Summer is coming and with it the holidays, more outdoor activities and water, lots of water. Swimming pools, beaches, rivers, bicycles, mountaineering ... all with our devices always on top, and that implies a greater risk of being damaged, both by water and by shocks. Catalyst has been making protective and waterproof cases for Apple devices for years., and that is why we wanted to check how well they work.
Because even though the new iPhone and Apple Watch are water resistant, they are not water resistant in all circumstances, and it's not just water that is a risk for our beloved (and expensive) devices. We show you the options that Catalyst offers us to protect our iPhone and Apple Watch, either just for bumps and falls or also for water.
Catalyst Impact Protection Case
An ideal cover for day-to-day life, but one that is almost mandatory if we are going to do sports activities or that pose any risk to our iPhone. Very light and easy to put on, it is a cover with a conventional appearance with a transparent back, but that offers protection for falls up to 3 meters high, more than enough for accidental falls from our hands. Very light and with a transparent back, it is the cover I have chosen for daily use. In addition, its design is very discreet, with the free Lightning port to be able to place our iPhone on any charger, of course it is compatible with wireless chargers, and the wheel to activate or deactivate the silent mode of our iPhone is really comfortable, not like other cases similar that leave the side switch too low and difficult to access. The buttons have a good feel and are not hard at all, another fairly common failure of other models.
The cover includes a wrist strap that can be fixed in one of the corners and that will be very useful if you want to carry the case in your hand while doing any other activity. Although the screen and camera are uncovered, the case sticks out enough so that they do not contact any surface when placing the iPhone face up or down. With only 32 grams of weight it is very comfortable to wear, and does not add excessive thickness to the iPhone. You have it available in Amazon at a price of € 43,99.
Catalyst Waterproof Case
With an aesthetic very similar to the previous one, we can find a Catalyst case that goes further in terms of protection, since with it well placed we can use our iPhone at depths of up to 10 meters, with resistance to falls of up to 2 meters. The case consists of two parts that fit and seal your iPhone so that the whole is waterproof to the iPhone. The front part is therefore also protected and covered with a transparent foil With which you can continue using your iPhone in a normal way, even maintaining the 3D Touch. The Lightning port is sealed with a rubber cap that can be opened for charging, and the camera is also covered, except for the flash. I have not noticed problems with the photos when putting the case on, as long as you clean the lens well before putting it on. It is fully compatible with wireless chargers.
An ideal case to go to the beach and protect your iPhone from salt water and sand, and that even allows you to take pictures underwater (much easier if you use the volume button instead of the screen button). It can pose problems when trying to read small text in direct sunlight, due to the front clear sheet that makes the light reflect and not be seen clearly, not if you are in the shade or indoors, but what is an inconvenience that is compensated by the protection it offers us. The audio of the front speaker, that of the calls, is somewhat reduced, but minimally, and you can attend to phone calls without the slightest problem. Due to these minor inconveniences, it cannot be recommended for daily use, but It is ideal for when you are really going to take advantage of its virtues. In addition, placing and removing it is very simple, no tools are needed. You have it available in Amazon por 98,99 €.
Catalyst Apple Watch Waterproof Case
Just as we protect our iPhone we must protect our Apple Watch. Yes, the Series 2 is waterproof, but this case will allow us to dive up to 100 meters, a figure that practically any Apple Watch user will see more than enough for their needs. If you are going to go beyond the normal pool, it seems to me that This type of protection is highly recommended for your Apple Watch, especially if you plan to use it in salt water. In addition to the water protection it also protects against bumps and falls of up to 2 meters, which is also very interesting for the summer. The case includes the straps, which are interchangeable with any strap with conventional hooks. The screen is completely free, so the display is not affected.
The case consists of three pieces, two for the case and straps, and a silicone case that wraps the Apple Watch like a sock. To fix it we must screw a small screw with a screwdriver that is included in the box. The silicone sleeve completely covers the bottom where the heart rate sensor is, but it still works without any problem, checked. To access the crown and the side button we must use the crown and button that includes the case, but there are no problems, they work very well and the answer is the same as with the originals. It is true that the case is a bit bulky, but if you like sports-looking watches like the classic G-Shock, you will like this case even for day-to-day use. Available on Amazon for all models and sizes, be careful because you must look for the one specific to your model (Series 1, 2 or 3 of 38 or 42mm), also in various colors with a phosphorescent for the most daring. This white strap for Series 2 42mm is priced at € 65,99 at this link.
Catalyst 42mm Sport Band
Silicone sports covers are ideal for the summer because of their greater resistance to water and sweat and that is why we also wanted to try the alternative that Catalyst offers us. This sports strap is very similar in material and comfort to the official Apple ones, but with a somewhat different fastening system. The clasp is fixed twice, on the strap (using the holes that characterize its design) and on the loop. With this system, two things are achieved: that the strap adapts to any length and that the security of the fixation is high. This design also makes it perfect for bathing or playing sports because it allows moisture to dissipate easily.
The strap is fixed on the Apple Watch using hooks that allow the silicone strap to be separated, like any normal watch strap, and also with a very simple system that allows it to be done without tools. The touch is very soft and has a certain elasticity that It will allow you to fix it to your wrist for the best heart rate detection when you do sports activities. This strap can be used with the previous case that we have seen for Apple Watch. We have it available in various colors and for both 38mm and 42mm.
