All posts tagged ‘Phone Cases’

A Look at the Multifunction RokShield Mountable Case for iPhone 5

RokForm RokShield iPhone 5 Case

RokShield iPhone 5 Case, Image: RokForm

RokForm has released its newest case, the RokShield for iPhone 5, and it not only protects your phone, but offers some unique functionality through a built-in mounting system. The system locks your phone securely in place, so there’s no worry about it coming loose, yet releases quickly so you can grab your phone and go.

The RokShield case is actually a set of individual components that work together. It comes with a hard polycarbonate frame that houses your phone and then a protective rubber bumper that fits around that frame. You can choose to leave the rubber bumper off if you’re looking for a slimmer profile.

On the back of the hard case there’s a triangular shaped rubber insert that will keep your phone from slipping out of place wherever you set it down. This was pretty handy when I just put the phone on the dash of the car without using the mounting system. Even accelerating and in tight corners, that little insert kept my phone from sliding.

RokForm RokShield iPhone 5 Case

RokShield iPhone 5 Case, Image: RokForm

Beneath that insert there’s also a little magnet that let’s you stick your phone to metal surfaces. It’s not as secure as the mounting system, but it does offer another way to quickly mount your phone to a nearby surface if you aren’t using the mounting system.

Lastly, you get what RokForm calls the easy stick Remote Mounting System (RMS). This is the really cool part. It’s a small disc that you can permanently mount to a surface, like your dashboard, and it locks into place on the back of the hard case. Once your phone is locked in, it’s not going anywhere.

It’s just a simple twist to get your phone on and off of the RMS, and it’s the most secure system I’ve ever used for mounting the phone on a car dash. Especially if you use your phone as a GPS, the RMS has your phone ready to go with just a twist and a click.

There are numerous accessories including a belt clip, bike mount, and additional RMS units, so you can put them wherever you want your phone secured. I used the belt clip and found it just as quick and easy as the RMS I used in the car.

RokForm RokShield iPhone 5 Case

RokShield iPhone 5 Case, Image: RokForm

Compared to other mounting systems, this one was unobtrusive and much quicker to use. There’s no arm sticking out from a dash mounted suction cup or the like and the RMS itself is practically unnoticeable on your dash.

The only drawback to the case, and this is really an issue with most cases for the iPhone 5, is that it adds a good bit to the phone’s profile. You can make it a little slimmer by removing the protective rubber bumper, but it’s not enough to really make a difference, so I was just as happy to leave it in place.

Surprisingly, this isn’t a particularly expensive case. The RokForm RokShield for iPhone 5 is $39.00, which is a great price for such a fully-featured case. It’s available in a variety of colors and there are versions for the iPhone 4/4S, Galaxy 3S and even iPads.

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I received this case for review purposes.

PureGear Cases Protect Your iPhone With Rugged Style

PureGear PX360 iPhone Case

PureGear PX360, Image: PureGear

The PureGear PX260 and PX360 iPhone cases protect your phone from the bumps and bruises of everyday use with rugged styling that’s easy on the eyes.

Especially with the introduction of the very slick looking iPhone 5, no one wants a case that just adds a bunch of bulk that detracts from the look of their phone. The PureGear PX260 and PX360 combine the need for protection with the desire for something that still looks good.

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LifeProof iPhone Case: Water, Dirt, Snow and Shock Proof

My LifeProof Case Swimming With Our Fish, Image: Nicole Wakelin

I’m always worried that my iPhone will meet an untimely death from a wayward drop of rain so when I heard about the LifeProof iPhone case that bills itself as water proof, snow proof, dirt proof and shock proof I knew I had to try it out. Having just come back from a rain soaked trip where I found myself cowering under my umbrella and beneath awnings in an attempt to keep dry, water proof held special appeal. The only problem was getting up the nerve to actually test the thing.

There are videos on the LifeProof website detailing precisely how to put your phone into the case. They’re very helpful but they made me a little nervous that if I did the slightest thing wrong, then my phone was a goner. The first step is testing the case while empty by submerging it in a sink full of water for an hour. I did this and when I took it out an hour later it was completely dry inside. Testing complete, I held my breath, closed my eyes, and tried it with my phone and was relieved to see that it worked perfectly.

The touch screen doesn’t function when submerged, but as soon as you take it out of the water, even with the screen still wet you can use it normally. This means it’s easy to take pictures while you’re in the pool or at the beach without worrying about sand and water. There is even a glass lens cover built into the case that covers the camera lens and ensures your pictures are still high quality.

Touch functionality through the protective screen was nearly the same as without a cover at all. There was only a slight difference between the light touch normally used and the slightly firmer touch needed when using the LifeProof case. It was a minor difference and not one that would caused any frustration.

Audio quality was also very good, with no one I called noticing a difference in sound quality through the water proof acoustic vents of the LifeProof versus the traditional open spaces in my usual case. I also found the sound coming through to be clear and interference free while making calls and playing music.

The LifeProof iPhone case is lightweight and slim enough to use everyday, but is especially suited to those times you’re at the beach, hiking, or in harsh environments that put your phone at risk. It retails for $79.99 and has a full range of accessories for mounting and carrying that make it a great case for those who want to enjoy the outdoors without worrying about the safety of their phone.

A copy of this product was provided for review.