Would Riddick use a ToughCase? Absolutely
The iPhone is doing considerable damage to the handheld GPS market. While the handheld GPS market has matured over the last few years, the market for the iPhone has exploded, in part to its versatility as a device other than just a phone. The app store has numerous GPS apps available for the iPhone, but the phone doesn’t lend itself too well as a device that you can get adventurous with due to its fragile physical nature. Every time I’ve dropped my iPhone, which is exactly twice in seven months of ownership, I pray that nothing has broken. Magellan, one of the largest makers of GPS units has decided to fortify the iPhone with a case that gives the iPhone a bit of heft to it but more importantly, a lot of protection. The case though, is only half the story.
Magellan ToughCase for iPhone works with iPhone 3G, 3Gs, and iPod touch
Called the ToughCase and made for the iPod 3G, 3GS, and iPod touch, Magellan has combined the protection of an Otterbox-like case with a built in 1840mAh battery for extended battery life that is ideal for those situations when you are out using the latest GPS apps on your iPhone, AND a built in high sensitivity SiRFstarIII GPS chipset that is accurate to 10-15ft and supports WAAS, EGNOS, and MSAS satellite based augmentation systems. This effectively boosts the GPS horsepower of the iPhone. The ToughCase also meets iPX-7 standards for 1-meter submersion for 30 minutes.
How does it work?
The screen and case offer 100 percent iPhone functionality. It features a mini USB port for charging the device as well as a headphone jack on the side of the case. Both mini USB and headphone ports are waterproof via o-rings that snap into place. When you open the case, you can see the rubber seal recessed into the case top. This is the main seal that protects the iPhone from water when submerged. Make sure that the seal is seated properly into position and close the cover and snap the side locks into place. You will feel an audible snap on both side locks. At the top of the case are two raised rubber buttons, one for the iPhone and one for the iPod. Each turns on the respective device. The unit also ships with a clip for attaching to your belt or pants that also serves wonderfully as a stand, keeping your iPhone horizontal on a flat surface so you can watch videos, read and the like. The iPhone camera is fully functional and there are built in speaker holes for the iPhone’s external speaker.
Who would benefit from such a behemoth iPhone case?
Would Riddick use a ToughCase? Absolutely. James Bond? Maybe, but the design is not really his style. The Magellan ToughCase is a monster of a case that won’t fit into any pant or shirt pocket. It is rugged, and unlike the iPhone, is built to withstand large drops, and is waterproof to one meter for 30 minutes. Will an urban fashionista benefit from the over built, over engineered ToughCase? Not really, though it would easily protect the iPhone in the urban jungle. I could see this case around a construction site, with a busy foreman taking constant calls from all over a job site and not having to worry about dust, water, or other elements associated with such an environment. Outdoor adventure enthusiasts would also benefit from the ruggedness of the ToughCase. Those who go mountain biking, (if RAM would build a handlebar mount that accepted the ToughCase, all would be good!) hiking, geocaching, and boating are just a few of the type of folks who would enjoy the protection the ToughCase offers to the iPhone, not to mention the GPS feature with the built in SiRFstarIII GPS chipset, effectively enhancing the GPS capabilities of the iPhone. Magellan has built a heck of a GPS system for the iPhone 3G and 3GS in the ToughCase. Match it with its RoadMate app (There are a variety of GPS apps available for the iPhone, and in addition to the Magellan RoadMate app for the iPhone, the ToughCase supports many other GPS apps) and you have quite the communicator.
Magellan ToughCase for iPhone
$199 MSRP ($179 street/Internet)
www.magellanGPS.com
