OtterBox Armor 1900 PDA Case

Gadgeteer Hands On Review by Judie Hughes

March 08, 2005

Product Requirements:
A PDA that measures under 5.5" long x 3.5" wide x 0.9" deep

When I reviewed the OtterBox Armor 3600 back in 2003, there was no doubt in my mind that I had just discovered the "Humvee of PDA Protection." No case I had seen, or that I have since seen, has even come close to offering delicate electronics such perfect protection when they are used in abnormally harsh conditions.

However, this solution was aimed more at larger sized PDAs, such as the HP iPAQ 5455, which I used for testing at the time. Those with shorter or more shallow devices would have found the Armor 3600 to be a bit of oversized overkill, though I am sure that there were some who went ahead and used one anyway, out of necessity.

Now OtterBox is offering a rugged solution for the more compact PDAs and the people that use them in extreme conditions, the Armor 1900.

   

Like the 3600 model previously reviewed, the Armor 1900 is not a case for those that only need to add a bit of screen protection to their PDA. It is for people who have to cope with the harshest conditions that can be thrown at them, as they are using their electronic device.

The OtterBox site lists the features of the Armor 1900 as:

Universal fit for newer smaller form-factor PDAs

Waterproof, crushproof, drop-proof ergonomic design

Flexible, fully sealed interactive screen membrane

Quick access to CF and SD slots through the top of the case

Quick access to PDA connection through the bottom of the case

Adjustable neoprene hand strap

External stylus holder

Flip-up hard screen cover

Headphone/headset access

Easy open compound latch system

Gore membrane vent

Fully expandable for all accessories

Unconditional lifetime guarantee

To begin, the Armor 1900 has a very rugged appearance. Available in either Midnight Black and Fluorescent Yellow and accented with gray, this case has an abundance of latches, sealed ports and usable features.

Lets take a look and see if the 1900 lives up to its predecessor...

Universal fit for smaller form factor PDAs:

The Armor 1900 measures 6.57" (16.7cm) tall x 4.64" (11.8cm) wide x 2.2" (5.6cm) thick at it's largest points. Its interior is shaped so that it can hold a device measuring no more than 5.6" (14.1cm) tall x 3.5" (9cm) wide x 0.9" (2.4cm) deep.

Instead of using a series of removable pads to push the PDA to the front of the case, the Armor 1900 uses a clever Velcro strap suspension system which keeps the PDA tightly held next to the replaceable write-through membrane and it's plastic border.

 

Flexible, fully sealed interactive screen membrane:

The membrane is a thin sheet of clear flexible plastic. You can write on it directly with a PDA stylus. As long as you don't write so heavily that you gouge holes into the membrane, it will remain waterproof. Over time, this membrane will probably show wear, and when that happens replacements can be ordered.

The interior of the case is composed of unlined plastic, but since the PDA should not really touch anything but the screen membrane, its plastic border and the Velcro suspension system, it is unlikely that the PDA will become scratched while in the case.

As you might have guessed by the case's name, the HP iPAQ 1900 series perfectly fits...

A flip-up cover protects the touch screen when it is not being written upon.

Flip-up hard screen cover:

As mentioned, the screen of the PDA is protected by a clear plastic flip-lid. This cover will swing approximately 180º, either in the down and fully closed position, or standing straight up. I was pleasantly surprised to find that the lid would more or less stay up on its own when flipped to the upward position, but I suspect that over time it will not keep the same tension. Missing is the more secure closure system that the Armor 3600 utilized. By this, I mean that the flip lid is not held securely shut when it is in the down position, it can be easily raised..

Waterproof, crushproof, drop-proof ergonomic design:

Here you can see it in our hot tub. So yes, I would call it waterproof and the Armor 1900 also floats.

According to the OtterBox website, "All OtterBox cases - from the original OtterBox case to the innovative Armor 3600 for PDA protection -- feature a closed-cell neoprene o-ring that seals out water - no matter how harsh the conditions. Independent tests show OtterBox cases keep valuables dry to depths of 110 feet - even in chilly Alaskan waters."

The case is crushproof in the sense that heavy items will not cause it to collapse upon the PDA. I tested this by once again convincing Steve to balance his 200 pounds on the screen cover of the case. However, the Armor 1900 is so much smaller than the 3600 previously tested that he wasn't able to put both feet on it...

I didn't care to drive over the case or put it under what might be considered a truly destructive crushing weight, but for those of you that want to know if the Armor 1900 can take that kind of abuse, there is a picture of an Otterbox under a Jeep's wheel on their website...

photo courtesy of OtterBox

Drop proof? Yes, and for two reasons...

Adjustable neoprene hand strap:

First, because if you are using the strap attached to the back of the case there is virtually no chance that you will drop the enclosed PDA. The hand strap is made of thick stretchy neoprene with adjustable Velcro ends that fold back upon themselves for a perfect fit. When using the strap, the case is securely held in the user's hand, with virtually no chance of being dropped.

Of course, if the user needs a more hands-free way to carry the case, there is also an optional neck lanyard kit.

photo courtesy of OtterBox

The second reason that the case is drop-proof is because if the user happens to be a total klutz (like me), the case will survive a long fall onto concrete without the PDA inside getting damaged. Yes, I did try that test out multiple times (on purpose) from about a height of 4' onto a wooden floor. The PDA and case survived in fine shape, though on about the fifth drop the flip lid did pop off..

Quick access to CF and SD slots through the top of the case:

The entire clear top of the Armor 1900 can be opened to allow direct access to the SD or CF card slots at the top of the PDA.

 

There are even different sized PODs available that can accept taller GPS cards or scanning modules that may need to be added to the PDA.

   
From left to right: large POD, medium POD, and the Scanner POD with a hardened scratch-resistant lens, photos courtesy of OtterBox

The only area where you might find that there is limited to non-existent accessibility is in regard to the voice record button and the Infrared port. On the iPAQ 1945, these are both located on the left side, which is of course covered by the hard case. The record button can be re-mapped if you need it, but there is no way around the placement of the Infrared port - you'll just have to do without using it when the PDA is in the Armor 1900. I hardly ever even use my IR port, so it's not that big of a deal to me.

Headphone/headset access:

There is a rubber plug on the left side that a headset cord can be threaded through. Once the cord is through and the plug has been replaced, the PDA is once again safe from water, dust and dirt.

 

Note the rubber gaskets that are present on all of the removable pieces of the case. These are a major line of defense against dust, dirt and water. They should always be kept clean and periodically inspected for deterioration.

Quick access to PDA connection through the bottom of the case:

Unlike other ruggedized cases that require the removal of the PDA for syncing or charging, the Armor 1900 has a large rubber plug that pops off the bottom to allow direct access to the port.

  

There is even a serial port connection that can be added to the bottom of newer model iPAQs that share the standard 22 pin bottom connector.

photo courtesy of OtterBox

External stylus holder:

The left side of the case has a molded rubber stylus holder, which will keep the use from having to keep one stowed in their pocket. This also allows the user to use a slightly thicker stylus than the one that fits in their PDA's silo.

Easy open compound latch system:

The latches found on the back of the case and on the top are all heavy duty plastic that requires pieces about to be held together to be fitted in correctly - creating a seal. Then the latches are clamped down and locked. These latches are stiff, and will not come undone unintentionally, yet they are easy enough to operate when access is needed.

   

Each latch has a hole in it's stem so that you can lock it down with the included hex screws and allen wrench.

 

An extra rubber plug for the headset hole is also included.

Gore membrane vent:

Inside the case's back wall is a covered vent. I assume (always dangerous) that this is to help keep condensation from appearing on the screen of the PDA when it is moved from one temperature extreme to the next.

Fully expandable for all accessories:

There are any number of accessories available for the Armor 1900 that will make it even more adaptable to any use that someone can dream up. Items like belt clips, the preciously mentioned larger GPS or scanner pods that attach to the top, neck lanyards, a serial port adapter, as well as various vehicle mounting solutions are available. It would be very easy to spend twice the amount of the case adding accessories, but the ability to do so makes this case all the more valuable.

One benefit of a case like this is that instead of spending big money on a ruggedized PDA that will most likely be running an older OS or worse - not have a color screen, the end user can instead instantly ruggedize any PDA that they already own, or will eventually buy, simply by placing it in this case.

Unconditional lifetime guarantee:

According to the OtterBox site, "If your OtterBox product fails for any reason, call us at 888-695-8820 and we'll gladly replace it. We stand behind our cases 100%."

Once again, I think that OtterBox has set the standard for ruggedized PDA cases. I believe that the Armor 1900 lives up to every one of its claims, and I doubt that there is a better PDA case available for people that need ultimate protection either because of their jobs or their pastimes. If you are the type of person that have a typical job in a sterilized environment, and you need a case that can protect your PDA from a herd of elephants or a  sudden squall and you have a smaller PDA, then the OtterBox Armor 1900 is the case for you. Don't forget that if you have a larger device and you need the ultimate in protection, you can always get the Armor 3600.

Price: $99.95
Available in black or yellow

Pros:
Rugged, waterproof/dustproof/crushproof  protection for your PDA
Many accessories to make case work for your unique needs
Easy access to most ports on the PDA

Cons:
No access to Infrared port
It's big and expensive - but if you need it, that won't stop you