Accessories Otter Box - Defender Series for the HTC Desire HD (Review)

[Sombre]

Hi Guys,

I recently purchased the Otter Box - Defender Series phone protector for the HTC Desire HD and did a review on it for my blog.
Today I thought I'd post the review here for all you good people to pour over and decide if it's worth the money.

Just out of interest, using the Otter Box I have lost NO functionality of my phone (including GPS).

Otter Box - Defender Series for HTC Desire HD Review.

Cheers,
Sombre.

 

[{LCD}Stelios]

Yeah I have been using mine now for a couple of weeks and I am really pleased with it.
I have no issues with any of the radio signals strength, the only bugbear I have is that you have to use that little flap if you want to use the headphone jack.
I can't think why they couldn't just have a small circular opening?

 

[vid]

I have had the Otterbox Defender since January. Really like it, minus the bottom rubber bit has got quite loose and snags onto stuff!
I can't describe it, so have a picture for you instead!

 

[Sombre]

Yeah I have been using mine now for a couple of weeks and I am really pleased with it.
I have no issues with any of the radio signals strength, the only bugbear I have is that you have to use that little flap if you want to use the headphone jack.
I can't think why they couldn't just have a small circular opening?

I guess, if anything, the little rubber flap will help keep dust out of the audio and USB jacks.

I have had the Otterbox Defender since January. Really like it, minus the bottom rubber bit has got quite loose and snags onto stuff!
I can't describe it, so have a picture for you instead!

Your design seems a little different to mine, perhaps they have redesigned it due to this flaw you describe. Perhaps yours is not the defender and rather the commuter? Here is a pic of my defender:

The pic does not include the polycarbonate shell that surrounds the phone initially.

Cheers,
Sombre.

 

[{LCD}Stelios]

Nope I have the Defender. It is the same as yours.
I mean instead of that little flap they could have just have made another circular cut out like the one for the mic' and one for the usb too.
I mean the case doesn't keep out dust any way, so it is not as if it dust proof.
If any thing dust gets attracted to and stuck on the silicone outter.

 

[vid]

Your design seems a little different to mine, perhaps they have redesigned it due to this flaw you describe. Perhaps yours is not the defender and rather the commuter?

I just checked, mine is the commuter. I was oblivious there was a difference!! and my dad ordered it for me.
Oh well.

 

[leo_the_lion_raaaaaa]

I was wondering does the Otter Box bulk up the size of the phone much? Have been thinking of getting the defender.

Cheers

 

[Sombre]

I was wondering does the Otter Box bulk up the size of the phone much? Have been thinking of getting the defender.

Cheers

Hi leo the lion,

I just took a couple of happy snaps to show you the size of the Otter Box Defender case compared to the DHD.

As you can see, it does add a bit of bulk to the phone, kinda resembles an iPhone, lol.

Cheers,
Sombre.

 

[leo_the_lion_raaaaaa]

Hi leo the lion,

I just took a couple of happy snaps to show you the size of the Otter Box Defender case compared to the DHD.

As you can see, it does add a bit of bulk to the phone, kinda resembles an iPhone, lol.

Cheers,
Sombre.

Thanks for the pictures, really useful. Its a little more bulky than i was hoping for but may still get it.

 

[El Presidente]

Thanks for the pictures, really useful. Its a little more bulky than i was hoping for but may still get it.

Try the Otterbox Commuter, it offers a fair bit of protection (although not as much as the Defender obviously) and is nowhere near as big. I hardly notice the difference when the phone is in my pocket.

 

[leo_the_lion_raaaaaa]

Try the Otterbox Commuter, it offers a fair bit of protection (although not as much as the Defender obviously) and is nowhere near as big. I hardly notice the difference when the phone is in my pocket.

Cheers, sounds like its closer to what I'm looking for. Will take a look

 

[TelusMilestone]

This case rocks! Fully protected and helps against scratches with the built in screen protector. My co-worker has the commuter and it looks really good as well. Otterbox has the best cases I've seen so far.

 

[djdillpickle]

Thanks sombre. As a working tradesman in construction I feel the defender will do nicely at work. I reckon I will just take the DHD out socially with no cover to make up for the bulk! Ha ha.

Does anyone forecast issues removing the DHD from the cover frequently?

 

[Sombre]

Does anyone forecast issues removing the DHD from the cover frequently?

Only the fact you'll be cleaning the screen (both on the phone and the case) each time.

I change mine frequently to one of the gel cases when I'm not in need of the super protection the Defender provides. Been doing it now for a month with no problems or degradation of the case.

Cheers,
Sombre.

 

[Cogs]

I am mainly concerned with protecting the screen from being broken, hence my looking at the Defender.

Has there been any or many reports on broken screens.

My son has the iPhone 4 and has suffered the wrath of owning one of these under 25's status symbols.

It blew me away when I saw it and then when I was arranging to have it repaired at a cost of $250 for a sub $29 cost to Apple I discovered it is an extremely common problem and Mr Jobs and his crew won't talk to anyone about it.

Since this happening, son has told me that he has seen several broken Desire screens and heard of it being common. This is I think for him to justify another bad Apple.

I have accidentally flung my desire horizontally a distance in excess of two metres onto concrete (twice) with only a case scuff (and a red face).

I don't know if my one is the AMOLED or TFT screen version; how do I tell?

I broke the screen in a HP iPaq I had years ago so bought a hinged full aluminium case for the replacement.

I have had my Desire for six months now and it has been great. Just wish our 3G network in rural Australia would work properly to be able to make the most of the phone's capabilities.

Look forward to some thoughts.

Regards,

Cogs
Life was so much simpler in the '60's

 

[djdillpickle]

I'd trade in everything for the 60s, just for the music alone!

Back to topic, thanks sombre, due to your comprehensive advice may be picking up a defender. One more question.

On a similar note to cogs; I am primarily concerned about screen cracks due to accidental pressure on the face of the DHD. I don't always have the time or the fore sight to move my DHD to another pocket and risk leaning on it slightly from time to time.

Sombre, do you feel the defender has good defence against screen pressure?

 

[Sombre]

I'd trade in everything for the 60s, just for the music alone!

Back to topic, thanks sombre, due to your comprehensive advice may be picking up a defender. One more question.

On a similar note to cogs; I am primarily concerned about screen cracks due to accidental pressure on the face of the DHD. I don't always have the time or the fore sight to move my DHD to another pocket and risk leaning on it slightly from time to time.

Sombre, do you feel the defender has good defence against screen pressure?

Thanks for the question. I actually font think it adds much pressure protection, for eg, if it was in my back pocket, with a set of keys and I sat down for an extended period of time I'd expect screen damage. The case really only protects the phone from drops, scratches and dust.

Cheers,
Sombre

 

[djdillpickle]

Hi guys

I picked up the Otterbox commuter for the DHD recently after some thought on the Defender product from this thread

http://androidforums.com/desire-hd-...box-defender-series-htc-desire-hd-review.html

I thought it was too bulky.

I am very happy with the commuter; I have no concerns about 1-2m drops, slips, falls and such.

It's is not bulky; just an extension on the phone itself.

The silicone layer is under the hard case, which makes it very easy to slide out of pockets etc.

4.5/5

 

[akpe]

I also have a Defender, which I literally bought before the phone itself

Only issue so far is I have to thoroughly clean screen and protector every time I open the case. Problem is, two apartment buildings are being built at the same block so literally every part of my house is full of dust

Well not full, but there's enough dust to have me fighting for an extended period of time in order to keep the screen clean before I cover it with the case.

Anyone facing the same issue? Any hints/advice?

 

[amp4ana]

Hey guys, I would like to ask some questions.. Is it hard for you to get it in and out of your jeans? Is the screen protection it provides is insubstantial? or is it durable enough? I'm thinking of buying otterbox cases for my phone and I like the protection that the defender provides but I would like to know if its handy.