Review: Trident Aegis case for HTC EVO 3D
Those who have followed my previous HTC EVO 3D case reviews know of my affinity for products marketed in yellow and black boxes by a company out of Fort Collins, CO. However, when I got a chance to get my hands on a new case by Trident, my first impression was pretty favorable.
But first impressions being what they are. I wanted to put the company's protective Aegis case to the test with everyday use for a bit before posting a review.
I can comfortably say that this case will not appeal to everyone, but it is darn solid. Trident rules not only the sea but may soon gain some ground in the case market.
The Trident Aegis runs $29.95 and comes in five different colors: black, blue, green, pink, and red. Prior to this case, my only experience with Trident cases was via web reviews. They looked hokey (darn near comical) and there was no way I was going to clothe my phone in what I saw. This alone kept me away from them.
The Aegis is still a beefy design that many will want to avoid, but it is much slimmer in size and feel than the OtterBox Defender Series (its most direct competition).
It also does require some patience to get installed. You'll have to massage the silicone into place so the plastic shell fits properly around it. For those of you who like to be able to remove the case and swap batteries, etc. I'd suggest going in a different direction. You'll go mad.
This case is based on the same basic design that is becoming more common for solid cases. The shock absorbing silicone sleeve is encased by a durable polycarbonate shell, allowing the case to slide in and out of pockets easily. The high quality 3M screen protector also keeps the screen safe from scratches and smudges while maintaining total touch screen responsiveness.
The grill type design at the top of the case reminds me of Darth Vader's mask. Being a Star Wars fanatic, I am okay with this. I even changed my wallpaper to accent it. It is probably one of my least favorite elements of the case, though.
The upside of the design is greater protection for the speaker and front-facing camera. The fact that the silicone comes down to the top of the screen means that a more specific touch is needed when pulling down the notification screen.
Absolutely everything on the sides of the phone is covered with the exception of the 2D-3D switch.
One of my favorite aspects of this case is the increased travel and feedback you get with the power button and volume rocker. Much less effort is required to depress them and there is almost a "click" feel to them now. Trident does this without putting any additional strain on the buttons themselves.
The silicone is a great deal thicker than that found on the OtterBox Commuter Series case (my other favorite) and this does increase the bulk of the phone. By adding the thickness, especially at the corners, the Aegis provides much more drop protection and surface separation for the screen and camera pod.
Also worth noting is that the back of the case covers almost all of the signature red ring around the camera (everything but the speaker, for obvious reasons).
Another thing I have enjoyed so far is the anti-skid benefit, whether face-up or face-down. The Trident seal found on the back allows for just enough grip to keep the phone in place when it is placed on a dash or arm rest in the car.
All in all, this is one of the best cases I have ever used. I've never felt so secure with a case's ability to protect my phone (not even the OtterBox Defender Series), which is saying quite a lot.
If you are torn between the OtterBox Defender and Commuter, I'd say this is dead center between the two. If you're looking for something with more flair, then look elsewhere. But if you want maximum protection and minimal bulk to go with it, this is your winner.
Among other places, the Trident Aegis case for the HTC EVO 3D can be purchased directly from Trident for $29.95.
