Rugged phones

[Sal-XK]

I been using the Iphone for some years now and I've broken two of them along the way. Were all pretty active out doors people here pursuing are many hobbies. Lets face it wheeling is pretty rough on our equipment all of our equipment including our phones. Then add in our other hobbies like hiking mountain biking and fishing or what ever else we do. I know now when I load my kayak for a day of fishing I leave my phone in the Jeep I do have a water proof case but it can get really hot in there and bumpy and if just a little bit of water got in it my phone would be garbage. I've tried several cases over the years which will protect against some shock but none do dust and water. Then adding the case usually means operating the phone in impaired. So I started searching for a rugged smart phone to get and the big three carriers do have some. I saw this one on Verizon site (http://www.verizonwireless.com/b2c/store/controller?item=phoneFirst&action=viewPhoneDetail&selectedPhoneId=5634) and it looked like a really nice phone. The one that ATT had (http://www.wireless.att.com/businesscenter/devices/samsung-rugby-smart.jsp?skuId=sku11177000090#fbid=qfx2RuSSS0V) seemed ok but didn't inspire confidence. So I started searching cam accross a new phone not released yet made by Caterpillar (http://www.geek.com/articles/mobile/hands0on-with-the-cat-b10-rugged-android-phone-20120511/) . This one seems promissing and Im looking forward to its release so I can go look at it. Right now I'm considering the cat and the G'zOne commando. What you guys think? Anyone else using a rugged phone?

[Matt]

I've been getting by alright... but like the direction that Casio is headed. My friend has a waterproof case for his iphone that is surprisingly slim and not bulky- hoping that catches on with some other popular smartphones.

[AJeepZJ]

I just think you need a better case, bro. I've dropped mine, kicked it, drop-kicked it and including on the concrete. I've slammed the hood of my Jeep on my phone and drove down the road. Only thing I haven't been stupid enough to do is drop it in a lake.. BUT... I have spilled beer on it, lol.

[Sal-XK]

I just think you need a better case, bro. I've dropped mine, kicked it, drop-kicked it and including on the concrete. I've slammed the hood of my Jeep on my phone and drove down the road. Only thing I haven't been stupid enough to do is drop it in a lake.. BUT... I have spilled beer on it, lol.

For most my hobbies a case works ok but the best one I had made texting horrible. But I've been kayak fishing a lot lately and beside having the phone for emergencies some of the apps for weather and stuff would be nice to have and right now I know if I bust my phone out on the yak I'll drop it in the lake LOL a water proof rugged phone I could tether to me or a float so I don't loose it and don't have to worry about running it if I flip.

[pjmjr508]

Alot of the field techs at my work love the Gzone. From my understanding it was made to be mil spec for toughness; the field tech are very bad with the phones.

[Sal-XK]

Alot of the field techs at my work love the Gzone. From my understanding it was made to be mil spec for toughness; the field tech are very bad with the phones.

That's my favorite one so far but I'd have to switch companies so I'm going to try and wait to see which one the cat ends up with if ATT gets it not having to switch would be a plus.

[BonesWK]

my brother has the gzone boulder (flip phone). and that thing is a beast. Takes actually decent photos, but its a flip phone so if you already have a smartphone I would look into that rugged smartphone.

The Boulder was great when it first came out, his party trick would be for him to drop his phone in a beer and have someone call him.. pretty crazy.

[NeilSmith]

ive gone swimming with my pos LG and shes still kickin.

[Adondo]

I have a Seidio case on my Galaxy SII Android phone. It's pretty tough, and all the ports have flip covers, including the camera lens. Nothing gets on the way because button extensions allow everything to be operated with the covers installed. What I like, it the whole thing can be installed and removed within about 20 seconds.

http://www.seidio.com/convert/ (http://www.seidio.com/convert/)

[CmmdrDan]

Just got the droid razr maxx. So ive been looking at cases. Found trident cases and they look tough. I found one on amazon that is usually 50 buckz for 20. I may be ordering it soon.

[Sal-XK]

Cases are ok but there just covering up very fragile phones. Rugged phones especially the ones built to MIL spec can be tossed in the sand submerged in the water and vibrated to death. There screens are upgraded and can take repeated drops. Even with a case on my Iphone I crap every time I drop it. Cases are a good idea but I'm looking to go beyond the case :)

[Matt]

Dan I put the Otterbox Commuter series on my wifes HTC and like it.... doesn't add much bulk either. It's worth a look.

Sal, i hear ya on wanting a rugged phone not just a case. I'm hoping the Casio phone sold well enough for them to start developing more advanced models. I'll probably end up with an HTC like my wifes or the new Galaxy S3 and get a solid case for it... and hopefully in 2 years there'll be a few more options for rugged phones.

[hoaxci5]

http://www.engadget.com/2012/05/30/sony-announces-xperia-go-and-xperia-acro-s-waterproof-and-dual/

Not rugged, but waterproof at least..

[Matt]

Waterproof is a key part.... lots of cases protect from shocks/hits/etc; but waterproof options are very limited.

Ill have to keep my eye on that Sony phone...

[Sal-XK]

http://www.engadget.com/2012/05/30/sony-announces-xperia-go-and-xperia-acro-s-waterproof-and-dual/

Not rugged, but waterproof at least..

That seems like a nice one. Waterproof is the main drive for me because of fishing from a kayak its just a matter of when not if I roll it. I would have the phone tethered to me or have a float tied to it. Either way it needs to survive a few minuets under water not just be splash resistant. Then having butter fingers like I do it would be nice to drop the phone and not care.

[BonesWK]

That seems like a nice one. Waterproof is the main drive for me because of fishing from a kayak its just a matter of when not if I roll it. I would have the phone tethered to me or have a float tied to it. Either way it needs to survive a few minuets under water not just be splash resistant. Then having butter fingers like I do it would be nice to drop the phone and not care.


Sorry its a bit late, but I forgot about this company - Local to Wilmington. http://drycase.com/

Ive seen these cases in action, while bulky they are great for the beach or pool, where its going to get wet. works like a charm

[Adondo]

I use a small Otter Box for boating. The phone drops into it, and you can't use it. You can see it through the clear front cover, but it's so sealed, (SCUBA rated in fact) you can't even hear it ringing. I figure if everything goes totally wrong, at least I can find the floating phone after the boat goes down, and call for help. :)

[Sal-XK]

My iPhone is old and I'm not sure I want another one I've had this phone for years well at least this model I upgraded when I smashed my last one to this one the 3GS and I've cracked this screen to. I'm going to wait for the cat and Sony to hit the market at least I'm trying to wait.

[Pixelcodex]

I have an Otterbox on my iPhone and it has been great. Not waterproof though. Their customer service is unbelievable too. I had an issue with the belt clip and they sent me 2 in the mail. I could not remember the company I will mention next and I googled it and found Otterbox is coming out with a waterproof case. Can't wait.
The other company is this; http://www.liquipel.com/
They apply a micro coating to the whole thing and make it waterproof. Seems really cool but not cheap... This might be the ticket for you though.

[pjmjr508]

saw this today, something to look at
http://www.verizonwireless.com/b2c/store/controller?item=phoneFirst&action=viewPhoneDetail&selectedPhoneId=5634&deviceCategoryId=1

[Sal-XK]

saw this today, something to look at
http://www.verizonwireless.com/b2c/store/controller?item=phoneFirst&action=viewPhoneDetail&selectedPhoneId=5634&deviceCategoryId=1

Ya that's the one I was looking at originally then saw the other two. My phone is on it's last leg I might not be able to wait for the others to hit the market.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[1USMC]

I’m glad I found this thread! I have replaced more than one cell phone myself and would like to keep an eye out for a more resilient one also.

This may be a little off topic but thought I’d pass this info along.

I noticed the Casio® G'zOne Commando phone meets” Military Standards 810G”.
A few years ago I would have thought that meant a lot more that it does. Then I had to order electronic items like radios and make sure they where compatible with certain working environments. What a learning curve !

Wiki states claims of …"compliance with (any) MIL-STD-810 can be misleading”…
See Wiki’s >>Applicability to consumer products << section at http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/MIL-STD-810

The 810G water rating is > Rain drip, 15 minutes of exposure to dripping water, Using Method XXX and Procedure XXX. Most commercial products claim “compliance “ with a mil standard but rarely spend the $ and actually have it tested and get a “Certification of Compliance”. Example.. http://en.getac.com/pdf/X500_810G.pdf

One standard I now look for, is if the product has an IP rating , like; IP65.
IP (Ingress Protection) is a two digit code. The first digit describes
the degree of protection against access to hazardous parts and ingress of solid objects. The second digit designates the Ingress Protection against water. 0 is no protection; 6 for digit one and 8 for digit two is the highest protection.

Therefore an IP 65 rating means that the unit is: Protected against access with a wire (1.0 mm), is Dust tight and can handle Jetting water - any direction.
See " IEC definitions" >> http://www.canarysystems.com/nsupport/canary_an4.pdf << for all the levels.

I’m hoping there is already or soon will be an affordable cell phone that advertises a hi IP rating.

[pjmjr508]

Good info thanks for sharing

[Sal-XK]

That military spec stuff doesn't mean anything to me anymore most my issue gear went in storage as we all bought after market gear because it performed better even are weapons were out fitted with all after market gear. I just ignore that rating but great info on that other rating system.

[1USMC]

..... as we all bought after market gear because it performed better even are weapons were out fitted with all after market gear.

So true in so many cases! Did the same !

I think the mil-standards work OK for the military as designed and legitimately tested for them.

But lately the consumer market seems to have picked up on it, and are slapping that label on everything, and like myself, until recently, I would have had no idea it was probably BS.

[Matt]

Good info!

I never even thought about reading the mil specs...