I ordered the "Seidio Innocase Rugged Combo Value Pack" which includes:
The Rugged Skin is a black silicone covering that fits over the Surface case and covers the entire phone except for the screen, kickstand, and a few small openings for the mics, etc. The Rugged Skeleton is a plastic spine that fits on easlily over the Rugged Skin and provides extra protection for the corners and back of the phone. The volume rocker and power button are fully covered by the Skin but are still easy to manipulate. The power button is actually easier to press but the silicone button is wider and taller than the phone's power button. The USB port and headphone jack are protected by silicone flaps that can be folded back when you need to access those. The camera lens and flash are protected by a large silicone flap that can be folded back and held in place by snapping the nub on the flap into a hole in the Skeleton.
The Rugged Holster is very similar to the Surface Holster. It's larger to accommodate the phone with case, skin, and skeleton in place. The spring clip has a locking mechanism that can be used if desired to prevent the clip from releasing accidentally. The belt clip is permanently attached to the holster and has a hook on the end to keep it from slipping off your belt. The clip can fit around a much wider and thicker belt than the Surface holster's belt clip -- up to 2" wide per Seidio.
The kickstand still works normally in vertical and horizontal positions with just the Surface case or with the Rugged add-ons. When the phone is wrapped in the case, skin, skeleton, and holster, the only exposed part is the kickstand and the little hole beneath it. Below there is a picture showing it next to the Surface case and holster to give you an idea of the difference in size. It makes for a hefty package but that's what's needed to get a high level of protection for outdoor activities.
I can't comment on the Ultimate Screen Guard because I haven't tried it and likely never will. It just came with the combo.
There has been curiosity about whether the Platinum case sold by Best Buy is the same thing as the Surface case. Looking at the bottom of the Platinum box reveals that it is indeed made by Seidio. So I did a side-by-side comparison which is shown in the pictures below. The only discernible difference between the two are in the cosmetic branding. The materials and quality of workmanship appear identical to me. The Platinum case fits in the Surface holster the same as the Surface case does (photo proof below). All dimensions are identical as close as my eye can tell. I see no reason to choose one over the other except for cost and convenience of purchasing.
All in all, this gear is well built and I'm looking forward to giving it a heavy workout, particularly during my next hiking and camping trip since my ThunderBolt can travel first class and will no longer have to hide out in the safe but inconvenient confines of my backpack.
Photos:
- Innocase II Surface
- Innocase II Surface Holster
- Rugged Skin and Skeleton
- Rugged Holster
- Ultimate Screen Guard
The Rugged Skin is a black silicone covering that fits over the Surface case and covers the entire phone except for the screen, kickstand, and a few small openings for the mics, etc. The Rugged Skeleton is a plastic spine that fits on easlily over the Rugged Skin and provides extra protection for the corners and back of the phone. The volume rocker and power button are fully covered by the Skin but are still easy to manipulate. The power button is actually easier to press but the silicone button is wider and taller than the phone's power button. The USB port and headphone jack are protected by silicone flaps that can be folded back when you need to access those. The camera lens and flash are protected by a large silicone flap that can be folded back and held in place by snapping the nub on the flap into a hole in the Skeleton.
The Rugged Holster is very similar to the Surface Holster. It's larger to accommodate the phone with case, skin, and skeleton in place. The spring clip has a locking mechanism that can be used if desired to prevent the clip from releasing accidentally. The belt clip is permanently attached to the holster and has a hook on the end to keep it from slipping off your belt. The clip can fit around a much wider and thicker belt than the Surface holster's belt clip -- up to 2" wide per Seidio.
The kickstand still works normally in vertical and horizontal positions with just the Surface case or with the Rugged add-ons. When the phone is wrapped in the case, skin, skeleton, and holster, the only exposed part is the kickstand and the little hole beneath it. Below there is a picture showing it next to the Surface case and holster to give you an idea of the difference in size. It makes for a hefty package but that's what's needed to get a high level of protection for outdoor activities.
I can't comment on the Ultimate Screen Guard because I haven't tried it and likely never will. It just came with the combo.
There has been curiosity about whether the Platinum case sold by Best Buy is the same thing as the Surface case. Looking at the bottom of the Platinum box reveals that it is indeed made by Seidio. So I did a side-by-side comparison which is shown in the pictures below. The only discernible difference between the two are in the cosmetic branding. The materials and quality of workmanship appear identical to me. The Platinum case fits in the Surface holster the same as the Surface case does (photo proof below). All dimensions are identical as close as my eye can tell. I see no reason to choose one over the other except for cost and convenience of purchasing.
All in all, this gear is well built and I'm looking forward to giving it a heavy workout, particularly during my next hiking and camping trip since my ThunderBolt can travel first class and will no longer have to hide out in the safe but inconvenient confines of my backpack.
Photos:
- Surface case back (left) next to Platinum case back (right)
- Surface case front (left) next to Platinum case front (right)
- Surface holster back (left) next to Platinum holster back (right)
- Surface holster front (left) next to Platinum holster front (right)
- Rugged case and holster back (left) next to Platinum case in Surface holster back (right)
- Rugged case and holster front (left) next to Platinum case in Surface holster front (right)
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