Tough gadgets love a good shock

Technophiles love their shiny devices but live in constant fear of scratches, cracks and other damage that comes with everyday use and occasional clumsiness. You can rest easy knowing there are a number of tough gadgets built to last and endure the harshest of conditions:

Rugged Portable

IoSafe loves a good shock. At the giant CES tech trade show early this year, it decided to show just how tough its hard drives were by firing up a Tesla coil and zapping a Rugged Portable. The year prior, it took a shotgun to the same drive. And you know what? In both instances, even though the drives were pretty beat up, the data survived. It's no surprise the folks challenged me to torture test the Rugged Portable. Let me say, it's quite a feat. The drive is crush resistant up to 5,000 pounds; can be fully submerged in 10-feet-deep water for up to 72 hours; and can withstand immersion in diesel fuels, oils, hydraulic fluids and aircraft fuels. Watch my quest to destroy the drive in the video that accompanies this story. The 500GB Rugged Portable with a one-year subscription to a data recovery service begins at $249.99.

G-Form

Also fond of publicity stunts, G-Form likes to put its products to the test. The maker of protection for sports and electronic gear decided to use an iPhone as a hockey puck when it debuted its X Protect and Extreme Grid cases (both $39.95). A slap shot had the smartphone flying at 82 miles per hour across a hockey rink. Meanwhile, its iPad cases, Extreme Edge ($44.95) and Extreme Portfolio ($89.95) reached new heights when they were tossed from a plane soaring at 1,300 feet. The most extreme stunt involved strapping an iPad in an Extreme Edge case to a weather balloon, which according to the company lifted the device to the edge of space. When the balloon burst at 100,000 feet, the iPad went into free fall, landing in rubble. The results? In all instances, the iPhones and iPads were A-OK. If you're looking for a durable case, look no further than G-Form.

Panasonic Toughpad

If you're the type who wants a tablet that's durable right out the box, then the Panasonic Toughpad might be for you — no case required. Like the company's line of Toughbook laptops, the ToughPad, which comes in seven- and 10-inch models, was built to endure the most extreme of situations. The rugged tablet can take on the elements — not only is it water- and dust-resistant, it can withstand freezing temperatures and four-foot drops. The 16GB Android tablet is 3G-, 4G- and WiFi-compatible. But realize this: When you're in the market for durable, you're not going to get a MacBook Air-like product. The ToughPad is no different, weighing in at 2.13 pounds. The 10-inch model will be available in the summer, with pricing estimated to begin at $1,299. The seven-inch will be available later in 2012, and no pricing information is available yet.

Blendtec
You might wonder what a blender is doing in a tech article, but Blendtec is a staple in the gadgets world. After all, it's the brand that's behind the popular Will it Blend series. The blog and its videos shot to stardom when it put an iPhone to its test. (Yes, the iPhone does indeed blend.) So what's behind these pricey kitchen appliances, which range from $400 to $1,000? The company has what it call an Ice-Crushing guarantee, claiming its devices can turn ice into snow. The top-of-the-line 20-amp Tom Dickson Extreme Blender, named after the company's CEO, features a 2400-watt motor with 25 pre-programmed blend cycles. If it can blend a golf ball, it can make you a darn good smoothie.
 
Pelican
If you're looking for ultimate protection for electronic devices, invest in a crushproof case. Otterbox long had a big name in this market, but with the rise of iPhones and the subsequent smartphone and tablet explosion, the company now focuses more on personal gadget protection. Its current line of crushproof boxes has slimmed down, ideal for carrying smaller gadgets, such as smartphones, point-and-shoot cameras or medium-sized SLR lenses. For protection of heftier gear, competitor Pelican makes water-, crush- and dust-proof cases of all sizes. One of the largest is the 1660, which holds about 5.7 cubic feet, or about the volume of a typical bath tub. Not only can the 1660 carry a few lenses, but you can stash the rest of your studio equipment here as well. Prices for Pelican cases vary by size; the 1660 retails for $323.95.

(usatoday)