I'd like to add my thoughts, in a compare & contrast format, or plus/delta for you management types.
For almost the last 2 years, I've had a BB 8310, protected by an OB Defender. Yesterday I upgraded to a 9700, and of course purchased a Defender for my new device.
I'll first say that I believe the Defender series to be the absolute high benchmark for protective cases. I made a recommendation to another user a few days back, and I'll quote it here to give you an idea of my working environment:
Quote:
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Originally Posted by EnoughIsEnough I'm a carpenter, and my BB rides around all day in by tool belt, literally in a pouch full of hand tools, random nails, screws, sawdust, drywall dust and so forth.
I have dropped this thing literally hundreds of times, on concrete, in mud, down ladders, out the window of my truck, in ice and snow... well, you get the point.
My device is almost 2 years old, and when taken out of the Defender, looks in every way better than those of most suit & tie types I know.
I have never, ever had one issue with the keyboard or trackball. I've never even had to disassemble either for cleaning.
The only major drawback to the defender is that the clear plastic sheet which is the first layer of the system makes the camera nigh on useless, as it's nowhere near clear enough, making pictures very dull and blurry. |
My thoughts on the Defender for 9700; there are a few important changes to note from the previous model I owned to this one.
Firstly, the membrane layer now only covers the keyboard area of the BB. Gone is the fuller coverage design which covered the entire front and back of the device, except for the trackball. (The trackpad on the 9700 is likewise exposed. On the plus side, this new half-skirt fits a little better, and has 3 overlapping tabs to keep it in place, which I think will prevent the sheet from moving out of position better.)
Instead, OB has employed a thin, rigid window over the screen, and over the camera lens/flash on the back. This window, which I think is polycarbonate, is integral with the rigid shell portion of the system. I think this approach will negate the issue with the camera mentioned in my above quote; I find it likely however that the windows will be more prone to scratching than the old, softer membrane material.
Second, the hard plastic shell which comprises the second layer of the system is noticeably thinner and lighter in weight than the old one. It seems less rigid as well. Time will tell if it proves to be as rugged.
In addition, the older model had a sort of fabric-like material covering the phone speaker and 'loudspeaker' holes in the rigid case. The 9700 model Defender has instead a very fine mesh covering over the phone speaker, and no cover at all over the rear loudspeaker port, which is an opening in the window on the back, between the camera and flash (where that speaker is located, of course.)
Further, the silicone outer glove is retained over the hardshell by a better thought-out method, which makes it a little harder to install, but will likely keep it tight all the way around.
Lastly, the belt clip included retains the device in a slightly different way; on the 8310, a very tight friction fit, and a slight detent 'bump' was employed to keep the BB securely mounted (screen facing in, as it should.) A very firm "press and slide" method was needed to draw the device out.
The new belt clip has two detent clips or ears, one on either side, into which corresponding tabs on the Defender case fit. The saddle on the holster into which the bottom of the phone/case fits is much more shallow than previously. The method of removing the device is now "out & up", which seems like it could be more prone to accidental release; again, time and use will tell the tale.
All-in-all, this new Defender seems still to be the best rugged case available. It follows the same theme as before, with 3 layers of protection, but in a more streamlined, lower profile and somewhat lighter package.
As I've said elsewhere, there seems to be nothing short of a
Pelican case (a close cousin of which Otterbox also manufactures) is going to give you the protection of the Otterbox Defender.
For this user, a Defender case is an absolute must-have for a mobile device.
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Otterbox Defender for the 9700 
Linear Mode
