The Otterbox 1921 case is the most extreme Treo case I've ever seen. It looks more like military hardware than a phone case.

Let me say straight away that this case isn't for everyone. If you want a non-obtrusive case to provide basic protection to your device while you're in the office, then look at something else. But if you want to take your Treo with you while you enjoy the great outdoors, or if you need to protect your Treo while doing construction or other physical work, then keep on reading.

The case comes in two parts that join together to provide a snug protective cocoon for your Treo, while still allowing you to still use all its functions.

All the possible gaps in the case are protected to provide a dustproof and water resistant seal. Where the two parts join together there is a rubberized o-ring. The headphone jack and power/hotsync connection are covered by a rubberized plug, allowing you easy access to these ports when needed.

The Treo screen gets two layers of protection; there's a hard clear plastic door to prevent impact injuries to the screen, and a screen membrane that allows you to use the touch screen while keeping out any dirt or water.

The entire Qwerty keypad is replicated in soft rubber keys. All of the letters and symbols are printed onto the keys so you don't have to remember that the R key doubles up as the 2 key. Strangely, none of the hard keys are labeled, which is fine for experienced users but if you're new to Treos, this might cause some problems.

The screen membrane, keypad, o-ring and socket plug are all user replaceable, so if your case does start to show its age or gets damaged, you do have the option to repair rather than replace the case.

There is a small window on the back of the case so that you can still use the camera.

You can still use all the side keys of the Treo as they are replicated on the case.

As the Treo 680, 750 and 755p are nearly identical in shape the case is designed to fit any of these Treos. Unfortunately, these Treos are not identical; the infra red port on the 680 is at the top, whereas the IR port is on the side of the 750 and 755p. This case has a window to allow the use of the IR port on the side, so if you have a 750 or 755p you can use the IR port without removing the Treo from the case, but if you have a 680 you must remove it.

Next to the IR port the case has two ridges of rubberized plastic that you can use to hold your stylus.

The stylus is held quite securely, but if you were going to routinely keep your stylus on the outside of the case I would be tempted to buy some spare styli as I am sure sooner or later you would lose the stylus.

Otterbox describes the case as dustproof, and says that it protects the Treo from crushes and drops. I have to admit that I didn't try to crush the case or drop it off a roof top for obvious reasons. But just looking at the thick tough plastic and rubberized interior and exterior, I believe this case could survive almost any thing you threw at it. If you want a case that will survive a 2 meter drop onto concrete, then this will do it. I tried such a drop and the case performed perfectly, and hardly has a mark on it!

The case is described as water resistant; not waterproof. I played around with the case and found that if submerged for more than a few seconds, a few small drops of water will enter the case through the membranes that cover the speakers. This probably gives you enough protection to save your Treo if dropped into a swimming pool or river and quickly retrieved. Rescuing your Treo would be made easier by the fact that, when in the Otterbox, your Treo is transformed from a lead brick to something closer to a toy boat.

The case also came with a belt clip accessory. To fit the belt clip you need to use the supplied hex wrench to remove the standard clasp and replace it with the clasp that fixes onto the belt clip.

You can easily add or remove the belt clip, but when removed you're left with a post sticking out. The belt clip appears well made; it holds the Treo securely on your belt and allows the case to rotate freely.

I don't think this a case that your average Treo owner would use every day of the week. However, if you enjoy outdoor pursuits like hiking or mountain biking and want to take your Treo with you without fear, then seriously consider this case. At $99.95, it's expensive but offers unrivaled levels of protection.

Otterbox also offers a similar case for the Treo 650/700P/700W.

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