I’m a new smart-phone user — I just got my BlackBerry Tour a couple months ago and immediately fell in love with it. What I didn’t love was the generic case it came with; so I didn’t use it much, and then my beloved BlackBerry felt naked and vulnerable without protection. Thankfully, OtterBox offered to send me a new case from its Commuter series, and I’ve been using it for the past few weeks.
What I like about the OtterBox is that I don’t have to pull my BlackBerry in and out of a case. The OtterBox comes in two parts: a snug-fitting, custom-molded silicone sheath and a hard plastic shell. All of the phone’s ports (for headphones and chargers) are covered with soft, easy-to-pull-out attached plugs, and a separate clear film covers the screen. I’ve dropped my phone a couple times, but didn’t freak out (that much) because the case protects from bumps, shocks and scratches; my BlackBerry still (seems to) work fine after some abuse in the OtterBox case.
A couple of things that bummed me out about the clear screen film: When I applied it to the screen, some residual adhesive from the paper it had been stuck to remained on the film (the side that faces out, not the side that stuck to the screen). I tried to remove it with my fingernail and a washcloth, but resorted to hard-core adhesive-removal solution to get it off. (Yes, I’m talking about a solution you’d buy from a medical-supply company to take off adhesive that remains after removing a long-time Band-Aid. I was not happy to be applying that near my BlackBerry keypad.)
The film has also bubbled at the edges. I can’t get it to smoothly stick down. (Maybe has something to do with my applying the solution!)
I’m also a little bummed that my BlackBerry doesn’t smoothly slide into the fleece-lined pocket of my Overland shoulder bag anymore. The case — although it is advertised to have a “slick” exterior — can’t match the smoothness of the BlackBerry itself.
Other OtterBox BlackBerry cases include the rugged Defender series — a bit bulkier than the Commuter, offering more protection — and the Impact, which gives less protection.
The Commuter case retails for $34.95 on OtterBox.com, but you can find it much cheaper on Amazon.com.
#1 by Justin - April 21st, 2011 at 20:16
Yes, I had the same issue.
#2 by Coffee Equipment - April 21st, 2011 at 20:18
Wow, you had to resort to heavy duty adhesive.
That’s amazing at how much you had to go through.
Hope your new case is working well for you.
#3 by Ambit Energy - April 21st, 2011 at 20:19
@ Justin
I had the same issue too. I think next time we will all do a little homework before making this purchase :)