OtterBox Defender Series for BlackBerry Curve

[John Yester]

Hey all Yester18 here, and if your looking for a case and holster that takes a beating in your job or active life style, or you want to keep your device looking new. Well in my line of work protect is a plus. Being a fire fighter and taking your phone to work all the time and on calls it gets used and abused so to give it protection I looked into the Otter box for awesome protection.

Un boxing- When I first got the case and holster I was surprised build quality of the case and holster. You can tell that it's made for extreme situations for added protection. The case comes with a clear protective membrane for the front and back of the phone, which gives added protection from dirt and splashes of liquid. The main shell of the case is made of high quality plastic. Seems to be very durable for high impact situations. The rubber outer wrap for the case seems to be made for drop and shock protection.

Long Term Impressions – Now tat I have been using the Otter Box case on y Verizon 8330 curve for over 4-5 months, I has some wear look to it but it’s all in one piece. This phone has been on multiple structure fires and other misc. calls and still looking good. The phone has been tossed and drop from 5-6 feet of a fire engine, tossed into a compartment with other equipment. Now this hasn’t happened to me yet but other users I know have has the belt clip break, this may seem unfortunate but every device or accessories has it’s breaking point but that is why this company packs a lifetime warranty behind their products. To me that is +1 for a product of this type. As far as the people with problems, they just simply called or emailed Otter box and had the product replaced with any questions asked.












Conclusions – You want a case for overall protection for you $400-500 phone this is it. Now you job profession may not be like mine, but yet you do allot of outdoor sports or just seem to always trash your phone no matter what you do, this is my recommendation to you. Get an Otter box and get the best protection with out ay questions.



Pros / Cons -

Pros – Best over all protection out there.
Does not add over all weight.
Sleeper mode enables in holster.
Lifetime warranty.





Cons – Cost for average user
Rubber seems to stretch over time. (Call for lifetime replacement)
Clear membrane(optional) tough to type with keys covered sometimes.
If doing battery pulls( Process in removing the case to gain access to battery takes some time)
Size( Some users say that w/ the case on it makes the device look and feel bulk)
Can be purchased from Crackberry.com

http://shop.crackberry.com/otterbox-...4A104A3191.htm

More info check out

BlackBerry Curve Defender Case // OtterBox.com

[fyrfyter]

While this is a great case, and I love it on my 8330, I would caution anyone looking to buy one for an 8110/8120/8130. There is a flaw in the holster design,that Otterbox either a.) refuses to fix or b.) Isn't smart enough to fix. The magnet on these holsters, is on the outside, and does not put the phone into sleep mode. They bought 2 of these holsters at work, and I spent 2 weeks on the phone to Otterbox, trying to get them to realize the problem. First, they sent me 2 holsters for 8830s, then they sent me 2 more of the 8110/8120/8130 holsters with the magnet on the outside. Finally on the third try, they sent me 8100 holsters, which hold the other models just fine, and have the magnet on the inside, so it will go over the keyboard and put the phone to sleep. I have checked around cell stores here that sell the cases, and they still all have the same flaw with the magnet on the wrong side. Just an FYI. Follow this link to the Otterbox site, and look at the photo gallery, second to last photo. BlackBerry Pearl 8110/8120/8130 Series Defender Case // OtterBox.com See the magnet is on the outside, and does not cause the phone to sleep.

[Bla1ze]

Sweet Review yester, love the way ya listed out the pros and cons, great job!

[pete1118]

Originally Posted by fyrfyter

While this is a great case, and I love it on my 8330, I would caution anyone looking to buy one for an 8110/8120/8130. There is a flaw in the holster design,that Otterbox either a.) refuses to fix or b.) Isn't smart enough to fix. The magnet on these holsters, is on the outside, and does not put the phone into sleep mode. They bought 2 of these holsters at work, and I spent 2 weeks on the phone to Otterbox, trying to get them to realize the problem. First, they sent me 2 holsters for 8830s, then they sent me 2 more of the 8110/8120/8130 holsters with the magnet on the outside. Finally on the third try, they sent me 8100 holsters, which hold the other models just fine, and have the magnet on the inside, so it will go over the keyboard and put the phone to sleep. I have checked around cell stores here that sell the cases, and they still all have the same flaw with the magnet on the wrong side. Just an FYI. Follow this link to the Otterbox site, and look at the photo gallery, second to last photo. BlackBerry Pearl 8110/8120/8130 Series Defender Case // OtterBox.com See the magnet is on the outside, and does not cause the phone to sleep.

Just an FYI, there is an application in the Crackberry store that essentially duplicates the function of the magnet for those that have this problem, its called AutoStandby. Works in or out of the holster. Costs $5.95 I think. Yes it is spending money to correct a flaw but gives the advantage of working w/o the holster as well. I have used it for about 2 months and works great, in the latest version you can tune it to not go into standby if certain app's are running like a GPS program etc.

[CipherDias]

Great review, I did try one for my 8310 but found it was too bulky so stopped using it.

[GmrPnm21]

I ALMOST bought one of these, but the added bulk and inability to use it with the extended battery changed my mind.

[John Yester]

Originally Posted by pete1118

Just an FYI, there is an application in the Crackberry store that essentially duplicates the function of the magnet for those that have this problem, its called AutoStandby. Works in or out of the holster. Costs $5.95 I think. Yes it is spending money to correct a flaw but gives the advantage of working w/o the holster as well. I have used it for about 2 months and works great, in the latest version you can tune it to not go into standby if certain app's are running like a GPS program etc.

Just wanted to add another FYI, you can call them and they will replace the holster with the newer version.

[travisb]

My Curve doesn't go near a mountain without its Otterbox. Must admit I've not had the problem with it not going to sleep in the holster.

[Semantics]

Just found one online for 30 dollars, ordered it and I love this thing. Took me a few tries to get the screen/keypad cover on without bubbles but I managed to. I was afraid to take my phone out of the sleeve that it came with, now I feel confident its well protected!

Posted from my CrackBerry at wapforums.crackberry.com

[maxiang]

There's no need to fear, Otterbox is here! Seriously though, this is THE best case period. I'll never have a berry without it! yester18, good review! Need to turn the spell check on though

Posted from my CrackBerry at wapforums.crackberry.com

[GmrPnm21]

The case is fine and dandy for people that don't mind making their sleek and sexy device look like an old Nextel walkie-talkie, and those who don't need the Seidio 2400mah battery (which I will highly recommend to EVERYONE). For the rest of us that like our phones and want a long talk time, there is the Seidio case that I review here: http://forums.crackberry.com/f120/se...-8330-a-95433/

[fyrfyter]

Originally Posted by GmrPnm21

The case is fine and dandy for people that don't mind making their sleek and sexy device look like an old Nextel walkie-talkie, and those who don't need the Seidio 2400mah battery (which I will highly recommend to EVERYONE). For the rest of us that like our phones and want a long talk time, there is the Seidio case that I review here: http://forums.crackberry.com/f120/se...-8330-a-95433/

Like you have room to talk about making something look like an old Nextel, that extended battery, makes the curve look hideous. If I wanted to carry around that much weight, and that big a battery, I would be better off going back to Nextel.

[RicanMedic78]

what happens in my case. I bought it thru the verizon wireless website. The rubber is stretching to the point that the bottom lip comes down every time I unholster it. Also, the small pieces on the membrain that cover the holes for speaker and hearing calls are slipping around as the glue had weakened, probably from the moisture of usage. VZW is saying that I can return it but after a few months, i do not have the fedex box or the receipt. They have it in their system that I bought it from them but it looks like they do not want to change it as they said they do not send replacement parts for their accessories. What can I do?

[John Yester]

Originally Posted by GmrPnm21

The case is fine and dandy for people that don't mind making their sleek and sexy device look like an old Nextel walkie-talkie, and those who don't need the Seidio 2400mah battery (which I will highly recommend to EVERYONE). For the rest of us that like our phones and want a long talk time, there is the Seidio case that I review here: http://forums.crackberry.com/f120/se...-8330-a-95433/

Not every case is for everyone, but when you do my line of work.... You need the protection..... nuff said...

[supafreak2000]

I work in a harsh environment and have used otterboxes on all them and my berrys are the same as they were out of the box. Great review btw

Posted from my CrackBerry at wapforums.crackberry.com