WaterproofCase
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Review: Griffin Survivor + Catalyst waterproof iPhone 5 case
The Griffin Survivor + Catalyst waterproof case (US$69.99) is said to keep your iPhone dry up to 3 meters deep in water and protect your iPhone from drops from a height of 2 meters or less. On a day-to-day basis I don't use a case for my iPhone. However, there have been plenty of occasions when I've wished I did use one, so as not to worry about protecting and shielding it in certain situations, like when I'm at the beach, hiking or camping etc. Design The Griffin Survivor + Catalyst (GSC) case has TPE shock-absorbing bumpers, a PET-integrated screen cover, a silicone O-ring to seal the case together and keep water out, and a polycarbonate frame. Though light, it feels sturdy -- especially with an iPhone inside it. Two nylon latches lock the case together, there's a charge port door as well as volume control, home button and power button. It also comes with a lanyard to attach to the case. On the back panel of the GSC are two latches that release the back panel from the rest of the case. The silicon O-ring seal wraps around the edges of the back panel. The GSC comes with two large-print A3 pages of instructions and a bright red alert card placed within the case that tells you to follow the instructions precisely or there will be "damage to your device." Function I've never used a waterproof case before, so I read the instructions through very carefully. Griffin tells you to do a test on the case every time you use it to make sure the seal is intact and the case isn't damaged in anyway. This involves checking for damage or dust within the case, its latches and buttons, and assembling it without the iPhone inside and submerging it in water for 30 minutes. If you see water bubbles coming from the case straight away there's a problem with the seal or the case is damaged. If there are no air bubbles and after 30 minutes you remove the case and there's no water present inside, you're good to go at placing your iPhone in the case. Of course once you've inserted your iPhone you need to make sure the seal is flush with the case again and check it all fits snugly together. I did the test and found no air bubbles or signs of water in the case after 30 minutes. So I took the plunge and put my iPhone 5 into the case exactly as prescribed in the instructions. It's always a little frightening to place expensive gear in harms way, but I took a deep breathe (for me and my iPhone) and placed it in my basin of water. I was reluctant to leave the phone submerged for too long, so I gave it 30 seconds, scrolled through the lock screen to the home screen, swiped through a few pages of apps. and pulled it out again. Thankfully, after opening up the GSC I found no water on my iPhone, though I did find the experience a little nerve wracking. I decided to repeat the experiment again, but this time use some tissue paper instead of my iPhone, and leave the case in water for much longer than 30 seconds. Unfortunately, after about 40 minutes I did notice there were some small droplets of water within the case and parts of the tissue paper were damp. I can only assume that this time round I didn't quite get the assembly of the case right. If you're ever in doubt, Griffin has an extensive range of support articles and videos on how to test and look after the GSC Conclusion In terms of protection against the elements and accidental drops, the GSC really stands up and I can't fault it. If my iPhone were to fall in water, it would be protected well on a bad day if not entirely on any other. The case obviously adds some bulk to your iPhone, but I've seen and used bulkier cases. It's not unattractive and Griffin says it will be releasing some more adventurous colors next year. The lanyard attachment is a practical addition, too. Pros Good to excellent protection from drops and the elements, including dust, sand and water. Protects your iPhone in submerged water Good looking and functional for a case of this design Light weight Cons Somewhat laborious process to ensure the case is entirely waterproof There are still times when some water may get through if the case isn't assembled and tested properly. Who's it for? Those who use their iPhone in extreme environments and don't want to worry about damage from the elements.
Grace Eco Pod case: Take your iPhone / iPod touch for a swim
Want a case for your iPhone or iPod touch that is not only waterproof, but floats when dropped in water? Would shock resistance be an extra added bonus for you? The Grace Digital Audio Eco Pod (US$49.99) case definitely fits the bill if you need all of this protection and the ability to clamp it on a bike as well. While it's not the most svelte iPhone case at 1.75" thick x 4" wide x 6.75" tall, the Eco Pod is probably the case you'd want your device wrapped in at the beach, while camping, or on a long bike ride in challenging weather conditions. In case you're wondering why it's so big, it's probably because the Eco Pod is designed with a bit more room inside so you can also stuff your credit card, driver's license, and some cash in there along with your iPhone or iPod touch. The Eco Pod comes with a pair of waterproof earbuds should you wish to listen to music in the shower or while snorkeling, and is made of a tough polycarbonate to protect your device from drops or falls. The case is bright orange, useful if you happen to drop it while at the beach, skiing, or it floats off along with your trunks while snorkeling. %Gallery-141938% Other features of this case include IPX7 approval (that's the international waterproofing standard), a clear view front panel so you can see if your stuff if still in the case, a exterior pressure release valve that insures that the case closes air tight but can still be opened at both low and high altitudes, and a very cool carabiner clip to attach the Eco Pod to your backpack, tent, or ski parka. There's also a built-in belt loop, and if you're a biker, you can purchase an optional bike clamp for $9.99 and stick the EcoPod on your handlebars for your listening pleasure. TUAW readers should note that you cannot use the iPhone or iPod touch without actually opening up the Eco Pod and manually fiddling with your device. If you need something that's waterproof, but still allows you to use the device while it's in a case, consider the LifeProof cases -- they're much more expensive, but work flawlessly in a lot of nasty conditions while providing touch access to the screen.
Eco Pod waterproof case keeps your device dry while you're riding dolphins
When we're out on the water, we're constantly longing to take our phones and mp3 players for a swim with us... aren't you? Now we can enjoy a little "I'm on a Boat" when we're actually on a boat -- thanks to Grace Digital Audio's Eco Pod -- without worrying about our handheld's survival. The company announced today that its latest sand, shock and waterproof enclosure is now available -- and it even comes with a set of waterproof earbuds. While the added protection will set you back $50, the ability to bump Katy Perry while exploring a coral reef is, indeed, priceless. Scope out the full PR after the break for all the specifics, and get your white water rafting playlists ready.
Canon VIXIA HF G10 boasts HD CMOS sensor and manual focus, joins new M, R, and S series camcorders
Another year, another revamping of your favorite company's camcorder lineup. Today's Mad Lib-esque fill-in-the-company-name is Canon. The VIXIA HF G10 is its new flagship with the approximately 2 megapixel (i.e. 1920 x 1080 resolution) HD CMOS sensor, a 10x optical zoom, manual focus ring, 3.5-inch touchscreen LCD, 32GB internal memory, dual SDXC slots, cinema filters, and a $1,499 price tag due in March. The M-Series all have the same HD CMOS sensor, 10x lens, 3-inch touchscreen cinema filters, dual SDXC slots and fits neatly into the new WP-V3 waterproof case. The 32GB M41, 16GB M40, and card slot-only M400 are coming in March for $799, $699, and $649 (the related case is $599 and coming out a month prior in February). The S30 has an 8.59 megapixel sensor, 3.5-inch touchscreen LCD, 32GB internal space, and is coming March for $1,099. Lastly, the new R-series. A 3.2 megapixel sensor, 3-inch touch panel LCD, HD-to-SD down conversion, dual SDXC slots, and 20x zoom. $499 for the 32GB R21, $399 for the 8GB R20, and $379 for the internal storage-deprived R200, all due out in February. We'll get hands-on when we can; in the meantime; lock your biological viewfinder on the pictures below. %Gallery-112558%
H2O Audio case turns your iPod nano 5G into underwater camcorder
Bank account not mighty enough to handle an underwater EOS 5D Mark II? Fret not, 'cause H2O Audio just made underwater Terminator captures a reality for a comparative pittance. Said outfit has been cranking out waterproof shells for Apple's cash cows for awhile now, but the latest one is of particular interest due to the iPod nano 5G's integrated video recorder. The $79.99 case enables you to capture video clips while under the sea, and considering the multitude of wild and wacky scene modes, we'd say next summer just got a lot more interesting. Just ask that dude up there if you don't believe us.
Waterproof ContourHD case enables head-mounted video captures under the sea
Look, you've always known that you were the next Kelly Slater, but you've never had the outlay to hire a professional recording team to capture your rides off of Oahu's stunning north shore. Thankfully for you, your extreme sporting dreams are about to become a reality courtesy of a $39.99 waterproof case, which has just been released to encase VholdR's ContourHD and ContourHD1080p helmet cams -- which we just so happened to take a look at ourselves earlier this year. Said case can withstand liquids for up to ten meters deep, and just in case you're in the accessorizing mood, the outfit has also released a handlebar mount, vented helmet mount, and a lens kit to its accessory range. Granted, all of this stuff will be rendered pointless when we start embedding HD cameras into our retinas, but we suppose it'll do the trick until that fateful day.
Waterproof 5D Mark II housing allows for 1080p under the sea
People are already using Canon's groundbreaking 5D Mark II to shoot feature films, but we never thought we'd see the next Jaws captured with a DSLR. 'Course, whether or not Mr. Spielberg will actually choose to use one remains to be seen, but at least the option's there now. Famed underwater imaging company Sea&Sea has just outed its newest waterproof casing, promising to keep the 1080p-capable DSLR safe for up to 60 meters under the surface. The only issue? It'll set you back almost as much as the camera body, or ¥283,500 ($2,998). Good thing you've got a Hollywood-sized budget, yeah?[Via Akihabara News]
