Otter Box 2000 by Otter Box

Product Details

Name: Otter Box 2000
Company: Otter Box
Size: 6½" x 3.875" x 1.625"
Weight: 8.0 oz.
Ir in Case: No
HotSync in Case: No
Case Type: Hard
Held by: Gravity
SRP: $14.50

Description

Otter Box closedAre you the kind of person who takes the road less traveled, or who trods the unbeaten path?  Whether you are or are not, sometimes it is necessary to take your Visor into an environment where you're just asking for trouble.  For those times when you go canoeing or hiking and want to protect your Visor from water or that bear that's been following you, you can do just that by stowing your Visor in the Otter Box 2000 (OB2000).

The Otter Box 2000 is made with a fiberglass reinforced ABS resin that is almost crush-proof, and it is waterproof up to a depth of 100 ft.  This case also floats in water, which means that is should be harder to lose and easier to find in the event that it is lost in an aquatic environment, such as a lake or river.  The manufacturer has a lifetime warranty on the OB2000, so in the unlikely event you damage it, they will replace it for free!

Visor in Otter BoxThe OB2000 comes in fourteen different colors (including clear).  You can have an OB2000 which is either one solid color, half-clear/half-color, or completely clear (although the clear OB2000 isn't waterproof).  The clear side is made of a polycarbonite.  Inside the color half is a thin layer of foam which provides extra shock absorption.  There are two clamps that securely close the case and prevent anything from getting inside; there's also a strap to use for carrying or attaching the case to a backpack.

If you plan on "roughing it," you may want to go with a brighter color so the case is easier to see in case you lose it.  Below are your color options -- now this is a selection!
 
  • Fluorescent Yellow
  • Fluorescent Pink
  • Fluorescent Green
  • Aquamarine
  • Sky Blue
  • Clear 
  • Paradise
    		•
  • Purple
  • Burgundy Wine
  • Forest Green
  • Buckskin Tan
  • Granite Grey
  • Black
  • White
    		•

    Usability

    Otter Box under water!The first thing I wanted to test was whether the OB2000 was really waterproof or not.  I filled up a sink, then turned on my Visor and put it inside the case.  As you can see, the Visor is nice and dry.  The suction was so good that when I opened the case back up I could hear a sucking noise as the clamps released.  I have no qualms about taking my Visor inside the OB2000 next time I go canoeing near San Marcos with my friends.

    I then tested how protective the Otter Box was.  I put my Visor Deluxe inside the OB2000, raised it over my head, and dropped it about eight feet to my carpeted floor.  The case protected the Visor beautifully and really gives the impression that it will take whatever you throw at it.  The manufacturer has reported that there have been reports where  people had accidentally ran over their Otter Box and the case didn't even have a scratch on it!

    Opened Otter Box 2000 - Batteries not included :-)The OB2000 was not designed specifically for the Visor.  The Visor isn't held by anything but gravity, and you will need to hold the case from the top when using the Visor or take it out of the case when in use.  The clips don't lend themselves to quickly pulling out your Visor to look up someone's number either.  This isn't the kind of case that you would take to a board meeting, but then again a Slipper Visor isn't going to do much for you when you are water-skiing.  This is a case for use outside in the elements where your Visor needs protection the most.

    When the Visor is in the case, there is 1/8" of space on either side and and just over ½" above and below the Visor.  The spacing on the side doesn't matter much, but if you want to keep your Visor from sliding around I would suggest getting a 3¼" x 1" x 3/8" block of foam and putting it at the top of the Visor.  Of course you could also use this extra space for spare batteries or for non-standard size Springboard™ modules that stick out less than 1" above the Visor.

    Conclusion

    The Otter Box 2000 offers some of the best protection for your Visor at a price that is a fraction of other sturdy cases.  It is not the type of case for office workers, but for those who are outside and need extra protection and a waterproof case, this is the case for you.

    Criteria
    Design 4
    Protection 5
    Usability 3
    Cost/Benefit 5
    VisorCentral Rating: VVVV

    Pros
    - Waterproof
    - Excellent protection
    - Large selection of colors

    Cons
    - Not form-fitting to the Visor
    - Clips slow down access to Visor
    -