Customer Reviews

OtterBox Defender Series for BlackBerry Tour 9600 Series

5 star:		(44)
4 star:		(9)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

This is a great case if you are just looking for maximum protection for your Blackberry Tour. I've dropped mine twice since I've got it so that is what prompted me to check out getting a case for it. The Otterbox is built like a tank. The buttons around the side of the phone are easily pressed and the ports are also accessible. The screen cover is also great. I do have a few caveats about the case though.

For one, the case covers my screen up a little at the top. I don't know if it is just a problem with my case or with the whole product line, but it's not terrible so I can live with it. Also, the edge of the case around the keyboard is raised up enough so that someone with big hands (like me!) will have trouble pressing the buttons closest to the edge. I usually press both of the two edge buttons if I just try to press the outside one. Typing has been difficult since I started using the Otterbox.

If I could go back I probably wouldn't have gotten this particular case although it offers excellent protection. It's just has a few functionality problems that I'm not sure are worth the protection.

***New Update - 10/21/2009***
I've completely stopped using the Otterbox case. The new problems I've came across are too numerous to overcome. I've now realized I can't feel the phone vibrate if it's in the holster on my hip. Since I use my phone at work at the hospital to communicate with my physician and other employees this is a necessity for me since I can't have the ringer on. The sound quality took a big hit also when I started using the case. There is some kind of cover over the speakers and other openings on the phone that greatly inhibits the sound quality during calls. I had to turn the call volume all the way up on the phone to get just moderate volume through the case.

I would now only give this case 2 stars if I could go back and give it another rating. The protection it provides is great, but there are too many other caveats that make this case unusable for me. I would try to discourage others from buying it also.

Length:: 1:33 Mins

I just got my Defender case in the mail today and I'm incredibly impressed with the level of protection this thing provides. The screen is completely protected, all holes are closed off, the camera is safe, the keyboard is sealed... GREAT case. It's a tank, and it doesn't add too much bulk: you can steal use one hand to hold the phone up to your ear and text on it comfortably. I feel like I'm really protecting my VERY EXPENSIVE BlackBerry.

The Otterbox Defender Case for BlackBerry Tour is near perfect, except for the thin plastic LED cover, which should perhaps include two instead of one due to their weakness.

However, we didn't end up keeping this case because the BlackBerry Tour 9630 Phone, Black (Sprint) was such a poor quality model that we returned both.

If you buy this case, make sure you understand what it is. I have seen some reviews that have rated this product poorly for being what it was designed to be. If you are interested in a small, light-duty case, you may be well advised to look at something else. On the other hand, if you really want to protect your device, this is probably your ticket.

I'm going to give this product five stars at this point but I would preface that by noting my experience with it is limited; I've only had it a few days.

The case is well designed and manufactured. All the components fit like a glove and the entire assembly goes together well. With the case attached, the phone has an attractive (to me) and rugged appearance. It does add some weight and bulk, but not that much for protection it provides. I did not use the keyboard cover as I didn't care for it and don't need the protection. And this isn't a critical comment about the design of the keyboard cover. I don't know how a better one could be designed. I don't care for anything covering the keys on the phone. But if you are in an environment where protection of the keys would be helpful, I would certainly use it. I do agree with one other review that Otterbox probaly should include two keyboard covers and I'm sure with heavy use that item would wear out rather rapidly.

At this point, I have no regrets with this purchase. If that changes, I will revise my review. There are several video reviews of this case on You Tube. Those were very helpful in my decision to purchase this item.

Since I originally wrote this review I decided to install the keyboard cover. If you take the time to get a good fit it will serve you well especially if in an environment where things may get into the keys.

OtterBox Defender Case for BlackBerry Tour 9630 W/Clip ....GREAT PRODUCT!....seller was very prompt in product delivery, did not expect to get the shipment over night.....both product and packaging were very good quality.....would highly recommend using this seller again.....

Great case easy to install and all phone features and accessory plug ports are easy to use. This case has more protection than I thought it would have. Will not hesitate to purchase an another otter box product in the future

After dropping my last BlackBerry and upgrading to a Tour a few friends recommended the Otterbox Defender series to me so I decided to give it a try. The only negative reviews I could find said that the case was very bulky and that it made the outer buttons hard to press. I couldn't disagree more with those negative comments.

The case goes on very easily, it took maybe 2 minutes and it's a perfect fit. The form factor of the phone is almost the same as without the case, just slightly larger. I personally feel that the phone fits better in my hands with the case, and the rubberized cover definitely makes the phone easier to hold on to. I haven't had any problems hitting the outer keys, and I have very large hands. I can't imagine anyone having enough of a problem with those keys that it would outweigh the benefits on the case. It is rock solid and uses high quality materials for a PERFECT fit. The camera still takes the same quality pictures, even with the hard plastic lens cover, and the screens colors haven't been affected at all. Actually, with this case on there is LESS glare on the screen than without the case.

I was skeptical about the plastic cover that goes over the keyboard, but I decided to try it anyways. I'm glad I did, because it's great. It's so much easier to wipe the keys off, and debris from my jacket pocket can no longer get in between the keys. I hardly even notice it's there anymore. My only complaint is that the case should really come with a few of these covers, as I'm guessing after a little while the plastic will start to discolor and wear out.

Bottom line: If you care about protecting your phone, look no further. I would gladly have paid twice what I did for the Otterbox. This thing is so rock solid, if you dropped your phone on concrete I'd be more worried about damaging the floor than the phone!

I recently had to get a BlackBerry Tour for my business. I needed a case that was more than aesthetic, something rugged and would protect a part of my business that is critical for day to day operations. Enter in the OtterBox Defender case. Just looking at the photos does not let you know just how well its built. I recommend looking at the video review that another reviewer posted here to see how to install it; there are several small pieces that could become an issue to install.

The case does not add too much to the overall size of the phone. I wont be putting it in my pocket too often anyway, but, if I did I would not have that much of an issue with it. The heavy gauge rubber and rigid plastic pieces almost make the phone waterproof. It is not, however, it does have much more protection from the environment than the naked phone does on its own. It even protects the keyboard with a thin layer of rubberized plastic, keeping keys free from grime and wear.

Pros:

>> Heavy duty protection that should extend the life of your phone
>> Easy access to all ports and connections
>> Clear lens over the camera
>> Excellent belt clip/holster

Cons:

<< Tricky installation (view video review already posted)

Overall this is a fantastic bang-for-your buck (literally) purchase. If you need a rugged blackberry this is probably the best way to go about getting one.

Thank you for reading my review.

I am tough on phones. I've used most types of skins and covers. When I got my new Tour, I really wanted to keep it nice. At first, I found disassembly of the hard shell part of the OtterBox difficult to figure out. Once I got past that, I have found it easy to take off and put back on. Of course you can charge or sync with the entire unit in place, but I use a charging cradle at night, so it has to come off. No problem, takes about 5 seconds. After many weeks of my usual brutal treatment, the phone still looks brand new. There is no problem with seeing the screen, and I find no difficulty using the keyboard with the 'box in place. The raised ridge has stopped annoying unintentional speed-dialing, as it prevents accidental key pressing.

Another reviewer said that the phone did not ring when holstered. This is a Blackberry setting, and really has nothing to do with the case. The volume of ringer and speakerphone seems unaffected by the case. Finally, I was worried about adding weight, but have not found this to be an issue at all. Overall, I am impressed with the precision of the design and quality of manufacture. I recommend this product without reservation.

Excellent product. It completely secures my phone. I received it timely and as described