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OtterBox Rugged Treo 700 Case Review

The first comment that you’re likely to get when you show the new Treo 700 OtterBox Rugged Case to someone will be something like “Wow! That case sure looks like it means business!” – it most certainly does.

Treo 700p OtterBox Case

The patented OtterBox Rugged case is without a doubt the single most robust Treo case that you’re likely to come across – it’s dustproof and splashproof (not for underwater use though) and provides both drop and crush protection (I can basically stand on the case without fear of damaging my Treo).

This OtterBox feels like an over-engineered military-grade case with a thick – roughly 5mm – shell, rubber seals and shock absorbers, oversize closing latch and overall ‘extreme’ design.

The surprising thing though is seeing just how relatively small the OtterBox case is particularly when compared to the previous OtterBox 1900 model which is over an inch thicker on the sides – this one feels almost ‘pocketable’ and feels comfortable in one hand.

A thick acrylic flip protective screen cover (above left) is further enhanced by OtterBox’ “screen membrane” – a thin plastic film which protects your Treo screen area from dust, dirt and liquids while providing you full access to the touchscreen.  Additionally, a bottom rubber plug opens to reveal full access to your headset jack and connectors – albeit I would have preferred to have an opening for the headset that did not require lifting the plug.

The top cap (above left) is fixed and does not allow SD card access but you can separately purchase another cap for use with a barcode reader.  Another improvement in this OtterBox case is the addition of a full protective keyboard which works almost as well as typing on the Treo keyboard directly.  The only thing here is that the green Call Answer and red Call End buttons have been mapped to the Treo 700w|wx and therefore a little confusing for a Treo 700p user like me.

The left side of the OtterBox provides easy access to your Treo 700’s side control buttons while the other provides a sturdy stylus holder.

Evidently the OtterBox Rugged Case will appeal to an extremely limited number of Treonauts who have particular needs for use in the field or a warehouse for example.  However, those few Treonauts that do have a need for the level of protection that the OtterBox uniquely provides will not only seek it out but also be willing to pay handsomely for it.  This is probably why this case is also one of the most expensive ones that you can buy priced at $129.95 – with the belt clip alone (not included but sold separately) is $19.95.

Treonauts are always the most rugged


Posted by Andrew on January 17, 2007 at 05:20 AM

Treo Accessories , Treo Case

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Comments

1
by Victor | Jan 17, 2007 7:14:45 AM

Oh no!!!! You must be kidding!!! The ugliest case ever!!!!

2
by racostan | Jan 17, 2007 10:10:07 AM

Why on earth would you like to use a case like this?
The point of having a Treo is portability, sleek looks, light weight etc. This product defeats each and every benefit of having a Treo.
If you can't protect your Treo under normal circumstances, then you shouldn't have one in the first place.

I'd rather use a Home Depot Toolbox
http://www.homedepot.com/prel80/HDUS/EN_US/jsearch/product.jsp?pn=100050997
it is lighter and also "almost pocketable" and by the way I can also "... stand on the case without fear of damaging my Treo" and guess what: IS CHEAPER TOO!!!

This is the stupidest product ever.
Bad choice to feature it in your post!

I will contact this company next time I'm looking for a bulletproof housing to protect the milk carton in my fridge.

3
by forgot | Jan 17, 2007 2:11:05 PM

Bad choice to feature in the post?!

Not everyone who totes a Treo is a straight laced buisness man. People from all walks have found these things to be useful in all sorts of places, and by learning about cases like this they can be used in even MORE places.

4
by Joseph | Jan 17, 2007 4:35:50 PM

Bravo!
Glad you posted this review.

My warehouse guys love their Treos but we're worried they'll damage them in that hostile environment. The cases we've used to date were adequate but this is definitly the solution.

5
by kregger | Jan 17, 2007 9:46:36 PM

racostan, you made my night! this IS the ugliest case I have ever seen.

6
by Evan | Jan 18, 2007 12:06:59 AM

>>>> People from all walks have found these things to be useful in all sorts of places, and by learning about cases like this they can be used in even MORE places.

Right! Sure, my 700p is a great tool for my mobile communications in an office environment, but plenty of other people use their Treos at assembly lines, construction sites, in the forest, on ships, or at any manner of places that are generally hostile to fragile electronics. It doesn't take much imagination to see why a case like this one will find a big audience.

7
by Rob | Jan 18, 2007 8:25:59 AM

All our contractors (300 strong) use the Treo. They are in and out of their vehicles and vacant homes all day long. This case is the answer to all our concerns. We believe.....Thanks

8
by Zach | Jan 19, 2007 7:46:37 AM

Indeed it is ugly, but I'm sure it's pratical to some. My only complaint is....$129 and I still need to buy a Belt clip? For that price it should come with one.

9
by mmk | Jan 21, 2007 2:34:28 PM

Think its a great idea for the person who needs it. Definitely not for all, but the warehousers and insurance people that use their treos all day and bang them up will love it. Bravo and thanks for showing this one. Excellent concept!

10
by macdaknife | Jan 21, 2007 8:58:51 PM

I used to keep my 650 in a otterbox 1900 series case. Yeah, that thing was HUGE and BULKY, but my phone is almost 2 yrs old and not a scratch on it. I am in the service field, all my calls are sent to me by email, so this device is used often. I just ordered and recieved the 1920 series otterbox case, and wow, what a difference in size. I was not able to use the camera on the 1900 case without opening it, but with the 1920 i don't have to do that anymore. Now I take pictures of calls and questionable items very very often. Yeah it bulks up the phone, but i dont h ave to worry about crushing it. Years ago i bought a brand new palm m105 and had it for a whole week.....had it in my pocket in a leather case....turned a corner and bumped into a desk.....destroyed the screen.....200 bux down the tubes. After that, I believe in using products like this to protect my investment for the long term.

11
by Arthur Nonamiss | Jan 29, 2007 12:09:34 PM

racostan, what a narrow-minded view. I have a customer that uses about 50 Treos at various construction sites, and they have to replace them all the time because of dust, dings and scratches. This product is great for them! Maybe it doesn't fit in your Armani Suit pocket, but to say it's stupid because YOU aren't going to use it is just, well, stupid. I agree with you 100% that it's ugly as hell, and I won't be getting one for my Treo any time soon, but I'll be getting about 50 of them for my customer...

12
by Mike | May 31, 2007 8:40:09 PM

People, this thing is 129 bucks?! That's more expensive then most cell phones. Wait, did I mention that this is 129$ for a phone CASE? It's not even waterproof. Just buy phone insurance.

13
by Crow | Jun 28, 2007 10:15:07 PM

I like the Armani suit comment. I agree this case is incredibly ugly and incredibly over priced. But i would have to say, i think it is a great idea. I am a landscaper using a treo 700wx and am constantly operating heavy machinery, digging holes, lugging bricks and boulders. I am constanly exposed to dust, mud, water. This would be the perfect way to protect my treo at work.
and as far as buying insurance, i have insurance, and have used it so many times replacing phones i have broken at work, at 50 bucks a pop, 129 doesnt sound so outrageous.

14
by Dan | Mar 3, 2008 6:02:42 PM

I used my Treo in the Emergency Services Field in the Chicagoland area(HOT, COLD, RAIN, SNOW, SLEAT, MUD, and anything else nature can throw at us) Lets see, yesterday alone I 1) dropped my Treo in a snowbank 2) it fell off my visor in my car(also known as my mobile office) 3) And I was jumped on by a big wet muddy dog while on the phone. Oh and as for insurance, for Sprint its about $10 a month. So the case will pay for itself in a little over a year, right?

I have other Otterbox products and I love 'em. I keep my GPS in a Otterbox and I have dropped that thing more times than I should admit, and it works like brand new.

Is this case costly..yes...would it be worth it FOR SOME PEOPLE!!!!...without a doubt.

15
by Pete | Apr 12, 2008 12:59:27 PM

I've been using the Otterbox 1920 case for over two years, and my 650 looks BRAND NEW. I am a cabinetmaker with my own business and lead a rather active life outside the shop as well. There is no better protection. To all of you who were mystified by racostan's imbecility,take heart.....as ugly as some may think a Treo in an Otterbox may be, it still beats racostan in an Armani.

16
by Pete | Apr 12, 2008 1:34:12 PM

Okay, Okay...........sorry. But that post lit me up a bit. For all of its detractors, the Treo is, in reality, one of the best (I believe THE best)engineered mobile data devices on the planet. The Otterbox (for some) may reduce its fashion appeal. To those people, I can only say that, if you're looking for fashion and sleekness, there are a thousand other devices out there that beat the Treo up badly. Tiny, sleek, stylish and eye-catching, some of them could be on the cover of Cosmopolitan. And.........if those same people would then say..."Yeah, but they don't do what a Treo does.".... I can only say "Yeah, but you can't come close to doing with a Treo what you can do with a Treo in an Otterbox. Make your choices, people.

17
by tommyray | Aug 12, 2008 10:54:26 AM

basically, this is how i see it.

if you were held at gun point, would you rather die, or would you rather be batman and smash his head in the wall? this phone case is a kick ass product.

The comments to this entry are closed.

 
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