I’m hard on gear. It’s not because I’m hard core and I push things to the limit, it’s because I’m clumsy. You would never put me on short stop. This is especially concerning as I have taken the plunge and purchased an iPad that will become the navigation center for off road navigating. It will get dirty, wet, and nocked around, and that’s before you thrown Captain Coordination (that’s me) into the mix.

Upon my initial Google search I have found two popular solutions to armor the iPad:

The Otter Box Defender:



The Griffin Survivor:



I see pros and cons to both of these immediately. What sticks out to me most is that Otter Box has clearly chosen the better name, “Defender”, which hits home with me. Otherwise they both offer (from what I read) superb protection from the elements and from shock.

I imagine that there are others out there, so what are you using?

Make sure whatever you go with works with your mounting solution (e.g RAM Mount).

The Apple Store sells a rubberized coating that goes around the entire device (screen and all). It's a custom application and is fairly expensive (not a sleeve thing), but my friend who had it done loves it. The iPad is fairly durable on it's own as it has Gorilla Glass and an Aluminum case. since I have a RAM mount, I may get this coating applied to mine eventually. I want to try my friends in my RAM mount before dropping the bucks on it though.

Craig

Otterbox Defender for two years on my iPhone, do it!

Craig- do you have a link or something so I can see this magical coating? And are you using an iPad now?

Rus- The otter box is where I'm leaning, I was able to handle one yesterday and it seems well made. My only frustration is the price: $80!

Craig- I've heard good things about Ram Mounts, and they have a myriad of options and choices. What set up are you (or would you be) using?

I'm using an iPad now, though it's only been used in the Suburu. :(

I bought the standard RAM mount iPad holder with a single suction cup mount. I'm going to switch to a dual suction cup mount and a larger ball to see if I can get it more stable. Even in the Suburu on a bumpy highway it vibrated more than the rest of the truck.

I'll post a blog entry on http://spatialminds.com/blog tonight or tomorrow about all the gear I have. I took some video and photos when I first unboxed it, and used it on a trip to Yellowstone last week, so I at least have some initial impressions right now.

I don't have any info on the coating. but will ask my friend about it today.

That would be great Craig, Ram's options abound and without being able to rummage through their selection I am left with a blank stare on my face. I'm a tactile learner.

The coating is called Ghost Armor.

For use inside an SUV, I personally think it is more than adequate (I only use a cheap $5 rubber sleeve that I remove to use the RAM mount). I'll probably have it coated with ghost armor eventually, but that is mostly so it won't be so slippery to hold. The aluminum case slides off everything and is difficult to grip. I think the ghost armor will be compatible with the RAM mount.

Craig

I have the standard non locking holder, with the twist lock suction cup.

http://www.rammount.com/Portals/0/Skins/NationalProducts/images/ramb166ap8iu1.jpg

Just a thought here I was asking Craig about last week. In case youdidn't know it and haven't bought the iPad yet Apple is in production right now with a fall relaese of a new 7" screen iPad. The full size are 9+". I am waiting for the new 7" model and will have all my navigation loaded into it. I plan on using a Ram "power mount" docking station which powers the unit and charges the battery at the same time. It is a drop in unit and very nice. Look on the Ram Mount site for the various options. I just think the 7" screen and size will be a bit more manageable in a rig. I already have my HP netbook mounted in the truck in a configuration where I can work on it from the drivers seat when I am driving.

Anyway, just thought I'd mention the pending 7" iPad in case nobody has been made aware of it yet!

I just ordered the Otter Box Defender. There were two clear deal-killers with the Griffin Survivor:

- The forward facing camera is obscured
- The speaker is covered up and therefore not effective

For some these may not be cons, as the case does offer better protection from the elements because it offers less exposed surface area. I chose less protection to preserve all the functions of the device.

After the rally I'll do a full write-up of the software and hardware used for navigation.

I'm still balking over a mounting system. Honestly Ram Mounts is the only company in the game. Here are the contenders:

RAM-B-316-1-AP8


RAM-B-166-AP8U


RAM-B-166-TAB3U


Any thoughts before I commit?

Yeah... don't go with a single suction cup and a small ball. RAM makes dual suction cup mounts and much larger balls for the mounting system that are much sturdier.

Did you find the one Bruder mentioned above?

You're welcome to borrow mine to see how you like it before dropping cash on one of your own. I'm not positive, but I don't think the one I have is going to work for me over the long run.

Finally, contact Dustin Morrow about the RAM mount. He's a reseller and might be able to get you a good deal.

Craig

I wasn't able to find what Scott's talking about.

Craig- are you coming down South any time soon? It would be great to test your mount out before spending cash.

I have the otter box on my iphone and the griffin on my ipad. The griffin is better made and more robust. Problem with the otter box is the rubber cover is thinner and "sticky" so is hard to slide in and out of pockets/bags. The cover kept pealing off the plastic under frame all the time.

The Griffin cover is thicker and more of a polyurethane finish, so doesn't attract lint/dirt like the otter. After 6 months, I removed the otter cover from the iphone and use it "bare". The griffin only comes off the ipad every few months if it needs to be washed up. I found the griffin ports line up with the ipad's camera/headphones etc... better than the otter did on the iphone.
Ed

Posted By Luke Wright on 20 Jul 2012 12:51 PM
I wasn't able to find what Scott's talking about.

Craig- are you coming down South any time soon? It would be great to test your mount out before spending cash.

Maybe... I need to pickup some parts from Gord'n. I'm in the middle of a project though, so I haven't scheduled anything yet.

I'm not as far north as you might think... an hour and 15 minutes north of Seattle.

Craig