Develop Bugs

Thin case comparison/review- Incipio Feather vs. Casemate Barely There

I just got my Incipio Feather in the mail, and I must say I am very let down. When I looked at the picture on the website, I really thought that the case was going to wrap around the front but it does not. In all fairness, I did look at the picture again and it doesn't wrap around in it like I thought it did. The picture is very deceiving, the way they shade the Evo makes it look like the case wraps around, at least to me it does. Anyways...
The Incipio is a lot thicker than the Barely There, and doesn't come up as high on the sides either. That actually makes it feel rather awkward in the hand because there is a very pronounced lip around the whole phone. Also, the Incipio case has a full cutout, like a bite, from the front of the case for the volume rocker whereas the Barely There has a rectangular hole and covers the plastic in front of the rocker.
The Incipio also provides far less protection for the camera lens. With the Barely There, the lens is completely protected, it covers the edge of the glass, fully recessing the lens into the case. It has a separate cutout for the flash, lens, and speaker. The Incipio just has one gaping hole for all three to share.
My biggest complaint about the Incipio is that because it doesn't come up all the way around the sides, the face of the Evo sticks out from it and consequently the corners are not fully protected. If this thing takes a tumble on to concrete, there is a good chance your corner could still get scratched. With the Barely There case, while still not very protective, at least your corners won't get beat up.
The only positive about the Incipio is that I like the way the material feels better than the Barely There. It has a softer, almost velvety finish to it. The Barely There still has a nice rubberized texture to it, just not as nice as the Incipio's.
I see no reason at all to purchase the Incipio case when you can buy the Barely There case instead. The Barely There is thinner, feels more comfortable in the hand, and provides more coverage/protection. I am sticking with my Barely There case and will probably give the Incipio away.
Casemate Barely There
Incipio Feather
Both cases cost $19.99.

Thanks for the review ... appreciate it. Have you looked at the other Case Mate Evo case that is two part (Tough Case)? Just wondering about the protection and quality.

No I haven't, at least not in person. I'm sure it's a great case, and I know other people have had good experiences with it, but I personally don't like the way it looks compared to the OB Commuter case or the Seidio Active Limited, and I already have both of those.

_MetalHead_ said:
No I haven't, at least not in person. I'm sure it's a great case, and I know other people have had good experiences with it, but I personally don't like the way it looks compared to the OB Commuter case or the Seidio Active Limited, and I already have both of those.
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Couple of quick questions for you ... since you have both. I had the Seidio Active Limited from Amazon, really liked the feel of it, but the plastic back began to peel off. I didn't replace it with another ... afraid the same thing would happen. Any issues for you? So I've been using the Otter Box Impact case, but since I keep my phone in my front pocket ... it can be a lint magnet. If you don't mind ... tell me about your experience with the Commuter case from OB. Thanks.

wmdunn said:
Couple of quick questions for you ... since you have both. I had the Seidio Active Limited from Amazon, really liked the feel of it, but the plastic back began to peel off. I didn't replace it with another ... afraid the same thing would happen. Any issues for you? So I've been using the Otter Box Impact case, but since I keep my phone in my front pocket ... it can be a lint magnet. If you don't mind ... tell me about your experience with the Commuter case from OB. Thanks.
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I have the exact same issue as you with the Seidio. I have actually gone through 3 of them now, and they all started peeling within a week. The first one I had one of the tabs broke off while putting the case on. It's a shame that the build quality is so crappy on them because I really like the design, and I think it's a little more rugged than the OB Commuter. Not by much though, it just has thicker silicone.
My only complaint about the Commuter, and I know a lot of people share the same feeling, is that the cover for the charging and HDMI ports was poorly designed. It is a pain to get it closed, and it never stays in place for very long. Also, the way they cut the silicone for that cover, it is subject to tearing. Mine hasn't torn, and neither has my buddy's, but I know some people have had that issue. The good news is that Otterbox, unlike Seidio, has no problem whatsoever sending out a replacement case if by some chance that piece tears off, or any other defect for that matter. Overall I think it is a great case and I use it regularly, and even with the small issue of that cover, I can still recommend it to people.

Thank you ... I'm thinking about trying the "Barely There" since I'm an "in pocket" guy.

You can barely tell that there is a case on the phone with the Barely There, hence the name. If you're an in pocket guy, then that is definitely the case you want. I use it way more than all my other cases combined.

get the barely there case, i have it and love it, and as they say, its hardly noticable. plus case-mate came out with a full frontal screen cover, so you have case protection on back and sides and a full screen cover to cover the remaining parts
wmdunn said:
Thank you ... I'm thinking about trying the "Barely There" since I'm an "in pocket" guy.
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You said my words exactly. I too am very let down with the Incipio Feather case. I also thought that it would at least have a lip that came over the front edge but nothing. I dropped my phone on the carpet(fortunately it was carpet) and it popped right out of the case. If you want protection I don't think this is the case to use. They could have done much better. I would have preferred one of the Incipio NGP cases to this thing.

I've been using the Barely There case for almost 2 months. I love the feel of it. The material holds well. The screen protector it came with is awesome. I hated the way stealthguards and invisible shield felt on the glass. The screen protector that the Barely There came with feels just like glass when it's on.
The only thing is that this case is just to protect against scratches and minor drops on carpet maybe. I dropped it once on concrete and the case flew off and I have a small dent on the top front corner of my Evo.

This is my experience exactly
dcfella said:
I've been using the Barely There case for almost 2 months. I love the feel of it. The material holds well. The screen protector it came with is awesome. I hated the way stealthguards and invisible shield felt on the glass. The screen protector that the Barely There came with feels just like glass when it's on.
The only thing is that this case is just to protect against scratches and minor drops on carpet maybe. I dropped it once on concrete and the case flew off and I have a small dent on the top front corner of my Evo.
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I have the Seidio Rugged and it comes with the Innocase Surface as well and I really like the Surface, its not too thick and protects the camera lenses from scratches. I just need to get the belt clip for the Surface so outside of work I don't have all the bulk.
Sent from my PC36100 using XDA App

Get the Otterbox Impact. I love it. High quality silicone and nice thick screen protector.
Sent from my PC36100 using XDA App

Those aren't really barely there cases

xlGmanlx said:
Those aren't really barely there cases
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Barely there cases are counter-intuitive. If you want to protect a case against impact should you drop it, the case needs to be heavy enough to absorb most of the impact itself and not the phone. These barely there cases may protect from scratches on the phone body but that's it. So I guess you can safely slide the phone around on your desk but don't drop it.
Sent from my PC36100 using XDA App

Case mate barely-there case on newegg for $9.99. I would post the link but I don't have 8 posts yet.

Not really applicable in a thin case review check op as the subject isn't the merits of thin cases versus other types
mitchellvii said:
Barely there cases are counter-intuitive. If you want to protect a case against impact should you drop it, the case needs to be heavy enough to absorb most of the impact itself and not the phone. These barely there cases may protect from scratches on the phone body but that's it. So I guess you can safely slide the phone around on your desk but don't drop it.
Sent from my PC36100 using XDA App
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the bottom flap on my commuter stays in place fine, also fits great in your pocket, unless your female and wear them skin tight the barely there doesn't have any lay on the table protection for the front glass, which is just too risky in my opinion.
Sent from my PC36100 using XDA App

Poetik said:
Case mate barely-there case on newegg for $9.99. I would post the link but I don't have 8 posts yet.
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Thanks, just order it. I had the ID case for the iPhone from them and that thing took a beating and never gave up. Hope to expect the same from them again

I still think the Otterbox Commuter is the best case out there. It doesn't add that much bulk, feels sturdy and protects like none other. Well worth the money.

Otterbox COMMUTER vs Case Mate TOUGH

For those interested, here is my OTTERBOX COMMUTER vs CASE MATE TOUGH comparison. I now own both of these cases and found some interesting differences.
OTTERBOX COMMUTER
+ Very solid case 9/10
+ Rubber has extra cushioning bumpers on corners to better protect against drops
+ Cutouts also have secure plugs to prevent dust and water from intrusion
+ top, bottom and sides have hard plastic protection over the rubber making a more secure fit all round.
+ Rubber is of a higher quality 8/10
- Sound quality of speaker phone is slightly affected by the raised plastic that sits closely around the speaker. Sound comes out a little louder and sharper but still sounds fine.
- Case can be quite difficult to remove because the plastic cover sits over all four sides and is very tight
- Plastic cover surface is very smooth and nicely designed but will be slippery with oily or sweaty hands
- Screen protector cutout is a little short near the top where the earphone is compared to other screen protectors I've used, but quality is fine, average.
- headphone and charging ports are a little smaller than I'd like but should fit most accessories.
- ON and VOLUME buttons are a bit difficult to press, quite like most TPU cases
- Having plastic covering on the front sides, it can be easily knocked off a table when sitting face-down, and back down is even worse.
CASE MATE TOUGH
+ Very solid case 8/10
+ headphone and earphone ports are a perfectly cut to fit all brands.
+ Very easy to remove with only sides covered by plastic cover
+ Plastic material has excellent grip on sides and back making it much more secure in the hand.
+ Plastic is less likely to show scratches over time
+ Quite easy to remove with only the sides cover the the plastic cover.
+ ON and VOLUME buttons are very easy and nice to press, with perfect feedback, almost a little 'too' easy actually.
+ The entire front is rubber, so when sitting face-down, it does not move and has a secure grip on surfaces, less likely to be knocked of a table etc
- Because the plastic cover only sits over the sides, the top and bottom have the rubber exposed and it could catch on things, such as removing from a tight pocket. not a huge deal in use.
- headphone and charging ports are open and exposed.
- rubber is a little thinner than the Otterbox's and more stretchy/flexible, though may not be a big deal in use/drops.
So in conclusion, I really like both cases for different reasons. At first impressions, the Commuter appears to be the better case due to it's port covers, more secure fit with plastic covering all sides and the extra protection given to the corners of the case.....BUT....
....the Tough case just feel better in the hand, more secure. While both are almost identical in size, thickness and weight, the Tough has a nicely textured hard surface (that looks like rubber in photos) and this is what I would call 'active' protection, compared to the passive protection on the Otterbox. What I mean is that the Commuter is more likely to slip out of the hand, but be better against drops, and the Tough case is less likely to slip out of your hands, but make be less effective against drops. Also with the Tough case having rubber all the way around on the front, it's rock solid when sitting face down on a table surface and less likely to be knocked off.
Also, if you like to change your case on a fairly regular basis, the Otterbox is not an easy case to remove. Not that difficult, but the Tough is about 3x easier. This is a big deal for me, and combined with the nice secure feel, the Case Mate Tough is the preferred case for me as a daily wearer. If there are days where I feel I may need some extra protection against, say rain, I may be a little more inclined to throw on the Otterbox Commuter.
Either way you can't go wrong as both are great cases.

leicashot, any chance of any piccies with the Galaxy in the commuter case ? I'm thinking of getting one for my shiny new precious !
Also, do you have a car holder of any type that fits with the commuter on it ?

Do provide pics of these two cases if possible...

Interesting! I always wanted to compared them, but I dont wanna buy those cases because I know i would never use them after.

abhifusion said:
Do provide pics of these two cases if possible...
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Will try take some pics later today....

do these cases come with screen protectors or no?

My tough case did not come with a screen protector which is fine by me since I hate them. Bout all I can say is that I had the tough case on my sgs2 both of which I got when they came out (each respectively, the case followed by a week or two) and have no complaints about it. Phone lived through a few drops one of which was standing in the back of a pickup to unload stuff and it fell out of my pocket onto the pavement, some 6 or 7 feet I would guess. The phone was fine and the case showed no mark whatsoever. I have not had any issue with the rubber on the ends sticking to anything and it does not pick up lint. The phone is easy to get in and out of the case but still completely secure in it and wont come out unless you take it out. The case has no movement on the phone and feels solid. The texture on the case is just about perfect for grip and more has an undefineable "good" feel. The ports and all openings line up perfectly with the headphone and microusb ports being opened up a little extra to let larger based headphone jacks or usb cables fully insert to their base. Something I appreciate because I have some headphones that sometimes wont go in without trimming the case.
To be honest I only see one real downside to this case and its going to come down to preference. If you want your phone as slim as possible this case isn't for you. The lip around the top is probably near two millimeter by itself and while it fits like a glove you have the width of both the rubber and case across the bottom and sides. To someone like me its a win because I think modern phones are too thin and I would want to do something to bulk them up even if I didn't need the protection.
I considered the otterbox to try something new but did not. I have no beef with it and it seems like folks that have them like them but for me it was hard to get away from something I knew worked great and for which I had no gripes.

I have a Case Mate tough too and i realy like, i used it on all my phones i had.
Here are some pics http://www.case-mate.com/Samsung-Galaxy-S-III-Cases/Case-Mate-Samsung-Galaxy-S3-Tough-Cases.asp.
Never had the Otterbox but it looks clunkier and bigger, the Case Mate is a bit more elegant and has a good grip and feel.

Do any owners of either case use them in car holders at all ? If so any chance of pics in the car holder ? Also, does the case interfere with the operation of NFC at all ?

Hey guys,
I have the CaseMate Though since last week when i got my S3.
Before that I had the Otterbox Commuter on my DHD and I must say, I like the CaseMate much better. It may does not protect the ports as already said, but it does feel very good in my hand.
Car mounting is not a problem for me, I have an universal holder in which it will fit in easily

leicashot said:
Don't mean to be negative but I got the case today and it feels great except I'll be returning it. Why? Because the top front and bottom front of the case don't have hard plastic holding down the rubber lips, so they get caught and stretch in the pocket when retrieving. This over time may cause the rubber to tear or stretch too much cause it's very elastic and thin.
Whereas the Otterbox Commuter has the plastic sides cover top, bottom and both sides so that no rubber is loose, but held down tight. A much better product from my experience in the past and looking forward to having it when it arrives in the next week or so. This review will cover what I was talking about. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=21Dxcyfm3Vg
UPDATE: See my review on both cases here. http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?p=27997216#post27997216
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I read a negative point about Tough case from you in another thread. Didn't see it mentioned here.
So is this problem a big thing or can i go with Tough case?

I have the Otterbox Commuter case on my S3 and I love it!! I had a defender case on my Tbolt and it added weight and size to it. I did not like it for that reason. The commuter case for the S3 fits just right and doesnt take away from the size that much. I have to believe this is a must have case for some protection for your phone.

anyone know if the case mate tough fit the active holster because it does appear to be the same size as the commuter

What are the dimensions of the case mate tough.

Nice review! Have u ever used the incipio silicrylic? seems very much comparable to the Case-Mate Tough and I dont know which one to choose.. Heres a link http://www.amazon.com/Incipio-SA-302-Silicrylic-Silicone-Samsung/dp/B0085VAP38/ref=sr_1_2?s=wireless&ie=UTF8&qid=1353870767&sr=1-2&keywords=incipio+s3

Hi, just got my casemate tough for the galaxy s4. I've been using one with my galaxy s3 and am very pleasedwith it but, unfortunately the one for the s4 is a bit disappointing. Although the look is the same the lip around the screen isn't as deep and the rubber doesn't come over the metal border fully. The volume button only has the rubber over it without the plastic surrounding which makes it feel fragile. I'll be returning the case and have ordered an otterbox commuter, although I would've preferred the casemate. Hope it's helpful.

I have 2 brand new Otterbox Defender series warranty replacements for sale, a Grey on white and Black on black with clip holsters for sale. Looking to sell both for cheap in a bundle. Shoot me a PM if your interested.
Sent from my SM-N900P using Tapatalk 2

[Q] otterbox defender VS ballistic maxx

hi guys
i have been comparing these two products for a quite some time and i cannot give my final decision to which product should i buy. i am looking for a case that has a front face cover. and i found the ballistic maxx and otterbox defender. but what makes me think twice between these product is the comes with screen protector. these protector is quite think and most likely it will ruin the colors of my S3's screen. i have seen it in some product reviews posted by youtube users. the screen becomes glary. and the second thing that makes me think twice is, if i remove the screen protector, will my S3 shake around inside the case if i dont use the screen protector?
i tried contacting the customer support of otterbox they said they cannot answer my concern. and for ballistic they told me i can still use the case even if i dont use the screen protector, but i still do not understand what they really meant. and they did not gave me a straight answer to my question on what will really happen if i did not use their product's screen protector.
now i would like to ask your personal opinion about these two products, which is better? and if you guys did not use the comes with screen protector will your S3 shake around inside the case? and lastly i am just looking for a case that has a front cover. i dont really like the flip cover cases.
thanks

From what I read about the defender taking out the screen protector does not affect the snugg-ness of the phone and case.
I have the trident kraken that came with a removable screen protector, that I decided but to use.
Sent from Pluto.

I know how you feel, i looked at both those cases and went with the Trident Kraken. Provides the same level of protection and the kickstand is a bonus. Second choice would be the otterbox.
Sent from my SPH-L710 using Tapatalk 2

I personally hated the otter box, sold it as soon as I got the chance. I kept the maxx and it's the case I go for when I need a holster.

I took the screen protector off of my defender with no fit issues. I stopped using it because it squeeks so much. When you hold the phone. This may be due to extra flexing from the removed screen protector as it is rigid and glued in.

The otterbox is an awesome case, the only thing I hate is that the outer silicone layer always stretches out. The defender for my GS3 streched out after 2 months...
Sent from my SCH-I535

ricktat said:
I took the screen protector off of my defender with no fit issues. I stopped using it because it squeeks so much. When you hold the phone. This may be due to extra flexing from the removed screen protector as it is rigid and glued in.
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I think it's just the case in general. My screen protector is still in tact and it squeaks like no other.
I'm tempted to get a new case, but can't decide. I've narrowed it down to the SG MAXX, Commuter, Kraken, PX260, and the Dualtek.

owlchemist said:
I think it's just the case in general. My screen protector is still in tact and it squeaks like no other.
I'm tempted to get a new case, but can't decide. I've narrowed it down to the SG MAXX, Commuter, Kraken, PX260, and the Dualtek.
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I got the dualtek case yesterday, it's a really nice case. I just wish there was a compatible holster for it.
Sent from my SCH-I535

I have both cases mentioned in OP. The included screen covers are garbage. Make the screen look like crap plus particles such as sand, dirt (I am in construction field) and so on can get behind protector and scratch screen.
Standard zagg and otterbox working well for me. Zagg HD seemed to thin and marked up easy om my pocket. Otter box laps over the edge of the zagg, which so far has kept the edge from peeling on me which is a common problem for me and my use.
Ballastic has great rubber corners for drop protection but the otter box is easier to slip in and out of pocket and my preferred case.
Sent from my SPH-L710 using xda premium

naturecannon said:
I have both cases mentioned in OP. The included screen covers are garbage. Make the screen look like crap plus particles such as sand, dirt (I am in construction field) and so on can get behind protector and scratch screen.
Standard zagg and otterbox working well for me. Zagg HD seemed to thin and marked up easy om my pocket. Otter box laps over the edge of the zagg, which so far has kept the edge from peeling on me which is a common problem for me and my use.
Ballastic has great rubber corners for drop protection but the otter box is easier to slip in and out of pocket and my preferred case.
Sent from my SPH-L710 using xda premium
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I also have both cases described in OP and have to agree to a point, the screen protectors make the screen look terrible. I went with the Ballistic for a couple reasons. 1. The Ballistic seems to slide in and out of my pocket easier (probably because it has more smooth surface than the Defender). 2. The belt clip seems more comfortable to me. The Defender belt clip seemed to sit higher on me which would gouge my hip. Not cool. 3. I got the Defender used when I bought my phone and the rubber on it seems a little loose. I don't think this will happen with the Ballistic mainly because my wife has one on her Note and it's help up extremly well. 3. I got my Ballistic Maxx on ebay for $30 in the color I wanted and I thought that was a good price. Now I need to ditch this screen protector and get a nice one.

I too have both cases. I did/don't use any of the screen protectors that came with it. As for OP, it really depends what you're trying to get out of it. What's your average day like? do you work in an office? go to school? work in construction? I am a process engineer and i'm in and out of food plants and i pull my phone out to snap pictures at least 4 times a day on a daily basis for an hour or so. With that being said I NEED the protection because I have dropped it a few times. I'm currently using the Ballastic without the clip, i just hold it in my pocket. The otterbox is a bit bulkier for me and it slips easy (from hand and in and out of pocket). The ballistic on the other hand, doesn't. It gives you good grip, and isn't a pain for me to pull out of my pockets (i wear dickies for work and rvca romero ii jeans when i'm out and about or jordan basketball shorts when i feel like bumming it). I like the grip because it doesn't slip out of my pockets easily when i wear basketball shorts as the ottorbox did. HOWEVER, be warned that it does pull lint easily. It's not alot where you'll get a hairball when you pull it out of your pockets but it is there. Overall, I'm sticking with the ballastic because it offers great drop protection (as does the OB), but with the corners I personally feel it's more secure and it's not as bulky as people say it is. I'll post up pictures when i get the chance.

Current cases insufficient, need a new one, narrowed it down

Hi guys, I need a new case but have a couple questions about the causes I've narrowed it down to. I'm a student so I want to eliminate the need for having to buy another case if I dislike my purchase.
I have 2 tpu cases currently that were cheap at local cell shops.
The first one flexes too much where the volume rocker is so it causes my screen protector to bubble every time I press it. SUPER annoying.
The second seems to be somehow scratching the edges of glass that arent protected by my screen pro.
I'm guessing this case is a bit looser and has minimal movement and allows small particles to find their way in between the glass and the case.
I'm torn between two cases and I need some info on them that I havent been able to find reading the forums or from watching youtube reviews.
1) Incipio frequency: My main concern with this case is the sides flexing and causing my screen protector to bubble. Is there anyone that owns this case and can comment on this?
2) Seidio Surface: I've always wondered about just how snug these 2 piece cases are. Does the phone have enough space in the case that it is allowed to rattle at all? or is it just snug enough to keep the phone stable without scratching it?
COLES NOTES
-Need new case
-Incipio frequency or Seidio surface
-Will incipio case cause screen pro to bubble when volume rocker pressed
-Will seidio surface slowly scratch away at the aluminum finish/curved glass edges
All input is appreciated:cyclops:

So I'm writing this because of the "All input is appreciated"
Will you consider a third case? If so, take a look at the Trident Aegis case. You can find it brand new on eBay for $20 with shipping. I've used their cases before and they look extremely nice and on top of that, they do a good job with protecting the phones. I bought one brand new from eBay and I just got it today. It looks really top-notch. I'm waiting for my phone to come in. Hopefully I'll have it tomorrow so I can play around with it and give you some more feedback on Friday.

I've had the Seidio surface for over a month and so far no scratches on the glass or aluminum body. The inside of the case is soft with a carbon fiber sticker covering the inside. The phone fits snuggly but I can see a problem if you use a thick screen protector because of the tight fit.
All the cutouts are perfect with a nice beveled edge for the camera.
The case doesn't add a lot of extra bulk, which is the reason I got, I hate giant bulky cases.

Thanks for the replies guys!
I checked out the Triden Aegis but there's something about it I just didn't like.
I ended up ordering an incipio dual pro. I like the fact that the silicon insert seems to be more rigid than normal silicon inserts

I have a surface and uag. Had the surface first and like the feel but it doesn't really offer much protection. I saw the write-up on the uag and gave it a try. My surface stays on the ready but I haven't used it since receiving the uag.
Sent from my M7 using Tapatalk 4 Beta

Testingchip said:
I have a surface and uag. Had the surface first and like the feel but it doesn't really offer much protection. I saw the write-up on the uag and gave it a try. My surface stays on the ready but I haven't used it since receiving the uag.
Sent from my M7 using Tapatalk 4 Beta
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Thanks for all the suggestions guys!
My incipio dualpro finally came in and I have to say I'm pleasantly surprised. I had my doubts after ordering that it would be too bulky or the silicon insert would be too flimsy.
I'm pleased to say that this case exceeded my expectations. There is some bulk added, however it isnt bad. It gives the phone some heft and just feels a little more solid. Fitment is perfect.
The only negative so far is that the volume rocker is a little harder to press

Ballistic SG Maxx Review

Ballistic SG Maxx Review for the Nexus 5
Introduction:
Since I've seen many questions on the Ballistic SG Maxx (a.k.a. Tough Jacket Maxx), I decided to make a review regarding my input on this nifty case. To start things off, I’d like to mention that this case if one of the most expensive cases out there. It’s usually around 28 USD but it’s definitely worth the money considering that the case will protect your $350+ investment.
Design:
The Ballistic SG Maxx features a dual layer design with a built-in screen protector and a belt clip. The inner piece is made of silicon; a thick, stretchy material. (Be aware that the silicon is not to be stretched too extensively. Doing so will result in a warped product.) The outer layer is plastic. Aesthetically, the design looks rather bulky, but the intention of the company was to design a bulky case capable of resisting drops. In terms of taking on and taking off the case, I find it effortless. The outer layer comes off with slight pressure and the silicon layer slips on and off with ease. The belt clip is plastic. It feels cheap, but after taking out for a spin, I found it to be actually pretty sturdy.
Feel:
The case obviously adds a lot of volume to the phone. The case is still usable in one hand and I can still reach all the icons on the other side of the screen without the assistance of the other hand, not to mention my hands are small. The outer plastic layer feels nice in the hand and gives the phone a good grip. On the back of the plastic is a rubbery back plate. The back plate helps with the traction of the phone. The button cutouts are amazing. They are easy to press, but are not too sensitive at the same time.
Dust:
This case is a lint magnet. The silicon attracts dust easily. The speaker grills are susceptible to dust. Luckily, the charging port and the headphone jack have flaps that cover the internals of the phone. Be aware dust can still seep through the cracks of the flaps.
Camera: The case is thick, but it does not obstruct the camera’s field of view neither does it block the camera’s flash.
Screen Protector:
Like many, I bought the case because of the built-in screen protector. I was appalled by the fact that I wouldn't have to purchase an additional screen protector since the case already supplied me with one. Honestly, the screen protector that Ballistic supplies the SG Maxx with is disappointing. There’s a noticeable gap between the phone and the glass screen when you apply it, which invites dust to loiter on the inside of the screen protector. It’s also extremely thick. The touch screen’s sensitivity goes down when the screen protector is applied. The edges of the protector are rigid and can cut you if you’re not careful with it. You’ll be better off using a different company’s screen protector. Ballistic’s screen protector is low quality and is not on par with other brand’s screen protectors. The built-in screen protector may look appealing at the first glance, but when using it, it is very inconvenient.
Verdict:
Overall, this is a good case for those who seek maximum protection. I've dropped my phone twice; once at 2 ft and once at 4 ft and my phone took no damage. If you never drop your phone or has no concern in shielding your device, this case is simply not for you.
Pros:
- Good drop protection
- Precise cutouts
- Fits the Nexus 5 well
- Comes with a belt clip
Cons:
- Can be costly
- Built-in screen protector is disappointing
- Lint magnet
- Adds a lot of bulk to the phone
Images are attached to the post. Thanks for reading!

I too have this case and find the build quality superior to otterbox. I also like the idea of the soft part being on the phone followed by a hard case protecting the outside as opposed to vice versa on the OtterBox. I will say that I may not purchase another case from them though because after buying my SG Maxx it's as if ballistic forgot they ever made them after the name change.
All in all- like I said I totally agree it's a good case, but if otterbox stops being scared of nexus devices then I would probably go that route due to the ridiculously awesome warranty (makes you feel like your money was better spent.)

http://i.imgur.com/V57GksT.jpg
Good review. I have one as well. My brother's screen still cracked after a fall but he had the normal version, not the MAXX. I have dropped mine from 3 ft, no issue. I ordered a new screen protector, felt better but not optimal and I'm not using it, as you have to double tap towards the top.

Thanks for the awesome review. I been rocking this same case for about a 2 weeks now. Mine is the fully black version that doesn't have a belt clip on it. I used to be an Otterbox fan, then I switched over to Diztronic for my other phones. Decided to pick this up with 2 discounts and have loved it since, by far one of the best cases I have owned yet as far as build quality goes.
Swyped from my LG Nexus 5 using XDA premium.

Nice review, thanks!
One remark: I think you're missing the point of the screen protector that comes with this case. It's really thick because it's meant to protect more than just scratches, it will(or should) protect your screen against more than just keys or coins in your pocket, for example if you drop it and lands face-down on an object.
I don't think you should consider this case as a 'daily driver', but more of a case you put on when you hiking or something, which is exactly what I'm considering it for

The built in screen protector is NOT built in. You can remove it whenever you want. It is really nice. Super strong. It is not meant for daily use. I work construction and it is perfect for me.
I've dropped this phone from a distance than would of ****ed this phone up. (around 2 stories high onto asphalt) Not a single scratch on phone or case.
I use this one for work and http://www.spigen.com/nexus-5-case-ultra-hybrid.html for home./