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Can you imagine what would happen if you dropped your BlackBerry and it didn’t work afterward? It’s a nightmare that few of us want to envision, but it does happen. That’s why we encase our BlackBerry devices. It’s almost like insurance against bumps and scratches. My love affair with OtterBox cases started at CTIA 2008, when I reviewed the Defender series case. It was super protective, but as a friend of mine commented, it looked like a UPS package scanner. OtterBox recently released the Commuter series, a lighter weight version that still provides plenty of protection. So let’s take a look.
NOTE: Be sure to read all the way to the bottom of the post for information on how you can win an OtterBox Commuter Series Case simply by leaving a comment on this post!
UPDATE: Congratulations to the Lucky Winners of the BBGeeks / OtterBox contest
Congratulations to Mallissa, Laura, Janet and Peachy! You are all winners of OtterBox Commuter Series cases from BBGeeks.
(One of you actually gets a different case but I will let you know that in the follow up email I am sending.)
Thank you all for the amazing comments/entries. We will absolutely run another one of these contests in the new year!
What it is
People know OtterBox as the case that most fully protects your electronic devices. The problem, as you can imagine by the UPS package scanner comment above, is that the cases are just a bit bulky. This is a problem for all types of smartphone users. It takes up a lot of room in a purse (though with the sizes of purses I’ve seen on the subway, that might not be an issue), and it certainly is too big for a normal pocket — unless you want to give people a different impression. Even if you clip your phone to your belt, it’s not a comfortable fit. The holster has to be as big as the case, and it creates a bit more bulk than is ideal.
This means that the Defender series is better for those working in heavy duty environments. A contractor, for instance, might find utility in the Defender series despite its bulk. The trade-off is different, because there are more risks of damaging the device. For white-collar folks, the trade-off probably isn’t worth it. Sure, there are occupational hazards there, especially during a commute. But the risk-reward payoff probably isn’t there for most people.
The Commuter series is OtterBox’s happy medium. It provides a level of protection not quite on par with the Defender series, but certainly better than most other cases on the market. At the same time, it’s not nearly as bulky as the Defender series. It makes your BlackBerry a bit bigger than before, but it can still fit in your pocket with ease.
Installation
The Defender series provides three layers of protection. First is a clear plastic screen cover, similar to Bodyguardz, but without the adhesive. It then has a silicon layer, much like a BlackBerry skin. The final layer is a hard plastic shell. It doesn’t cover the entire device, just the sides and back. That’s enough to help the BlackBerry sustain a drop onto the pavement. Just don’t do it too often.
Instead of describing the installation process, I’ve whipped up a quick video demo.
My experience with the Commuter case
Well, it certainly doesn’t look like a package scanner, which is a plus right off the bat. It fits in my pocket only a little more snugly than an uncased BlackBerry, another plus. It worked much better in dress pants and khakis, where you have a bit more pocket room than jeans. But even in jeans it wasn’t too bad.
One of my problems with the Defender series was that the plastic bar that separated the screen from the keys often got in the way of the top row and the trackball. Not so with the Commuter series, though that’s because there is no plastic bar. The case goes all the way around the main area, so there’s nothing hindering your typing or viewing. The case is so un-bulky, in fact, that I had no problem one-hand typing.
Locking your keys is essential with the Commuter series. Even when the phone wasn’t in my pocket, I found it depressed the left convenience key often. That’s actually my biggest complaint about the case. The button is super sensitive. On the right side, it took a firm depression to activate the convenience key. The volume keys, thankfully, seem to work just fine.
Need a holiday gift for a BlackBerry addict?
If you’re looking for a holiday gift for the BlackBerry geek in your life, the Commuter series could be just that. The lack of bulk and provision of protection make it one of the best cases on the market. Plus, it’s available for almost all BlackBerry models. They’re all $29.95, and can all be purchased from the BBGeeks Store using the links below.
As an added bonus, the kind folks at OtterBox have sent us a few cases to distribute to our loyal BBGeeks as early gifts for the holiday season.
If you want a chance at winning your very own, all you have to do is leave a comment on this post letting us know your BlackBerry model and why you or someone you love deserves to be the proud owner of a stylish OtterBox Commuter Series Case!
PS. We want real comments here folks so “I want one” or “Pick me please” will not cut it and will not be considered valid entries.
The contest will run for the next couple weeks and we will select the winners at random. The post will be updated with the winners information.
Good Luck!
Curve 8900
Curve 8520/8530
Bold 9000
Original Storm
Storm 2
Tour
Unfortunately, it appears the Bold 9700 case has not appeared in our store yet. Once it does we’ll update with a link. For now you can get it from the OtterBox website. The catch — and why we’ll link to our store soon — is that it goes for the full retail price of $34.95.
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81 Comments ↓
I have three young boys at home who love to play games (or chew on) my Storm. I can’t take that away from them, so I should do whatever I can to protect my investment. An OtterBox case would help.
I need a case for my naked Bold 9000. It is getting dinged up and there are a few scratches on it so I need some Otterbox love in the near future!!
having just lost my 8830 last week to over a years’ worth of drops and bumps, and wanting nothing more than to protect the 9630 that i’m getting next week, i was actually looking at cases last night and decided this one would be the way to go. this review just makes me want the case more, and the prospect of getting one free makes me really hopeful and happy that the tour i get next week will look just as shiny and new by next june as it does when i first take it out of the box.
I have a Bold 9000. It is my very first BB and I have had it since it was released a year ago. It is my baby. I carry it EVERYWHERE (yes, there, too) I had the scare of my life when it slipped from my pocket onto a tile floor and came apart. It was fine, but my blood pressure wasn’t for a while. I have heard that these cases are the BEST protection you can get and my baby really needs protecting.
8900 because I don’t like the way my skin fits loose and I love the look of the otterbox. Plz can I win. Thank you have a nice day.
That looks better then the other style, but is anything to protect the camera?
I am the proud owner of a brand new Tour and I’ve spent a lot of time this week scouring your site for software & accessory reviews. I would love the OtterBox Commuter case to protect my new device. I’m typically very careful with my gadgets but there is some attrition that happens from floating around the bottom of my bag.
I LOVE Otter Box!! I have the the 8900 box and loved it as im in construction, defened it well. went through three of them due to the side catch breaking. cost me 50 bucks every time. otta cash now with no protection. wish they didnt break so easy, would have been nice to get replaced one but no warrenty??
I have a Bold 9000 and Otterbox will help protect it from me always dropping it. Christmas is tough this year for my family & itd be nice to have this as a gift under the tree for me!
I have an 8900 and after having gone thru 5 ipod and three blackberries, I Need the OtterBox so I dont have to spend a MINUTE without my baby ;-)
I have owned Otterboxes for phones & a cigar case. They are excellent options for protecting you prize possessions.
I just bought the 9630 and I have been looking at the commuter case. I have a 8830 BB with an otter box defender case and it is simply awesome. I travel a lot for work so a case is not a luxury,but a need!
Have been an Otterbox user for quite a while. Had the Defender on my Storm1, and a couple of their snap-shut boxes (one on a portable GPS).
I recently purchased the Commuter from them direct. It has to be my favorite case yet. I loved the Defender, but it makes the phone a little bulky in every day use. My wife and I have horses, and when I’d be working at the barn or with the horses, I’d mount the phone in the case, but day-to-day use it was just too much extra bulk to the really nice compact feel of the phone.
I ordered the Commuter for two reasons, one Defender wasnt out yet when I did, and two, it looks like a good protection while still fitting in my pocket.
The case works out better than I ever imagined. It had a good solid protection feel (of course not as much as Defender), but still fits in my pocket without getting stuck (silicone cases just dont slip in and out easily!).
This case also gives the phone a much nicer feel to hold, doesnt have the feeling that the phone is going to slip and drop.
Another great feature is the case makes the top and side buttons MUCH easier to use and have a better feel than the phone by itself.
THe only suggestion I have is the screen protector that comes with it.. It appears to be the cause of at least some weirdness in the bottom four buttons.. The screen protector is not needed however, so you can just leave it off or use a VZW one with the case.
Now after having this case my wife is wanting one for her Storm2, maybe we’ll win one and I can stick it under the tree with a ‘From BB Geeks’ card on it :-)
I’ve been thinking about a different solution to go alongside my pouch/holster. One question – How much added padding does this add to the the overall blackberry? I want to keep my holster and possibly get a case to serve when I leave the holster at home.
Great Review.
My wife is Hell on her Storm. I would like to win one of these cases to protect it so when it comes time to upgrade I might get something when I try to sell it. Thanks.
I have the Bold 9000 and I have a slip case for it which is not cutting it since i have to pull it out of it and it causes me to press on the screen to grab it. the commuter case would be a perfect case where i wont have to pull my bold out of the case to use it. So definitely winning this would be great.
Sounds like this case has potential. How does it compare to the Seidio Innocases? I love these cases. They are lighweight and protect my BB in all the right places. However, after a few drops, it begins to break at the interlocking front and back pieces, and then it won’t stay tightly closed and begins to snag on things. Have you drop tested the OtterBox case?
I just bought the 9630 and I have been looking at the commuter case. I have a 8830 BB with an otter box defender case and it is simply awesome. I travel a lot for work so a case is not a luxury,but a need so either i win one or i buy one soon. You cannot have an expensive electronic device without protection.I have used other cases and they have not stood up the way my defender has.I am an otter box customer for life!
I would really love to win this for my boyfriend for christmas. His friends call him “problem child” because he is so clumsy and always dropping things, especially his blackberry curve 8330. I know he would really love the OtterBox! <3
i submitted a comment but forgot to put my email. here it is =]
Pick me I’ve been yuor loyal reader since day 1. Plus I have to protect my oldie but goodie BB curve 8320
I need one for my Storm 2(9550). For some reason I have a problem fumbling this device. Maybe its the chicken grease on my hands…not sure. But, I am sure that I want to keep from jacking this phone up too much, and I think the OtterBox Commuter series is up for the task. So, please help me protect my investment.
I have the original storm. Since my husband wasn’t too excited about me buying, would love to have protection for it.
Install video very helpful, however, how to remove the adhesive gunk leftover from the screen protector would have been a nice addition. KrudKutter (available from home projects stores like Home Depot) on a Q-tip and used sparingly takes care of most things that happen to get on a BlackBerry.
I wonder how the commuter compares to the Seidio Innocase II?
Nice review…i was on the fence about this, but i think this will push me over…unless i win one :)
I have the 9630, and I love it. Unfortunately (or fortunately, because I want her to be a BB geek like me), so does my 2-1/2 year old daughter. She loves to listen to music and look at pictures (mostly of herself) on my Tour.
At her age, though, she still has butter fingers and doesn’t really know that there’s big monetary difference between dropping her sippy cup and dropping my Tour. :-( My $5 Epic case has held up so far, but I’d love to have the Otterbox Commuter for even better protection.
My wife bought me a new Storm 2. I think I should protect it. She stepped on the old one and broke it. Is this case feet proof?
Because i love to have my Bold safe, without scratches/cracks etc. This is too expensive device to let it broke or drop on the floor. Now im using silicon case but this is only soft cover, i need something hard LOLand that will be OtterBox Commuter, HA!
Ofcourse for BlackBerry Bold 9000
I just got a brand new Storm2, and have yet to get a case for it. I always thought OtterBox cases were a great idea, but like you said in your review, they just seemed too bulky. The UPS scanner reference was perfect, lol. This one however, looks like it is a great combo of protection and sexiness; I’d love to have one for my Storm2! Thanks to you guys and OtterBox for making this contest available to us! :)
I have had an Otter box that I originally purchased for an Ipaq about 10 years ago, I use it whenever I am boating, it can’t be beat.
J
I’ve used an Incipio flexible case on my Zune for over a year and it’s protected it from several drops…been looking for something similar for my Bold 9000; I’ll be adding this to my wish list!
I had an 8700c that I babied for 4 years. Screen protectors, custom leather cases with belt clips – it looked cherry up until the day I visited an indoor water park with my kids last month. I didn’t get it wet, but after 10 minutes of walking around, my beloved 8700c was ruined. The on/off key, the alt key, and the speaker were shot.
I decided to tough it out for a month while I waited on the 9700 to come out. Bought it the day of release and absolutely love it. Although I have a screen protector on it, I am scared the chassis will get damaged. I could really use a case for it.
I already have an otter box I love. But would love to get one of the free ones to raffle off to benefit the community/feral cat organization, The Milton Project in Savannah. Funds raised would help spay/neuter cats in our hometown.
I bought a used otterbox for my 8330 and love it. It’s a little beat up, but still has a lot of life left in it. Whatever my next phone will be, there will be an otterbox around it.
My husband needs this really bad,he is in construction
i like the new look of this otterbox vs the old otterbox. This looks like something i would actually use, and has some style.
I work in a print shop around heavy equipment all day. The Commuter would be a real winner for me to help me get longevity out of my Storm 1 since I have over a year to wait for an upgrade and want to keep my BB nice and scratch free. Thanks to Otterbox and BBGeeks for the contest!
I have a Blackberry Curve 9300. Almost a year old. I tried other cases and screen protectors, but was dissatisfied. I take my BB with me everywhere and hope and pray it will be dropped on a carpeted surface and not convrete or hard floor. I have no insurance because I cannot afforf it. The Otterbox will help me sleep better at night and not dread the comming day. Thank you for an excellant review.
I just got my first blackberry, a blackberry storm, and really want to be able to keep it nice for a while
OMG I need this so bad. I seem to have the droppies:) Help save my BB.
I love the otter kit i have seen thèm on many différent blackberry recommend it to anyone with a smartphone
I am a blackberry abuser. I ruined my world in about 18 months. Now I have a pretty new Pearl. I really want to keep it safe, and I was considering a Defender. After your review, I think the commuter is right for me.
I really want an Otterbox case for my Bold.
I have a Storm2 9550 and the Commuter will fit perfectly. I’m not much into cases as I want my BB neked but the Otterbox is simply tempting!
I would love to get an Otterbox case for my brother. I work inside so my Tour is pretty safe in its basic leather holster, but my brother works outside in the oil industry. They often have phones that are run over by semi’s, dropped in buckets of crude or bounce out of the trucks. No case is going to protect from all the things that could happen, but I’m sure an Otterbox would go a long way to saving his Tour from a few bruises.
I just purchased the BB9700. What a great Blackberry!!! I had an IPhone and had an Otterbox case for it. It saved the phone from scratches and bumps, even when I dropped it. I use my BB often and handle it even more. An Otterbox for my 9700 would keep it in tip top shape and extend its life span :)
Don’t be a rotter.
Send me an otter(Box)
(please)
My sister and I both have the Curve 8900 and I would love to win one of these for her. She drops her phone all the time and this is IDEAL for her! Thanks for BB tips and information..you are the greatest!
This would be perfect for me as I Already dropped a bold 9000 and broke the screen and had to replace the whole device and now can’t afford the $80 the otterbox cases are in Canada to protect my new bold :) good luck to everyone
I just a new Storm 2 and have been prone to dropping/damaging other bb’s.
I would like an otterbox case because it would give me a chance to understand what a non-nervous day with my berry is like. All of the soft gel protectors are about as safe as a rubber helmet. I would like to relax when travelling and not always hold my blackberry in my hand because I’m too afraid to put it in my pocket in it’s holster.
Having a 700 dollar phone has definitely changed things for me. Not only do I love it because it’s an awesome phone…it’s an investment!!
Thank you,
Dm
I have the Nextel BB 8350i. Which really means, the BB is on work site at all times and is usually falling and dropping out of my hands or being left on equipment, etc. It gets much more abuse than the ol’ BB that is attached to a hip on a sales call. I’ve been looking at the Otterbox for a while. I think it could be the best solution to keep my BB from danger. Will it withstand a fall from 30 feet atop a scissor lift?
I would like to try this wonderful protection for my BB specially if I win one.my poor old curve is tired looking specially with all those new sleek ones out there
I am a BlackBerry fanatic and also a painter. To protect my berry from dust, paint and damage, I usually tuck it away in a sock. It actually works quite well. Not exactly stylish though. I would love an Otterbox case to protect my 8900 and not have to worry about the stinky/holey factor. Thanks. ⌣
I have the curve 8900 and I am looking for a better case for my blackberry. I saw this one and was intrigued. I currently have the casemate barely there but i don’t think it has the protction I really want. In addition, I have a holster but find it a bit of a nuisance when I sit down.
Just bought a BBB2 9700 to replace a circa Razr but I have not activated the former mainly because I have been researching which protector case cuts it for the Bold 2 in every respect. In a sea of junk cases in the market and because I wish to respect the BB brand, looks like the Otterbox Commuter does it for the baby in wait. Essentially this B2 of mine is gathering dust and butt naked resting confortable with the see-through adhesive plastic, hence the butt naked remark, the folks at AT&T shipped it with and is going to stay that way until a designer tuxedo is found which I have. Being a first time smartphone user, I will NOT rush to go out and buy a cheap and crappy cover made in you know where, no siree bob!
I have Bold 9000; it likes to get away and escape my hands often. I have tried plastic cases and they just pop off when the bold runs away from me. I would LOVE to try this otterbox commuter.
I am on my 10th case, and 5th blackberry.I am prone to break either my case, the clip or my phone.I am in the reserves and would love to not worry about destroying another case or phone.
I got a 9550 a friend sent me from USA (im from Argentina), i REALLY love it, and there arent many ways to protect it here for now (its not sold here :P)
so getting one of these would rock xD
I have a Tour from Verizon. I’d love an OtterBox case for my phone because I dropped my device once and feel that if I had some kind of protection on it, it wouldn’t have gotten all scratched up. :-(
BB 9630, and because i am ALWAYS Dropping my phone. I had my phone for 1 day and dropped it. and have put plenty of knicks and scratches all over it because of how clumsy i am. Would like to get an otter box to save my wallet the cost of having to purchase a new bb every 6 months.
I am the proud owner of my first ever blackberry, an 8520 and i love it and would be totally heartbroken if, when i drop it(and believe me i will!) and it smashes into tiny pieces before my eyes…have you ever seen a grown man cry?…its not big and its not clever..the otterbox will save you feeling really bad!
I have a very busy week schedule juggling work,college and sometimes touring. My beautiful BlackBerry Bold 9000 is constanly being battered by things in my bag. Also it currently has a number of scratches
on it’s screen and has bite marks on it’s back from my cat. I think the OtterBox can prevent my BlackBerry being damaged anymore.
Pearl, because my phone has more nicks in it that I have cash in my wallet!
The salesman talked me into purchasing a Defender Otter Box when I got my Bold 9000 and it is great. It has saved my BB from serious destruction from everyday use & impact damage from dropping.
However, on a recent visit to NY I opted to remove the case while at a formal event. I subsequently lost one of the hard shells & the rest of it is now useless. I am in the market for a new one, but if I can snag one for free….
My husband has the original storm and I would love to have one of these for him. Since I am currently unable to work, my husband has taken over as sole provider for the family. He is always making sure our daughter and I have everything we need with no regard to himself. He never complains about anything or asks for things for himself, only asks if we need anything. He has only a velcro closure hip case, the velcro is always coming undone and his phone is in danger of getting damaged. He would love to have an Otterbox but the money just isn’t there to get one. Just once I would love for him to be able to have something he wants. I would love to see his face on Christmas when he opens this. Thank you and Happy Holidays.
I am a proud owner of a blackberry storm 2 and I used to own the original storm and had the defender case for it and loved it, my blackberry was armored like a tank and i have nothing but good things to say about otterbox they stand by their products 100%
I would love an otterbox case for my Storm 2 9550. I’m a Emergency Medical Technician and an Ambulance is my office. I tend to drop my phone sometimes while getting in and out of the ambulance and think an Otterbox case would come in handy.
So I am currently rocking out the bb curve 8300 and I love it. however, after 4 months and two replacements later, I will be upgrading to the tour (or tour 2/essex). My current blackberry has been saved countless times by this thick skin I had purchased from the verizon store. Unfortunately, they don’t make the same quality skins for the tour, and the extremely protective ones run upwards of $45 online and as a college student, that is just some cash I cannot spare. Ohh the life of a college business major. Anyway. I truly wish to keep my phone scratch and crack free and with the research I have done on the OtterBox system (even the commuter model appears better quality than any other product on the market). Therefore, I would really like the OtterBox product for the bb tour/tour 2!
Thank you,
-Jake
(Sent from my VerizonWirless Blackberry)
Being an avid camper that can’t leave home without my trusty Bold 9000, an OtterBox would be the perfect accessory for my BlackBerry and me.
I really need an Otterbox for my bb Curve 8330 because I usually try to protect it like you protect a baby but one time I dropped it while jogging & had to watch as my phone fell & smacked the pavement. I literally cried when I saw that it chipped the top of my phone. I would love to win this to protect my 8330 cause I have a while before I can upgrade & can’t afford to replace it if anything happens to it. Thank you for having this contest.
I have a BlackBerry 8330 and it already has a scratch on the screen and several other minor external flaws. An Otterbox would hopefully prevent my Blackberry from completely deteriorating.
I’ve had a storm for a little over a year. I have been a bit rough on it (I’m on my 3rd one). I have a case for it (clear hard plastic, snap-on) but it didn’t seem to stand up to being dropped from chest high on to a concrete street. Go figure! :)
Simply W.A.N.T.! for a Christmas gift for a friend’s Bold 9000 which need total protection from her often careless treatment to the BlackBerry. :)
I am horrible with my phone!!!! I can’t tell you how many times I’ve dropped the darn thing. There once was this time where I had to get my little brother to help me get my phone back from our neighbors house. If I had an OtterBox case my phone would have returned in a better state. It would be awesome to have an OtterBox case :)
I recently bought a Blackberry Bold 9700. I work in a motorcycle shop and change tires frequently. The machines hit my legs often and sometimes right into my pocket. I like to put my phones into my pocket and do not like to have bulky belt clips. I know the otterboxes have great fall protection but what about impacts against my leg? I’m not talking about full speed roundhouse kicks in my Quadricept but bumps into the edges of metal machines.(not sharp). I Have a problem with keeping phones for less than a year due to my clumsiness. Will this help?
Bold 9000, recently changed to it from a curve.
Otterbox is awesome, but I did not have the chance to get me one for the new BB.
I simply need one because my BB accompanies me everywhere (literally) and my family does not appreciate it as I do.
My wife always threatens us (my BB and me) to throw HER (my BB) out of the window, wenever she (myBB) suffers a dropdown my wife hopes it was the final drop..
So I hope you see how vital the Otterbox-armour is for my BB.
I have the defender series for my 8320 and love the protectiveness but hate the bulk. I got an 8900 after that but no Otterbox for that one because I just didn’t need that much protection. Got my new 9700 about a month ago and I was sorely disappointed in the lack of cases for it. I saw the new Commuter series and fell in love. I am always paranoid about something happening to my beloved bb and with three small kids and a dog, pretty much it is just a matter of time before it gets dropped or “falls” off a table. I am very excited about the new middle of the road cases from Otterbox. It is just the right amount of protection without all the added weight and bulk, ie – it will still fit in my purse :)
[...] than a number of cases on the market. From what I’ve seen, it compares in thickness to the OtterBox Commuter series cases. The cards also block the camera hole, so you have to remove your cards before you can snap a [...]
[...] To make this work, MoGo sends you a replacement battery cover, which acts as the device holster. This performs two functions. It allows the charging feature to work, and it reduces bulk. You could slap a headset holster on the back of your BlackBerry right now, but it might be a bit too bulky for a case or even your pocket. WIth MoGo, your BlackBerry will still fit into most holsters. Though I doubt it would work with something like, say, OtterBox. [...]
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