With the recent release of the Otterbox Defender case for the Nexus 7 and it's outlandish price of over $70 out the door, I decided to buy it along with its more affordable competitors - the Poetic Revolution and the Seidio Active to see if the Otterbox is really worth the price.
I received the Otterbox in the mail first. The fit and finish are impeccable. The case is so well designed that it becomes one with the tablet. It is as if there is no case at all, simply a beefed up Nexus 7. The tablet, while heavier with the case, is much easier to hold and type on. The bezel and outer silicone provide an excellent grip. The only negative I see is the screen protector. A rainbow effect developed under the screen within 24 hours of use. Lint also creeped in. If I keep the case, I will be removing the screen protector.
I next received the Seidio Active for $48.55 out the door from Amazon. It's hybrid design is very similar to the Otterbox's, and it also includes an external cover / stand. The first thing I noticed with the Seidio is that within minutes it was covered in lint (the Otterbox silicone attracts no lint at all). I next noticed that the Seidio rubberized material caused it to slip as I tried to hold it with one hand. Within a few minutes I decided this was not the case for me, and I put it back in the box for return.
The Poetic Revolution arrived next, a total of only $32.35 from amazon. It has integrated kickstands rather than the external cover stand. I first noticed during installation that the plastic internal cover does not quite close fully with the Nexus 7 inside. As a result the outer silicon also would not sit flush. It looked terrible. I don't know if this one was defective, but this case was not working at all. I checked a few times to make sure I had not installed something backwards or upside down. The case really doesn't fit the device well. Like the Seidio, the Poetic case has a slick silicone which causes the device to slip when held with one hand. The Poetic was also back in the box for return within a few minutes.
My opinion is that Otterbox Defender truly is the best rugged case on the market for the Nexus 7, but it comes at a very high price. For many, it is difficult to justify paying $75 for a case for a $200 tablet.
While perhaps the best case, the Otterbox certainly is not the best value. For bargain shoppers, a basic tpu case can be bought for less than $5 on ebay.
Sorry no pictures. I'm too lazy.
Sent from my Nexus 7 using Tapatalk HD
I received the Otterbox in the mail first. The fit and finish are impeccable. The case is so well designed that it becomes one with the tablet. It is as if there is no case at all, simply a beefed up Nexus 7. The tablet, while heavier with the case, is much easier to hold and type on. The bezel and outer silicone provide an excellent grip. The only negative I see is the screen protector. A rainbow effect developed under the screen within 24 hours of use. Lint also creeped in. If I keep the case, I will be removing the screen protector.
I next received the Seidio Active for $48.55 out the door from Amazon. It's hybrid design is very similar to the Otterbox's, and it also includes an external cover / stand. The first thing I noticed with the Seidio is that within minutes it was covered in lint (the Otterbox silicone attracts no lint at all). I next noticed that the Seidio rubberized material caused it to slip as I tried to hold it with one hand. Within a few minutes I decided this was not the case for me, and I put it back in the box for return.
The Poetic Revolution arrived next, a total of only $32.35 from amazon. It has integrated kickstands rather than the external cover stand. I first noticed during installation that the plastic internal cover does not quite close fully with the Nexus 7 inside. As a result the outer silicon also would not sit flush. It looked terrible. I don't know if this one was defective, but this case was not working at all. I checked a few times to make sure I had not installed something backwards or upside down. The case really doesn't fit the device well. Like the Seidio, the Poetic case has a slick silicone which causes the device to slip when held with one hand. The Poetic was also back in the box for return within a few minutes.
My opinion is that Otterbox Defender truly is the best rugged case on the market for the Nexus 7, but it comes at a very high price. For many, it is difficult to justify paying $75 for a case for a $200 tablet.
While perhaps the best case, the Otterbox certainly is not the best value. For bargain shoppers, a basic tpu case can be bought for less than $5 on ebay.
Sorry no pictures. I'm too lazy.
Sent from my Nexus 7 using Tapatalk HD