I finally bit the bullet and purchased a family iPad, mostly for my two boys (ages 6 and 11). I just spent a long time researching online a good case, but couldn't find one that had consistently good reviews with my requirements. I want it to be sturdy but not too bulky, water, sand resistant, etc. and most importantly a stand. Considering the price of the iPad, i'm willing to invest in a good one that will last. Any suggestions? thanks!
I don't know if Otterbox has anything that fulfills all your requirements, but they are top of the line up n terms of protection from drops.
If it were me, I'd go with Otterbox. Even if they don't have one that is water/sand secure, I'd still go with Otterbox, and just change how you allow it to be used to avoid instances where those things are likely to be an issue. Frankly, can't think of many situations where I would *want* to have it in use, that would involve this things. The beach? Why take an iPad to the beach? You're... at the beach. A pool? Same thing. Why?
Now, younger children, obviously you want the best protection you can get. Because they will drop it. It will get set down in a water spot (cold drink moved and a water ring on the table). It will have dirty hands using it. And so on. But, is it really likely to be used out in the yard or on the beach where there's a lot of sand? For me, that wouldn't be a high priority consideration. It just wouldn't go to those kinds of places.
I have put Otterboxes on every iPhone we own. And they all still work perfectly. iPhone 4S. Two iPhone 5Ss. And my iPhone 6. My husband (who uses my hand-me-down iPhone 4S) has soaked it from being caught in a rainstorm on the golf course (I mean torrential, hurricane type rain). It did get some water under the plastic case/screen cover. (Defender case) We took it out, put it in rice overnight, and everything was fine the next morning. Dried out the case completely, and air dried for any remaining moisture in it, and put it right back on the next day. That's been over a year ago.
Daughter (15) whose phone is over 2 years old (5S) just (for the first and only time) dropped hers from the bathroom counter into the toilet when she was getting into the shower. She grabbed it right back out, put it in rice for the day, dried out the case and her phone is still perfect. She did put a newer otter box on it afterwards, but I think it's because it scared her so much, and the one she had on it had started to separate some on the rubberized bumper part. I had already bought her a replacement, but she hadn't put it on it before the water drop incident.
I can't recommend Otterbox enough. Daughter has dropped hers on the garage floor a few times (slipped out of her hand while grabbing backpacks/musical instrument, etc). And it hasn't been an issue.
I have an Otterbox for the iPad mini my son uses and it is great. I can't tell you how many times he has dropped it and not a scratch. It cost about $60 on sale and I'm sure the full size ones are more expensive, but it's worth it. I've had it for almost two years now.
I've had an otterbox on mine for 3 years. Still going strong and not a scratch. Don't think they're sand and water resistant but it's held up and protected our iPad well. No scratches or issues. We travel extensively and if I bought another iPad I would buy another otterbox.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/like/161818356617?lpid=82&chn...
Hope this helps.
