Review: Kindle: Duck & Cover Edition
Rating: 4 out of 5
Date: 02 27, 2014
The OtterBox Defender for the Kindle Fire HDX is the M1A1 Abrams of cases for your tablet. This is one rugged, well-built, and yet stylish case that will take just about all the drops, bumps and even some spills you can dish out and keep you HDX in perfect working condition.--------------------USE:I have an extremely curious 11 month old little boy who has taken a shinning to electronic devices. He loves grabbing my smartphone or tablet to look at videos (mostly of himself) so protecting my HDX has become a priority around my little guy. Enter the OtterBox. The defender is essentially a combination of a hard plastic case that snaps together over the HDX and includes a built-in screen protector, and a rugged synthetic rubber outer shell (the part that is colored) that wraps around everything. My son has dropped my HDX + OtterBox Defender from coffee tables, ottomans, furniture, drooled, chewed, stepped on, crawled over and just beaten my device with nary a scratch or ding to report.--------------------DESIGN:As I mentioned the Defender is a series of overlapping parts that keep the HDX snug and mostly dry. The third component is a hard plastic shell that serves multiple functions - both as the standing case component and as an extra layer of protection for your devices screen. The shell snaps on and off easily and can even snap on the back of the OtterBox whenever you don't need it.The design is most definitely function over form. This case isn't minimalist and it isn't meant to be subtle. The Defender adds considerable girth and weight to the HDX. But is still completely manageable for activities like everyday reading.Cutouts for the rear speakers are built right in. Additional cutouts, with rubber flap protectors, are provided for both the audio-out and the charging port. The volume and power buttons receive completely sealed rubberized buttons.Because the screen protector is built-in and the case does have some cutouts it's inevitable that some debris does get behind the screen. Unfortunately getting the Defender apart is a challenge. Mainly the problem with separating the pieces comes from the hard-plastic inner-most shell. Small tabs keep the entire enclosure shut tight and it can be a nail-breaking or knuckle raking chore to get the shell off.--------------------WHAT I LIKE:(+) Function over form means this case actually does a great job protecting the HDX.(+) Has a rugged look without looking like a nubby Goodyear tire or piece of military hardware. The color of the case is nice and bright making it easy to pick out.(+) The built-in buttons are rubbery yet responsive.(+) The built-in screen does a great job protecting the front of the device from spills and scratches yet also allows for responsive finger inputs even on games.--------------------WHAT I DON'T LIKE:(-) Can be difficult to remove the case when you need to clean the screen.(-) Debris tends to build up quickly behind the screen.(-) This case adds considerable weight and girth to the HDX which defeats the small form-factor of the device. During long periods using your device you may find your arms tire quickly.(-) The price is 1/3 of the price of my HDX!--------------------CONCLUSION:The OtterBox Defender is a very well built piece of gear that does a fantastic job protecting your expensive tablet. The price is steep though if you find yourself needing to use a tablet in extreme conditions or with kids around it may very well be worth it. Recommended!