johnlink

I'm looking for a way to protect my iPhone SE in the rain while I'm using it for navigation. Have any of you used either of the two options below? Do you have other suggestions?

1) Ortlieb Safe-it mounted on handlebar bag
https://www.ortlieb.com/us/safe-it-for-ultimate

2) LifeProof - Frē Protective Case in a handlebar mount
https://www.bestbuy.com/site/lifepro...?skuId=5184600

bikenh

Gee, why not just usea ziplock bag, you can buy them pretty darn cheap and they do the trick.

johnlink

I've used them and have had trouble seeing the screen.

Cyclist0108

The first one looks like it will do what you want.

The second one won't protect from rain, and we found out the hard way, won't protect the screen from anything else.

johnlink

How do you know the second one won't protect from rain? If that's right, it's unfortunate, because The Lifeproof Fre would work well with my Roam handlebar mount.

https://www.amazon.com/Roam-Universal-Premium-Phone-Motorcycle/dp/B01LWDCSIZ/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1547335279&sr=8-1&keywords=roam

fietsbob

As I understand it, Ortlieb handlebar bag's Top 2 have a touch screen through the window material in the top of their lid, on a waterproof handle bar bag...

the premier model includes electrical contacts in the bag mount, so you can add the charge while you ride options with power from the hub dynamo on your bike..

https://www.ortlieb.com/us/ultimatesix-proe

and all comes off the bike with the QR bag mount..





....

johnlink

I considered that Ortlieb bag with the window on its top, but read reviews that told about problems with the sun reflecting off the window. I see no easy way to adjust the angle of the bag in order to solve that problem.

veganbikes

My iPhone 5E for the past two years has been in a LifeProof Nuud case and have had zero problems in any conditions. My iPad mini has been encased in the Fré case for 5-6 years or so and also no problems. I would happily buy Lifeproof products again and again. They have proven themselves worthy.

fietsbob

Yea I can see it being flat, where the add on map case would be more irregular.. you can always drape something over it..
for that brief time the sun angle is just right to be reflective, It cannot be so all day..

to still charge while you ride, with all your electronics quickly removable


I toured (Europe) with big panel paper maps, in a sailor's chart cover to keep them dry.. Then cell camera phones were not yet a world wide phenomenon..




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johnlink

Thank you. I can't find a LifeProof Nuud for iPhone SE, but I see that they claim their Fre cases are waterproof (submersible 6.6 feet underwater for 1 hour).

johnlink

I toured through Illinois several decades ago using paper maps.

veganbikes

The Fré is just fine. It has a cover over the screen vs. the Nuud which doesn't but I have tested both on similar-ish products and both are excellent. You would be good with either one.

DrIsotope

No need to opt for a name brand. I buy whatever is cheap in waterproof cases on Amazon. Whatever case I pick is usually long gone by the time I need to replace it (9-12 months) so I just get one cosmetically similar and it works every bit as well. Never paid more than $22 for a waterproof iPhone case, and as a result, as soon as the screen protector starts to get scratched, I just buy a new one. Loads of 5S/SE cases on Amazon for $16-18. This is pretty much identical to the case I used for my SE, just with a different name.

johnlink

The page for which you posted a link says the following:That's excellent, and the price is just $15.88.

DrIsotope

And I buy mine never having the expectation of submerging the phone-- most of the time it's in my jersey pocket, so the phone gets home... umm, damp, whether it's raining or not. But I ride in the rain with no worries.

Also, the ability to attach a lanyard to the case is nearly invaluable.

johnlink

I need to be able to have my phone mounted on my handlebar for navigation when it's raining.

DrIsotope

I really like the Delta Smart Phone Mounts. Super secure, but still easy to get the phone out of the case. Mounts like Quad-Lock look great, but are crazy expensive and pretty much proprietary. The Deltas will hold most anything.

Aubergine 

alan s 

jefnvk

I have a similar Ortlieb, its not bad. You can tilt the bag to an extent with the cable mounting system, or just turn up the screen brightness.

That said, if you stop in the kayak/paddleboard section of any sporting goods store, there are numerous dry bags you can choose from. I've got a larger no-name one I got from Sierra Trading that can also hold a map.

indyfabz

I really like my LifeProof cover. You are going to want protection from drops anyway, so why not get a cover? Mine was a gift that included the mount. I have never used the mount because I don't use my phone for navigation.

fietsbob

I toured through Europe, Britain , their maps are better ... Now I have a nice collection..

johnlink

It's good to know the Quad Lock Poncho is waterproof.

johnlink

Good to know, but I'm sticking with my iPhone SE.

Sharpshin

The LifeProof case worked well for me on my SE in Ireland (and the UK and France) but I wasn't trying to navigate while riding. Biggest problem I had was once the outside screen on the case became wet, swipe and typing functions didn't work.