As Clarinspect run trials for clients in the field we want to make sure we can recommend good hardware to them, and good ways of protecting that hardware. Here is our walkthrough and review of the Otterbox Defender series and Latch II utility holder...

Yes, the AssessmentNinja has lusted after getting more hardware for a while, so with another geotechnical inspection trial coming up, this was the excuse needed to go and get a protective case... and additional utilities.

The Gear

First off a case - the Defender Series for Samsung Tab 3. Next, a way to hold it - the Latch II from the Otterbox Utility series.

The Samsung Tab3 used is the one with my favourite screen protector already installed - the one with the matt finish. I was interested as to whether this 'doubling up' on the screen protection would affect usability.

Putting it together

The Defender comes in 3 parts: (1) Silicone casing, (2) a hard back-shell and (3) a screen protector. It also comes with a 'Shield Stand' - but more about this later.

Step 1 - The hard case

The hard case is a combination of the hard back-shell with a clip-on screen protector. The back-shell has a soft lining on which the Tab3 sits snugly, and the screen clips on easily. 

There are clips all around, but the major ones are at the corners where there are lugs that also double as sockets for the 'Shield Stand'.

Step 2 - The silicone casing

This is a floppy impact-absorbing casing that clips easily in place around the hard-shell. It fits snugly, but you do need to run your finger around the edges to make it seat into all the grooves.

The silicone closes off the seam where the hard case is clipped together, but allows for access to ports etc., and has cutouts and sealing plugs to cover the larger holes (headphone jack and USB socket). 

As you can see, the silicone has built in button covers and also a fold-back flap for the headphone jack.

There is one feature of the case we haven't figured out, and that Google remains stubbornly silent about; a cutout in the side of the casing (see [1] in the photo below). 

It lines up where some larger tablets may have a charging point, but completely useless for the Tab3. I did note that through the cutout you can see a gap under the Tab3, so have plans to add a wrist strap.

Step 3 - The 'Shield Stand'

At first glance you wonder what this thing is. Then you clip it onto the back of the tablet, and it adds another level of protection. Great!

It should be noted that the Shield Stand does obscure the camera completely. So if you are undertaking Inspections in the field with this 'Shield Stand' then you will need to unclip it and put it in your pocket - so really it becomes only useful as a travel protection rather than useful in the field.

If the 'Shield Stand' were hinged rather than detachable as a method for using the camera then this would be much more useful. Clearly if you want to use the camera on the device you can't benefit from the 'Shield Stand' so it becomes, well something you only use when transporting the device. 

However in terms of an additional casing it works best when you put the tablet facedown in the 'Shield Stand' - the tablet is then protected for travel, with the screen safely tucked away. 

You can chuck the device into a bag without worrying about breaking anything (except things already in the bag that the tablet lands on in its newly armoured state).

So how is it as a stand?

Pretty good - though from all the possible arrangements outlined in the instructions the only one that balanced properly, and hence was useful was the landscape low angle.

The stand provided a good angle for typing. The second best 'mode' was a steep angle, but only good for watching movies, so we'll not talk any more about this.

The Otterbox Latch II

This was an impulse buy. Holding tablets in the field is an issue - particularly if you are having to grip them all day, or hold them at a funny angle - and there is always the concern that you might drop them.

This is where the Latch II kicks in. It is designed with the Defender series and Shield Stand in mind. Essentially it provides a comfortable grip on the back of the tablet whilst it is in the Shield Stand. 

You can slide your hand through the grip and support the device without gripping, or it allows you to rest your hand now and again.

The hand strap is easily adjustable, and the Latch II comes with loops for attaching a lanyard for that double-protection.

My first impression of the Latch II was one of joy - at last a way of holding a device securely in the field. However, as with the Shield Stand this too covers the camera. 

You can attach the Latch II directly to the Tablet in the Defender case (without the Shield Stand) but it is not as secure; if you tug the Latch II down to take a picture it comes off the tablet. Note: it is designed to go on the tablet with Shield Stand in place.

Wrap up

Overall I am very happy with the Defender for the Samsung Tab3. It is of solid construction, with many levels of protection. I am happy to let clients out in the field with this. 

Having a screen protector on the tablet screen as well as the Otterbox protective screen did not alter the way the touch screen worked in anyway - it even worked with a stylus.

There are some caveats though. 

The case is not ingress protected, so though I would be happy to use this in mist or light rain I would not claim this is waterproof (and nor do the manufacturers). It is good for shocks and drops, but is not an all-weather protection system. If you are thinking about working around water or in rain then look at some other options.

The big let down is the lack of camera visibility with the 'Shield Stand' or the Latch II in place. A large part of using these devices for on-site Audits, Inspections and Assessments is that you can use the camera as part of the evidential trail. Having said this the Defender out of the Shield is still a good hand-held casing and does allow camera use.

On a final note, I am still intrigued by that nicely sculpted aperture in the case. If anyone has any ideas what it could be, please add a comment.