gadgetorama reviews the Armor 1900 PDA case by OtterBox - Page 2
By Jerome, Editor-in-chief
Posted on June 16, 2005
Previous page - Introduction and specs
Some tests
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| Figure 7: Standing on the case |
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| Figure 8: Armor 1900 adrift in sink |
Call me crazy if you will but I put my iPAQ h2210 in the case when I subjected it to some tests. It did lead to one heart-stopping moment as you'll soon see!
The first test I did was to simply put all my weight on the case (Figure 7). I did the test on a hardwood floor. Do you know how hard it it to stand on one leg on an Otterbox case and try to take a picture? As I stood on top of the case, there were a few creaks and groans coming from the case but I suspect that these were more from the case shifting as I teetered on top of it. More than 70 kilos of weight were applied to the case. After, I gave it a thorough look over and could find no evidence of the case failing.
Next, I decided to test for myself just how waterproof the case really was. Down I went to the gadgetorama hydrotesting facilities (our bathroom sink). I wanted to do a couple of tests. The first would be to just drop the case into the water and see what happens. In it went. I then peered more closely and my heart stopped: There was water in the case! And not just a few drops! Curses followed and as I pulled the case out, I had already begun the grieving process for my iPAQ. When I took a closer look, I realized that the water was not in the actual case but caught between the screen membrane and the flip-up lid; my iPAQ looked as dry as ever. Just to make sure, I popped the bottom plug, still expecting water to come gushing out. Nothing! Absolutely nothing!
So, forgetting all the promises that I had just made never to do anything that could endanger my iPAQ (and other gadgets), back in the water went the case and iPAQ (Figure 8). I left it to float for more than 5 minutes before giving another close look. Once again, there was water under the flip-up screen but the inside of the case was completely dry.
For my last test, I submerged the case for 10 minutes. I had to weigh it down as the case naturally floats (a good thing if your canoe tips over)! 10 minutes later, I popped the case open and found it to be perfectly dry. If it can survive 10 minutes under water, you know that rain or snow will not get through either. Otter Products, LLC. guarantees their cases up to 100 feet deep.
At this point, I decided that I had pushed my luck enough with water and spent the next few minutes dropping the case from a table onto the floor (over a meter in height). I cringed each and every time I did it! Fortunately, aside from the lid popping off a couple of times, there were no issues.
For my last test, I decided to kick the case across the room. I admit that I did take my iPAQ out for this one. The case went flying and smashed into the wall across the room but showed no signs of any wear when I looked at it. Impressive!
If these tests are not dramatic enough for you, have a look at the testimonials on the Otterbox web site.
Some final thoughts
Otter Products, LLC. provides a number of additional accessories that complement the Armor 1900. For example, you can get a belt clip or a cable passthrough kit that allows you to connect any size cable to your PDA. If the top lid is not big enough, you can get larger PODS that will accomodate. For example, they have a Scanner POD that comes with a hardened lens that allows the transmission of 99% of the laser light used by the scanner.
One more indication of Otter Products, LLC.'s commitment is their unconditional lifetime warranty. If the case fails for any reason, get in touch with them and they will replace it. I asked them if they would replace the PDA if it was damaged by the failure. They will only replace the case but indicated that failures are usually due to operator error(not latched all the way, silicone gasket is not properly cleaned, PDA isn't strapped into the case properly, etc.). Take care of the case and the case will take care of you and your handheld!
What I liked
- Impressive protection for your PDA (impact, water, dust, etc)
- You can use almost all functions while the PDA is in the case (depends on the PDA model)
- Additional accessories that can increase functionality
What I did not like
- Being a case for many different PDAs means that not all functions will be supported on all PDAs
- Access to buttons on sides of PDA is impossible
- If your IR port is not at the top, you will not be able to beam without compromising the seal
- Stylus holder
Summary
Otter Products, LLC. is a company whose products are meant to protect some of our sensitive electronic tools in some of the harshest environments. And I don't mean your cubicle where spilled coffee is the greatest danger (although it will do that as well). If you find yourself with a scenario where your first thought is that your PDA will never survive a day, then the Armor 1900 is definitely an option that you should consider (see Figures 9 and 10 for some examples). You have the alternative of a rugged PDA like the Duratek 3100 but only one of these alternatives is relatively inexpensive.
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| Figure 9: Armor 1900 in a stream |
Figure 10: Another Otterbox being put to the test |
| Figures 9 and 10 reprinted with permission from Otter Products, LLC. |
The Armor 1900 does ask that you give up a little convenience and does have its own limitations. Because it is designed to accomodate a number of different PDAs, you will find that the case can restrict access to ports, buttons or slots. But this might be a small price to pay in exchange for the ability to be able to take your PDA places where it would otherwise not survive.
Now that the summer is here, trips to the beach, hikes and bike rides will not necessarily mean that my iPAQ has to stay behind. The Armor 1900 offers the level of protection for my iPAQs that these activities require (and more!). It will not replace my usual case for day to day office use but it will be the case that I turn to when my iPAQ could be at risk of becoming no more than a paperholder.
Rating
Where can I get it?
You can purchase the Armor 1900 from the Otter Products, LLC. web site for $99.95 USD. The accessories I mentioned in the review (as well as others) can be purchased from Otterbox's web site. And Otter Products, LLC. also makes cases for iPods, Tablet PCs and even cigars!
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