Mobile phones in a marine environment

[Sgeir]

A Forumite is considering getting a new phone. Despite some rave reviews for the Nokia 5210's ability to be cleaned in a washing machine, it is becoming rather out of date.

Can anyone recommend a current WAP-enabled phone with digi-cam, and with the same washing-machine-friendly capabilities of the 5210?

Or one that is sea-water resistant?

 

[adelaidem]

i droped my late model nokia with camera into the bilge of the boat which contained a little water, it wont ring anymore just vibrates it works really well like that!

 

[Sgeir]

My friend, who is a night diver, also wants to know if it has EPIRB capability. Could you advise please?

 

[bbilly]

I used to have an Ericsson but every time I dropped it it broke. Now I've got a Siemens M65 which bounces off the deck quite well, seems to be resistant to liquids (mugs of beef being spilled on it) but haven't tried submerging it or washing machining it. Only issue is no bluetooth and battery life (1-2 days). Its got a camera and all the usual stuff - I'm very satisfied all in all.

 

[adelaidem]

my friend droped his older model nokia to the bottom of a swimming pool retrived it dryed it out and has not had a problem with it since, my other mate has a mobile with a compass on it i dont think it has EPIRB on it though

 

[Andrew_Fanner]

Agree re carp battery life with M65 but it has, so far, been me proof. And the wretched charge socket doesn't fit any of the innumerable fag lighter power sources in the house. I'm [UK if Blair stays around] if I'm fronting £20 odd at the O2 shop, any cheap source out there?

 

[claymore]

Will the service provider be a key issue as my Orange seems to have discovered a Black Hole between Stirling and Oban and again between Kilninver and Lochgilphead

 

[machurley22]

Nobody loves a smart*rse you know.

Dave

PS Any rich yotties about to throw away an old mobile that'll take my O2 PAYG sim?

 

[jimi]

Now this might sound daft but wash it in hot (almost boiling) fresh water and leave in airing cupboard to dry. Will get rid of salt etc and bet you it'll be OK .. ps take battery out first.

 

[andy_wilson]

Nokia 5140.
Better seals than 5210 (no guarantees though).
LED torch.
Fluxgate compass.
GPS back available (but nobody can get you one).
Photo, video etc.

 

[Sgeir]

At Last! A true marine environment phone.

Andy, that sounds great. I note the point about the GPS, but my friend would like an EPIRB facility, or failing that, a diver's depth meter (preferably waterproof to 200m). Are such things available?

 

[Lakesailor]

Orange appears to have holes in it's reception map all over the shop.

 

[DaveS]

I have an old Nokia - not sure which model but they all seem much the same (duck from incoming abuse from phone nerds). I took it into the O2 shop last year because the battery wasn't holding its charge very well. The assembled youth in the shop laughed at it. "No chance of a replacement battery - must be at least 3 years old, ha ha ha, the very idea, you could maybe try the market stalls, Oxfam shop, etc. etc." I pointed out that it was their O2 contract phone so what did they propose to do? Laughs vanished. I left with a free new phone plus the old one which still works OK, albeit with a short battery life. If your battery is OK and fitted it, might it be of use?

There's only one slight problem - I can't remember where I put it...

If Jimi's suggestion - which I would go along with, though perhaps with "hot" rather than "boiling" (some of the plastic bits might melt below 100C) - doesn't work give me a call and I'll see if I can find it.

 

[ryaner]

I'm new to the forum but thought the whole point of having a boat is to be "out of coverage"

 

[machurley22]

Thanks for the offer Dave. I'm currently trying Jimi's suggestion (as moderated by you) and will report back though it'll be something of a miracle if the patient responds after all this time.

 

[claymore]

As it was my fault

Whit aboot we say that I fell in and youse dived in efter me fully claithed tae save me wi nae thocht at all fer yer ain welfare or yer mobile phone?

 

[jimi]

Re: As it was my fault

Widnae work .. Il Papa wid hae disintegrated in th effluence

 

[carlvincent]

Calador wrote:
I'm new to the forum but thought the whole point of having a boat is to be "out of coverage"

Ah, subtley different, but having a boat means you can claim you were "out of coverage" when you choose to!

Carl