This was my first Otterbox Defender series case.  I read a lot of reviews about how tough these cases are and the awesome protection they provide your phone.  I saw a video on youtube where someone that had this case on the Curve threw the phone 50 feet into the air and let the phone fall to what looked like its demise.  The person grabbed the phone, and held it up to the camera... still 100% functional.  I was immediately sold.  I purchased this case and anxiously awaited its arrival.