Waterproof phones

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Neeves

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I'm one of those luddites that owns a mobile telephone. All it does is allow me to call people, have people call me - and it has a torch. No camera, no touch screen - and it does not make the tea.

But it does pick up signals exceptionally well offshore, about 40nm range, and I can cross Bass Strait and have coverage, basically, all the way.

I'm not so backward that I do not watch developments and thought this an interesting review. In the longer term I might be tempted - but I'm yet to convince myself that I need a smart phone, though if that's what I need to be smart - its a small price to pay:)

My apologies if its already been covered by another thread or a review in YM/PBO


https://www.theguardian.com/technol...proof-iphone-7-samsung-galaxy-s7-smartwatches


Jonathan
 
I threw my smart phone away as it kept doing thinks I did not wont it to do so I was too smart for me.

worse of all people kept on wanting to phone me. How ridiculous is that.
 
I have a Samsung gt b2710, waterproof, battery lasts a week or more. It is on a short lanyard in my top pocket, hopefully if I was Ob I can get to the first of my contacts, which is 'aaaah help', the CG number. (I have a PLB clipped on also. The worry is how long before my fingers give up)
 
I've had the Samsung xcover2 for some time but it suffers from a small memory so a very limited number of apps are possible. It's also getting on a bit. They did bring out an xcover3 but it didn't look a whole heap better.
So like you I'm looking for a replacement, got to be waterproof, got to be hard to break, got to work. There are several Chinese phones out there (Umi touch, Blackview BV6000) but the reviews tend to be mixed at best which doesn't inspire confidence if it's got to be returned to Beijing for repairs.
Anyone got better ideas? Please, please don't say iPhone and a plastic bag.:sleeping:
 
I had a lovely bright yellow waterproof 'phone... dropped it over the side, I really think a waterproof 'phone should also float so just use a waterproof case now,
 
I make a point of not having any kit that is designed to float.
How do you get a floating VHF aboard, 300 miles out in a force seven?

Better to curse as it sinks!

BTW, The new iPhone is waterproof!

Tony.
 
Cruising without a smartphone? Sounds a bit dark ages ;)
Given that most places you can get a data sim pretty cheap.
Then google maps to find the market in the town you've just anchored off, Facebook to keep tabs where the rest of the itinerant ne'er do wells are holed up and messaging to find which backstreet bar they're in now.
Camera to take a pic of the bus timetables or next festival flyer.
Not to mention downloading gribs, banking and of course, posting on here :)

All so much easier these days :cool:
 
GHA said:
Cruising without a smartphone? Sounds a bit dark ages ;)
Given that most places you can get a data sim pretty cheap.
Then google maps to find the market in the town you've just anchored off, Facebook to keep tabs where the rest of the itinerant ne'er do wells are holed up and messaging to find which backstreet bar they're in now.
Camera to take a pic of the bus timetables or next festival flyer.
Not to mention downloading gribs, banking and of course, posting on here :)

All so much easier these days :cool:
Click to expand...

I do all of that and more on my 12VDC navigation computer with a full size screen and keyboard sitting comfortably at my nav station desk. So who needs a smart phone.

Also I cannot loose my PC overboard and won't get wet in the back of SWMBO's hanging clothes cupboard.
 
Rogershaw said:
I do all of that and more on my 12VDC navigation computer with a full size screen and keyboard sitting comfortably at my nav station desk. So who needs a smart phone.

Also I cannot loose my PC overboard and won't get wet in the back of SWMBO's hanging clothes cupboard.
Click to expand...

You take your nav station with you to help you find the local market? ;) (i like having both)

If you actually leave the boat cruising a smartphone can be dead handy :cool:

How do you get into local data sims? Smartphone hotspot is the easiest way I've found, though MiFi seems to be popular.
 
I've just ordered one of these for £38. It is waterproof and does not suffer from smartitude.

samsung-xcover-3-1.jpg
 
Neeves said:
I'm one of those luddites that owns a mobile telephone. All it does is allow me to call people, have people call me - and it has a torch. No camera, no touch screen - and it does not make the tea.

But it does pick up signals exceptionally well offshore, about 40nm range, and I can cross Bass Strait and have coverage, basically, all the way.

I'm not so backward that I do not watch developments and thought this an interesting review. In the longer term I might be tempted - but I'm yet to convince myself that I need a smart phone, though if that's what I need to be smart - its a small price to pay:)

My apologies if its already been covered by another thread or a review in YM/PBO


https://www.theguardian.com/technol...proof-iphone-7-samsung-galaxy-s7-smartwatches


Jonathan
Click to expand...

If you're happy with your current phone, an even smaller price to pay is a couple of quid for a waterproof bag.
- It will float
- you can put other stuff in it like a watch, or cash for the pub

There's plenty on eBay, Amazon and probably your local chandlers
 
I've had my phone for over 10 years. Phones on cats are not quite the issue they are on monos - decks tend to be flattish and stay flat. We also enjoy a covered helm station.

I know its like driving a caravan across the water - except you cannot do that at 16 knots.

I like the idea of a waterproof phone but am not so motivated, yet. I do appreciate that joining the 21st century might be advantageous, as has been pointed out (though we do survive - as we have mobile broadband for our Mac). Finding the local pub is never an issue in Tasmania - in one street towns its pretty easy.

But my eyes do water when I see some of the prices - which is why I'm still using the non water proof phone and torch.

But hey - Xmas is coming!

Jonathan

PS - cannot see any flying pigs yet.
 
GHA said:
You take your nav station with you to help you find the local market? ;) (i like having both)

If you actually leave the boat cruising a smartphone can be dead handy :cool:

How do you get into local data sims? Smartphone hotspot is the easiest way I've found, though MiFi seems to be popular.
Click to expand...

Winding you up.

Don't need to have any kind of map to find the local market in Africa you just follow your nose

I use local data sims if there is any network in the remote areas I tend to visit. Its called the third world, but sometimes I think its more like the fifth world. We only get hotspots when the sun is shining
 
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