best iphone case for kayak? [update]

Lifeproof case worked great for mine when I WAS a fan of Apple.  After 2 years, the phone looked like it came out of the showroom case despite having been dropped in water, dust, dirt & thrown across a room into a rock wall.  Little $$ but worth it IMHO.  Would have bought one for my current phone but they are somewhat selective of the models they make them for.

Based on the reviews on Amazon, Lifeproof looks like it's hit or miss, without much in between. For the iPhone 6 model, 42% give 5 stars and 23% with 1 star...
 

I have a gps, though the screen is pretty small compared to my I Phone's, and my luck with electronics on the water is terrible, so I just got a throw away phone that doesn't need to be flipped open, that I keep inside a snack bag inside a small zip-lock (but much thicker material) style pouch tethered to my life jacket.
    For dry land use, I like the Otterbox. My new one is much better-constructed than the one I bought about 5 years ago.  I added a tether with a clip to it ( attached to a piece of credit card behind the hole in the back) so I don't lose it - the tether is short enough so the won't hit the ground if I drop it.  But I'll still find some way to ruin it.

I have a gps, though the screen is pretty small compared to my I Phone's, and my luck with electronics on the water is terrible, so I just got a throw away phone that doesn't need to be flipped open, that I keep inside a snack bag inside a small zip-lock (but much thicker material) style pouch tethered to my life jacket.
    For dry land use, I like the Otterbox. My new one is much better-constructed than the one I bought about 5 years ago.  I added a tether with a clip to it ( attached to a piece of credit card behind the hole in the back) so I don't lose it - the tether is short enough so the won't hit the ground if I drop it.  But I'll still find some way to ruin it.

I've got a super-cheapo-old-beat-up-piece-of-crap flip phone now, and I take that kayaking. That's more than sufficient for actual phone use.

Btw, I've also had some bad luck with electronics OTW. I had an awesome handheld GPS that now resides at the bottom of Lake Oroville. I'm hoping that the drought continues for a few more years so I can recover it. In any case (bad pun intended...), I really want to make sure that my iPhone doesn't meet a similar fate.

I use a Lifeproof and I will say it works well, when it works. By that I mean that I have two of them break the rubber edge and lose the seal. I will give them credit though for this. My first one went bad within a year. it was from using their waterproof float for it. I got in touch for warranty since it was less than a year old. They replaced it no questions asked. I now only put the phone in the float enough to have a tight fit, but not to the point where it will cause stress on the case. Still floats and is secure, but you can't take pics that way. Fast forward another year to about 3 weeks ago. I f'd it up, my fault. Jammed it in the rear door of my buddy's car door. OOPS!. Figured I would try the warranty route, even though it was now two years plus since I bough the first one. On the website all it asked for was the serial number and a picture of what it looked like. Also wanted when purchased. I just said a year ago since it was just year ago when I got that one. To their credit just as soon as I submitted the warranty info I got an email saying one would be shipped the next day. It arrived at my door 4 days later. So, product is ok and if taken care of will last a year or two. Service/warranty- excellent.

I have a lifeproof for my Galaxy S5 and the 1st one I had for a year or so had issues with my voice not coming through clear on calls.  I lost my phone at the Cape a couple months back and got it all replaced and the voice issue was fixed, but the bottom cover that you open to get to the charging point broke and then it fell in the ocean, but I have a leash on my phone.  Now I cant use it until I get the case replaced.  The case has worked great otherwise as long as you can get your hands semi dry.  Mine has been on all my salt trips the last 2 years now.  It holds up to my abuse and it definitely gets abused.  I post live reports from the Shelter Cove and Trinidad otw with my phone in the Lifeproof case.

I think its hit or miss with these waterproof cases. I originally had Lifeproof that lasted just a little under a year until it started to fall apart. I then purchased some Lifeproof knockoff for $3 each from Amazon. It was so cheap, I purchased 2. The first one lasted a year until it fell apart. I then used the spare case and after a week both volume buttons came off 3 days apart. Cant win.

The older model Samsung Galaxy 5 is already water resistant with no external case. I plan on upgrading to this phone within the next month & purchasing another Lifeproof case to house it. My old Lifeproof case has a crack in the frame where I dropped it onto a cement sidewalk but it was fine before that. Not sure but I don't think Iphone's are water resistant so it's nice to know that even if my Lifeproof case is damaged & water gets inside the S5 can handle some moisture. That being said I wouldn't deliberately submerge any phone in any case.

I use a lifeproof case because it isn't too bulky. When I kayak I put it into a ziplock Baggie also. That way it isn't likely to be flooded with water even if I go overboard. I can still use the phone in the Baggie, except for taking pictures.

Lifeproof case worked great for mine when I WAS a fan of Apple.  After 2 years, the phone looked like it came out of the showroom case despite having been dropped in water, dust, dirt & thrown across a room into a rock wall.  Little $$ but worth it IMHO.  Would have bought one for my current phone but they are somewhat selective of the models they make them for.

Based on the reviews on Amazon, Lifeproof looks like it's hit or miss, without much in between. For the iPhone 6 model, 42% give 5 stars and 23% with 1 star...

The issue iv'e "heard" with Amazon being hit & miss for this case has to due with knock off cases.  I read an article somewhere that talked about Amazons lack of control over what is being supplied to them to be re-sold.  For some items, I'm willing to pay a little more to purchase from a brick & mortar store that is purchasing direct, not acting as a distribution middleman in an effort to purchase the real-deal item.  I have a strong feeling this is what happened with Amazon & a large number of items.

I have an Otterbox Armor:

http://www.amazon.com/OtterBox-Armor-Series-Waterproof-iPhone/dp/B00B59NKUM

Thing is bomb proof...bulky as heck, but I take it out on yak with me all the time and no worries about water or salt or sand or shock.

I bring it in a Ziploc bag with a little towel to dry my hands...I find once my fingers are wet and cold from diving that sometimes the screen won't read them.

I use the Navionics Boating app to mark spots and navigate back to them.

Love it.

 

Sincerely,

Jim

Otterbox Armor!!!

I dove into pools with it, video taped my gBabies under water and haven't had any problems of moisture in the case at all.....

I got an Otterbox Defender series 3 case for my iphone 4s because it came in camo, about 2yrs ago (from Cabelas). It fell off my dresser onto hardwood floor and completely shattered the glass iphone screen (from a height of approx 4ft). Disappointed, I called customer service because it was practically brand new; I only had it for about a month. No dice...Otterbox refused to provide any form of compensation/apology for my broken phone. So, screw Otterbox! They can go eat a bag of dicks.   

I got an Otterbox Defender series 3 case for my iphone 4s because it came in camo, about 2yrs ago (from Cabelas). It fell off my dresser onto hardwood floor and completely shattered the glass iphone screen (from a height of approx 4ft). Disappointed, I called customer service because it was practically brand new; I only had it for about a month. No dice...Otterbox refused to provide any form of compensation/apology for my broken phone. So, screw Otterbox! They can go eat a bag of dicks.

C'mon, tell us what you really think...

i use both lifeproof and optrix cases for my IP5 (and LP for my ipad). 

Got LP from a three years back when my friend worked there, preacquisition by otter.
The optrix i bot on amazon along with the handlebar mount for my bike.

have found both to be durable enough for my needs.

For ease of use, optrix >> LP.  no having to peel apart and reseal a klugey ass gasket.  Just place into sled and pop into case.  It is a little buklier tho.

Whatever you do, make sure you buy a float.  Both LP and Optrix have good float options.

http://www.amazon.com/Optrix-CycleX-handlebar-Waterproof-iPhone/dp/B00Q75EUFS

I use Optrix and Hitcase for my old iPhone 5s. I haven't had any issues with either and frequently use them for footage.