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Otterbox Defender or Griffin Survivor?

Azzin said:
Thanks.

I gather that both of these come with their own screen protector, but is it possible to remove it and use your own, as I'd much rather use a MediaDevil?

Cheers.
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I know this thread's a little older but I was searching for Otterbox Defender alternatives and I found this thread. Like others, I have an issue with the stupid home button being crazy stiff to press, but that's really the only major issue I have when using the defender.

As for your question here, I put an invisishield HD on my 3rd gen iPad, and loved it, but when I was traveling, I wanted more protection, so put on the Defender I bought awhile back. I had an issue where the Defender fits so tight that I got the Oil Slick effect, where it looks like there's oil between the screen and the built in screen protector on the Defender. Already having the Invisishield on it, and not wanting to take it off, I decided to see what it would take to take the built in screen protector on the Defender off. Turns out it is a thin layer of glue around the perimeter of the screen and it's really easy to just pop off. Once you get one corner off, it's a joke, it just peels off. The only issue I had then was the glue residue leaving marks on the ipad screen, but that was alleviated when I just used Goo Gone to remove the remnants of the glue from the Defender. A little bit of time and effort, and I love the results.

The only thing I don't like about the current generation's Defender other than the overly stiff home button, is how dificult it is to remove the case. Since I only use the Defender when traveling or working where I would need a bit more protection, I take it off when I get home, so it being easier to remove would be really nice.
 
I'm taking delivery today of the new iPad Lifeproof case - I'll let you know how it works out.

- Just got it / did the water test - it passed / installed on ipad / impressions...

Very lightweight, very rugged , has a "tacky" feel to - which is good. The front glass is unprotected - so that's nice. Yep, it's waterproof - just took the plunge...so far very impressed.
 
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mdavid727 said:
I'm taking delivery today of the new iPad Lifeproof case - I'll let you know how it works out.

- Just got it / did the water test - it passed / installed on ipad / impressions...

Very lightweight, very rugged , has a "tacky" feel to - which is good. The front glass is unprotected - so that's nice. Yep, it's waterproof - just took the plunge...so far very impressed.
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I thought the front had a clear membrane, like the Survivor. It does weigh half as much as the Defender, though. Haven't seen it locally yet. What was it priced at? The Lifeproof site didn't ave prices when I checked yesterday.
 
mdavid727 said:
I'm taking delivery today of the new iPad Lifeproof case - I'll let you know how it works out.

- Just got it / did the water test - it passed / installed on ipad / impressions...

Very lightweight, very rugged , has a "tacky" feel to - which is good. The front glass is unprotected - so that's nice. Yep, it's waterproof - just took the plunge...so far very impressed.
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This is great news! I hit the order link on my email message, but I guess I was a little slow on the trigger finger; mine is now backordered and will ship with the next batch they receive, I guess.

I bought a Survivor that I'm going to send back because of issues with the membrane over the screen (rainbow effect). It's good to know that the iPad glass is not covered in the LifeProof nuud, although I'm very curious as to how they achieve waterproofing by leaving it uncovered.

I have no idea how long it will take before it's shipped, but I'm looking forward to its arrival now. Thanks for the quick review.

LT
 
It was priced at 150 - not cheap but there is nothing else on the market that lets me take this into the pool. Yes the screen is uncovered - the IPad sits down into the case and the rubber seals create a waterproof bond around the glass ( difficult to explain) but, I can successfully say it works. But that first plunge will make you hold your breath! The pre-orders came with the stand $30.00 for those who didn't pre-order and it is worth it - as I like to watch movies on the plane without holding the iPad. The stand also serves as plastic cover when traveling - which is nice. So far, it's the best case with the most protection I owned yet. I'm going to Florida next week (hurricane not withstanding) so it will head to the beach for more testing.
 
mdavid727 said:
It was priced at 150 - not cheap but there is nothing else on the market that lets me take this into the pool. Yes the screen is uncovered - the IPad sits down into the case and the rubber seals create a waterproof bond around the glass ( difficult to explain) but, I can successfully say it works. But that first plunge will make you hold your breath! The pre-orders came with the stand $30.00 for those who didn't pre-order and it is worth it - as I like to watch movies on the plane without holding the iPad. The stand also serves as plastic cover when traveling - which is nice. So far, it's the best case with the most protection I owned yet. I'm going to Florida next week (hurricane not withstanding) so it will head to the beach for more testing.
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Interesting. Expensive as hell, but if the seal works and the back lens is covered by glass... I just have to wait for it to show up. I'll assume it needs the smoothness of a bare glass screen to work, though.
 
Haesslich said:
He said he was one of the pre-orders - looks like they got the first batch.
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Yes, I was one of the pre-orders - I put my name on the list pretty much the first day it was announced it was coming - I think over a year ago - when I got the email last week - I immediately went to the site paid my $ and waited - getting it this quickly may have been been luck - but I I'll take it.

Yes, the glass must not have any kind of screen protector on it - the directions that came with it (very lengthy I might add ) tell you this repeatedly - and that any screen protector must be removed - a seal between the glass and the case is created once the case is snapped together. Taking the case apart or putting it together takes a considerable amount of force. To that end, it's not something you'd want to do often - so I think this case will be on for quite awhile.

----------

BTW - I'd be happy to post any pictures of the case/stand - although there are a lot pictures on lifeproof's website and other places. But if there's a specific pic you want let me know, and I'll post it.
 
How stiff are the Home and power buttons? Given this has no Smart Cover, that's something useful to know. How heavy is it, in your experience? It weighs less (by half) than the Otterbox, but is it balanced well?

Also, would a Clear Coat or other backskin-cinders iPad cause an issue? I don't know how closely the back confirms to the iPad.
 
The home button, volume and power buttons all feel very good - the only button that's stiff is the mute button. As for the back - the whole case fits very tightly - and I would be hesitant to add any thickness to it. After all, water is very unforgiving. Perhaps a protective thin skin would be alright - but the carbon fiber look would be an issue I suspect. The case is very lightweight and very balanced - cant compare it to the otterbox - never owned one. It has a very tacky feel to it which I like - your tastes maybe different. But, when you hold this case you know your holding something rugged - it has a very military grade feel to it. Hope that helps. I think they have winner here - it ain't cheap, but its been fun washing it off in the sink - don't try that with an Otterbox!

Oh and no, I have no relationship to the lifeproof company - well, except that they now have my $150.00 plus tax in their pockets.
 
I just created a new thread about the lifeproof case that has some pictures of it next to the otterbox defender.
 
mdavid727 said:
The home button, volume and power buttons all feel very good - the only button that's stiff is the mute button. As for the back - the whole case fits very tightly - and I would be hesitant to add any thickness to it. After all, water is very unforgiving. Perhaps a protective thin skin would be alright - but the carbon fiber look would be an issue I suspect. The case is very lightweight and very balanced - cant compare it to the otterbox - never owned one. It has a very tacky feel to it which I like - your tastes maybe different. But, when you hold this case you know your holding something rugged - it has a very military grade feel to it. Hope that helps. I think they have winner here - it ain't cheap, but its been fun washing it off in the sink - don't try that with an Otterbox!

Oh and no, I have no relationship to the lifeproof company - well, except that they now have my $150.00 plus tax in their pockets.
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I was trying to figure out how they suspended the iPad inside - I'm assuming the edges of the frame are what clamps it in. The only thing not to like about it, in my books, is the transparent back - that seems like a leak waiting to happen if it's glass or plastic. As for the aesthetic part... where does it grip onto the iPad? Or is there a gap between the back and the iPad itself?

Otherwise, it does what the Survivor says it does... and is lighter, sleeker, and easier to use, or so it would appear from the shots. The Defender doesn't advertise water-proofing, and for good reason.
 
Haesslich said:
I was trying to figure out how they suspended the iPad inside - I'm assuming the edges of the frame are what clamps it in. The only thing not to like about it, in my books, is the transparent back - that seems like a leak waiting to happen if it's glass or plastic. As for the aesthetic part... where does it grip onto the iPad? Or is there a gap between the back and the iPad itself?

Otherwise, it does what the Survivor says it does... and is lighter, sleeker, and easier to use, or so it would appear from the shots. The Defender doesn't advertise water-proofing, and for good reason.
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The back is plastic, and there is a small gap between the back and the back of the iPad.... it grips on the edge all the way around... The edge all the way around is where it locks together also gripping the iPad. These are much harder clamps to undo when opening the case.
 
wwrgsww said:
The back is plastic, and there is a small gap between the back and the back of the iPad.... it grips on the edge all the way around... The edge all the way around is where it locks together also gripping the iPad. These are much harder clamps to undo when opening the case.
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If it grips the edges, and leaves the back with a slight gap... you MIGHT be able to fit a skin in there, as long as it doesn't cover the parts required to seal the iPad. Have to see if this comes up to where I am, so I can examine it more closely.
 
Haesslich said:
If it grips the edges, and leaves the back with a slight gap... you MIGHT be able to fit a skin in there, as long as it doesn't cover the parts required to seal the iPad. Have to see if this comes up to where I am, so I can examine it more closely.
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If you have a skin on the rear that does not touch the front glass at all, I would not see it as to much of an issue. however if it has anything on front, Lifeproof says to remove it.
 
How much of a hassle is it to get the iPad in and out of each of these cases. I am thinking about getting one for when I do cardio at the gym, but otherwise I would like to keep using my smart cover and snap shield. I am just worried that switching back and forth will be a pain.

Thanks!
 
TWO2SEVEN said:
How much of a hassle is it to get the iPad in and out of each of these cases. I am thinking about getting one for when I do cardio at the gym, but otherwise I would like to keep using my smart cover and snap shield. I am just worried that switching back and forth will be a pain.

Thanks!
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As noted a few posts above, the Lifeproof needs a water-tight seal, which means it takes some force to put it on... and take it off. The Otterbox isn't as bad, but it's tedious to do, due to the number of small retaining clips on the plastic frame that have to be undone, on top of the stiff rubber shell that needs to be pried off.

You'd be better off not using the iPad at the gym, if you want to keep it in the Belkin Snap Shield/Smart Cover combo, unless you're okay with shoving the set inside a padded sleeve.
 
Haesslich said:
As noted a few posts above, the Lifeproof needs a water-tight seal, which means it takes some force to put it on... and take it off. The Otterbox isn't as bad, but it's tedious to do, due to the number of small retaining clips on the plastic frame that have to be undone, on top of the stiff rubber shell that needs to be pried off.

You'd be better off not using the iPad at the gym, if you want to keep it in the Belkin Snap Shield/Smart Cover combo, unless you're okay with shoving the set inside a padded sleeve.
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Thanks for the reply. I shoudlved specified. I am looking to use it while doing my cardio, so the sleeve wouldn't work. I have already had my phone fall off of the "magazine holder" on the machines several times. Luckily it has been fine, but I don't want to see my iPad fall.:)

Anyone have any info on getting the iPad in and out of the Survivor?

Thanks!
 
TWO2SEVEN said:
Thanks for the reply. I shoudlved specified. I am looking to use it while doing my cardio, so the sleeve wouldn't work. I have already had my phone fall off of the "magazine holder" on the machines several times. Luckily it has been fine, but I don't want to see my iPad fall.:)

Anyone have any info on getting the iPad in and out of the Survivor?

Thanks!
Click to expand...

The old-style Survivor (the black one) was a pain. You have to unhook the rubber from the frame, like you did with the iPad 1 version of the Otterbox Defender), then you have to unhook the front from the back. Not something I'd want to do on a daily basis.

I'd probably try to avoid using the iPad on the machine if you want to keep it in the Snap Shield, to be honest.
 
The Survivor is great, save for the worst screen shield I've ever seen. Worse than the Otterbox. I wanted to like it, I really did. It was thin, and looked sleek. But I needed the cover that goes over the screen, plus a good stand, so I bought the Otterbox and use a Zagg HD as my screen shield. Popped out the stock one with the Otterbox.
 
toasty hoodie said:
The Survivor is great, save for the worst screen shield I've ever seen. Worse than the Otterbox. I wanted to like it, I really did. It was thin, and looked sleek. But I needed the cover that goes over the screen, plus a good stand, so I bought the Otterbox and use a Zagg HD as my screen shield. Popped out the stock one with the Otterbox.
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The new Defender is slimmer than the Survivor, and smaller. It's main issues are the huge speaker hole, the stiffness of the Rotation/Lock Swotch flap, and the built in screen protector being crap, IMO.
 
Haesslich said:
The old-style Survivor (the black one) was a pain. You have to unhook the rubber from the frame, like you did with the iPad 1 version of the Otterbox Defender), then you have to unhook the front from the back. Not something I'd want to do on a daily basis.

I'd probably try to avoid using the iPad on the machine if you want to keep it in the Snap Shield, to be honest.
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Thanks Haesslich.

I may end up just going with the Defender and being done with it. I got a chance to check one out on a family members iPad yesterday and I really liked it. It is much less bulky than I imagined it would be.
 
TWO2SEVEN said:
Thanks Haesslich.

I may end up just going with the Defender and being done with it. I got a chance to check one out on a family members iPad yesterday and I really liked it. It is much less bulky than I imagined it would be.
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The new Defender's a lot less bulky than the iPad1 version, and a lot less flimsy feeling than the iPad2 version... but it is still pretty big for a case. Especially with the lid on - without the lid, it's just heavy. With the lid, it gets more protection... but is definitely a hefty case.
 
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