Rugged cases? - Samsung Galaxy Nexus

Hello fellow GNexers!
I do a lot of work outdoors in the British Countryside. Translated this means; hard granite surfaces, rain, mud, rain, salt water, sand and rain.
When I owned my last phone a HTC Hero. I would swap my SIM into an old Nokia 6200 but with the apparent flimsiness of the Galaxy Nexus' back cover I'm loathed to remove the SIM too often.
So my question is 2 fold. Firstly do you think that the back cover could stand up to being opened once a week or so. And secondly has anyone found any rugged (and waterproof) cases for the Galaxy Nexus? I saw that Otterbox were going to make one but it is likely that it won't be their waterproof "armor" model. I also checked out the "universal" SeaLAbox XL (their capitalisation not mine) but it isn't tall enough.
Any thoughts?
Michael
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using XDA App

*bump(ish)*
OK I've now got a job in the environmental sector meaning I'll be working outdoors 6 days a week so a rugged & waterproof case is now imperative. Any thoughts on manufacturers who have made cases in the past for Android phones that I could hound mercilessly for a Galaxy Nexus case?
Cheers
Michael
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using XDA App

Being someone who is on the clumsy side, I can recommend the Casemate Tough.
Though only with experience with the HTC Desire version, it offered a fair bit of protection with a silicone inner layer then a plastic hard shell over that. It wasn't fully waterproof but would protect against drops onto most surfaces and the odd splashes.
I'm waiting for the Galaxy Nexus version to be released some time this month before picking it up.

I appologise for circumventing the link filter but I felt it was necessary as I'm clearly not doing it for nefarious purposes.
As this phone is new I'm pretty sure a lot of cases have yet to be released. Throughout my research on this I've come across a number of options. The first one being the Casemate Tough https:// www .youtube.com/watch?v=Z35DJH50Fx0 although I'm not really sure that's what you are looking for in an industrial work environment.
The second one I found was the Otterbox Defender http: //www .otterbox.com/Samsung-Galaxy-NEXUS-Defender-Series-Case/SAM2-I515X-20-E4OTR_A,default,pd.html which apprently is good at keeping out dust, https:// www .youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&v=sslpZDA6s5E#t=77s specifically concrete dust and woodchip dust.
However that case had a number of cons, to do with the inbuilt screen protector http: // www .shopandroid.com/otterbox-defender-series-case/4A104A9595.htm and https:// www .youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&v=6IQZ7pJEP7A#t=201s he also mentions the the clips could break making the case useless https:// www .youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&v=6IQZ7pJEP7A#t=285s I'm not sure how serious these are though in reality as I haven't personally tested it.
Now as the Galaxy Nexus is new there's still not very many options available for rugged users, but there does appear to be two new cases coming onto the market in 2012.
The next one I found was the Samsung Galaxy Nexus Ballistic Shell Gel (SG) Series Case:
http: // www .goballisticcase.com/products/samsung-galaxy-nexus-ballistic-shell-gel-sg-series-case
It would appear that Griffin Technology might be making a version of http: // www .griffintechnology.com/armored for the Galaxy Nexus though I can't find anything official about it I found these two part numbers:
Survivor 2 Samsung-Galaxy Nexus Black Blk Black
Part Number: GB04189
Survivor 2 Samsung-Galaxy Nexus Pink White
Part Number: GB04190

A little off-topic but I think it worth mentioning especially for outdoor fans.
I suggest you wait for this bad boy to come out and switch to it then ...
http://www.gadgetreview.com/2012/01/casio-g-shock-ruggedized-android-phone.html

Related

To Case or Not To Case...

So I got a regular rubber case with my Nexus (assuming it would add the least amount of thickness) and I always use cases with my phones but I'm noticing that it really increases the thickness and feel of the phone, which I dislike.
How many of you are and aren't using cases and what is your reasoning for each?
Should I risk not using a case or should I just suck it up?
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using Tapatalk
I'm not using a case, and my only reasoning is that I haven't found one I like yet. This thing has flown out of my hands inadvertently so many times, I will probably be getting the sylicrilic from VZW just to have something on it until I find what I'm looking for. If I can ever figure out what that is.
I just ordered the Diztronic TPU that everyone is talking about. Hopefully I'll like that one better than the one that I got from Verizon earlier today...
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using Tapatalk
No case for me yet. I also haven't found one I like. I'm really attracted to the nekkid look though.
I'm generally a nekkid guy. Dropped my precious today and the plastic back is VERY susceptible to scratches. Reconsidering my no case choice but love this phone as is.
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using xda premium
I use a case but...
A scratch on the body won't bother me as much as a scratch on the glass, so I would definitely use a SP if nothing else, but that's just me.
But I want mine in pristine condition for when I sell it and get my Galaxy Note II
I'm definitely getting a case. I never did mind a bulky phone ( I used to have a n900 with an otterbox on.. That thing was a tank, in both size and durability)
Got a case.
This phone with such a large glass and slender body to go along with it feels like it would fall apart if I ever dropped it. Maybe it isn't so but handling something this expensive/large/slender needs some protection for me to freely use it with peace of mind.
I'm using a temporary Case-Mate Barely There case along with no screen protector right now and I'm very antsy when handling my phone. So much so that it's a hassle.
Got the Diztronic case too and will be using Ghost Armor when they finally have the product line.
I had my wife buy the phone AND an Otterbox when she went to vzw... I have had OBs on all my phones and will keep doing so. Sure you can get it cheeper online but I pulled the phone out of the box put the 4g card on then put it in th OB!!!! And that is where it will stay!!!
I don't care about maintaining the cheap plastic backplate much to justify for a case, but I got myself a Silicone case from Verizon anyway because I don't want to scratch the camera lense when laying the phone on the table.
Diztronic rocks. I have a bse full body shield on and the case fits with that too. Scratch proof and protected. Love it
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using xda premium
i'm going naked until Rearth makes the ringke slim.
surferdad said:
I had my wife buy the phone AND an Otterbox when she went to vzw... I have had OBs on all my phones and will keep doing so. Sure you can get it cheeper online but I pulled the phone out of the box put the 4g card on then put it in th OB!!!! And that is where it will stay!!!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This. Otterbox is the only case I trust my devices in. Had one for my OG and iPod and I recommend them to everyone. Already have the commuter for the SGN and I won't even get the phone till Christmas! I'm ocd about keeping my devices pretty.
Sent from my Kindle Fire using xda premium
heres one thing i don't get from you guys that go naked. what about the effin camera in the back!? you realize every time you place it on a surface you're landing it flat on the plastic of the camera?
I never wanted to go no case but since my Desire, I've preferred the pouches just because it doesn't add to the size of the phone, and then you don't have to worry about anything hitting it. But I think this phone is just too large to use a pouch with. I bought a Nokia-brand pouch that fits my Nexus, but it hangs out the top by half a centimetre. Not a problem because it's not loose in the case itself, but it's still not the best situation.
One of the main reasons why I prefer the pouches is because then I don't have to worry about a screen protector, but I've already got a nick on my Nexus' glass, so I'll probably wear an SP and a case all the time.
rlamontjr said:
i'm going naked until Rearth makes the ringke slim.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
http://www.rearthusa.com/Galaxy-Nexus-SLIM_p_297.html
i've never used one of these, just looked into it, cause you posted it. Going to have to look into it more now.
good choice. i expect this case to b great because their silicon cases are the best to me. they just stretch after awhile. like any other silicone. but that case isn't rubber. btw, Rearth reached out to me and let me know the case fits both GSM and LTE models.
I dropped my phone within 24 hours of getting it. It left 2 quite big marks on the body. The plastic body is pretty soft and can be easily damaged.
I now have a replacement and put in case striaght away. But it does feel so much slimmer and nicer without a case
do you find excessive dust with an otterbox? seems like my G-nex is totally prone to dust. otherwise i love the case, makes the phone a little easier actually for me to hold without getting the feeling like it might just slip out of my hand.
BSE body skin and XO skin screen cover here.

A good case usable in purse?

My wife has always carried her flip phones in her purse, which was OK. However I just picked her up a SGN and am uncomfortable with the idea if this floating around inside a purse, even with a screen protector and/or in a side pocket. As such, I'm looking for something a bit more substantial that won't prove to be a big hindrance.
I've got a Diztronic matte black on mine but, as mentioned, don't think a screen protector would do the job inside a purse.
Suggestions?
My wife ordered a case from this website:
http://www.etsy.com/shop/SeaSideSew...edium=trans_email&utm_campaign=purchase_buyer
She's done it before and was happy with the product she got. You can give them specific dimensions (i.e., dimensions including the case).
A TPU case would be sufficient, check out ebay there's a huge selection and they average 7$
Sent from my (GSM) Galaxy Nexus using Tapatalk

Two case reviews, one okay, the other, wow, is this bad or what?

So, I bought two not so expensive cases from the following company:
HD Accessory http://www.hdaccessory.com/servlet/StoreFront
Let's not go into the fact that they emblazon that they ONLY sell Apple stuff all over the top of their website. Their loss if they can't figure out that they sell other stuff.
I ordered the following two cases:
SAMSIII-A2-REV-PURPLE-14414 Armor Kickstand Hybrid Case for Samsung Galaxy S3 (Purple) $8.95 $8.95
http://www.hdaccessory.com/servlet/the-10901/galaxy-s-iii-hybrid/Detail
and
SAMSIII-E3-ASTRONOOT-YELPUR-19037 Astronoot Multi-Layer Hybrid Case for Samsung Galaxy S3 (Yellow Purple) $7.95 $7.95
http://www.hdaccessory.com/servlet/the-11545/samsung-galaxy-s-iii/Detail
I'll review both separately:
Now, mind, they're completely different cases. Never mind about the colors. I like the colors. Yes, fine, make fun, I like yellow and purple. Think what you will.
The first has a kickstand, a had inner shell, (think Kraken, think WOW what a ripoff of Kraken for only $9), with a soft outer skin (think Incipio). The kickstand seemed cool, a way to prop up the device while at work so I can see stuff without having to peer down at the device.
You know what I DID NOT realize until I got the cases in the mail? How do you charge something that stands upright when the charging port is at the bottom? I tried it. It had to sit on the edge of my desk where I was worried that any moment it would fall off if I knocked the desk at all. Yes, I know what you're thinking, why not stand it sideways. I tried that to ABSOLUTELY no avail. It kept falling over.
The skin is so slippery that I dropped it every single time I picked it up. I mean come on folks, don't make a case that is so slick it's not worth holding. Ridiculous. This one needs to go back.
The second case is a little better. I've used it all day and it's fine. purple inner soft skin, yellow hard outer skin. The best I can say for this is meh. I think I'm back to my Incipio that I bought in the VZW store when I got the device.
Personally, either one is not worth the money I spent on them, DEFINITELY NOT the first.
YMMV.
Thanks for the heads up
-Sent from my T999 / T-Mobile Galaxy SIII
I have that first case you reviewed or one that looks identical i got on ebay. I dont have a problem with having it stand up in portrait or landscape. I agree the case is a little slick tothe touch. On the plus side, i dropped it yesterday, one of those time stands still- slow motion drops, and it survived unharmed
Sent from my ASUS Transformer Pad TF700T using Tapatalk 2

HELP information about different cases

Hi,
I just received my HTC ONE in the mail yesterday and before I go and take the phone out for a night on the town I'd like to get
a case to protect it as best as I could. Unfortunately I'm coming from the HTC HD2 which doesn't have a lot of great cases out
for it so I'm pretty uch at a loss for what I'm looking at. Below are several possibilities of the cases. If anyone has bought any
of the below cases please share your experience. Thanks in advance.
1) URBAN ARMOR GEAR
http://www.ebay.com/itm/171019271747?ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1423.l2649
2) AEGIS by Trident
http://www.ebay.com/itm/350778666157?ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1423.l2649
3) HTC One M7 Hard Hybrid Case
http://www.ebay.com/itm/19082393122...eName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1423.l2649
4) HTC One M7 Heavy Duty Dual Layer Hybrid Case
http://www.ebay.com/itm/40045599508...eName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1423.l2649
5) HTC ONE M7 Incipio
http://www.ebay.com/itm/350770989787?ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1423.l2649
6) HTC ONE M7 Seidio
http://www.ebay.com/itm/290904579781?ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1423.l2649
7) HTC One M7 Rugged
http://www.ebay.com/itm/32111172862...eName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1423.l2649
8) Otterbox Defender Series
http://www.ebay.com/itm/221214314546?ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1423.l2649
9) Otterbox Commuter Series
http://www.ebay.com/itm/33090647391...eName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1423.l2649
10) GEL INFLEX SLIM CASE
http://www.ebay.com/itm/370791645382?ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1423.l2649
I also seen several other threads about cases and was reading what I could about them but it was so all over the place and a lot
of the cases I have listed was not listed in the thread yet. I know some are generic but I don't mind that as long as it protects
as it should. I also plan to purchase a clear-coat screen protector so that my phone will be covered up quite well.
(I know this might be overkill but coming from someone how has broken a HTC HD2 that has gorilla class I rather be safe then sorry)
Good afternoon bump
Sent from my ZeJstersHD2 using xda premium
Don't have any answers as I don't get my One until the 1st, but I have been stalking the case threads trying to make up my mind. Your list shows options I didn't know existed and makes it even more complicated for me. All of those are in the big and bulky variety that would seem to protect well while totally obscuring the beauty of the phone. Tough decision. Some of them look very cool.
One thing to watch out for is any case that covers the power button will block the infrared blaster used by the remote.
Do you have any favorite you are leaning towards?
You know being honest I was thinking of buying a couple of the generic brand that way I could change up every once in awhile. I want something that'll protect it if it gets dropped but at the same time not bulk it up so much. I know that's a bit of a contradiction. Lol.. I had a Trident case on my Mytouch 4g slide and it protected it quite well but added a lot of extra bulk. That's why I way thinking a off brand might be bulky but maybe they wouldn't use as much material as a name brand, who knows though.
Sent from my ZeJstersHD2 using xda premium
Bump.
I don't want this getting lost in the clutter her on XDA. There are a lot of nice cases I posted and would love any personal info about any of them.
Sent from my ZeJstersHD2 using xda premium
IMO, case-mate tough case and the otterbox defender/commuter series are pretty tough.
All those cases look pretty tough too. You want to be looking at something with a hard shell and a soft shell (inside or outer). The main weakness of a lot of cases imo is the fact that the screen pokes out. If the case has a cover (ie; wallet types or like the defender) or a lot of overall cover that it lifts the phone above the screen, it'll do. The rest of it is aesthetics.
That's a good point that I didn't really think about. I was thinking of getting a clear-coat screen protector for the from screen then the rest keep in a nice case. All of the ones I been leaning towards are the kind with the 2 part design. Some even have 3 part but that really just means it will come with a belt clip, or so it seems. Some of these generic cases look like they would protect so nice that I might buy at least 1 just to tell how well they're built. I mean at $8-$10 the worst thing that could happen is I don't like it. I think what I'm getting at is I'm trying to just talk myself into buying something that's generic since I've always bought oem or high end cases thus far. I'll report back when I have a case in hand.

Cases with Kickstand?

I find I am really missing having a kickstand which I had on my Galaxy Nexus case.
I've looked some but there doesn't seem to be much out there with a kickstand.
I tried buying a Cruzerlite but it never came in so I got a refund. I'm not really interested in trying the same brand again.
What cases have you seen available with a kickstand?
did you do a search on amazon..."nexus 5 kickstand"....there's a ton out there, just that too many of them look like they add too much bulk for my liking. honestly, i prefer the tpu cases...my last 2 phones had them and i couldn't tell you how many times i dropped them...i already have 2 cases but think i'm going to order this one...i kinda miss the kickstand as well
How about this?
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2551409
I did not search Amazon on those keywords.
Tons to look at. Thanks.
If anyone has one they like, post up a link anyway.
Lythandra said:
I find I am really missing having a kickstand which I had on my Galaxy Nexus case.
I've looked some but there doesn't seem to be much out there with a kickstand.
I tried buying a Cruzerlite but it never came in so I got a refund. I'm not really interested in trying the same brand again.
What cases have you seen available with a kickstand?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
There is this one. I bought it on Saturday. Waiting on my delivery now. Looks good! Check the link out.
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2552135
http://www.amzer.com/Amzer-Snap-On-Case-with-Kickstand-Black-P96719.htm
This is what I'm using now for my black Nexus 5, fit & finish is fine, no huge gap on the bottom at the micro-usb & speaker/grill openings (unlike the Spigen Ultra Hybrid case)
It's a 2 piece design, the hard plastic w. the flip out kickstand can be removed. It is slim enough that I have no problems slipping it in and out of a canvas vertical belt pouch for extra protection when I'm outside, otherwise, it's in my coat or jacket pocket.
It isn't that much bulkier and looked rugged & sturdy enough for the N5 to survive a drop (no plans to find out either ....)
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Rugged-Hybr...Cell_Phone_PDA_Cases&var=&hash=item3cd8153def
When I get the chance, I can update this with a few quick photos - seller is in Ohio & shipped free & fast, oversea sellers for less but with a longer wait, especially with holiday mail.

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