[GUIDE] Otterbox commuter is compatible with docks

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I had an otterbox commuter since I bought my Atrix, but after getting a couple of docks I jettisoned it. Well last weekend I smashed it to pieces, so for it's replacement I was determined to get the docks and the case to play nice.

I was shocked at how easy it really was. First remove the dock insert, then on the silicone under-layer of the case, simply cut off the plug covers and the phone plugs right into the dock without any hassle.

But I wasn't done, in that configuration the whole phone is basically supported by the usb port. An accidental bump or nudge could render the phone nonchargeable- no good. So I set to work with an exacto knife trimming out the dock insert until it was just right to provide support to the back of the case, broke out a little sand paper to smooth out the roughest portions, and presto! Pics below.

Oh yeah, before anyone brings it up, I'll be seeing what I can do about the car dock next.

Any idea if the defender could work

Sent from my MB860 using XDA

I've never actually put hands on the defender, so I don't know how much chunkier it is than the commuter. It looks like the defender layers are reversed; the hard candy shell inside, and the rubber around that? Try putting the case in the dock without the insert, and without the rubber wrapper, and see if the usb plug reaches the phone. If so, it may be worth trying cutting the port plugs off. Otherwise, it depends how hands on you want to get with removing more from the dock than just the insert. But the standard docks are $15 on amazon, so if you hack it all up to pieces and it doesn't work, you've not lost too much in the name of science.


As it happens, I took my dremmel to my car dock last night and it was promising at first, but by the time I got enough material removed for the phone to sit in the dock with the case on, it was being held less snugly than it is in my standard dock, and I hadn't even worked out how to get the usb plug to line up right. [sour grapes] I hate the car dock launcher interface anyways, so I'm just going to buy a second standard dock and mount it to my dashboard.

Ummm....if that's an Otterbox Commuter on your phone in those pics...it don't look nothin' like the two I have or the one's on Otterbox's website.

Originally Posted by rusreid

Ummm....if that's an Otterbox Commuter on your phone in those pics...it don't look nothin' like the two I have or the one's on Otterbox's website.

Don't know whose website you're visiting, but the commuter case is as shown below. The first pic in op was just the gooey center so you could see where the cut was made. From the front you can't see much of the hard candy coating anyhow, but it was there....

In that first pic, it looks like there's a different plastic shell on the front side. I see it now though. Sorry 'bout that.