OtterBox Waterproof Case Review
OtterBox 1000
Dimensions: Exterior 4.8" x 3.6" x 1.6"
Interior: 3.7" x 2.3" x 1.0"
Weight: 0.3lbs
MSRP: $11.49
OtterBox 3500
Dimensions: Exterior 8.8" x 5.2" x 4.2"
Interior: 7.6" x 3.6" x 3.3"/ 146 cu.in
Weight: 1.1lbs
MSRP: $28.49
With the days of technology rapidly sweeping through all industries including the outdoor industry, it is a welcome addition to know that OtterBox has us in mind when they design their products. Once seen by me only as a manufacturer of bulky boxes and expedition worthy equipment. I never thought I would have a need for such a storage box. Although I really wanted to have all of the cool gadgetry that would need the intense protection that OtterBox provides, I knew it was not really me, or so I thought!
In addition to this review we are also giving away a brand new OtterBox, details toward the end of this write up!
Before I get too deep into this review let me tell you a little story:
Once there was a young lad that enjoyed climbing mountains. He climbed them whenever he got the chance and often was able to convince a few of his like minded buddies to join him on some of his adventures. Being like minded folks this quickly turned into an excuse to get away for a few hours and enjoy the physical pain and pleasure of hiking steep slopes all the while hauling cans of PBRs to celebrate with upon reaching the summit. As time passed technology evolved and soon everyone was hauling cameras as well as mp3 players and phones. Gone were the simple days, but borne out of necessity the young lad succumbed to his wife's pleading and carried the electronic leash that is the cell phone and on his own accord he carried an mp3 player for motivational tunes when running rapidly down the icy trails.
Unfortunately on one of these descents all of the PBRs had not been consumed (a sin in itself) and the young lad threw the thin skinned can of joy into his pack and headed down the trail. During the jostling of the pack and it's contents the PBR was freed from its carbonated aluminum coffin and spewed forth a mighty blast emptying its entire 12 ounces. Being a well constructed bag with minimal escape holes for the liquid, the lads electronics were marinated in PBR for the duration of the 40 minute run!!
Now you can imagine my dismay when my cell phone and my IPOD were filled with beer!!! If only I had utilized one of these amazing little waterproof boxes produced by OtterBox!!!!!
Yes, this is a true story and I am sure most of us have a similar tale where something gets trashed due to liquid, dust, a fall etc. If you are one of the fortunate ones to have avoided this tragedy, rest assured your time is coming.
Now on to the review.
I received two of these boxes, the OtterBox 1000 and the Otterbox 3500.
The 1000 will hold something just barely larger than a deck of cards, while the 3500 is a bit larger and would hold about 9 decks of cards stacked 3x3 or 12 decks lined up in a row.
I am always skeptical and was convinced that I could most assuredly destroy one of these boxes. Sure I could shoot it, or run it over with a tank or throw it in a fire. But the purpose of this is to expose the item to real life circumstances and see how it fares.
I abused these boxes I dropped them off of a cliff down a 40 foot rocky waterfall, tried to sink them (they float), kicked them, threw them, soaked them, froze them everything I could think of. And they survived with flying colors!!!
OtterBox has a well constructed product that does exactly as it is supposed to. Now that does not mean there were no points of contention:
- Latches are TOUGH to open and were nearly impossible with winter gloves on (I assume they become easier to open in time)
- One of the latches looked as though it was going to break when I tried to open the box once I had frozen it with water in the latch
- Bulky
In answering the above points I would like to give the positive points:
- Very very secure once latched
- Latches are easily replaceable
- Larger boxes are foam lined
- Can zip tie/small luggage lock the boxes for additional security
- Seem to be designed to accept 2" webbing either to aid in locking it shut or to add a carrying strap
- Seals well, is truly waterproof so long as seam is kept debris free
- Tough as nails
With the variety of sizes and shapes Otterbox truly does provide protection for all of your needs. They are not limited ot this style of waterproof boxes check out the OtterBox site for more beta on all types of protection for all types of gear from laptops to iphones and everything in between. If electronics are not your game, these boxes would make great geocaches, keep your survival kit, or your first aid kit dry. Hell anything you can stuff in these cases is sure to stay nice and dry!
One last thing!!! We are giving away a genuine waterproof drybox made by OtterBox!! WhooHooo!!! In order to score the free box simply comment on this post as to why you deserve one and we will randomly select a winner. Be sure to leave an email address or other way to get in touch with you should you win! This contest will be open for 10 days starting NOW!
UPDATE: Congratulations to Deaghlan for winning the OtterBox 3500!!
Thanks to all who gave it a go! More give-aways soon!
Steve Hitchcock
Yeti
Yeti is an all around outdoor adventurer, enjoying everything from mountain and road biking, climbing and bouldering, orienteering, skiing, surfing, backpacking, trail running and exploring. Yeti is proud to make his home in the Colorado Mountains with his wife and son.
Pick me! Pick me! I'm a
Pick me! Pick me! I'm a wildland firefighter and could use this to hold my stuff!
I am constantly having the
I am constantly having the problem of the beer in my jersey and backpack spilling on the tough mt bike downhill sections so this will help keep the beer smell off the important stuff by keeping it all dry.
Hells ya, I like me some
Hells ya, I like me some Otter.
I have a question: Is this
I have a question: Is this bacon as delicious as I think it is?
And I have a comment: Yes.
Are you giving away the one
Are you giving away the one that you bounced down the waterfall? If so, then I deserve it, along with any other damaged/broken gear you may have sitting around. Repairing and recycling is a hobby of mine. Drinking beer is another hobby of mine.
I want it cuz i destroy alot
I want it cuz i destroy alot of electronics by dropping them off the boat or jumping/ falling in with them in my pockets still
Yeti you want bribes? How
Yeti you want bribes? How about some Guinness truffles along with a six pack of Real Ale Fireman's 4 beer?
I deserve the otterbox
I deserve the otterbox because I am an otter in the summertime. I live on the rivers/creeks in my area and I gots to keep my stuff dry man!
OMG Becky! The OtterBox 3500
OMG Becky! The OtterBox 3500 is just the one I've been dreaming of! Ow, my head hurts more and more every day, I hope I can make it 'till the 16th!
We get one entry in the drawing for each comment, right?
PS - you should disqualify Gordo since only wimps use iPhones!
Hmm I think the bribery
Hmm I think the bribery aspect shows much more promise than the threats...and although this will be a fair drawing. I am open to any attempts at bribery, and they will not impact the randomness of the drawing!!
Oh and I thought I should also say that the box we are giving away is the OtterBox 3500!!
I love otters and I love
I love otters and I love boxes, what better reason is there? I also know were you live...
I've stopped running the
I've stopped running the Incline happy hour for the simple reason I have a new iPhone (jt insert crappy keyboard comment here) call me a wimp ('nother comment from jt) but I don't want that gut-wrenching, tear & PBR stained catastrophe that happened to yeti - happen to me. If I had an Otter, I could once again rejoin my comrades on the Incline, confident that all my dry goods remain that way. Plus... there's a 6 pack of your favorite suds in it for you yeti!
On a guided elk hunt last
On a guided elk hunt last year, our guide dropped us off and said, "head that way around this mountain, I'll meet you on the other side". Well is was 4:00 am and very dark and in 100 yards was a river with a beaver dam. We walked up and down and decided our only option was to try to walk the top of the beaver dam over. They are not engineered, nor constructed as human bridge. I did make it across, but was very concerned if I ended up in the pond, that both my cell phone and camera would not survive. Otter boxes are a brilliant idea! Thanks for sharing info on your test procedure and product pros and cons.
I was recently diagnosed with
I was recently diagnosed with brain cancer and given until March 16th to live. My dying wish is to get a free Otter box. The make-a-wish foundation has rejected me, so you're my only hope.
Something I can keep my beer
Something I can keep my beer cold in when I'm playing on the beach. Could get top dollar for it on Ebay! Pick me:)
The life of an Austin
The life of an Austin Socialite is filled with many pitfalls, one of which is I never know when some idiot is going to toss me and or my bike into a river (mainly because I will not share my beer with them and they get mad...somewhat like a yetti.) We (the camping/hiking entourage) will spend a weekend camping the Enchanted Rock State Park in April and as my luck would have it one of the Vaggers that has thrown me into the boob chilling cold Blanco River at the Real Ale Festival (Real Ale one of the best micro breweries of Texas that has a big party every year in which you drink many pints of the liquid goodness) last summer and in the process ruined my Ipod and my cell phone.
I am asking you to help me keep my phone safe from harm during this camping trip so people can call for the medical examiner when this guys attempts to push me off a cliff in an attempt to take the barley pop and we have to teach him a lesson. I also think as the 007 of the Austin Socialites it would make a really great weapon to throw at someone if your back is turned for a second and someone tries to steal your beer!
mmm... i need something to
mmm... i need something to keep my pbr and weenies dry! especially when i take them rafting! noone likes cold wet weenies and watered down, watered down beer! :OD
Ooh ooh pick me, because I
Ooh ooh pick me, because I work in a muddy CAVE that destroys anything you bring into it, but moreso, because even if you do give it to me I will just turn around and donate it to the PPCC Outdoor Club for their upcoming gear swap fundraiser.
Because I know where you live
Because I know where you live and that if you tried to shoot me your gun wouldn't work anyway..... I would also rather keep my PBR protected than my phone so call me when they get a Otter "Can" protector
The life of a white water
The life of a white water junkie: I spend my summers half nekkid and soaking wet. I had an OtterBox, but the river stole it from me! I deserve this.
I deserve it because I spent
I deserve it because I spent the past 2 1/2 years losing over 200 pounds by hiking, climbing, mountain biking, running and adventure racing - and I made goal! In the process I found out I love the outdoors and I need all the help I can get in running all those adventure races (where most of the time I end up soaked to the bone)!
I should get it because you
I should get it because you gave me a weak nickname! Perfect for the new IPhone. Now that I am just off crutches again I fall a lot. Not to mention you might get the thunder and lightning if you don't! See ya buddy.
I deserve this to go in my
I deserve this to go in my camelbak for when on my epic bike rides my sweat drenches the bag... I need protection from myself!!!
I deserve one because I am
I deserve one because I am always destroying my decks of cards and have never been able to find a container tough enough to prevent this tragedy!