaition. NOt sure if that's related).

So the conclusion is:

charging port tab in - keys stick
charing port tab out - keys don't sick

My theory is that when you pull the tab for the charging port to get it in place, it puts more pressure on one of the keys (most likely the right convenience key) and may actually be pressing it in a little, making the other keys unresponsive at first. With the tab out, the pressure is relieved and it works as normal.

The scientest in me wants to totally figure this one out. The employee in me wants to get back to work on things that really matter .

Can anybody else confirm these results?

Hopefully this helps the Otterbox folks figure this out.

Uh ... wow! Very thorough (and scientific)!

With respect to your "definition" of responsiveness, what I've experienced is the same as you describe (i.e., the keys are unresponsive when waking the device; I haven't yet noticed or recall any instance when the keys are unresponsive after the phone is awaken). I will try and confirm some of your other findings though and report back. Right now I'm charging my phone since it takes a little more effort to do so now.

[C0bra K0mmander]

Originally Posted by nordicsmack

I have the same problem with unresponsive keys as well. But I want to clarify. The keys are only unresponsive when the device goes to sleep. So when you set it down, and leave it for a while, the screen goes blank (not in standby). You normally can press any key to get it to respond "wake up".

But with the Otterbox case on, when you press any key it does nothing. You have to press and hold the key (any key) for a couple of seconds. Once it's awake everything seems to work great though.

The big annoyance is that without the otterbox case, when you press a key it does not perform the function of that key, just wakes the device.

But with the otterbox when you have to press and hold the key, it performs the function of the key. So in my scenerio I had gotten accustomed to just pressing the right-convenience key to wake up the system without launching the camera (which is what my Tour is set to do with the right convenience key). But when I do that with the Otterbox, I have to hold down the key and so it launches into the camera even though I just wanted to "wake" the device.

I've tested it with and without the entire case and had the problem.

I've tested it with the full case but without the keypad protector and still have the problem, even when pressing the unprotected keys or the trackball or convenience keys. You still have to hold the key down for a few seconds. (I thought for sure it was a problem with the keypad cover, but this proves it's not).

I then take the rubber casing off and the problem goes away when all there is is the hard plastic shell.

I then placed the device on a shipping envelope lined with bubblewrap (thinking the problem was with the resistance on the device). I still did not have the problem.

I then went a step further and placed it on a bag of shredded paper (which would have almost no resistance). But it still worked.

I then put the silicon seal on, only securing the top half though, leaving the bottem half hang loose. No problem. Keys work as expected.

I put the bottem half on and the problem returns.

I then loosened the charing port cover like you would if you were going to connect the charger. No problem. Keys worked as expected.

I replaced the charging port cover, and the problem returns (my cover has the problem too where the charger doesn't fit in the port without modificaition. NOt sure if that's related).

So the conclusion is:

charging port tab in - keys stick
charing port tab out - keys don't sick

My theory is that when you pull the tab for the charging port to get it in place, it puts more pressure on one of the keys (most likely the right convenience key) and may actually be pressing it in a little, making the other keys unresponsive at first. With the tab out, the pressure is relieved and it works as normal.

The scientest in me wants to totally figure this one out. The employee in me wants to get back to work on things that really matter .

Can anybody else confirm these results?

Hopefully this helps the Otterbox folks figure this out.

Just tried out your theory and I'm still have delays with the keys responding.

I'll tell you this, the keys respond perfectly without the rubber on.

[nordicsmack]

Originally Posted by C0bra K0mmander

Just tried out your theory and I'm still have delays with the keys responding.

I'll tell you this, the keys respond perfectly without the rubber on.

I noticed that at first when I took the tab out I still had the problem.

But if I pulled the tab up toward the top a bit to purposely relieve the pressure from the top, then it seemed to work just fine with the tab out.

Maybe give that a shot and see.

[kawasakikz1909]

I have the otter box defender for my 8350i and it works great. Haven't had a echo or anything. It makes the phone look and feel big, but its so worth the protection.

[DolfanCole]

Originally Posted by nordicsmack

I noticed that at first when I took the tab out I still had the problem.

But if I pulled the tab up toward the top a bit to purposely relieve the pressure from the top, then it seemed to work just fine with the tab out.

Maybe give that a shot and see.

Didn't make a difference for me. But I think you're really on to something here. If I "unhook" the silicone from around the notch between the right convenience button and the volume button, I don't seem to have any unresponsiveness. I didn't do a significant number of tests though. If it's really the tightness of the silicone that is causing the problems (and so far that seems to be the case), stretching out the silicone either over time or by brute force may alleviate the problem altogether.

Another observation ... if I listen very carefully as I pull the silicone over the notch to secure it, I hear a click from the right convenience button. The same click used for focusing the camera.

[Coffeeman2881]

I tried pulling the tab out. I think you are onto it, I am going to use a razor blade and shave off some of the silicone that presses on the right side convenience key and see if that does the trick. Thanks for your post and observations.

[Coffeeman2881]

Shaving some of the silicone off with a razor blade worked like a champ. You now have to depress the button like you would if the case was off. Just to much silicone. Works perfect now.

[F2]

Called and am getting a new case and the other case. But I hope they solve the key-delay issue before shipping the new model.

[buzzdar]

Originally Posted by F2

Called and am getting a new case and the other case. But I hope they solve the key-delay issue before shipping the new model.

so they told you to keep old case and they sending your a new case too?

[C0bra K0mmander]

Originally Posted by buzzdar

so they told you to keep old case and they sending your a new case too?

They told me to keep the old one, yup

[wtm2w]

I've dealt with OtterBox customer service in the past. Let me tell you - they are really top-notch. I had some fitment issues with my old Pearl case and even broke the holster (completely my fault) and OtterBox sent me a new Defender without asking a single question about the faulty case.

Although it is difficult to see how they could possible release a product with such a fundamental fault as the charging port not being large enough, I'm sure they will resolve the issue promptly. They have been extremely customer-oriented in my past dealings. One of the few companies that actually seems to put customer satisfaction before company profit.

[buzzdar]

lol i havent even tried charging the phone as of yet to see if thats an issue but i did call and complain about the delay in the keys and they told me they will me to the list of things that the company looks at if they change the design and they will let me know in a couple of days to tell me what they are going to do about the case that i have. didnt even offer to send me a new one.

i did notice that they pulled the case from being sold via there website.

[buzzdar]

so how does one charge the tour if you cant plug it in. i just found out for my self i too cant get the charger to plug in.

[C0bra K0mmander]

There's a couple of options in the beginning of this thread on how to get ur phone to charge with the case on. I personally just modified the charger itself

[nordicsmack]

Originally Posted by Coffeeman2881

Shaving some of the silicone off with a razor blade worked like a champ. You now have to depress the button like you would if the case was off. Just to much silicone. Works perfect now.

Awesome teamwork guys!

For those of you just catching up; it seems that when you put the silicone cover on the defender case, the tab on the inside of the cover depresses the right convenience key just a bit. By default this is the camera key and focuses the camera. The side effect though is that it makes the keys slow to respond, and not respond at all when it's sleeping.

Shaving a bit of silcone off the inside right convenience tab solved the problem and didn't effect the function at all.

I shaved about half of the silicon tab off the inside and it works perfect now.

So Otterbox, if you're listening, the "crack" team at crackberry seems to have uncovered and solved two major problems with the Defender Case.

I have to say though, that I absolutely love my Otterbox case . I've had many cases and this is by far the best I've ever had. And with Otterbox's customer service, they'll have these problems fixed and new products to all who want them.

Again, thanks for everybody's help on this. I'm love'n my Otterbox Defender!