Last week we reviewed the Catalyst EscapeCapsule waterproof case, which was designed for the iPhone 4/4S. We thought it was a pretty decent product that offered good protection for the iPhone 4/4S against water, rain, sand, mud, bump and scratches. The overall build quality was good and believe it or not … it actually did what it says on the box. Today we get to test their latest waterproof case, the Survivor+Catalyst for the iPhone 5.
Here’s a little more about Catalyst … taken from their website.
| About Catalyst Lifestyle Ltd
Catalyst is a lifestyle accessories brand founded by adventure enthusiasts Josh Wright & June Lai to create innovative products that inspire people to go outside, experience adventure and connect with nature. As avid climbers and surfers, our values are to stay true to our roots, encourage people to explore, have fun outside, connect with others in our global community, and from a design perspective, to create products that are fun, pure and functional. Above all, we want to always be guided by our emotional connection to things that matter to us and our community. Catalyst’s Partnership with Survivor The Survivor + Catalyst partnership brings together Catalyst Lifestyle’s innovative design & development team in consumer lifestyle accessories with Griffin Technology’s unsurpassed 20 years of experience as one of the most established companies in the iOS accessory space, to bring the world’s best waterproof cases and related accessories to the market, that are superior in design, quality, functionality, and usability. |
According to Catalyst, this waterproof case
Watch the Video
Features and Specifications
Taken from Catalyst Lifestyle’s website ….
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Designed and built for freedom in and around water, Survivor™ + Catalyst® Waterproof iPhone 5 case is ready to go whenever and wherever adventure calls. The case is waterproof up to 3 meters (9.8 ft) deep and drop proof up to 2m (6.6 ft), at the same time providing you full access to all of the iPhone’s features to take photos and videos, make phone calls, send messages, listen to music and even quickly plug in your Lightning connect to recharge your iPhone without removing the case. This case features a visible seal. The crystal clear housing allows you to showcase your iPhone as well as allowing you to visually inspect the O-ring seal for reliable waterproof protection. Now you can stay connected and capture moments of a lifetime from all of life’s adventures with the Survivor™ + Catalyst® Waterproof case. The Survivor™ + Catalyst® Waterproof case for iPhone 5 is fully covered and sealed waterproof case engineered to protect the iPhone 5 from water, rain, snow, sand, mud, scratches or anything else that an adventure enthusiast can come up with. Each Survivor™ + Catalyst® Waterproof case is tested to meet our IPX8 waterproof standard of 3 meters deep for 30 minutes before being approved for sale.
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Box and Packaging
The packaging is decent and does well to protect the case itself. Upon unboxing, you’ll find a manual/booklet, a headphone jack port and a nylon lanyard. The manual is printed in several languages with instructions on how to use the case, which I thought was a nice touch.
What I like about the packaging, is that Catalyst has printed literally everything there is to know about this case on the back of the box. They makes sure that you can clearly see the main selling points of the Survivor+Catalyst iPhone 5 case. What are they? Well, it’s waterproof up to 3 meters (9.8 feet), drop-proof from a height of up to 2 meters (6.6 feet) and it’s dust, snow and dirt-proof.
When I first looked at this case, I thought OK … it looks good, but what’s so special about it? Well, on closer inspection, I found that the Survivor+Catalyst has a lot more to offer than its predecessor or other waterproof cases on the market. The overall quality is excellent. The casing itself is made from high quality polycarbonate and features an unique O-ring seal that ensures reliable waterproof protection, while the integrated TPE internal rubber bumper helps absorb shock and vibrations.
I like the fact that there are two screwable knobs which does something many other waterproof cases don’t. One of them actually controls the mute switch, while the other protects the headphone jack. Like the original Catalyst case, the Survivor+Catalyst for iPhone 5 features a waterproof membrane that covers the sound ports allowing you to make and receive regular and hands-free phone calls, videos, Facetime and voice memos.
I actually prefer this waterproof case
The optically clear scratch-resistant screen shield found on the case, is pretty sensitive and offers full touch functionality. But bear in mind that water droplets, dust, sand and snow does affect the sensitivityy of the screen.
There is a latch which is located at the bottom of the case. This can be unlocked exposing the Lightning connector, allowing to charge the iPhone 5 without having to remove the entire casing. Next to this latch, is the screwable knob. This can be unscrewed revealing the headphone jack … perfect for listening your favourite music. Again, no need to remove the entire casing.
In our tests (with the iPhone 5 fully encased), we dropped it from a height of 2 meters… it survived. Thank God. We then took it to the beach and went for a swim with a depth of approximately 3 meters. Again, no isues here. And we also did the usually burying it in a pile of dirt and sand in our backyard. I’m glad to say … it PASSED all the tests with flying colors.
Verdict and Conclusion
I think Catalyst has done a wonderful job of creating a “rugged” and “waterproof” case for the iPhone 5.
If you haven’t noticed this case is designed and created in partnership with Griffin Technology‘s (Survivor cases), which has over 20 year’s experience in producing high quality iOS accessories … hence the name Survivor+Catalyst.
What I like about the Survivor+Catalyst for iPhone 5, is that it offers so much more than its predecessor and other waterproof cases
Surprisingly, when your iPhone 5 is fully installed and fitted into the case, it doesn’t feel too clunky or heavy. I guess the slimmer, lighter and narrower iPhone 5 helped here.
In our tests (with the iPhone 5 fully encased), we dropped it from a height of 2 meters… it survived. Thank God. We then took it to the beach and we went for a swim with a depth of approximately 3 meters. Again, no isues here. And we also did the usually burying it in a pile of dirt and sand in our backyard. I’m glad to say … it PASSED all the tests with flying colors.
Pricewise, I was surprised to see that the Survivor+Catalyst for iPhone 5 costs the same as the original Catalyst for iPhone 4/4S. At $69.99 USD … I think it’s acceptable and I would definitely recommend it without a second thought. Maybe they should reduce the original Catalyst for iPhone 4/4S to $49.99 to make a distincttion between the two products.
Final words. If you’re an adventurer that loves the outdoors, then the Survivor+Catalyst waterproof case is a great product that’s highly recommended for anyone who owns an iPhone 5. The quality of the case is excellent and comes with some unique features that’s just not found on any other so-called waterproof cases.
SCORE
9/10
