Most satisfying indestructible shock-absorbing tank armor for iphone 3G

Question

I need the best (best=highly satisfying) case in terms of protection for the iphone 3G I ordered. I know there are a lot of posts on this subject but I have very specific preferences and don't want to spend hours reading tons of posts on every channel out there. I like to first ask you friends out there whom I trust and have experience.
Just imagine that I am a Marine going into battle, what kind of case would I want.
_What I need in a case:_
Hard protection for the iPhone overall
Hard protection for the screen (perhaps most importantly from all the stories I have heard)
Shock-absorbing rubber-like protection for if (God forbid) I drop it
Seamless protection to protect the iPhone including its ports and whatnot from the elements (dust, moisture, kids sticky fingers)
_What would also be nice:_
Near as possible waterproofing
Access to using the screen
Access to other functions, buttons, ports, etc. For instance, I would like to charge/sync without taking it out of the case
Won't scratch or damage the iPhone while being worn
Won't require me to take out a loan
_What I don't care about:_
Belt clip. Where I live, you don't want to be walking around with an expensive piece of technology hanging around on your person. You are asking for special attention.
Looks, style, sweetness, yeah I know the iPhone is sexy but I'm more pragmatic and need protection for this very expensive and, let's face it, fragile machine. It's small and will be going everywhere. Looks don't matter much when you're a dead and useless hunk of nothin'. Also, I don't care if it looks unprofessional or stupid, where I work you look as professional as you write (please don't take this post as an example of my best work), not by the jacket your phone wears.
Bulkiness. I don't care how big the case makes it as long as it can still go in my pocket.
I appreciate any of your recommendations whether they are from personal experience or something you have researched yourself. If you do have experience with a case that was meant to be high on protection, then please share your story. For instance, I know the Otterbox Defender is well-established, or how about those Ivyskins, but has any of them lived up to their names?
Message was edited by: anthrovisual
Message was edited by: anthrovisual

Answer 1

Yes, you are right. I get really paranoid with a new device. I try to keep all my electronics pristine for as long as possible. I had my macbook pro for well over a year and still baby it (and it still looks great thanks to a moshi codex case combined with a Tom Bihn brain cell).
I have ordered the zagg invisible shield and the defender. I am going to try to see if it will fit in the defender with just the front on, since I am most nervous about the screen (and if I decide, I can revert to just the shield).
I surfed the auctions on ebay to see if I could get a cheap iPhone and it just led me through the graveyard of broken screens and water damaged corpses. It scarred me, I think. I saw a post of a guy who broke his screen the first day he got his iPhone. Depressing.
I know the feeling will go away but for the first couple of months, having maximum outrageous protection will help me relax and enjoy having the device. Otherwise, I'm it will just be a worry-wart that I'll keep in the box, afraid of exposing it to the real world.