Motorola Defy test

[Neil_Y]

Just returned from a very thorough test of a Defy.

We did the Costamoricaine raid in an F18 ( = speeds in excess of 20 knts quite often)
Big steep seas in the tidal races around Heaux-Brehat and Cap Frehel in 8 - 10m tide. Navigating with the Defy and Navionics + a back up Garmin.

Sometimes the screen did not respond as it was getting covered in gallons of sea water (I think it's a capacitive screen so salt water will be worse than rain), but it stood up to the test for several hours/days sailing through waves.

I just had it stuffed in my bouyancy aid mesh pocket so not at all dry.

I've had three Garmins fail under similar or not as bad conditions (on a 40' yacht) due to water/moisture getting inside the battery compartment or behind screen, so for a mobile phone they've done quite well.

One problem is there was no lanyard attatchment point, but by drilling out a small hole already in the back battery cover it was possible to attach a 2.00mm line, this fixing was also tested as the phone was dropped a few times due to instant dump required on the main to prevent a swim.

So Navionics and Motorola Defy both passed, excellent. Helping us avoid the many rocks and also find the course marks in bad vis.

The first day I tried it in a a waterproof case, but the rubber screen made it quite difficult to use.

 

[Paddy_N_Murphy]

Bought one for the Missus as it is supposedly bomb proof, and her attrition rate on Mobiles is high.

I like it BUT the screen has cracked - under charge I believe on an evening !!
Google it, there are a few thayt have done this it seems.

We got the Motorola from Carphone Warehouse as an Orange Upgrade.

Guess what none of the above want to know or help out - Carphone Whorehouse said to give it to them for two weeks and £60 and they will fix it.
Shameful really. They give them away for free - a simple swap in store and aoff you go- but no.

 

[Strathglass]

Just returned from a very thorough test of a Defy.

Sometimes the screen did not respond as it was getting covered in gallons of sea water (I think it's a capacitive screen so salt water will be worse than rain), but it stood up to the test for several hours/days sailing through waves.

I just had it stuffed in my bouyancy aid mesh pocket so not at all dry.

The first day I tried it in a a waterproof case, but the rubber screen made it quite difficult to use.

I did a similar but a bit lesser test of about 30 miles to windward in up to a 6 on Monday.
Occasionally being soaked (and stopped) by waves and it was pouring rain most of the time.

Found a similar problem with the touch screen and salt water - a wipe with a tissue sorted it out for a short time.

I have it in a hard case with a protective clear sticker over the screen.

I like the idea of a lanyard. I could easily drill the case to take one. Better than drilling the battery cover on the phone I think. It is held fairly securely in the case.

I just kept it in one of the external pockets of my sailing jacket.

Seems to have survived without a problem.

I have had it back once to Motorola for repair as it had stopped charging the battery. It was returned fairly quickly. I use T-mobile/Orange as they give best coverage at my home.

 

[Neil_Y]

Quote sale of goods act

Ask for a replacement, it's the retailers responsibility. They have to prove it wasn't a phone fault, so if it doesn't have a huge dent in one corner that would indicate a drop from some height I think you shouldn't have a problem.
This link may help.
http://webarchive.nationalarchives....whatwedo/consumers/fact-sheets/page38311.html

 

[Paddy_N_Murphy]

sorry for the thread diversion

Interesting but please can you check the link on the website you posted for me ?
The wife took it back to Carphone whorehouse and they said they could see it damaged in the corner.

I shall go examine closer- i have these pics though....

One of those hard to prove one way or another things.
Then of course I am happy to go argue / cause a scene etc etc, but they will just say it is all in OH name

 

[Neil_Y]

sale of goods act link

http://www.which.co.uk/consumer-rig...erstanding-the-sale-of-goods-act/your-rights/

That should work.

I don't think they will have much impact resistance if they land on the corner, as the case on the corner is hard, so it may only take a small knock. Shame as they could have had a case slightly bigger with a surround like the battery cover material.

It was the water proofing I was impressed with although I did put silicon grease into the charging and earpiece holes and around the battery case.

String in the top of the battery cover works and doesn't go into the sealed area, I have it attached to a belt loop or life jacket/when on a boat.