On the heals of reviewing the Wavetooth waterproof Bluetooth headset, we thought we would turn our sights towards waterproof cases for your Windows Phone. Overboard offers a waterproof case over at the WMExperts.com Store that fits a wide assortment of Windows Phones.
We decided to take a look at the Overboard Case with the HTC Tilt2. As customary, just follow the break to see if the Overboard left us high and dry or sopping wet.
First Impressions
My first impressions on the Overboard waterproof case wasn't really good. The case is made of .42mm soft PVC and felt a little flimsy. The case utilizes a slide seal system to keep water, dust, grit and grime away from your Windows Phone. I have to admit, I had my reservations on how water tight the slide-seal system would be.
The Overboard Case is packaged with a D-hook and lanyard. The lanyard is long enough to wear the case around your neck or you can use the D-hook to secure the Overboard case chair, pack, life-vest, etc.
Fit and Feel
The Overboard Case was a little on the snug side with the Tilt2. There was plenty of room once you put the Windows Phone in the case but the inside has a tacky feel to it. The tackiness makes the plastic cling to the phone and there's barely enough room to wiggle the phone into the case.
Removing the Tilt2 from the case was just as challenging. Because of the tackiness, the case simply didn't want to let go of the phone. You have to put some effort to pull the phone out and I feared that the plastic would tear. While I have my reservations on the sturdiness of this case, it survived being pulled, twisted and stretched rather nicely.
Once you get the phone seated in the case, the plastic clips fold together and two tabs lock it closed. This seals the PVC case closed and should prevent any moisture, dust or sand from reaching your Windows Phone.
There is a concern with the clip in that it's hollow to allow for the tabs to lock. The clip itself isn't waterproof and in sink testing the case, a good amount of water collected in the clip. In reading the instructions, the manufacturer suggests you shake our excess water from the clip to prevent water from entering the pouch when opened.
I was able to use my Tilt2 while it was in the Overboard case. The touch screen performed normally, speaker volume was good through the plastic and while my voice was muffled slightly when speaking through the case, you could understand what I was saying.
How waterproof is it?
I didn't have the opportunity to take the case up to the lake to test but I did run it through the sink test. As far as being waterproof, my Tilt2 stayed high and dry. As far as floating, my Tilt2 sank like a rock.
Overboard markets this case as being able to float with most phones. Apparently the Tilt2 doesn't qualify as most phones. I also tried it with the lighter Samsung Jack and it too sank like a rock.
While I am certain some phones may float while in the Overboard Case, I wouldn't bet the farm on it.
Overall Impression
While the Overboard waterproof case didn't make a very good first impression, after handling it for a few days I began to feel a little more comfortable with it. My main concerns with the Overboard is how challenging it was to place/remove the phone from the case and that the clip itself isn't water tight.
For poolside, lakeside or on the beach this case should be adequate protection from sand, dirt and splashes. However, I wouldn't trust the Overboard Case to keep my Windows Phone floating should it go overboard.
You can pick up the Overboard case for $24.95 over at the WMExperts.com Store.
