When you think of OtterBox, you think of some hardened plastic (polycarbonate?) cases, built for the rugged you, right.

And you would be wrong!

Just before CES 2010, I was informed about a new OtterBox mobile phone case that was going to be revealed. Surprised, I went to OtterBox.com and saw that they indeed had some mobile cases. I then contacted OtterBox and asked for a couple of samples.

The most intimate, and probably the most important device we carry is our cell phone. In spite of this, I am not kind or as caring as I should be to these delicate products. To ease my clumsiness, I have been using the Proporta or Krussel cases for my devices, sometimes getting both. For me therefore, a rugged OtterBox would seem to be a panacea for rough-handling my mobiles.

To adequately test the two cell phone cases I decided on testing, I turned the products over to the most demanding users of mobiles I know: my teenage niece and nephew.

My nephew got the OtterBox LG Versa Impact case, and my niece was the recipient of the OtterBox Commuter series case for the LG Arena.

First off the utilitarian nature of the OtterBox cases threw them off, especially when they were viewed side-by-side with the Krussel Orbit cases I handed them to review against.

However, I instructed them to use the cases as negligently as possible to determine if the OtterBoxes would withstand my use. “Will you buy me an iPhone if my LG Arena breaks?” asked my niece. Yeah, she thinks she’s got funny!!!

The review periods was for sixty days, and I wanted them to let me know what case they would like to keep at the end of the review period.

The verdicts are in.

The OtterBox Impact Series for the LG Versa
Nephew Conrad O. reviewed the OtterBox for AbsolutelyWindows.

“This case/skin is very cool. It looks like the silicon skin I have for my Zune 30. It fitted snugly, and I wasn’t afraid to leave it in a compartment in my backpack.

I drop my phone quite a few times, but the phone didn’t break. Most of my classmates wouldn’t mind having the same case.

I recommend it.”

The OtterBox Commuter Series for the LG Arena
Niece Brenda A. reviewed the OtterBox for AbsolutelyWindows.

“Initially, I didn’t like the OtterBox because it was just black. I wasn’t found of the Krussel case either because it looked like the case my dad would use. Urgh! My case was a nice color, and this was just black.

When I started using it, I found that it was nice to hold, and it didn’t slip, even when my friends and I are doing stuff.

It is very strong but I am not as clumsy as Conrad so I don’t drop it trying to break it.

I recommend it.

Can I still get an iPhone?”

There are clowns in every family, but you get the gist: these two kids liked the OtterBox cases and recommend them.

Finally, I tried the cases myself.

The cases are well designed, and will do the work required: protect your phone. To that end, both cases came with something the cell phone and mobile telcos do not add in the package but should: screen protectors and an install tool for the screen protectors.

I like them.

Both cases are recommended.

OtterBox 3510
Along with the two cases, I received an OtterBox 3510 case.

Measuring 8.8” x 5.175” x 4.179”, the OtterBox 3510 cam with a “Pick-N-Pluck” foam insert. It is a dry-box designed to protect valuables, especially with the configurable foam insert.

On a prior trip, I did not like the way my Canon 75-300mm zoom lens fitted loosely in my LowePro 300 camera bag. As a result, I used the OtterBox 3510 to transport the lens.

With the foam configured just right, there was, and has been no movement or fear of my damaging my lens.

This case is also waterproof, crushproof, dustproof, and floats. Though I wouldn’t dare try that out with the lens in it. Come summer though, I think I will try to float it on the pond behind The Orbiting O’Odua to test those parameters.

Another recommend product.