To me, a phone is just a tool. But considering how much we rely on that tool, I like to protect mine. My last phone had a Trident case which added some bulk, but also offered plenty of protection, regardless of the activity I was engaged in. When I saw that Trident Kraken cases could be used with a handlebar mount, I reached out to see if I could test them out together.
If you’re not familiar with the Trident Kraken A.M.S. (MSRP $49.95), this case comes with a blue, green, pink, or red silicone inner, and a black two-piece, snap on outer. All the ports, as well as the buttons, have some sort of rubber cover. This combination meets or exceeds military standards. In the real world, that means drop protection, along with defense against dust, water, and even vibration. You can’t swim with your phone, but you can run in the rain, ride your mountain bike on dusty trails and through water crossings, and hike in the dirtiest, wettest conditions with confidence. A drop in the snow is no longer a death sentence for your phone. It also protects your phone when you knock it off the kitchen counter.
Arkon handlebar phone mount from TridentNow that your phone is protected from the elements (and accidents), where are you going to take it? Well, with all sorts of cycling apps available, phones are replacing bike computers for plenty of cyclists. Whether tracking fitness, or using the GPS to find a new route, it’s not uncommon to see a phone mounted on handlebars these days. That’s where the Arkon mount comes in. Thanks to their partnership, you can get a mount designed specifically for your Trident Kraken case. This mount is for bars up to 33mm in diameter, and uses an adjustable ball head so you can get a proper viewing angle regardless of mounting position. It’s not the prettiest thing, but it’s inexpensive (MSRP $14.95), and built to last. Once attached, it’s not going anywhere. And the phone locks in place solidly.
Since I already had a history with the Trident Kraken, I didn’t go out of my way to drop my phone or expose it to the elements. I knew it would hold up to all the abuse I could dish out, and them some. So I mounted it to the handlebars of my commuter bike, attached a Bluetooth speaker too, and went for some leisurely rides. I could just as easily put it on my mountain bike, and track my course through the Wasatch mountain range. It will handle either with ease. And the buttons work just about as well as they do without the case, the only issue being that the phone may not fit in a pocket as easily. But that’s why they include a belt clip. That’s the price of protection, I suppose. To me, it’s worth it. As a matter of fact, the case and handlebar mount end up costing less than some companies charge just for their imported cases, making Trident a good value in addition to cheap insurance. tridentcase.com
– Brian
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received the Trident Kraken A.M.S. Case and handlebar mount from Trident, in consideration for review publication