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HackerJL

macrumors regular
Original poster
Sep 19, 2009
212
62
I got myself a Otterbox for my iphone 3gs, and all was well...for about 12 hours. I live in Canada, where its known to be cold, and having it on my hip while wearing a winter parka didnt end well for me. I walked to work one morning, and got there without my phone. Find My Iphone to the rescue, and found it in an alley - perfectly fine..yay. The Otterbox's holster/hip mount is crap...and if you read around its not just me that has this problem, its not held in tightly at all.

Can anyone suggest a different case, rugged and nice like the otterbox, but clips on the belt in a better way, or a way to mod the otterbox to work better...its sooo nice of a case for what I need it for.
 
Is yours defective?

All the videos on youtube I have ever seen of the Defender clip holds it very tight as long as you put it face in. If you put it face out it can fall out really easily.

Offhand I am not sure what would be as good as an Otterbox. They seem to be the best when it comes to rugged cases.
 
Is yours defective?

All the videos on youtube I have ever seen of the Defender clip holds it very tight as long as you put it face in. If you put it face out it can fall out really easily.

Offhand I am not sure what would be as good as an Otterbox. They seem to be the best when it comes to rugged cases.

The two plastic clips on the side, are the same resistance face-in or face-out, they hit the same holes.

Thanks for the reply..hoping someone sees this who has been in the same position...
 
contact otterbox and discuss your situation and they will send you the new revised holster, i got one for free. hope this helps
 
No joke, my holster slip sucks. Phone falls out at slightest bump. I have had to stop using it. Who/how do you contact at Otterbox? Just complain and ask for a replacement?
 
The two plastic clips on the side, are the same resistance face-in or face-out, they hit the same holes.

Thanks for the reply..hoping someone sees this who has been in the same position...

The only reliable way for me to "lock it in" has been face-in. The holes don't seem to line up face-out (though it appears they were meant to).

I will talk to their PR people, since I write for iPhone Life Magazine, and will see them next week at CES. Here's a blog I just posted re the OtterBox and my recent travels.

http://www.iphonelife.com/blog/2458/so-you-got-new-iphone-or-ipod-touch-now-protect-it
 
Here is my "hack"....

I put a blue rubber band so you can see it... (rubber bands that they band broccoli together from the local market work perfect)

the one i keep on my phone is black so it looks fine with my black defender.... it's not as hard to get out of the holster as i thought.... but it's the only thing that has worked for me.... sometimes i keep the phone facing out and just take the whole holster off my belt.....

4228828882_93a4e50136.jpg


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probably not everyone's cup of tea, but it's very secure and never fell out at the construction site, and i'm thinking if you have a defender you're probably rough on your phone....
 
I use a metal s-Biner #2, held on by small zip tie

You thread the zip tie through one of the plastic case snaps on the side, I chose the right side. Get the zip on there, then work the silicone cover back on. Put the zip on loosely at first so you can work it around both gates and situate it in the center. Then tighten it down. Works ok, but sometimes takes 2 hands to get it on a belt loop. I use the outer gate to attach my bluetooth earpiece. It's very secure and much less bulky than the standard clip. Only downside is at some point I'll either tear a belt loop or rip a side snap off.
 
The only reliable way for me to "lock it in" has been face-in. The holes don't seem to line up face-out (though it appears they were meant to).

I will talk to their PR people, since I write for iPhone Life Magazine, and will see them next week at CES. Here's a blog I just posted re the OtterBox and my recent travels.

http://www.iphonelife.com/blog/2458/so-you-got-new-iphone-or-ipod-touch-now-protect-it

I just spoke directly with the OtterBox people here at CES and confirmed that face in is the way to lock it in on your hip but face out is for using it on a desk to watch a video or similar use. They also said if anyone has a question to contact them (www.otterbox.com)... In fact another otterbox owner came up to me at the iPhone Life booth to say he was pleased that they just replaced his case because the screen scratched.
 
Get a Seidio Innocase Rugged. Same idea as the Otterbox but waaayyy better holster. Spring loaded latch over the top holds phone securely. Had one for my 3GS and it was the best case/holster I've ever owned. Hopefully my iP4 Rugged is in the mailbox tomorrow when I get home from work. :)
 
Maxpedition makes a durable holster with a strong steel clip that grips like the dickens. It fits duty belts and smaller. You put the Otter in there and it will not get lost. Clip that came with my Defender is untrustworthy. It's fine for doing yard work so that you can locate your phone in, say, a leaf pile. But it is not good for extensive travel, where you can lose your phone permanently.
 
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