Welcome to "Tech on The Trail", our new section that will focus on testing our everyday IT products and see how they handle in real world environments. As our technology becomes more advanced it gets more fragile - how to protect the expensive eletronics that cost hundreds of dollars and yet it stops working if you're unlucky, due to some weather conditions?
OtterBox is a company that is note worthy for its excellent water resistant and repelling products [hence the name OtterBox]. Their product line-up covers a lot of electronic products that need to be clean, dry, and safe. At one point OtterBox even had a water proof [to three feet or about 1 meter] case for the popular iPhone [Original 2G]. However this case was not in keeping with many iPhone users’ standards and unfortunately ended up being discontinued despite great reviews on many camping, kayaking, and hiking sites. While this is sad news OtterBox does have a great case for the iPhone - while not water proof is pretty resistant to water intrusion and also a great case for the camping, hiking, biking… well pretty much anyone into the outdoors and on the go. This is the OtterBox Defender for iPhone 3G; we got our muddy hands on one of these and just had to get it out on the trail to see if it was able to hold up.
Packaging
The OtterBox Defender for iPhone 3G comes in a light plastic clamshell case that does show off the product very nicely. Thankfully you do not have to tear or cut open the case[although some retailers may put staples in to keep the packaging closed] to get at your new toy as the thinness of the plastic could lead to some pretty severe cuts if you did. OtterBox has included the Defender for iPhone 3G a belt clip and directions for installation.
Front and the back, showing off the additional belt clip - Original Defender for iPhone didn't came with the clip, so this is a welcomed add-on.
On the green side OtterBox went with all cardboard materials inside the plastic packaging so they can all be recycled. The thin outer plastic can also be recycled easily as it does not have any dyes or metal parts in it. Once you are confident with the installation [and use] you can drop it all in the respective recycle bin and keep it out of the landfills.
There is no reusing this packaging.
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