By Steve Niles
If you're into boating or diving, there are probably countless ways you could imagine your Pocket PC or other Windows CE-based device coming in handy. Or maybe you like to relax poolside while still getting some work done on your trusty PDA. The only thing stopping you, however, is the risk of water damage to your machine. What you need is some way to keep your PDA dry and protected.
A product that can do just that has been brought to my attention. It's called an Otter Box and it's offered by Otter Products. You can visit their Web site at http://www.otterbox.com/index.html.
Multi-purpose storage
Otter Products puts out an extensive line of Otter Boxes in a variety of sizes and colors, as you can see in Figure A.
FIGURE A
Otter Boxes come in many shapes, sizes, and colors to fit almost any purpose. (click for larger image)
The design you choose depends on what you plan to keep in your Otter Box, whether it's a cell phone, a pager, your wallet, a camera, a video recorder, etc. Of course, what we're interested in here is whether or not an Otter Box will keep your Pocket PC safe, secure, and dry.
2000 Series
Greg Ward at Otter Products was kind enough to send me a sample of the 2000 Series Otter Box, the perfect size to fit a Pocket PC or other Palm-sized PC, as you can see in Figure B.
FIGURE B
The 2000 Series Otter Box is the perfect size for a Pocket PC or other Palm-sized PC. (click for larger image)
I tend to keep my handheld organizer's plastic slipcase on when I place it into the Otter Box. This makes the fit quite snug and secure. However, I did notice that when the cover is removed, the device has a tendency to slide around inside the box. Most Otter Box designs have a foam liner that will keep it from banging around too hard, but it might be a good idea to put something else foamy in the box to secure the handheld device in place.
Lifetime guarantee
The manufacturers of the Otter Boxes are so confident in their products, they give all of them a lifetime guarantee. This is impressive, considering the standards to which they hold the boxes. Otter Products makes two bold claims about the boxes. They are unfailingly watertight, and they are crush proof to a depth of 100 feet.
That's what their press kits say, anyhow. As an independent reviewer, I can't simply take them at their word before passing the information on to you. It is my obligation to put their claims to the test.
Watertight
Otter Boxes were designed to be watertight in order to keep your valuables dry. According to Otter Products, "The closed cell neoprene o-ring creates a positive seal which does not allow water in." That sounds good, but does it work? I aimed to find out.
