OtterBox NOT maybe making an Armor waterproof case for iPhone 3G
Just got off the phone with OtterBox, who confirm that they don’t have plans to make an Armor case, the fully waterproof case for iPhone 2G, in a version compatible with the iPhone 3G. This is sad news, as I was looking forward to taking my iPhone with me while on watch, but it’s looking like I will have to look for alternatives. Nothing would have looked better than a ruggerized iPhone in the middle of a big fire.
Hi Mike–
Just saw your post. I handle all the PR for OtterBox and wanted to update you on the Armor(TM) Series case. At this time, we are making the Defender(TM) Series model first and then evaluating if we will be making the Armor(TM) Series. We have so many new cases coming out and we need to determine the demand for such a case. You can check the website for updates as well.
Thanks for the support!
-Kristin
Kristin,
Thanks for stopping by and clearing up the situation. I’m not sure what the demand was for the iPhone 2G Armor (which I have received a couple of days ago, great service!), but the case is really good if you plan on doing anything adventurous.
Do you have an ETA for the iPhone 3G Defender?
Regards,
Mike
Kristin,
The Defender is not waterproof and there are other similar slimmer cases out there for the iPhone 3G, but the Amor case has no peer. I don’t want to be stuck with an Aquapac, please tell your guys that some of us out here with an iPhone 3G need a seriously rugged case.
Thanks, Robert
If you build it we will buy it !!!!!!!!!!!!!
Armor for a $400 phone is a must.
Jason
There is nothing else out there like the waterproof case you guys make. I know a lot of guys in my National Guard unit that would love a product like this. I know i could use one.
David,
You may be glad to learn that I successfully modified an Armor to fit the iPhone 3G. It involves some Dremel work, but it works. Buttons are functional, but the sensors are in a different position so they don’t work. This just affects the auto-backlight and the screen turn-off when placing the phone to your face in a call.
A few days in the beach with sand and salty water have been a good proof that the mod is quite effective – I’ll be posting details soon.
Bes safe out there!
Im also a firefighter down here in Miami and I know a bunch of firefighters who are interested in the 3g Armor case. I hope they decide to make it. I really do not want to modify a case and hope it stays working.
Heya Coop,
I just received the Defender case for the iPhone 3G, and while it doesn’t seem waterproof as the Armor, it looks like it can provide protection against the odd splash and dirty fingers – since I’ll be taking it on the job I’ll report back with results in a couple of weeks:
http://www.otterbox.com/iphone-cases/iphone-3g-defender-case/
Stay safe!
you had to wait in line around the block to get a 3g, I wonder if anyone would be interested in a everything proof case????duh!!!
Hello all,
I just got off the phone with Otterbox and they confirmed they will NOT be making a Armor Case for 3g iphones as it takes away from to much of the funtions. That was the final words.
-JC
Phoenix Fire Dept.
Thanks for that confirmation – I have been trying the Defender for a month now, even during a few runs, and it has done a good job. The only complaints are that it’s not fully waterproof even though it gives that impression, so it’s sometimes tempting to take it past its limit. Since it’s not fully sealed, it also tends to pick up dust and that builds up inside the plastic screen, so cleaning once every couple of weeks is almost mandatory. It also tends to pick up crud in the small window for the speaker and light sensors, but that is inevitable. Overall I’m happy, just would like to see it waterproof for the bulk it adds to the phone.
Hey Guys I am SUPER unhappy to hear that there is no 3g H2O case fro otterbox. I did find these alternatives.
http://www.thepocketsolution.com/PSI-45429/3g+iPhone+Waterproof+Case.html
http://www.thepocketsolution.com/PSI-45428/3g+iPhone+Watertight+Case.html
I am not a fire fighter but I am an rock/ice climber and outdoor photographer.
Paul
doooooooooooooooooooooo something about your otterbox cases for the 8350 i phones !!!!!!!!! they should of been recalled a longgggggggggggggggg time ago when otterbox was aware of the echoooooooooooooooooing and problems with theses cases !!! im online with r.i.m. right now and they saidx theres nottttttttttttttttt a problem with their updates for this problem !!! rims number is 519 888 7465 !!!! ive been going at this for several days and i willllllllllllllllll get to the end !!! called otterbox and i get flipflopped to one person to the other just to be more arregavated at the end !!! hope nobody buys these cases cacause they wont workkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkk
can u please get to making this same case but usable for the iphone 3g I didnt spend like $600 on this phone to maybe drop it in the water and wreck …..get on it or let me know when your thinking of making this case
THESE ARE THE BEST CASES FOR ITOUCH/IPHONE.
I have the defender and the armor for my ipod touch 1st gen. I have the defender for my iphone 3g…make the armor for the 3g please… we”ll pay whatever you ask
Look how easy it is to mod the older iPhone Armor case to accept a 3G iPhone…
.
How hard can it be to modify and offer a 3G case Otter? Regarding the potential market for these, how many 3G’s have been sold in the last month, millions????
Opps, Long URL didn’t show-up in lasy post. Let’s try a Tiny URL…
http://tinyurl.com/ltbgyx
Thomas – had to watch “No cure for cancer again”, it had been ages
Last summer, I modded my Armor in exactly the same way as your post describes, and while it was a tight fit, the volume, silencer and buttons worked fine. The only problem was getting rid of all the yellow dust after the Dremel had gone in!
WE NEED AN ARMOR SERIES FOR THE 3Gs!
Anyone selling a modded 2g case?
I would really love a waterproof case for the 3G iPhone. I’m sure there are many tradesmen, firefighters , fishermen, kayakers and boaters who would love one. I know I would love to bring my 3G on long kayak trips for the mp3s and gps
I’d love to be able to take my 3g on Canoe and Hunting trips to use the GPS features and having a good quality waterproof case is the only way to go. I guess I’ll have to leave my 3g in the city and continue using my Garmin Vista in the back country.
I hope Otterbox ends up making a Armor for the 3g.
Agree with the rest– I drenched my 3G on a camp-out a couple weeks ago, and I just replaced it with a 3GS. I need protection! Please
im a regular guy that it is not a firefighter kayaker or avid boatsmen. im just a dude who would like an indestuctable case for his 32gb 3gs
http://waterproofipodcase.net/H2O%20Audio%20Amphibx%20Waterproof%20Armband%20for%20iPhone.htm
Here is a awesome waterproof case. My boyfriend is a pool tech that occasionally drops his phone in,if not falls in the pool with it, this was a great solution for him…
I was bummed there wasnt a ottercase but I also talked to a rep that said they discontinued the line because the 2G model for defective and otter had to buy hundreds of customers new iphones.
I agree please make the waterproof model case for the iphone 3g and 3gs!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I find the other types of waterproof cases a pain. I was really looking forward to getting a case that I don’t have to worry about my phone when I take it out in the kayak, biking etc. Hope you guys listen to your customers. Thank you!!!
this link
http://www.thepocketsolution.com/PSI-45429/3g+iPhone+Waterproof+Case.html
Posted by Paul, IS THE OTTERBOX 2600
I would pay handsomely ($100 +) for a 3Gs waterproof case (preferable with matching headphones with mic) I’m amazed Otter discontinued the Armor series. There’s not one alternative on the market. Because of the incorporated GPS and improved camera the third generation iPhones these are more suitable for outdoor use than the first generation ones…
Otter (or other manufacturer) please listen…..
Joe (Amsterdam, The Netherlands)
I was able to find a site still selling old armor cases and I bought one, should arrive in a couple days. I am currently using the defender case but I set my phone in my second cup holder the other day full of pink lemonade. It soaked through and the inside of my iPhone got all sticky. Apple of corse denied fixing it but I was able to find a local repair shop that was able to fix it in less than 10 mins. I will attempt to mod the old armor but strongly recomend otterbox pay close attention to these posts and consider making something similar or better than the previous armor case. Like others before me, I would gladly pay $100.00 + for a good waterproof case. PS the 2600 offered by otterbox and other sites is complete garbage. Gasket pushes out when closing with Pune inside. You can’t tell till you open it, but you will really pissed when you test it and find out. I sent it back and there was no questions asked, must be a known issue…
Where is the 3GS jacket. What’s going on I’m in the UK and have tonight started to look for a rugged ideally waterproof (I guess splash proof would do me) case for my Iphone 3GS. Looking around Otterbox is the one I want as it ticks all the boxes and from what I can see looks fantastic. Alternatives are nothing more than plastic zip bags (well uncool) or an extreme diver’s version capable of watching SouthPark 50m down.
OTTERBOX talk to your marketers you are so missing something!!!!
If you believe the market is already saturated and there is no place for Otterbox could you do me a favour and post the link to your competitors site. Cheers
Anyway I will keep searching maybe I am on an old post and will find the Otterbox 3GS skin when I next hit Google. Alternatively I will hunt out the instructions to make one fit a 3GS as per the drimmel instructions I have heard about.
Just which muppet in otterbox said that there was no market to be had in making a case for the 3GS…. Oh that would be the one putting his desk in cardboard box and walking out the door. Give him a kick for me as well when he passes your desk.
Regards form the other side of the pond.
Love Ya. Rom.
I would pay a premium for a water proof “Weather resistant” iphone 3g case that also looks good. Shopping for a case that I could attach to my motorcycle. Bring back the Armor Case for 3g Iphones!
Dear Otterbox
Please make a waterproof case that is compact for the Iphone. I know this can be done. There is DEFINITELY a market for such and since NO ONE else has made one…hint hint.
Need waterproof Armor for my 3G. Please!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Another vote for “PLEASE, OTTERS!” from me! Want to use the thing as a motorcycle GPS …
This is the only alternative I’ve been able to find:
http://www.dahon.com/accessories/2010/biologic-bike-mount-iphone
I emailed Otterbox a while back and was given the same answer everyone else has received. If Otterbox doesn’t want to take up the challenge and bring out a new Armor case for the 3G(S) then maybe someone else can or possibly they (Otterbox) can offer a water-resistent version of the Defender? Most of us need protection from the occasional drop in a puddle, under a couple of minute immersion in water (ie. you fall in while fishing and the like), or the dreaded waterpark rides (how I loved the Raging Rapids at Kennywood before I moved out of the country). When I go on holiday next year my only real alternative for waterproof (or resistent anyways) is going to be a handy dandy Ziploc sandwich bag. You can still use the phone through it (may double-bag it actually) and the existing case I use will help protect it from knocks. Ideally though, I would LOVE an Armor or a water-resistent version of the Defender.
PLEASE make another waterproof case for the 3gs! I promise there is a market for it! Look how many people, just on this site are interested enough to type out long pleas to try and persuade you guys to make another one! You would be the only one’s who do!!! Doesn’t that mean anything to you guys???!!!
I have an otter-box for the all knowing and powerful iphone3G and I’ll be honest, it can take an ass beating like no otter and undergo excruciating training to prove it’s the ultimate cellphone case for me! I’m the type of guy to test the durability of an electronic device regardless of the price. I have discovered after numerously slamming it into a brick wall 7X, running it over with a Chevy avalanche, (even stopping directly on top of it for 2min) and swimming across a local pond while it in my cargo pocket completely submerged, i have found the iphone3g case for me!!!
Here is another waterproof alternative…
http://www.h2oaudio.com/store/waterproof-armbands/amphibx-waterproof-armband-for-large-mp3-players-and-phones.html
i have a the 2g armor case modified and it works great