OtterBox Defender for iPod touch 2nd generation Defender Series™

Reviewed by Ted Bade

Released: Dec. 12, 2008

$30 USD

Strengths: Great protection, includes protection for screen, solid construciton.

Weaknesses: Cosmetic issue with membrane covering the iPod’s screen, the screen membrane is not replaceable.

Introduction

The OtterBox for iPod touch 2nd generation Defender Series™ designed by Otterbox specifically for the second generation iPod Touch. As would be expected from OtterBox, this case provides superb protection and style.

OtterBox makes various cases for a variety of portable devices. Their cases generally add extra degrees of protection, beyond that offered by the average case, while not sacrificing style. The Defender series fits this description.

The Defender series case is the mid-range case for the Gen 2 iPod Touch. The case consists of a polycarbonate shell covered with a easily gripped silicone covering. This case includes a clear membrane that covers and protects the Touch’s screen while still allowing full control and use of the iPod. The case is available in black only.

This case fits over the iPod by separating the two halves of the polycarbonate underpart (The top part with the membrane and the more solid bottom part.), then putting the iPod between them. The two pieces lock together. A silicone based outer cover is then pulled over the inner shell. Disassembly is a bit trickier, trying to locate where on the tabs one inserts a fingernail to pop the pieces apart. Luckily, one doesn’t need to do this often or at all once the iPod is safely in the case.

The case is designed to protect the Touch from falls, bumps, and shocks. I have to admit, I didn’t try out this feature, although I came close a couple of times ☺. I did toss the empty case around a bit, and it took that abuse quite well.

There are flaps in the bottom of the case that protect the openings for the headphones and the data connector. The flaps need to be held aside to make the connections. There is a raised area on the top of the case that sits over the on-off button, and a similar one over the Home button on the front, both protect these controls from the environment while still making it easy to use them. A hole in the back of the case allows one to view the Apple logo on the back of the Touch.

Day to day use of the iPod Touch was relatively easy while it was in this case. I had no issues accessing the touch screen control through the Patented OtterBox membrane. (I did have one cosmetic issue with the membrane.)

We didn’t like dealing with the flaps that protect the data connection on the bottom. The flap itself gets in the way as you try to insert the connector. We had less an issue with the headphone connector, although it was still annoying. However, one needs to weigh the protective functions of these flaps that will help reduce the amount of dirt and debris that will eventually work their way into the iPod, over the issues of dealing with them. Every other case I have tried simply leaves these ports open to the environment.

For some reason, air pockets formed between the membrane and the Touch’s screen. With the screen off the Touch looked a little sickly. While this effect fades a bit when the screen is on, I was still bothered by the distortions caused by the bubbles. A suggestion to resolve this issue was to get some skin oil on the screen. Sounds weird, but they suggested we rub the iPod screen on a cheek to transfer oils onto it. While doing this improved the issue, it didn’t completely resolve it. (Perhaps we are too dry in these winter months). Conceptually, I like the fact that Otter Box provides a protective membrane over the iPod’s screen. Cosmetically, this just didn’t work well for us.

Another issue I had with the membrane cover is that it is not replaceable. Once this membrane gets scratched, the entire case really needs to be replaced. Most other cases just leave the screen area uncovered, giving the user the ability to attach an inexpensive easily replaceable screen cover to take all the direct contact. The OtterBox membrane is definitely much more solid and protective then the inexpensive covers I have tried. So it all boils down to how you use your Touch.

A $30 case to protect the screen of your $300 to $400 device, isn’t that great an expense, especially if normal day to day use of the iPod puts the screen at risk.

I found that the case’s raised buttons made it easy to access the home and power buttons of the Touch. I also liked the sleek style of the case. Ridges on the outside of the case back and sides add an interesting style to the case, add strength and shock resistance, as well as making it easier to grip the case. Which in turn help reduce the accidental dropping of the Touch in the first place. However, the silicone material was a bit more slippery then other silicone cases I tried.

Conclusion

Overall the Defender Series™ iPod Case is a good choice. It provides more mechanical protection then any other case I have tried, because of both the polycarbonate shell and the membrane that protects the screen. It also protects the openings in the iPod with flaps on the outer silicone case, something I don’t think any other case I have seen does. (Most cases just leave this area open). The Defender is a good choice to protect your iPod Touch 2nd generation.