what waterproof case are you using?

[excav8ter]

So my Otterbox case(Defender) has been working out ok, but it lets a lot of dust and sand in. I am planning to pick up the S5 when it's available, and I can only hope a waterproof case will come out quickly for the S5.
But until the S5 is out, I am going to get a new waterproof case for my S4..... so who is using what? PEPK, Otterbox preserve, or life proof? Which do you prefer and why?

 

[Rukbat]

I seldom get near either dust or water, but when I do I use 2 zip-lock bags, one inside the other. Cheap, always available and it works.

 

[excav8ter]

I seldom get near either dust or water, but when I do I use 2 zip-lock bags, one inside the other. Cheap, always available and it works.

Tried that.... I ended up drowning my Note 2.... twice.
I am in, on or near water almost daily. My job is pretty rough on phones. I usually destroy 2 a year. ...last year I wrecked 4 phones.

 

[Colchicine]

You should consider using Seidio Obex case
SEIDIO | OBEX for Samsung Galaxy S4

There is usually a lag time for them to develop and test a waterproof case, since they have to back up their claims. Don't count on the case you want to be readily available when the phone comes out. But since the S5 is already reasonably waterproof, all you really need for it is drop protection. In which case you can take your pick of any rugged case you want.

 

[lotus49]

I bought this cheap case on eBay 6 METER WATERPROOF TOUCH PROTECTIVE CASE COVER FOR SAMSUNG GALAXY S4 IV I9500 | eBay.

I never dunk my phones in water (I understand it's not very good for them ;-) ) but I do put my phone in my cycling jersey and I wanted something solid to protect it if I fall off and to avoid sweat dampening the phone. It is fully waterproof (I've tested it) and it's solid and cheap but the silicone rubber part that covers the screen feels pretty horrible but I don't use my phone much when I'm out on my bike.

 

[Colchicine]

That's not bad, but you can't use it as your daily case. My S4 goes in Obex and never has a reason to be taken out. There are doors for accessing the charging port, for instance, that don't require full removal.

If you are only worried about occasional waterproofing, then that one would work. But I suspect there would inevitably be a time when you phone gets wet when you're NOT using the case.

The advantage is it costs about 10% of the Obex case.

 

[BigRedGonzo]

I use the Lifeproof Nuud case and really like it. It is small, light, rugged and waterproof. One thing I particularly like is that it doesn't cover the screen (a screen protector is included, if you want to use one) so you are actually touching the screen when you use the phone. The case is waterproof and comes with a mock phone to use to test the integrity of the case. It is easy to install, easy to remove and looks good on the phone. It is also excruciatingly expensive, but compared to the $700 to buy a new phone out of contract, IMHO well worth it. I like the way it looks and feels and since it isn't so large, I can carry it in my pants pocket. I really like it. It comes in white and black.

Good Luck,

 

[Colchicine]

I decided against the Lifeproof cases because they don't offer a belt clip. Otherwise, I do like the clear back on it.
Speaker phone is almost unusable with the Obex, is it any better on the Lifeproof?

 

[BigRedGonzo]

I decided against the Lifeproof cases because they don't offer a belt clip. Otherwise, I do like the clear back on it.
Speaker phone is almost unusable with the Obex, is it any better on the Lifeproof?

It works great with the Lifeproof case.

Love the case.

 

[tcraig72]

+1 for the LifeProof Nuud. I love that they give you a 1 yr. warranty against water damage. Tells me they are serious about their water protection. Also, love how thin this case is.

 

[excav8ter]

+1 for the LifeProof Nuud. I love that they give you a 1 yr. warranty against water damage. Tells me they are serious about their water protection. Also, love how thin this case is.

I have been leaning towards the Nuud or the Seidio Obex.... I am trying to hold out on buying one until I get to see the S5. I am hoping a waterproof case will come quickly for the S5, as I have a few upgrades to burn up this year. I see there is a Seidio Obex available for the Note 3 already.

 

[db1561]

Pepkoo Galaxy S4 Waterproof Case for Samsung Galaxy S4 Free Shipping | eBay

I tested this per the directions and then I field tested it while ice fishing.. lowered into about 3 foot of water while video recording and no issues at all! passed with flying colors!

 

[excav8ter]

Well, I went with the LifeProof Nuud today. My Otterbox was just getting too beat up and letting a lot of sand in. I have too many projects coming up that are going to be wet, muddy, dusty or sandy, to keep using the Otterbox. I am ok with the fact that it doesn't have a belt clip because I often break them anyhow.
I'll see how it goes....

Hopefully a waterproof case for the S5 will be coming in a reasonable amount of time...

 

[Funderbolt]

Well, I went with the LifeProof Nuud today. My Otterbox was just getting too beat up and letting a lot of sand in. I have too many projects coming up that are going to be wet, muddy, dusty or sandy, to keep using the Otterbox. I am ok with the fact that it doesn't have a belt clip because I often break them anyhow.
I'll see how it goes....

Hopefully a waterproof case for the S5 will be coming in a reasonable amount of time...

What the hell are you doing with your phone?

 

[BigRedGonzo]

Pepkoo Galaxy S4 Waterproof Case for Samsung Galaxy S4 Free Shipping | eBay

I tested this per the directions and then I field tested it while ice fishing.. lowered into about 3 foot of water while video recording and no issues at all! passed with flying colors!

I guess its good that a big walleye didn't come by and think it was lunch. Of course, that would be a heck of a video to watch.

 

[excav8ter]

What the hell are you doing with your phone?

I own an excavating company, hence the screen name. We do a lot of stuff on, in or near water. So my phone is always in harms way, so to speak. They've been buried in mud and sand. Dropped in water, run over by bull dozers and fallen off equipment. I don't use belt clip cases anymore, because they seem to get hooked on stuff and break any way. So now I just put it in my pocket. Or in an iBolt suction cup mount that I have in my equipment.

I also do a lot of stand up paddle boarding, so I carry my phone to track speed, distance and route. As well as to take pictures and call my wife or son if I need to be picked up somewhere.

I usually ruin a few phones a year. The worst year for wrecked devices was 2013, I wrecked 3 Galaxy Note 2's and 2 - S-4's.

 

[Colchicine]

I am hoping a waterproof case will come quickly for the S5

Do not count on it. A case with exacting specs like a waterproof case requires a lot of R&D and testing.

The S4 was released in April 2013, and the earliest the Obex case was available was August, 4 months later.

 

[excav8ter]

Resurrecting and older thread.... I just got my LifeProof Fre' from Best Buy yesterday. .. I LOVE it. So much nicer than the OB Defender I had been using. Very slim fitting case, in my opinion. I love how it is easier to slip into my pockets, as I don't like using a belt clip. I have suction cup holders in most of my equipment, so I can see the screen while I am digging or pushing dirt. The LifeProof case doesn't seem to interfere with any of the functions of the S5 at all. Access to the charging port is pretty good too. Might have to test it out today and go paddle boarding with it and give it a dunk in the lake.

 

[Colchicine]

One thing I've come to appreciate is that I can wash my phone.
I'm on the germaphobe side of things, so I don't want the filth I put on it from when I'm working the yard/car when I reading a book while I'm eating. Not to mention my job requires some fairly unsanitary conditions.
I run it under cool water, use a drop of soap and it also takes all the finger oil off.