Otterbox Defender/ Commuter Review

[barski]

Here is my review of the Otterbox Defender. I received it yesterday (November 22, 2010).

Its built tough, that's for sure. Everything fits nice and snug. All the flaps stay down when pulling it out of your pocket. The top cover for ear buds sticks up a little bit for the microphone, but its really no big deal. The feel of the outside rubber is nice, although it doesn't pull your pocket out of your pants when taking it out, it does collect lint. Its nothing bad but you do notice it and it brushes away easy enough.

All the buttons are very easy to press. The touch screen is not a problem with this case as feared. I have no problems being able to move anywhere on my phone.

As you can see in my pictures the screen looks all bubbly. Its because i have my Zagg screen protector on beneath it. I'm sure if i took it off it would have no bubbly look. One last thing. My phone is covered in Zagg and it works just fine with the Defender and Commuter.

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Sorry about not having it put on completely right on a couple of these pictures. Believe me there will be no problems with the sides.

This is my review of the Otterbox Commuter. I received it today (November 23, 2010)

Its a very nice and more practical case for the average person when comparing it to the Defender. Its much much smaller in size and feels a lot better in your pocket and hand. I haven't used it to much yet but everything seems tough enough. The flaps are good but not as nice as the defender. The flap that covers the HDMI and USB/charging ports might cause a little conflict, it hangs out a touch, but so far i have had NO problems with this piece. All the buttons are really easy to use and using the touch screen is not a problem in any way.

This have very very little lint collection because of the hard skeleton on the back.

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Any questions or if you would like me to take a specific picture, just let me know.

 

[Freezetron]

I wonder if you can poke small holes in the 4 buttons on the bottom so some of the backlighting shows through on them on the commuter.

 

[barski]

I'm sure you could, but then you would allow more dust to get in. I have the keys by heart so it doesn't really matter to me.

 

[setlab]

Do you have any docks, like the car dock to test it in?

 

[ConqSoft]

It won't work with any standard docks with these cases on it.

 

[barski]

I don't have a dock for my Droid X. I guess im not really in one spot long enough to have one, while in my car my cup holder works pretty well.

 

[IDGBZ71]

Thanks for review an pictures.

 

[EagleStrike]

If you were to pick, which one would you pick for permanent use?

 

[joker402]

I too picked the commuter over the defender but i hate that it collects lint like crazy, o well at least its protected.

I also wondered how I culd poke holes in the case to see threw.

 

[Freezetron]

I"m thinking of just using a small sewing needle.

 

[Dr.Dad]

I too picked the commuter over the defender but i hate that it collects lint like crazy, o well at least its protected.

I also wondered how I culd poke holes in the case to see threw.

So you're saying the commuter collects lint like crazy? The op implied that the commuter was lint free while the defender had the lint? Just curious...it sounds petty when I am concerned about lint on my phone, but, well, I AM concerned about lint on my phone/case!

 

[cpjr]

I love the commuter and am glad I got it.......but it DOES collect alot of lint.

 

[joker402]

the lint appears on the edges of the screen and along the buttons below the screen

 

[wildride89]

does the defender series work with the extended battery?

 

[ConqSoft]

does the defender series work with the extended battery?

It definitely does if you use the standard battery cover and not the one that comes with the extended battery. Though, Motorola doesn't suggest doing that.