Topic: Case for iPhone

[ekuo]

My dearest wife got me an iPhone for Christmas (yeah, I'm slowly moving into the 21st century...).  So far I really like it, but the other day I was working on my shed and I started to get worried about damaging it.  So I've been looking at cases and have also been trying to figure out how best to carry it (pocket, belt, soft case, hard case...) and how much I need to protect the screen.  At first I was interested in the Magpul case but then realized that it did not come with a cover for the screen and it doesn't have a belt clip.  

So, how do you guys carry your iPhones?  If you pocket-carry are you worried about scratching the screen?

She did get me the plastic film that goes on the screen to help protect it from scratches.    
  
Any suggestions?  

Thx

 

[luvmy45]

First question: Are you a hard user of a phone? Does it get banged around, tossed on a seat, hauled out in the elements?

If you are a hard use user, I would recommend the Otter Box Defender...http://www.otterbox.com/iPhone-4S-Defender-Series-Case/APL2-I4SUN,default,pd.html?dwvar_APL2-I4SUN_color=20&start=2&cgid=apple-iphone-4s-cases

This is a great case and offer very good protection.. but it does make the phone bigger and bulkier, not a big deal if your a hard use user. It does come with a belt clip as well.

I am more of a medium use guy... and the Magpul case that I got as a $10 standby case has turned out to be the perfect case for me. I do not use a screen protector, as it sits in my shirt pocket or jeans pocket if not on my desk for the duration of the day. At the range, the maggpul offers the protection I can use it for ballistics or whatever.

Any other cases, IMHO are just user preference, the $10 Magpul is a great case and great price, the Otterbox is a $50 case and is the total protection route. My preference for my style of phone carry is one of those two.

YMMV, and welcome to the Apple Cult... download Shooter for ballistics, Angry Birds for killing time and Photosynth for crazy 360 photos.

[fj40mojo]

I'll give a second nod for the Magpul case. Got one for my wife's phone and she loves it (it's tactikewl pink). Plus, they are available from SAWTAC! She got me a new iphone yesterday and I'm planning on picking up a Magpul case for it as soon as I'm back in Boise (not in tactikewl pink).

[avking]

In the back left pocket with a basic screen protector and a basic soft shell. Been using it that way for over two years. Still in near perfect condition.

[tgibson]

For EDC, I use the magpul case and the screen protector that I got at the verizon store.  No issues whatsoever.  I was actually really surprised at how well the screen protector did.  Great.
So the last day I was on the jobsite in VA, I dropped it and broke the screen.  Got a new phone and purchased the Otterbox defender case for $21 off amazon.  It's freakin' huge, but it's also about bomb proof.  Had the same one for my Storm II.  Long and short is spend $31 and get both of them.   
Adios,
TG

[ekuo]

First question: Are you a hard user of a phone? Does it get banged around, tossed on a seat, hauled out in the elements?

I wouldn't say that I'm a hard user, but sometimes I get used pretty hard...and whatever is on me at the time also shares the same abuse...  Oddly enough, I never worried about damaging a flip phone if it was on my belt or in a pocket, but I am worried about damaging this phone.  

I think what I'm leaning towards doing is carry the phone in a pocket most of the time, but I'd be happier is I could find some sort of clam shell hardcover for the screen, kind of like my old Texas Instruments calculator that had a cover you slid off to access the screen and buttons.  I wonder if I got a Magpul case if I could find somebody to make me a screen cover out of kydex...  Isn't there somebody at Ambush Tactical that does custom kydex work?  

Thanks for the link to the Otter box, I'll have to check it out in person.  

[Kcboats]

+1 for Otter Box...got one for my iPad and it rocks.

[tgibson]

I wouldn't say that I'm a hard user, but sometimes I get used pretty hard...and whatever is on me at the time also shares the same abuse...  Oddly enough, I never worried about damaging a flip phone if it was on my belt or in a pocket, but I am worried about damaging this phone.  

I think what I'm leaning towards doing is carry the phone in a pocket most of the time, but I'd be happier is I could find some sort of clam shell hardcover for the screen, kind of like my old Texas Instruments calculator that had a cover you slid off to access the screen and buttons.  I wonder if I got a Magpul case if I could find somebody to make me a screen cover out of kydex...  Isn't there somebody at Ambush Tactical that does custom kydex work?  

Thanks for the link to the Otter box, I'll have to check it out in person.  

I'll have mine with me tomorrow so you can check it out.  Rick at COM probably has kydex for iPhones right now.  Might check.
Adios,
TG

[luvmy45]

If TG brings the Otter box, I'll have my Magpul with me.

[ekuo]

Thanks guys for all the input.  I picked up a Magpul case today at Jeff's and I like it.  I'm still thinking about some sort of hard cover for the screen is in order, but it'll probably have to be a custom job since it's doubtful that anybody makes something that can be used in conjunction with the Magpul cover. 

James at Ambush Tactical was optimistic that they could mold something out of kydex...  Maybe I should ask them to make half a dozen or so?   

[Jaggy13]

I think it's a good idea for the gear bag.

I've run a smart phone for quite a while now and I have found that a screen cover is all I really need. The screen can scratch from dust and grime over time. I run a slide out keyboard though...

I couldn't run the otter just because of the foot print, but I like the idea of added protection when you throw it in a duffle or gear bag.

[luvmy45]

The glass on the iPhone is pretty tough glass, and pretty hard to scratch unless you drag it across the ground. Most of the guys as work that have had them for a year or more, don't run screen covers and just wipe the glass off with a little cleaning rag a couple times a day to get the finger oil off... their glass look almost brand new with no scratching, and they pocket carry all the time.

The glass on the iphone, until the last 6 months in cell phones, was better than anything out there. If you really want a cover, run the magpul case with a zagg screen covere. http://www.zagg.com/

around $30 for the cover. I don't like them because of how they feel on the screen but they do work. I had one on my android, I'll throw it in the range bag and you can check it out if this weekend... the droid glass was picky and needed the cover, the iphone... not so much.

[ekuo]

The glass on the iPhone is pretty tough glass, and pretty hard to scratch unless you drag it across the ground. Most of the guys as work that have had them for a year or more, don't run screen covers and just wipe the glass off with a little cleaning rag a couple times a day to get the finger oil off... their glass look almost brand new with no scratching, and they pocket carry all the time.

The glass on the iphone, until the last 6 months in cell phones, was better than anything out there. If you really want a cover, run the magpul case with a zagg screen covere. http://www.zagg.com/

around $30 for the cover. I don't like them because of how they feel on the screen but they do work. I had one on my android, I'll throw it in the range bag and you can check it out if this weekend... the droid glass was picky and needed the cover, the iphone... not so much.

That Zagg screen cover looks like what James at Ambush Tactical was telling me about when I saw him today.  Bet you're right that a Magpul case with that cover would give it pretty good protection. 

Good stuff!  Thx

[Idaho_Gun_Nut]

I bought the kit from Verizon for my Iphone, comes with the car charger, screen protectors and a nice case with belt clip that completely protects the phone and also has a built in stand so you can prop your phone up while watching your favorite videos.

http://www.verizonwireless.com/b2c/store/accessory?action=accessoryDetails&archetypeId=12481&accessoryId=47343

[JWaddell]

I use a LifeProof case. Expensive, but the ultimate case IMHO!!! Its even submersible


http://www.lifeproof.com/lifeproof-store/apple-cases/iphone-4-g2