We’ve become a portable culture. Many of us can basically work from our laptops, setting up office wherever there’s
a decent internet connection. And with the advent of the ipod and other entertainment devices, we can now carry around
our entire CD collection as well as many volumes of audiobooks or even lectures. It’s a brave new world. But it is
also, on occasion, a wet world. And if there’s one thing iPods don’t like, its water. Ask a buddy of mine who recently
got caught in a downpour and forgot his ipod was in his pocket. He got home and discovered his ipod was still
good to use….as a paperweight.
This has been a problem. And so several companies out there have been making and selling cases for the ipod to allow
outdoors folk (or those who spend a lot of time in the rain) to encase their wonderful white boxes of joy into a
protective case to shield it from the elements.
A ways back we reviewed H2O Audio’s SViP4G ipod case and
had some good things to say about it. While somewhat bulky and expensive, the case performed well under semi-rigorous
treatment (I held it underwater in the Hudson River for a minute).
Now, we’re going to take a look at another waterproof case for the ipod, this one by
Otterbox.
We recently got the opportunity to test the
Otterbox G4 20 Gb version during
some weekend paddling and our first impression was quite good. The first great thing about the Otterbox is cost. At
around $50, the Otterbox is significantly cheaper than the H2O audio unit ($149). And at such varying cost, you?d think
that you would experience a serious decline in functionality and quality. Not so. Not really anyway. I confess I
thought that the H2O case felt a bit more sturdy, but I?m not sure whether that?s true or if it?s just because it was
bigger. And I?m a bit partial to the clickwheel apparatus of the H2O Audio case. But the reality was when it comes to
the case?s key purpose: protect my ipod and let me use all its functions comfortably, the Otterbox did a perfectly fine
job.
The Otterbox case is constructed of tough clear plastic that your ipod will fit snugly into. It?s a bit of a struggle
to get the ipod in, as the hinge does not allow a lot of play in order to help maintain the case?s seal. The ipod slips
inside and into an integrated headphone plug, and with a bit of a nudge, you close and lock the OtterBox?s
bottom.
A thinnish piece of clear plastic allows you to use your ipod controls, with slightly more effort than would be
required without the case. It?s a little more difficult, but not prohibitive. In all, I found the H2O version of the
clickwheel controller a bit better. If you are someone who is always messing around with your clickwheel rather than
letting playlists play all the way through, you might get a little annoyed. But as for me, I like to hear my playlists
through, and try to minimize fussing with the clickwheel, so I didn?t find it a problem.
Now for the waterproof test. Like I did with the H2O Audio case, I took the Otterbox out on a paddle in the Hudson
River. But first, at home, I took the case and sunk it in a half foot of water in the sink. I held it there and shook
it around for about two minutes. When I removed the case, and opened it there was no water inside. It seemed to do
well. Out on the Hudson, listening to Neil Young with my ipod inside the Otterbox case, I again (with fingers crossed,
prayers to the Heavens) put the ipod and case underwater. Neil crooned Pocahontas. (And maybe Marlon Brando, will
be there by the fire?) I held it there, swishing, hoping, swishing, praying. (?And the astrodome and the first
tepee) And I took the case and the ipod out of the water.
I breathed a sigh of relief. Everything was fine.
Keep in mind that the Otterbox is said to be waterproof to just three feet, so I wouldn?t recommend it for much other
than kayaking or swimming pool swimming. Even then, I?d hate to be doing a freestyle and have the case and my ipod fall
into the deep end of the pool. I did not test my unit to see if it could withstand more than three feet, but I?d hate
to take the chance. At least the H2O unit is said to be waterproof to 10 feet.
One thing about all these cases that goes unsung in many reviews is that they make great protective cases whether
you are in the water or not. If you are an avid mountain biker, hiker or climber, and you like to have music along with
you, a case like the Otterbox could be a very good way of protecting your precious player as you frolic. For $50,
that?s not a bad investment.
Now if there is one thing about the Otterbox, indeed ALL waterproof ipod cases, that I don?t like, it?s the
headphones. You need special waterproof headphones to listed to the Otterbox, as you do with the H2O case, and frankly,
I find all versions I?ve used a bit wanting. They?re OK. They work. But if you?re used to your fine noise reduction
Bose headphones, well, you?ll be disappointed. Still, ths is by no means a deal killer. Someone will just have to
develop a cheap, good pair for these devices.
So in sum, I would say the Otterbox is a fine product, and fine and cheaper alternative to the H2O case I
tested.