Customer Reviews

OTTERBOX Defender Case for iPod touch 2G

5 star:		(82)
4 star:		(15)
3 star:		(5)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

I have used ALOT of cases in the past for cell phones , mp3 players , pda's but this BY FAR is one of the best products i have ever bought . It has a GREAT 3 layer protective covering case made of rubber and plastic i have dropped it a few times jsut as a test and man the things is amazing . the screen film protector was my worry when i purchased the case originally . but it holds true just as the rest of the case . This product was so good i wound up buying an otterbox case for my blackberry storm , my wifes blackberry curver and my wifes ipod . i 100% recommend this case

Short Review:
Pros:
-TOTALLY sealed, so it's water resistant. If it's lightly raining outside you should be able to take it out of your pocket and adjust something.
-Case goes together perfectly
-Makes the ipod more holdable
-really protects the ipod from bumps and whatnot
-Buttons are SUPER EASY to feel and find. Pressing them is easy.

Cons:
-unless you're ok with the watermark, you have to do the baby powder misting (Great instructions for the baby powder:[...])
-Cannot use a dock while in the case

*Do NOT let the watermark deter you from this case. This case is under $30 and gives you complete protection where other cases only give partial protection for the same price!

Long Review:
If you're a perfectionist and you're looking for a case, you're going to have a really tough time finding one that will keep your ipod scratch free AND the screen protected well. And when you finally find this perfect case, there's always something wrong with it.

This case is one of those "perfect cases" and protects your iPod with an awesome "3 layers" of protection. It's more like 2.5, and let me explain.

The first 0.5 layer is the thin membrane that only covers the screen, light sensor and the apple logo (There is a cool window that lets you see the apple logo). The protector floats just above the actual screen so the two screens will want to stick to each other creating a "water mark" effect as everyone before me has noticed. This is the main and only gripe with this case, but is easily fixed.

Fixes:
-Some people use screen protectors over the screen on the actual ipod which prevents the two screens from sticking.
-I used the baby powder trick (no we're not slobbering the screen with powder) but rather misting the inside of the screen very lightly with the powder. Do it right and the particles are invisible. Do it wrong and you get little specs in the screen. Still invisible when the screen is on.

*note: I dont' think there is any loss in response or sensitivity for the screen. If you're used to typing on the bare screen, then controls with the protector will feel different.

The second layer is a hard plastic shell that takes some getting used to to open. Many complain about this, but I think this just means that it holds your ipod more securely.

Finally the 3rd layer is a silicone case. It is not the floppy silicone but a harder formula which I am glad they did. Dust doesn't collect on this as much as my phone case, and if there is dust, you just wipe it on your shirt or cloth once and it's gone. Dust doesn't get stuck in the material

The case adds some "bulk" but the ipod was so small already, I'm glad that this case increased the size a bit. I don't feel like I am going to drop it all the time with this case.

Together, the case looks fantastic. The buttons are super easy to press and easy to find as there is a slight bump. Seeing the logo in the back just makes this ipod case looks so professional. And yes, that logo is protected by the screen.

Summary: This is the best case out the for the iPod. I researched far and wide and always came back to this. At first I didn't get it because I didn't like the fact that there was a watermark that happened. However the case is so good and the fix is so easy that you need not look any further. Yes, you will have fingerprint marks, but that will always happen, won't it?

Positives: This case is solid. One of the best cases to protect your iPod Touch 2G I've seen yet. The three layers of protection are sound and complete. Unlike most plastic screen covers that scratch just by looking at them I have yet to scratch the screen layer. I've had the case on for about a week now, and the screen is still scratch free. The hard shell seems to be made of a strong plastic, and looks and feels like will hold up to a good amount of abuse. The rubber outer layer is made from a strong rubber, and I really like how it seals up the unused ports from dust and dirt.

This case does not seem to negatively alter WiFi connectivity, or the use of the home, power/sleep, and volume buttons. This case has a build in hole to allow for the auto-back light adjustment sensor.

Negatives: The item description says "Allows user to sync & charge device through the case via convenient silicone plugs." This is only partly true. Only my Apple supplied sync cable and headphones will fit through the slots in hard plastic shell. None of my third party iPod Touch accessories will fit while the case is equipped. This includes my iPod compatible stereo dock, my trucks AUX cable for stereo, my noise canceling headphones, or my 120v wall charger. I have to remove the iPod from the case if I choose to use any of those accessories. While it's a simple enough process--I should not have to do so.

That annoyance is enough to give the Otterbox: Defender case a 3 out of 5 stars from me.

Bought 2 of these for my kids on March 1, 2009. Today is July 22, 2009.
My kids, (5 and 6 yrs.) were always wanting to play with our iPhones so we decided to let them buy themselves an iPod Touch with their money they'd saved from holidays and birthdays. Loads of educational apps, great kid video podcasts, and lots of fun games. They've been a great "edutainment" device. We don't let them use headphones and they have limits on usage.
So, while they love the ipods in their stock state they are WAY too slick and easily damaged. Looked around, checked a LOT of reviews on iPodlounge and this case kept coming up so we ordered a couple.
Great investment, the kids are very careful with them, but they are kids, I can't expect the same level of care from a kid as I can from myself or other adults, they WILL drop things... and use them with grubby fingers. This case is the best way to protect an ipod, all surfaces are protected behind plastic and rubber or the clear screen protector. It's not water-proof but it does offer a lot of splash resistance. The dock connector and headphone jack are covered with flaps that pop out.
They've each dropped theirs at least a couple times that I'm aware of, probably more, with no damage. The sound from the built-in speaker is somewhat muted, but that's to be expected.
The attached screen protector had me worried as once it wears out you either need to buy a new case or remove it and use another protector but in doing so lose that aspect of protection. I can happily report that it doesn't show any signs of wear yet. There is an issue where you can see little air bubbles where the screen protector presses against the glass of the screen, but they're mostly visible when the power is off. The kids have never mentioned it.
I've had rubber cases stretch out and loosen up to the point where they are no longer useful. I was worried about the rubber on these initially, and then more so when I saw the kids would fiddle with the edges where the rubber and plastic meet. Amazingly the rubber hasn't deformed from the kids picking at it.
Buttons are easily accessed through the case thanks to some well placed bumps.
This is not a case you would use with a docking type speaker, it is big and bulky and the design interferes with that kind of operation. This is for people who carry theirs around with them a lot and want a grippable, beefy case to keep their toy nice and clean. It doubles the thickness of the ipod.
The higher cost of this case will eventually be offset by the high resale value of a device that shows no signs of wear when the time to upgrade comes.


Update - 12/2/10
Cases are still going strong. They've ripped the bottom covers off, they show signs of major wear, but the ipods are still going strong.
They drop them occasionally, I tell them to be careful but don't get too mad as I know their iPods are well protected.
Their usage remains regular as new games are released regularly, the iPod itself was a great investment for them. I'll update again in a year or so.

Update 8/9/11
Nothing to note since last update. Know of 3 other iPod Touch that have died from lack of Otterbox, my kid's are unharmed despite the occasional drop.
May upgrade when the new models come out, will definitely be getting them an Otterbox again.

This case is really nice. It is very protective of the iPod, not too large or heavy, easy to control the iPod through the case, and comfortable in my hand. It allows easy connection for headphones or for charging and syncing through hinged rubber covers over the ports. The only problem I have with this case is that the Otterbox protective screen gets greasy from fingerprints just as quickly as the iPod's bare screen did before I put this case on. Overall, I think this case is well worth the money to keep my iPod protected.

Just FYI: this case fits the Ipod Touch 3g as well as the 2g. It's also awesome. I love it.

I bought the Defender after looking at many different cases. I wanted something that would offer solid protection against bumps and scrapes and especially keeping moisture out. Now of course the Defender is not waterproof(submerged under water) but very clearly seems to be protective from spills and most importantly, at least to me, protects against humidity ruining your ipod touch. There are small plugs that cover both the headphone and charger jacks where dust and moisture can enter into the ipod.
Initially I had issues with air bubbles forming on the screen after applying the case to my ipod touch. I had read that a anti glare screen protector was the solution and was planning on buying a few. Thankfully I stumbled on a tip that totally solved the problem: baby powder. Seems weird right? It totally works - just google "ipod touch otterbox baby powder solution". You just spray a tiny amount of baby powder on the backside of the Defender screen protector and the bubbles will not be there. It worked on my first try. I read in another blog that the customer service people at Otterbox have now mentioned this as a solution as well. From all reports the air bubbles seem to be the main frustration with this case so I highly recommend this method. Now that I've solved the air bubble problem, I couldn't be more happy with my case.

I just got this case about 2 weeks ago along with my new 3G Ipod Touch (32gb). Love it! It fits perfectly- it is not difficult to get the case on the ipod at all. It also has a very slim profile IMO, considering the protection it gives. I use my ipod daily for exercise, games, organization, and my kids use it for games and videos too so I wanted something protective and tough and the otterbox defender fits the bill perfectly! Do not hesitate to purchase this item to go along with your 3G touch. I haven't had to take it off yet and I have no problems docking my ipod to sync or charge.
You can search on youtube to find out how to use powder to get rid of the sticky problem with the screen protector. I have done this and have had no problems or issues since and it's been a good 2 weeks. The screen is completely responsive with the screen protector, it is like it isn't even there. Love this case!!

If you want the ultimate in protection for your iPod Touch, this case is as good as it gets. The added thickness, the added weight and the ultra-smooth silicon material all feels great in your hand. Not only does it feel great in all regards, it looks great too! But it doesn't end there, it also protects very well in multiple areas, effectively achieving the point in the product. It's an all around winner!

One of my only complaints is that it does have a bubble screen issue, but that can be easily fixed as pointed out by other reviewers by a light spray of baby powder or an extra screen protector placed onto the iPod's screen. Some people may also not like the added weight or thickness, but I found those two things to be more of a pro than a con so I'll do nothing more than mention the possibility of dislike. If you aren't sure whether you'll like the extra weight/thickness, pick up an iPhone as that will be fairly accurate as to what you'll be feeling with this case.

The three layer protection is awesome for this price range. First you have the hard plastic case itself, which is very durable and doesn't flex under realistic pressure. Then you have the built-in screen protector, which has a nice seal all around the edges so no dust or even water will find its way in. There is also a screen protector located on the back for the "logo window", which too has just as good of a seal around the edges. The next and final layer is the super soft, super smooth feeling silicon. This is the perfect finish to this case, both aesthetically as well as to ensure a bit more of extra protection. Not only does it look great and add even more protection, but it feels wonderful as well. I can't help but run my hands over it from time to time, just to savor the feel of it.

In my honest opinion, there is nigh a better case out there that protects so well and looks so great. This is the ultimate in case protection.

Product Rating: 5/5 - Highly Recommended!

I purchased this for my son's ipod. My son has special needs and has dropped his ipod down a flight of stairs, and tossed it across a room onto the floor on more than one occasion. He has managed to scratch the protective screen with the intense abuse, but the ipod has amazingly survived. Very highly recommended.