The Ballistic Hard Core Series is my personal pick for protection.  If you need a Tank for your iPhone, HTC, Galaxy, etc…  This case has it all. 

1. They use a flexible polycarbonate frame.
2. Composite rubber barrier around the polycarbonate.
3. Thick silicone for additional cushion.
4. Built it clear polycarbonate screen protector
5. A track made of the same composite rubber as the barrier, which lifts up the device.
6. Integrated port plugs.
7. A clip made by AGF.

What does all this mean? It means we have serious hardware for our devises. 

Let’s start with the polycarb they use.  Polycarbonates are supposed to be fairly indestructible. This isn’t always the case. Thickness of said polycarb, density, rigidity, and amount of force applied is a determining factor.  Ballistic went with a flexible versus rigid.  The colored plastic will flex and transfer energy versus fighting and cracking.  Can it crack? Yes, but it takes some serious juice to do it. 

Next we have the composite rubber which surrounds the case.  Composites are usually rubbers integrated with some type of fiber to make sure the bonds are stronger.  What you get here is a stiff rubber capable of absorbing impacts.  The Ballistic HC also fashions the composite into notches along the top and side of the case.  This prevents the case from landing flat by forcing it to buckle.  All of this is perfect for transference of energy.

The additional silicone layer is added cushion for the HC.    The cases are already designed to transfer energy.  The silicone is merely a bonus for those days when you mistake your phone for a baseball.

The track is part of the internal structure that is attached to the composite backing.  It raises the phone a bit off the back of the case.  I’ve yet to see the back of a Ballistic HC case break, and we hit it with an eighteen wheeler.  Check out the video here!

Ballistic HC’s used to have port plugs integrated with the silicone rubber.  Now it is integrated to the hard shell.  One of the best things about the Ballistic HC is that It does not require the silicone for it to be protective!  This means the issue with silicone’s grabbing ahold of your HAIR, and everything else you own, can be done away with, while still be protecting your cell phone.  Now that the port plugs are on the case, you don’t have to worry about dust, rain, etc… whilst sporting it without the rubber.  But remember, if you plan on doing something crazy, Use the Rubber.

The clip is made by AGF. If you ever bought a slim hard case that came with a clip, it probable came courtesy of AGF.  Clips come in all shapes and sizes, and usually take the brunt of abuse.  Ballistics’ Clip has fewer issues than its competitors like Otterbox Defender, Trident Kraken, and Griffin Survivor.  Is it perfect? NO.  But I rarely know someone that has issues with it.

 In conclusion, Ballistic Hard Core, is more versatile than its competitors, yet lacks some of the color schemes others have.  But it is called the hard core.  Check out the Zellatek store to see the colors offered.  And with Ballistic's one year warranty, what is there to lose?

       Here are some useful terms that I use all the time. I use them to make cases relatable to real world interaction. I find that it gives people a quick burst of knowledge which leads to a better understanding of what they are looking for in a case, and to help avoid my long technical explainations. The terms I use are Tank, SUV, and Economy Class. Each of these represent a protection class in the world of smartphone cases. They are defind as such:

       Tank Class:  Currently, the highest grade of protection. These cases are larger than the everyday case. they usually incorperate both silicone, usually for shock absorbtion and water resstance, and hard plycabonates/plastics. Most have built in screen protectors as well made from a thin translucent plastic. Tank in reference to the durability and massive size of acctual tanks do to the materials used to constuct them. They withstand serious damage, but lack the versatility of smaller vehicles. Pro, if you plan on destroying your phone with a toss at a wall, running it over with a truck, or dropping it in a toilet these cases are for you. Con, if you want a case which fits smoothly into your pocket, or still feels like the Phone you purchased, this case is not for you.

        Examples: Otterbox Defender, Ballistic HC, Trident Kraken II/AMS, Lifeproof, Griffin Survivor, And more that are comparable to these.

       SUV Class: This refers to a mid-grade protection. These cases, on average, are smaller than Tanks. These cases can be made out of hard polycarbonates/plastics, flexible polycarbonates, hard rubber, or a combination of silicone rubber and polycarbonate. Also, They tend to provide a screen protector which is applied to the front of the Phone. SUV is in reference to the better protection an SUV provides over smaller vehicles. They protect against everyday drops, scrapes, and mishaps. You can drop these on the floor, down a few steps, things like that. They are versatile enough to park just about anywhere. Meaning, they fit in and out of your pockets, are less cumbersome, and still offer solid protection. Con, on average, not water resistant, not able to survive toss at the wall, running over by cars, and overall extreme abuse. If you are not extremly hard on your Phone, and seek versatility, these cases are for you.

       Examples: Otterbox Commuter and Reflex, Ballistic SG, Trident Aegis and Cyclops, Skech Hard Rubber, Rise, Shine, CJ Flip, and any other comparable cases.

       Economy Class: These are low-grade case protection. These cases tend to be slim, nice looking, and cheaper cases. They offer plenty of style, but less protection. Most do not provide screen protectors. They can be made out of thin plycarbonate/plastic, rubber, silicone, leather, and more. The also tend to have more designs, bling, sparkles , etc... They can offer little to no protection. If they offer protection, its for a quick drop to the floor, and thats it. The silicone/rubber cases offer slip resistance. SomeEconomy Class usually look cuter than other cases. Cute, on average, means for show not protection. This case is for those folks not ruff with their phones, love aesthetics more than protection, or like to still feel like they are holding the Phone they purchase.

       Examples: Otterbox Impact, Ballistic LS, Trident Perseus, Bling cases, Skech Slim, Cutom Jacket, Gel cases, and other comparable cases.

        It is important to note these terms are Generalizations, and not specific to every type of case out there. For instance, a person could have a Hummer (Otterbox Reflex) versus a Ford Explorer (Trident Aegis). Both are from the SUV Class, but one is clearly more heavy duty than the other. We could also have an Escalade(Skech CJ FLip) versus a Jimmy (Otterbox commuter). One has a sleaker high end style over the other. There are many ways to usethese terms. So use them and start exploring new levels of awareness.

 This is Guru DJ, hoping to have raised your awarness alittle more this day.

 Thank you for reading.