Review: Full Suit of Armor Adds More Than One Pound of Weight
Rating: 3 out of 5
Date: 01 20, 2014
This OTTERBOX DEFENDER CASE FOR KINDLE FIRE HDX 8.9" offers the usual OtterBox Defender 3-layer protection.  There is (1) an inner hard-plastic box with built-in, crystal-clear screen protector that holds the tablet; (2) a flexible silicone casing for the inner box that seals the box openings and protects against dust and minor liquid spills, and (3) an outer hard-plastic box with built-in viewing stand that holds the inner box and covers the screen to completely encase the tablet.The stand offers two landscape and two portrait viewing angles.  A good feature is that you won't need to buy additional, expensive screen protector film.  The installation instructions are fairly easy to follow: there are clear drawings and full captions that explain each step of disassembling and reassembling the case.  But make no mistake about it--an OtterBox Defender case is something of a challenge to open, whether you're installing or removing it.  A flat-blade screwdriver  helps with releasing the inner box's eight tight clips.There are several things that I dislike about this case.  First, the upright angle for landscape viewing is too steep for comfortable tabletop/desktop viewing.  Second, the flexible silicone casing adds a thick covering to the on/off and volume control buttons, so that you must press quite hard to use these controls.  (You will need to use the on/off button regularly, because this type of case doesn't have a wake/sleep feature.)  Third, the triple-layer case adds a LOT of weight.  (The tablet weighs 13.4 oz.; the tablet and case together weigh 1 lb. 13.8 oz.).  And fourth, I'm not convinced that the combined hard-plastic cases will really protect against dropping.  (Needless to say, I didn't test this with my big Kindle tablet!)If you carry your Kindle Fire HDX 8.9" around a lot in a backpack or soft tote bag--so that it needs a full suit of armor--then this OtterBox Defender case is an excellent choice.  But if you use your big tablet mostly at home, or carry it around well-protected in a briefcase, then a different, less expensive case might be a better choice (e.g.,rooCASE Executive Portfolio Leather Case for HDX 8.9" Tablet, Red,Belkin Chambray Cover for Kindle Fire HDX 8.9", Slate).  Because this Otterbox Defender case adds so much weight to the thin, lightweight tablet, I rate it at 3 stars ("It's okay" on the official Amazon scale).