Otterbox Defender Series Phone Case

Otterbox Commuter Phone Case

 

MSRP: $29-40

Many colors available depending on model of phone.

Otterbox

DiCaPAC Waterproof Camera Case

MSRP:  Depends on model

DiCaPAC

Pelican 1020 Micro Case

I have been using the Pelican 1020 Micro Case for over a year to store my digital camera in. I use it not only on a regular basis, but also when going out hiking, camping, in the rain, etc, etc. This case gets thrown around in my bag and has gotten wet and dropped and my camera hasn't gotten damaged yet. This case is good for a camera, your wallet and keys, PDA, cell phone and other smaller items.

This box is the clear version and features a rubber liner on all sides except the front. This liner helps to protect against shock. I would prefer a foam liner to do this, but the rubber liner has proven to work just fine. This liner acts as an O-ring seal to help keep water out as well. The liner can be removed and, on the clear model, a sticker with your name or logo or whatever can be placed on the back of the rubber liner and then it'll be displayed through the clear plastic on the back of the case.

The closure is one piece but it actually snaps closed in 2 different locations. The closure closes nice and tight but is easily opened. This provides a waterproof seal, however, this box is not designed to be submersed. (Although it is rates for 1 meter for 30 minutes, so don't be worried if it gets dropepd in the water for a short time). With an automatic pressure equalization Valve, this case also balances interior pressure and this valve also helps keep water out.

This case is also crush proof and dust proof. And all hardware is stainless steel.

The case also has a lanyard hole along with strap attachment points on the ends.

These cases also have an NSN for those in the military...you might be able to get your supply guy to get you one for your sensitive items.

Interior Dimensions: 5.31" x 3.56" x 1.68"

Colors: Clear w/Black liner, Clear w/Yellow liner, Solid Black.

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Otterbox 1000 & 2000

Otterbox makes a ton of different types of boxes and cases to protect your electronics and any other gear you want to keep safe from the elements or damage. Cases for everything from PCs, to palm pilots, blackberries, etc, etc. Otterbox was named by it's founder due to it's original mandate, which was a waterproof box to protect items from damage. The otter (who's fur is waterproof) became the mascot of otterbox.

I received 2 new cases to try out. The Otterbox 1000 is a smaller box that fits a lot of flip phones perfectly. It's also good for other small items that you may need to keep safe, things such as jump drives, key fobs, medications, money and credit cards (makes a good temporary wallet when you plan on getting wet). This box, unlike most other Otterboxes is not padded on the inside. The reason for this is that if it were padded on the inside there wouldn't be much room for anything inside it. The exterior dimensions are 4.837" x 3.682" x 1.652" , Interior dimensions are 3.700" x 2.350" x 1". There is only one latch on this box which, like other otter boxes, has a break away feature to prevent you from accidentally damaging the latch by opening it too far. You'll notice that with this box I used some Tactical Camo stencils to give it a digital camouflage. The Krylon Fusion paint used for this adhered well to the Otterbox material.

The otterbox 2000 is a little bit bigger and it has found to be a great home for my TomTom. There is a little bit of extra room, but it's provided excellent protection for it. This box does have padding in it to help protect your items (this padding will crush to half it's thickness to get a nice snug fit for your gear and add a littl more room for larger items). It's good for thinner electronic devices and also would be good for things like a passport or other important paperwork. Exterior dimensions are 6.855" x 4.571" x 1.829" and Interior dimensions are 5.757" x 3.140" x 0.979". It's a little tight for putting a lot of items or larger items in, but again I've found something that it keeps safe on a daily basis and you can find otterboxes in most sizes.

Features that both boxes have are: ABS plastic contruction, a lanyard hole and webbing attachment points on both ends a small hole for a padlock to even further secure your items.

I haven't been nice to these boxes. I don't intentionally beat them up, but I'm not easy on them. They both have proven to be exceptional pieces of gear, as all the otterboxes I've tried. They keep my gear in good condition. Otterbox never seems to dissapoint me.

Colors: Blue, Yellow, Clear, Black.

MSRP:

1000 box - $11.49

2000 box - $17.95

Aloksak & Opsak

These bags by Watchful Eye Designs are absolutely awesome. You may first look at them and think "ziplock" bags. They're far from it.

Both Aloksaks and Opsaks provide you with a resealable, airtight, watertight, puncture resistant, dustproof protection for anything you can fit in them. They come in several sizes, from small wallet and cell phone sizes to one large enough to hold a rifle. They are a decent thickness so that they don't tear and will last quite a while.

The bags have been tested and passed submergence , thrash, and pull tests conducted by the U.S. Navy Experimental Diving Unit and are certified waterproof to 60 meters by Scuba Schools International. I decided to do my own little test to compare them to Ziplock brand bags by putting a old cell phone in a Ziplock bag and one in an Aloksak bag and putting them through a full wash, rinse and spin cycle with a load of wash. When I took both bags out the Ziplock bag seemed to still be sealed closed but was full of water. The Aloksak was still sealed and had no water in the bag and the bag didn't look too worn either.

I have been using these bags a lot lately as it's been rainy here. I have put the wallet sized one to good use and it's not failed. I have used the other sizes while hiking in a local gully that has running water through it as well. One time while camping we decided to go for a swim in the lake and I was expecting a phone call, so I put my cell phone in a Aloksak and put it in my cargo pocket. I wasn't let down when I got out of the water and checked the phone and no water had gotten to it. One of the pictures here is my mothers phone. She was a little nervous when I put her phone in one of these bags and threw it in the pool. I then went in after it and was able to get a phone call through while a couple feet under the water.

Another thing I tried was to inflate the bag to use as a makeshift pillow for camping. This didn't work as the pressure of my head on the bag forced the seal open. I also used these to vacuum seal clothing for easier packing for camping. I do this by putting the clothing in the bag and then sitting on the bag to get all the air out and sealing the bag while sitting on it. With traditional ziplock bags that works out well at first, but after a short amount of time air gets in and the bag expands. Not with Aloksaks.

The Opsaks have the same great properties as the Aloksaks with the added benefit of being odor proof. So you can store food while camping without the fear of animals coming into your camp because of the smell of the food. They're also resistant to high heat and boiling water can be added to these bags to use for cooking. (The aloksak is heat resistant to 130°, Opsak is resistant to 170°) It's not recommended, though, to put the bag itself into boiling water.

If you use ziplock bags or any other form of waterproofing you need to try these bags out. They're extremely durable and work great. I get a ton of use out of these and I will be using these for years to come. I really have nothing negative to say about these bags and not even any improvements that can be made...they're awesome as is! Also...Watchful Eye Designs can customize these bags as well with custom sizes and shapes, colors, printing, added grommets.

Update (December '08): I have been using one particular bag on a very regular basis for several months now, probably 5 or 6 months. The bag itself has held up, but the closure came apart. One side of the closure separated from the bag. The durability of these bags still impresses me when you look at the alternative. For the abuse this bag has taken I wasn't too disappointed in the closure coming apart.

Otterbox 3250 box

Otterbox makes a ton of different types of boxes and cases to protect your electronics and any other gear you want to keep safe from the elements or damage. Cases for everything from PCs, to palm pilots, blackberries, etc, etc. Otterbox was named by it's founder due to it's original mandate, which was a waterproof box to protect items from damage. The otter (who's fur is waterproof) became the mascot of otterbox.

The 3250 is a dry box that is waterproof, crushproof, and airtight. And can withstand submersions up to 100 feet. It's dimensions are 8.813" x 5.175" x 3.082" on the outside and 7.587" x 3.648" x 2.226" on the inside. It's perfect for keeping your daily carry electronics safe while out on a hike, camping, boating, etc. I think this size is good for an all around box, however, otterbox has so many sizes that you'd almost always find one for the gear you need to protect.

One thing that I really like about the otterbox I received is that it's completely padded on the inside to help protect your gear. It has a seal around the entire opening which keeps water out. It's outer surface also has raised areas that help to protect the box by being thicker and absorbing more shock.

Another nice thing is that it has a lanyard hole (and an included lanyard) and also on each end it has loops that will accommodate webbing for strapping your otterbox to almost anything you want to. This is good for keeping your otterbox secure in a boat or vehicle so it's always where you need it.

One thing you want to be careful of is not opening the latches too far. This doesn't seem to damage the box, but it's a little harder to close it. The latches latch closed easily, but stay closed. I found it best to turn the box so that the latches were away from me in order to easier open them.

I have used this box to store several different items since I got it and have used it while camping, boating, and military style training. Through all these activities it got bumped, jarred, beaten up, wet, etc, etc, ad my gear came out protected.

The only issue I had with this box was when I got home from camping I was emptying my truck and set it on the top of the cab and it slipped off and bounced twice on the pavement and slid down my driveway. This damaged the corners of the box and I was surprised and a little disappointed. My gear inside was kind of heavy and I believe that the weight of the box and where it landed on the box was just right to where the corners cracked. The latch came off too, but this appears to be a break away feature to prevent the latches from being damaged, as you can put the latch back on. When I went to put the latch on, however, the attachment point broke off due to the crack along the corner. Again, my gear was still safe and undamaged, which is the point of the box. I wasn't disappointed in this fact. I contacted the company regarding if this would be covered with any kind of guarantee...they said that it would be and that this is a very unusual thing to happen...it must have hit just right. Not a common problem. I tend to believe this as these boxes are pretty darn tough. They are sending a replacement and my review will continue with this box.

After the damage to the box I tested it's waterproof properties again. It took me shaking the box under the water to get just a slight trickle of water to enter the box...and that's with the waterproof seal exposed. Fairly acceptable in my opinion. The 3250 is an excellent box, as I suspect all Otterboxes are. They will keep your gear safe and as I have witnessed...even after having been damaged they kept my gear inside safe. I will continue to use the Otterbox and it's replacement and update this post as necessary.