The best rugged case for iPhone 5

[hdablin]

There are a lot of rugged case discussions on MacRumors, but I couldn't find the comparison / choosing thread. Let's start it.

Macrumors user Hooterville said the following:

Lifeproof Fre - Sucks
Seidio Obex - Sucks
Lunatik TakTik Expreme - Sucks
Otterbox Armor - Sucks

After some reading and searching I agree with that statement. Lifeproof has big sound quality problems, Obex is a piece of low quality materials, Lunatik has a very poor customer service and not waterproof and Otterbox is not always well-made (some users need to return them because of poor manufacturing).

So, the question is: what kind of crap to choose? At the moment I like Lunatik TakTik for its glass screen protector (great feature, why others don't use it?) and Otterbox (it seems, this case has less design flaws than others).

Are there any options with glass (not plastic) screen protection (expect Lunatik)? Is there a flawless rugged case on the market?

P.s. Sorry for my English, I'm not a native speaker.

 

[Jalopybox]

Acase.

 

[T4R06]

ATLAS but you need to wait for 5-6 weeks

 

[HiRisk]

I'd choose the Otterbox Armor case. It's the most rugged, dust proof, water proof, impact proof, etc. and can be purchased at a AT&T corporate store.

I can't recommend the Incipio Atlas mainly because I haven't tried that case (it's not even out yet).

If I were to put the rugged (water proof, dust proof, impact proof, etc.) cases into tiers, I would put it like this:

1. Otterbox Armor (may be too bulky for some and port covers too tough for some people to remove but otherwise perfect based on my experience)

2. LifeProof Fre (audio/mic issues, plagued by the "oil slick effect" but newer versions are hitting retail stores with supposedly less issues. Very slim and sleek but not as protective as the Armor.)

3. Seidio OBEX (could have been perfect but the mute switch cover is very flimsy and can easily come off the case - very big flaw IMHO. Slim, sleek, and aside from mute switch, design seems similar to the Incipio Atlas which is a combination of the OBEX and LifeProof.).

The Lunatik Taktik case isn't water proof but water resistant so I elected to omit it from the list.

 

[Essenar]

http://www.amazon.com/Griffin-605031-SVFB-Survivor-Case-iPhone/dp/B0099VXLCU

The only rugged case you need.

The Griffin Survivor is 10x the case Otterbox is. Otterbox Defender has been a joke since the iPhone 4. The silicone outer shell gets loose and looks like dead skin hanging over the edge. It gets dust and dirt underneath. The belt clip is a joke.

The Griffin Survivor FEELS better. It always fits snug.

 

[Robster3]

http://www.amazon.com/Griffin-605031-SVFB-Survivor-Case-iPhone/dp/B0099VXLCU

The only rugged case you need.

The Griffin Survivor is 10x the case Otterbox is. Otterbox Defender has been a joke since the iPhone 4. The silicone outer shell gets loose and looks like dead skin hanging over the edge. It gets dust and dirt underneath. The belt clip is a joke.

The Griffin Survivor FEELS better. It always fits snug.

Rubbish. OB defender is great, no loose skin, no dust, screen protector is great. And does not scratch the phone.

 

[Hooterville]

http://www.amazon.com/Griffin-605031-SVFB-Survivor-Case-iPhone/dp/B0099VXLCU

The only rugged case you need.

The Griffin Survivor is 10x the case Otterbox is. Otterbox Defender has been a joke since the iPhone 4. The silicone outer shell gets loose and looks like dead skin hanging over the edge. It gets dust and dirt underneath. The belt clip is a joke.

The Griffin Survivor FEELS better. It always fits snug.

The griffin survivor is the worst POS of the bunch, bar none.

 

[macMD]

I have a TakTik case coming but wasn't entirely sure the camera/flash hole issue was corrected on mine or not. So if it isn't then it goes back. Next up I will be looking at the OtterBox Armor which for what they say it can do would be worth it. Its not the cost of a case its the time to get one, test it and if it doesn't work out return it, that part sucks. Plus the lack of choices that are local to you is another issue.

 

[kilcher]

I've had Otterbox Defenders for a few years now, always been extremely happy with them. I suspect most of the people having issues unknowingly buy knock-offs from Amazon. I don't do anything rugged, just worry about dropping my phone and don't mind the added bulk. I don't have to have a tough / waterproof case so I'm not williing to compromise call quality.

I tried a Taktik Extreme but was extremely turned off by the price tag ($143 after taxes and shipping), the way the company handled the launch, and their customer service. I also had a huge rainbow slick (about 2/3 of the screen) that was so dark I could clearly see it even with the phone on. I don't mind paying a premium price but I expect PREMIUM service in return. I didn't get it. Decided to return it within an hour of using it.

I then ordered a knockoff aluminum Taktik Extreme from eBay at half the price. Seemed decent but it killed my wifi reception. Sending it back.

Was tempted to buy the Lifeproof when it first came out but read so many negative reviews (particularly in terms of call quality) that I quickly wrote that one off.

Never considered the Griffin Survivor. Not a fan of the look.

Last night I picked up an Otterbox Armor case. Couldn't love it more. My search is finally over. This is everything I've wanted. And I'm happy to be sticking with Otterbox. I posted my review in another thread but I'll repost it here...

Picked up a green Armor case for my white iPhone 5 tonight and I love it! I'm coming from an Otterbox Defender. I actually prefer the bulk - I don't have to worry about dropping my phone and I also feel like I'm less likely to forget it somewhere.

Anyway, I checked w/ the AT&T store to see what their return policy is. After reading quite a few concerns about waterproof cases in general (primarily in terms of call quality) I didn't want to get stuck with a $100 case I didn't like. Their return policy is 14 days - refund, not credit.

I wanted something protective, don't mind bulky. I'm probably less likely than the average person to damage my case doing something rough or manly but I don't want to worry about damaging my phone either. So I don't mind the bulk for the added protection (and waterproof is a bonus) but I don't have to have it - I'm not willing to sacrifice much in terms of call quality.

First impressions... Looked better in person than I thought it would. Not as big or boxy as I thought it would be. Easier to put on and take off than I thought it would be (even easier than my Defender - which helps for wiping away "rainbow slicks"). Screen feels like it's better quality than my Defender. For the most part screen sensitivity is great. I really like that it's dust-proof, something I had to worry about with my Defender.

I can't really think of a con. I did have a very small rainbow slick earlier but opening the case and closing it got rid of it. Seems unavoidable. (ETA: It's been 24 hours now, rainbow slick has not returned.) Not a fan of the small home button but at least it's very easy to press. And the screen is a little less sensitive toward the top, there's a bit of a gap there between the front of the phone and the protector. Nothing I can't get used to. I may see about sticking a little something behind the phone to try and push it up toward the screen a bit more.

Ear speaker quality is excellent. The bottom speaker quality is excellent. Neither are hampered at all. I only made one call, to my wife, asked her later if she noticed any difference and she said no. Most of my calls are made from the car using Bluetooth so it doesn't seem like I'll have any issues.

Haven't done a water test yet. I have no plans to intentionally submerge my phone but I suppose I should do one anyway. Will maybe try it tomorrow.

I've tried quite a few cases in the past, always went back to my Otterbox Defender in less than 24 hours. I'm apparently a bigger fan of their products than I want to admit. This case is just awesome, very happy with it.

 

[Jalopybox]

There are many many counterfeit otterbox, Belkin, etc cases floating around. Most on Amazon if not bought directly from Amazon(not third party), are fake. Cases that are less than half of full retail on ebay are usually fake.

 

[Jason387]

I think that the Spigen cases are really starting to prove themselves as a cheaper option to the Otterbox while providing the same protection. They also weigh a lot less and are much less bulky.

 

[Reeler]

I think that the Spigen cases are really starting to prove themselves as a cheaper option to the Otterbox while providing the same protection. They also weigh a lot less and are much less bulky.

I totally second this but I prefer the tough armor for ruggedness