The Otter Box for cell phones...I know I'm not the only one...

treitz3

Hello fellow Club Polk members and good Wednesday afternoon to you all. I have a new phone that came with the business that has one of those "Otter Box" cases that protects the phone from damage. It works great and I have not one complaint on the performance of this product. It works great and performs its primary function better than white on rice.

I do have an issue with compatibility to "me", though. I happen to have a Nokia [I believe Lumina] smartphone that by itself is thin, reasonably sized and pretty much a godsend for business/personal related activities. The overall phone is around 3" by 5". I would know the exact size but my 4 year old son has misplaced my measuring tape and all of my rulers...GRRRRrrr. Anyhoo, the phone is somewhat large by itself and comes with carrying cases that will fit it.

With that said, when you add the "Otter Box" to the phone.....it gets even bigger. Great for protection but not so great when it comes to cases that can actually hold the thing. I have looked online and in every store I can think of, even the Otter Box website and unless I completely missed it, there is NO phone holder that can house this phone along with the Otter Box.

Hence, the compatibility to "me".

Basically, I have no way to conveniently carry this phone on my person unless it is in my pocket. Not a good combination with all of the bending, leaning, squatting, heavy lifting and driving I do on a consistent basis. I know that I'm not the only one that has this issue, nor am I the only one that has an Otter box to protect their phone from damage. What I was wondering [hoping for, really] is if anybody has found an alternative solution for a phone "holder" that can utilize the Otter box that just so happens to be convenient for you?

The only solution I have found, or rather seen, was when a Dish Network guy came to install a dish and hit the main gas line in the neighborhood. I noticed that he had a similar sized phone with the Otter box and he had a belt clipped, Velcro pouch that he could easily slide the phone in and out of. Seeing as how there was an emergency at hand, I didn't have the time to chat with him about it. His company logo was stitched on the front, so I do not know if Dish Network had these cases custom made or not but what he had is exactly what I'm looking for.

If you would be so kind, could you share what you are using for a phone holster that can fit a phone this big? Thanks in advance and I look forward to any input you may have. Happy hump day!

Tom

boston1450

Have you looked for a phone holder the clips to your belt ? Ive seen them at Walmart. ATT&T and other cellphone sale places. Have you tried online cellphone holders for that phone ? just a thought. I have the iPhone and i have otterbox that has clip to belt and love it. Its not 5 inches though. Hope you can find one that will fit that phone & your needs

Drenis

Tom are you looking to put a Otterbox case on your Nokia phone just for peace of mind? I know that Otterbox made SOME models of holsters/cases which had a clip holster that could hold the specific case but again, I've seen a few and I'm sure they are not for every phone. There are a lot of other brands out there that offer big protection like the Otterbox cases with their own design of a clip holster.

Also if you do some searching on the web, you can find after market fabric, denim, velcro, etc style and materiel cases that could be large enough to work with your phone.

Sorry I'm not of much help. My phone stays in a OEM holster when not out in the open and that solution works for me. I hate added bulk from cases that are too large.

treitz3

Hello, gentlemen and thanks for responding.

Drenis wrote: »

Tom are you looking to put a Otterbox case on your Nokia phone just for peace of mind?

Absolutely. With what I do during the day, there are many opportunities for the phone itself to be bent, smashed, dropped or otherwise mangled. The Otter box is a necessity.

Drenis wrote: »

Also if you do some searching on the web, you can find after market fabric, denim, velcro, etc style and materiel cases that could be large enough to work with your phone.

See, this is why the thread was created. I can not for the life of me find anything that will fit. I ordered one that "said" it would....and I now use that case to hold my fold-able utility knife. [/QUOTE]

boston1450 wrote: »

Have you looked for a phone holder the clips to your belt

Yes, I have. The phone included one that the Otter box fit into and broke [the clip] within a matter of hours, unfortunately. Sat down in a seat and the clip went a'flyin' in the air.

Poee7R

If you purchased the Defender model of otterbox then they come with clipped holster. If thats the one that broke, they have a lifetime replacement on em.

If thats the case then email otterbox and they'll replace it without any hassle.


Dave

PSOVLSK

Poee7R wrote: »

If thats the case then email otterbox and they'll replace it without any hassle.


Dave

This has been my experience as well.

zane77

I have a company i-phone that came with an Otterbox. The phone case itself provides maximum protection but the belt clip drove me crazy, just way too big. So I swapped everything out for a Mophie Juice-Box (adds almost 1 1/2 times the battery power) and a Zagg screen saver with a Verizon leather belt holster. Works a lot better for me. Good luck with your search.

Ricardo

Poee7R wrote: »

If you purchased the Defender model of otterbox then they come with clipped holster.

This. It looks ugly and it is bulky, but it works. I've dropped my phone countless times and it doesn't have a scratch.

Here's one for a Nokia Lumina.

http://www.amazon.com/OtterBox-Defender-Series-Hybrid-Holster/dp/B00AFHII0M/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1374141097&sr=8-1&keywords=nokia+lumina+otter+box

treitz3

Morning, gentlemen.

If you all saw the size of my fingers, you would understand why I have a Nokia. I still have issues with fat fingering with this phone, even with it's rather large size [in fact, I had to buy a laptop because of my fat finger issues with this phone]. The clipped holster that came with the Otter box is useless. It falls off while walking, falls off when you get in the truck and snapped into pieces when I sat down into a tractor. Even if they replaced that one with a new one, I would be ordering a new holster every other day with the work that I do. I am a painting/restoration/cleaning contractor and setting a phone down somewhere in this type of environment only invites disaster. It needs to stay on my person and be well protected. While the Otter box has protected the phone from numerous falls as well as extreme pressure from lifting heavy equipment, the holster has failed and failed miserably.

I'm currently wearing shorts that look like something Crocodile Dundee would wear with a large side pocket. While normally this works great, when bending down or carrying large equipment [think paint sprayers, steam cleaners or 5 gallon paint buckets], the equipment, my legs or material(s) put an incredible amount of weight up and against the phone and I fear for the day that the Otter box fails for these reasons. Just think for a second.....a 5 gallon bucket of paint weighs in at 55 pounds and has kinetic force while walking or bumping up against things, sometimes slamming up against my leg where the phone stays. I need the Otter box for reasons such as this and trust me when I say that there are many more opportunities that present them self on a daily basis that can ruin the phone in a second or less without the Otter box.

Ricardo, I must have ordered the Defender model. It looks exactly like the one I have and the clip was the exact one that came with it. Unfortunately, the clip breaks too easily because it is made out of plastic. I would imagine that any kind of [guesstimated] force beyond 15 pounds breaks the clip into pieces and in my line of work, this occurs on a daily basis. Perhaps for now, I can contact Otter box directly and see if they have an upgraded metal type clip in the works....or if they will build one. I was just hoping that there was something else someone had run across that I could utilize besides the clip.

I appreciate everybody's responses. Thank you for taking the time to respond.

Tom

treitz3

Update:

I went ahead and contacted Otter Box. They said that they will send a new holster. They have been looking at getting a company called Lifeproof to make some additional holsters for the Nokia 900 that will wrap around the phone but no further information was provided. I will look into this option [if available] while I keep searching elsewhere. They do not have a metal clip version, nor do they have one in the works. Unfortunately, while they do sell separate clips/holsters for other phones, they do not sell just the clips/holsters for the Nokia...GRrrr.

So, it looks like I will have a new clip shipped within 10-14 business days and they will keep replacing them as they break but I'm still back to looking for heavier duty alternatives. Waiting that long for new clips/holsters to come in is simply too long and if they keep breaking, which I'm expecting that they will, it will become a waste of my valuable time as well.

The representative had suggested to write a letter to the owner of Otter Box, explaining my situation to see if there was anything that they could manufacture or modify to stop this from happening again in the future. I will wait until the new clip/holster comes in and I will see how long that one takes to break before I proceed with this route.

Thanks again for your responses and I will keep you updated as time marches on. Now off to see what Lifeproof has to offer...

Tom

nguyendot

I always just put the whole phone in my pocket screen side towards my thigh with the otterboxes. Big fit? sure, but it was never terrible. Only real problem was getting it out of my pocket while in the car...but then again you shouldn't be using it there anyways.

tonyb

Any Target or Wal-Mart has aftermarket cases for phones that clip onto a belt. Having been in the construction business I know your dilemma. Over the years, I have designed many things that solve these carrying problems only to have someone else bring similar products to market first. Just can't seem to get anything to market quick enough. For instance, I designed a wrist wallet that floats and had a waterproof compartment for your money/CC/License.....Velcro on to your wrist. What do you do with that stuff when at the beach, right ? A cell phone glove.....someone else took that to market 2 years after I had one designed. A few more idea's too I won't mention....yet. I should really work on my patent abilities.

As cell phones keep getting smaller, people with fat fingers will have to rely on voice activation technology. That can be built into most anything like a hat for us outdoor types. Now I'm wondering if a cell phone pocket can't be built into a Hat, maybe on a side or on the brim....earpiece easily could slip down the side. There's always the google glasses Tom....expensive though. Hmmm, maybe I can convert my wrist wallet idea into a cell phone pocket that also Velcro's to your wrist, haven't seen one of those yet.

nguyendot

But phones aren't getting smaller.. they're getting bigger.
Galaxy S (4in) > Galaxy S2 (4.3in) > Galaxy S3 (4.8in) > Galaxy S4 (5.0in)...then Note1 (5.3in), Note 2 (5.55in). etc...

Wait for the next Xperia - 6.4", Note3 etc.

Ricardo

tonyb wrote: »

As cell phones keep getting smaller.......

Look around. I am having trouble finding a (smart) phone small enough. They are actually making them bigger now :mad:

nguyendot

Ricardo wrote: »

Look around. I am having trouble finding a (smart) phone small enough. They are actually making them bigger now :mad:

Galaxy S4 Mini

Ricardo

nguyendot wrote: »

Galaxy S4 Mini

About the same size of my RAZR M. Still too big...

tonyb

They are trying to merge that Tablet/phone thing....works for some but most don't want a massive phone. As soon as they work out a few squeaks in the voice activation technology, you'll see mini phones everywhere....built into everything.

Ricardo

I used to have a phone. Just a phone to make/receive calls. I used to say "who needs those smart phones....a phone is to talk, not to take pictures, email, browse, play games....."

That was until I tried a smart phone. Now I can't live without it and the list of things I do with it is growing by day (Last I learned is I can fill prescriptions at Walgreens just by scanning the bar code...how cool is that).

Now that I think of it, the least I do with my phone these days is talk.

I don't want to go back to a talk only phone, regardless of how small/convenient it might be. Although I'm sure there's a market for it.

steveinaz

My iphone4 has an Otterbox case on it, while I don't like the bulkiness of an otherwise very flat phone---I don't know how else to protect it.

WLDock

I still have my old HTC Sensation 4G (plan to get the new One at some point) and use a TPU (Thermoplastic Polyurethane) case and a leather belt holder. I went down the same road as you on previous phones with the Otterbox and it was not an issue as the phones were smaller then. Now with my large 4.3" screen phone the large cases and holders just don't work. Nevertheless, IMO a good TPU case is all that is needed. The material has the right amout of thickness and flex to be as effective as a two piece case like the Otterbox. As a matter of fact, I actually broke an Otterbox after my phone fell from a very short distance.....the plastic it too brittle. Still, TPU is the perfect material to protect phones IMO...I have dropped my phone more times that I can remember....without issue.





ALSO, my Leather holster was a bit snug at first....but after putting some shoe strecher on it and appling pressure...the phone fits like a glove.

treitz3

I would LOVE to go back to a talk only phone but, like Ricardo, I am starting to find that these smartphones are really convenient. Doing things on the fly is becoming a breeze and the money I have saved just by having it on my person has actually paid for itself. For instance, pulling up an online price at a retail store and having them price match -or- reading the reviews of a particular product while I'm there at the store to find out whether or not I'm considering buying a good product or a POS.

One of the requirements for business is that we have a smartphone for communications, emailing, sending photos, updating, looking at "live time" progress on any particular project, syncing up with the rest of the crew, etc.. I didn't like it at first but it is quickly gaining my love because things that used to require travel now do not. Everything can be done on the fly and yes, I do text while driving....only while using the voice activated feature. VERY convenient! [and safe].

I went to at least 10-12 stores today, looking at hunting, sporting, fishing, phone, tablet, camping departments to find anything that can house this phone. Nothing, nada, no go on anything, no matter the store. Everybody's suggestion was to get a smaller phone and when I covered half the screen of their phone with my thumb, they finally understood why I have such a large phone. I actually took my thumb and placed it over the typing pad of a blackberry and it covered more than half of the entire typing pad. Never realized I had such big fingers until I got a smartphone and started typing [or attempting to type]. On my phone, even when turning it sideways for the bigger Querty keypad, my thumb covers 11 characters and it's a gamble which character the phone will actually sense. I spend more time correcting than I do actual typing, so a smaller phone is not an option.

The search continues...

Tom

Drenis

treitz3 wrote: »

If you all saw the size of my fingers, you would understand why I have a Nokia.

No one buys a Nokia because they have big hands. You bought it for the features and for the OS, Windows Phone

treitz3 wrote: »

One of the requirements for business is that we have a smartphone for communications, emailing, sending photos, updating, looking at "live time" progress on any particular project, syncing up with the rest of the crew, etc.. I didn't like it at first but it is quickly gaining my love because things that used to require travel now do not. Everything can be done on the fly and yes, I do text while driving....only while using the voice activated feature. VERY convenient! [and safe].

Everybody's suggestion was to get a smaller phone and when I covered half the screen of their phone with my thumb, they finally understood why I have such a large phone. I actually took my thumb and placed it over the typing pad of a blackberry and it covered more than half of the entire typing pad.

Couple things Tom,

Like it or not, agree with me or not, The best typing experience comes from a Qwerty BlackBerry phone. I'm a big guy, 6' 4", I have large hands. The last qwerty BlackBerry I had was the Bold 9900. It was a SIGNIFICANT upgrade over my previous Bold 9700 which was a smaller phone. Even with large thumbs, It's really the tips that matter. You learn quickly how to type. Even all touch keyboards I have a different way I type.

IMO, if you're looking for the best in communications and email as well as security in the business, go try out a BlackBerry Q10. However some time will be needed with it to adjust, learn something new and see if you like it. But you wont find anything that offers a better typing solution. Stay away from Legacy BB devices. If that's what you tested then I can understand your frustration. My thumbs covered a lot too but I could type without looking at my phone once I got used to it. Can you do that with your Lumia? Not a chance.

Also, FWIW, Lumia's are sexy devices. I probably would have gone Windows Phone if BB10 wasn't as awesome as it is. Just carrier support is crap in the states.

Gadabout

Since we are doing some out of the normal box thinking here.....

If you still want to keep the phone in it's defender case, you might try something like the Maxpedition Monkey Combat Admin Pouch. This might be to large and bulky for your needs but you might also find it usefull to carry the other tools you might need with such as a stylus (so you don't have to use those big thumbs). If you go this route don't forget the Tac-Ties for use on a belt. Take a look around the website, they have lots of things that might work. It's not cheap but it is all made out of high grade materials.

I'm not sure what model Lumina you have but Otter Box makes a Commuter Case for the 920. Slightly different from the defender case as it has no belt clip and no face plate cover. Just thinking if your going to use some kind of pouch / holster to transport the phone you don't really need the belt clip. For screen protection, I buy Zagg film. Lifetime warranty and if you ever need a replacement you just go to the web page and they send you an new one. More expensive than most but they have great customer service. This might open a few doors since this will minimize the size somewhat and possibly open up more options.

At Duluth Trading they have the Pro Contractor Pouch and the Fire House Travel Pouch. They might be too big for what your looking for but they should work.

and lastly since we are continuing with the out of box thinking.....

The very ugly, but might still work for you even with that big defender case we have the Klein 5416TC, Top Closing, Bolt Bag

Custom Leathercraft also makes a bunch of different type belt pouches, that might work. (I'll let you do a google search for them ;-)

These might not work for you but I'm hoping they might inspire your searching for different things till you find what your looking for.

Scott

WLDock

https://www.moonshineleather.com/leathercellphoneholders.cfm


Their Colossus case is 6" x 3.25" x 1.125" inside. The Otter defender is 5.44" x 3.04" x .73" They also do custom fit cases. There's your case.

treitz3

Thank you, Mr. WLDock. That looks like exactly what the doctor prescribed. Thank you, thank you, thank you.

Tom