Magellan's waterproof Toughcase wraps GPS module, extended battery around your iPhone
By Darren Murph 
posted June 30th 2010 1:54PM
posted June 30th 2010 1:54PM
There are iPhone cases, and then there's Magellan's waterproof Toughcase. Priced at $199.99, it's actually just as expensive as a new iPhone 4 on contract, and double the price of an iPhone 3GS (which it actually houses). So, what does two Benjamins get you? Most would argue "not nearly enough," but argonauts may beg to differ. The case meets IPX-7 waterproof standards, enabling it to be submerged at a depth of one meter for up to 30 minutes, and there's also an integrated 1,840mAh battery that's able to "double the life" of your iPhone 3G, iPhone 3GS or second / third-generation iPod touch. Moreover, there's a built-in high sensitivity SiRFstar III GPS chipset for superior GPS reception, and nothing here prevents consumers from accessing the touchscreen. 'Course, the sex appeal of your iDevice goes right out of the window once you strap this monster on, and there's no official support for Apple's newest iPhone, but it's hard to knock the approach here. Magellan GPS Launches Rugged, Waterproof ToughCase for iPhone and iPod touch
SANTA CLARA, Calif. - June 29, 2010 - Magellan® GPS today launched the ToughCase, a refined yet rugged protective case, giving iPhone and iPod touch waterproof capabilities, ideal for outdoor enthusiasts and outdoor professionals.
Available worldwide, featuring built-in GPS, ToughCase enhances the accuracy of location-based and GPS applications for iPhone 3G and iPod touch, while protecting the device and providing unmatched accessibility to all iPhone and iPod touch features.
"The ToughCase is the ideal solution for all outdoor users. From kayakers to golfers, mountain bikers to construction workers, it provides a level of protection and performance previously unavailable in other cases," said Justin Doucette, Director of Product Marketing for Magellan GPS. "The ToughCase protects against harmful elements such as dust, rain, mud, water and snow."
The unique case design allows 100 percent access to Apple's revolutionary Multi-Touch user interface, allowing users to receive and place calls while the device is protected. The ToughCase meets IPX-7 waterproof standards, enabling the device to be submerged at a depth of 1-meter for up to 30 minutes. The integrated 1840 mAh battery will double the life of the device based on normal usage and the built-in high sensitivity SiRFstar III GPS chipset delivers up to 3 meters of accuracy.
The ToughCase is compatible with iPhone 3G, iPhone 3GS and iPod touch (second and third generation). The ToughCase will be available at MagellanGPS.com and Apple Stores at www.apple.com. The ToughCase retails at an MSRP of USD $199.99.
ToughCase extends Magellan's comprehensive solutions for iPhone and iPod touch, which include the Magellan RoadMate turn-by-turn navigation app and the Magellan Premium Car Kit - an innovative 3-in-1 vehicle mount for the iPhone 3GS, iPhone 3G and second and third generation iPod touch enhancing their performance as a hands-free navigation solution.
The Magellan RoadMate turn-by-turn navigation app is available for $49.99 from the App Store on iPhone and iPod touch or at www.itunes.com/appstore/.
About MiTAC Digital Corporation
MiTAC Digital Corp. is a wholly-owned subsidiary of MiTAC International Corporation and promotes and sells products and services under the Magellan brand name. Magellan assists people to travel, work and play with leading portable navigation and positioning solutions across multiple consumer markets. Recognized as an industry innovator, the company is the producer of the award-winning Magellan RoadMate series of portable car navigation, outdoor and mobile navigation devices. MiTAC Digital Corp. is headquartered in Santa Clara, Calif. For more information on Magellan, visit http://www.magellangps.com.
What a waste
@rob21i
A depth of 1 meter? you can't even take this to the bottom of a swimming pool. Make it 50ft and we'll talk
@rob21i
The places where you might actually need this probably don't even have cellphone service.
@dswatson83 Where the hell do you people make your underwater phone calls, and I always need a gps when I swim
@rob21i I could sit in a (shallow) pool all day with this... but I won't.
@rob21i
if other phones are even a millimeter thicker than iphone, they start complaining and comparing, and then they wrap the iphone with such things making it a centimeter thicker than others ....
@rob21i
Can we have a less hardcore (no waterproofing) case for $110?
I know 5 people that would take those in a second.
Give Otterbox a run for their money.
@rob21i I could see it being useful if you owned a boat...and it made your phone float. So, it would mean you could use your phone on a boat without worrying about dropping it overboard.
@rob21i
But will it blend?
@rob21i
Could be great for kayaking or floating down the river in an innertube.
Personally I wish I would have had one of these on my last kayaking trip. I had my iphone in a heavy duty zip lock bag. I ended up falling out of they kayak once, and the ziplock failed me. Water still got inside it. Sure, 3 days in a bag of rice saved my phone, but it would have been nice to have a solution like this ahead of time.
@SeeKo They don't have cell phone coverage at beaches where you live?
@rob21i Anyone else take a look at that thing & get a sudden urge to say, "Beam me up Scottie?"
Just put the phone in a double-snap ziplock bag. Saves you $199.89 (+ tax)
leaving YOU a virgin.
The only people I can see this possibly being useful to are cyclists...rich cyclists...hmm, big market there.
@(Unverified)
Or people who want to track via GPS their swimming using a app like Cardio Trainer. They actually have swimming on the list of activities and I always tough that was funny....
@(Unverified)
That would be me. I wanted to add a GPS to my ipod touch anyway.
Now, are there any good geotagging apps for the ipod touch/iPhone to use with iPhoto and Aperture?
The only people I can see this possibly being useful to are cyclists...rich cyclists...hmm, big market there.
quite form fitting
Does it improve signal?
@techee44
Oh it isn't for iPhone 4? My bad. Please downrank me :(
Your wish is my command good sir!
-987
Depth of 1 meter for $200? LMAO, I'll just stick with a heavy duty double closure Ziploc bag.
@tyers
The post that this reply was attached to has been deleted. In other words, this space intentionally left blank.
Looks water-resistant, not waterproof.
How about you take away the GPS unit (since the phone already has one), take away the secondary battery and hack that price down to $50?
Survey says: They would sell twice as many units
Great for geocaching.
Great even more iPhone news. Maybe the antenna will work now! This should stay in Mobile, or are threading all articles to Engadget now?
This would be great for out on my kayak...if it also included a flotation device. That way it could fall out of the boat and float down river unharmed! Seriously...1m gets you nothing. Why don't they just call this a $200 splash guard.
my wayof making my iphone sweat resistant on a run (while in a armband):
http://www.americansweets.co.uk/ekmps/shops/statesidecandy/images/ziploc-sandwich-bags-box-of-50-1821-p.jpg
Engadget have it it all wrong, decimal in the wrong place and there's an extra number nine. It should be $19.99. =]
...in a twist of irony, I had a Magellan SporTrak GPS that was "IPX7" water resistant, that got destroyed when it was sitting on our canoe during a surprise rainstorm (not submerged, just rained-on.)
When I pointed out the IPX7 rating to an indian-accented "Bill" from customer support, he graciously offered to arrange to get my device fixed.
For $100 + S&H + minimum 2 weeks.
I could use this phone for my drunken pool party nights. I can even use the GPS to get myself back home!
This is actually perfect for iPod touches which turns them into very accurate GPS devices, WITH extended battery life AND can still run all the iPod touch software. You can't get all that even with a high-end Magellan unit selling for $400.
I would consider getting this just for the weatherproof case and extended battery. Which strangely enough there are very few (if any) extended battery cases made for the iPod touch, all of them seem to be made only for the iPhone. With that size battery, I am sure it would more than double the life of an iPod touch.
@adambant Wow, actually this is better than I thought. This case integrates a pair of external speakers which would GREATLY enhance the weak output sound of the built-in iPod touch "behind the screen" speaker. 3rd gen iPod touch isn't so bad, but second gen iPod touch is barely audible.
Also, Magellan gives a 15% discount to AAA members. Nice.
Looks like you can now use it to safely make and receive calls :)
I would find this to be a waste of money and time. Sure you can use this Magellan GPS kit for hiking, biking, and a few other things. Car driving would be pointless if you can't mount it to a windshield.
Water resistant to a meter (3.28 feet) in depth? Sounds fruitful for dropping it in a bathtub for 30 minutes. Water pool I agree with earlier post. The beach ocean I'm sure of wouldn't work good :D
Lastly it's advertised for 3G/3GS. 1.7 million people got i4 now and many more millions will soon pending up to 100 million iDevices with all of them mixed together.
Uh, no thanks Magellan.
Is the GPS in the 3GS/4 so bad that they need a second one?
@Xax
Yes...
@buchhla
Yikes. Just how bad is it?
@Xax
It works okay if you have cell tower access, but it has a TINY antenna and is not super accurate. When out of cell range, it is marginal at best...
1 meter for 30 minutes is just the minimum standard for being called waterproof. It does not mean this is the case's maximum workable depth. It's possible the case could protect the phone at greater depths for longer periods of time.
I could see how this case would be particularly useful for people embarking on long camping or hiking trips, where the battery must last a long time without a charge, a strong and accurate gps signal is required and ensuring the phone is protected during sudden rainshowers.
Remember Magellan was making GPS units for outdoor explorers long before in car units.
these comments are f-ing hilarious. For the realm that thing lives in, it's a great device.
Magellan, make it fit the iPhone 4 and rename it the Magellan Toughcase Antenna Bumper. You'll sell millions. :P
Make a case that can be submerge 100m for 2 hrs and I will buy without blinking. I won't be afraid to take my iPhone on a canoe when we go finishig!
I think this is slightly expensive, but as a boater I will still probably get one assuming my other non-Magellen software apps can see the GPS chip on it. I assume the GPS will be integrated similar to the tomtom car kit, but does anyone know if apps such as google maps or navionics can use the upgraded gps?
$199.99 is NOT the price of an iPhone 4. It's worth much more. It's just that the rest of the price is hidden in your contract. In countries where you can buy an unlocked phone and get a sim-only subsctiption this is much more apparent. Don't buy into this misleading pricing scheme.
What a waste of money. I could buy a BRAND NEW iPhone 4 with that amount of money.
durr i cant think of a use for this in my own tiny little world therefore it is useless
Does it improve the reception? I mean, it looks like you'd have a tougher time holding this the wrong way.