Seidio Innocase Rugged Quick Review

I just received my Rugged add on pack for my Seidio Innocase Surface case for iPhone 4. The Rugged is Seidio's answer to the Otterbox Defender, except that the inner most case is their standard Innocase Surface (a slider case). The concept is one system that can be used when needing minimal protection (just the inner slider case), or when maximum protection is needed (adding the outer layer plus hard plastic exoskeleton).

Quick summation...I like this case. It's a bit thicker than the Otterbox Defender, but on the other hand, it doesn't always have to be that thick. Pop the exoskeleton and the outer thick silicone off, and you're back down to a slider case. I'd say that this case is even more drop protection than that of the Defender, which is already way overkill as far as drop protection goes. In other words, with either case, I don't know of a drop that they couldn't sustain.

Pros:
-I really like the camera protecting flap that is on the case, and how it pins back when needing to take a pic. The only downside to that is that now, to use the flash as a flashlight, it's not as quick as just unlocking your phone and hitting your flashlight app. You'll also have to undo the cover as well.
-Amazing holster with this case! Very sturdy feeling, great clip in mechanism, and it also has a slide lock to keep the latch from accidentally releasing. As a bonus, the Otterbox Defender also fits in it perfectly (I hate the Defender holster)
-Not as much silicone exposed on the exterior of the case as the Defender. I love that the plastic exoskeleton covers most of the back of the device. I hate that the entire exterior of the Defender is silicone, as it attracts lint like crazy.

Cons:
-I'm not quite as big of a fan of this case's integrated port covers as I am those of the Defender, but they should still do the job of keeping any dirt, dust, or grit out of the headphone jack and dock connector.
-The vibrate switch is REALLY recessed! You are basically reaching through 2 cases to get to it. It's not too deep for me to get at, but for someone who keeps their nails cut very short, or has bigger fingers, it could pose a problem to get at.


Back View:

With camera flap locked back:

Front view:

Deep vibrate switch cut-out:

Compared to the Otterbox Defender:

Holster:

Holster locking mechanism:

Otterbox Defender fitting perfectly in Rugged holster!:

Nicest feature of this case/system...with the removal of the exoskeleton and silicone (about 10 seconds to do), this is what you're left with:


By default, the inner case is black. If you order the Innocase seperately, as well as the Rugged add-on pack, you can pick any color Innocase you want (I chose green, obviously).

mpossoff said:

Wow thanks for the review.

It's thicker you said than the otterbox?

In regards to the slider case... Currently I have full body clear-coat. I know pop on cases work for the most part such as speck candy shell. Will this slider case work with a full body protection product.

Marc

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It is slightly thicker front to back than the Defender, yes. And as far as fitting with a full body protection kit, I do know that this (the Seidio Innocase) is one of the loosest fitting slider cases out there, and some say even too loose (read the longer Innocase thread regarding this). On a bare iPhone 4, the slider case is very loose. I have an SGP matte shield on the back of my iPhone, and an Stenheil crystal screen protector on the front, and it slides on very easily, and still has a little breathing room. I don't have shields on around the outside of my iPhone, however (the part of the full body kits that cover the antenna), so I can't comment on that. But, you could always try it, and at the very worst, have to remove the parts of the shield covering the antenna. I know the Innocase can accommodate very thick front and back shields with no problem.

NYDiplomat said:

YES. FTMFW.

This is why I ordered the rugged add on pack. Thanks I needed the confirm.

Click to expand...

You're welcome! It was just pure luck that I even tried the Defender in the holster, as I wasn't planning on it. I just noticed while taking the comparison pictures that the two cases were very close in thickness (again, the Rugged being slightly thicker), so I just gave it a whirl and snapped the Defender in there. Lo and behold, it went beautifully.

mpossoff said:

Does the seidio holster swivel?

Marc

Click to expand...

Yes, it will ratchet 90 degrees in either direction, so that you can holster the phone horizontally or vertically in either direction.

For those that already have an Incase Slider, but would like this kind of protection at times, here's a little something interesting that I discovered today. The Rugged add-on kit (which is what I have for my Innocase slider) will work flawlessly on the Incase Slider as well! So you can have your choice of interior cases, either the Seidio Innocase, or the Incase Slider. The only very, very minor issue is that since the Incase is slightly thinner than the Innocase, the camera flap on the back is SLIGHTLY more loose when sealed (covering the camera). It still snaps shut like it's supposed to when covering the camera, but there is a little wiggle room. Very, very minor, and the flap still only comes open when you want it to (won't release by accident, even with the slight bit of play).

Psycdude said:

Does it come with a screen cover like the Otterbox?

Click to expand...

If you order the entire system off their website (not just the add-on like I did), it states that it comes with an adhesive style screen protector. But as far as the case having a built in screen protector, no, it does not.

lonnielove said:

Does the geen inner part bubble up any of the screen protectors when you slide it on??? kinda what the incase slider does to all screen protectors?

Click to expand...

No, not at all. At least mine doesn't. If you read the Seidio Innocase thread (which is what the green inner case is), you'll see that Seidio left the slider case very loose (at least on a bare iPhone), which leaves clearance for front and back shields. I have an SGP matte back shield on mine, and a crystal screen protector installed, and the case still slides on and off perfectly. I like that they left the case a little loose to make room for this.

Sulaco said:

Hi, the otter box has all buttons etc covered. Do any of you have / forsee problems with the fact the Innocase has a permanent cut out for the mute switch? I appreciate neither case is 'waterproof' but what do consider chances of dirt / water egress? Obviously neither case is 'pretty'. However if getting one, best to choose the 'best'. Thanks!

Click to expand...

I actually like the fact that the mute button is uncovered. It's easier access to it (I use the button a lot), so I don't have to keep opening and closing that irritating flap. Plus, on the Otterbox's silicone, the area attaching to the little flap is very thin/weak, and I could see it potentially ripping off, or even stretching the silicone around the flap over time, since the whole silicone cover gives on that side to operate the flap. Like you said, neither case is even remotely waterproof/water resistant (the Otterbox for iPhone 4 is even less water resistant than the one they made for iPhone 3GS), so it doesn't matter as far a moisture entry is concerned. That's my opinion, at least.

My advice would be: if you think you'll leave the phone in the full, max protection casing all the time, get the Otterbox Defender. It was designed for this, and is a little bit better (usability wise) than the full-on Rugged case in this regard. But if you would be swapping between naked/minimal protection and a max protection case a lot, get the Seidio Rugged. It's designed as the best compromise between the two. It'd be the equivalent of getting the Otterbox Defender for heavy duty, and the Otterbox Commuter for light, and constantly swapping out between the two.