Durable Cell Phone Advice

[Paul Swenson]

My cell phone has been crapping out on me and my contract is coming to an end. I need something that I can throw in my jersey pocket and won't stop working when I get sweaty as well can bounce off some rocks. Anyone have any advice. Currently I have a Razr with T-Mobile.

[rihaha]

I have a very basic LG phone that I got from Celcom (Green Bay company) that has lasted me a few years and has been dropped many times, once from my 3rd floor apartment onto rocks. Still works, sound clear and only minor scratches occured. I think Radio Shak sells the newer form of them. Flip phone black.

[fasterfoster]

I don't know any details, but Verizon is advertising (if I remember right) a "shock-resistant and dustproof" phone. I have an upgrade coming in a few months and may look into that one.

[gopherhockey]

I usually wrap my phone up in a small baggie with a paper towel folded up inside as shock protection and to soak up moisture. I carry it on the road, on the trails and during trailwork and its protected my phones really well. (and I usually have touch screen type windows mobile devices)

I'm sure there are products that can do this but because it works so well I've never had to look for them.

[berrywise]

Paul do you mind if I piggy back onto your thread? Does anyone know which providers use the SIM cards? I have had bad luck with phones and would like the option to be able to buy a phone on Ebay and just plug the little card into the back. I'm currently on Sprint but my latest two year agreement is set to expire so I'm ready to jump ship.

I'd love to pick up an internet phone but not sure if the added data expense would be justifiable or not.

[Paul Swenson]

Paul do you mind if I piggy back onto your thread? Does anyone know which providers use the SIM cards? I have had bad luck with phones and would like the option to be able to buy a phone on Ebay and just plug the little card into the back. I'm currently on Sprint but my latest two year agreement is set to expire so I'm ready to jump ship.

I'd love to pick up an internet phone but not sure if the added data expense would be justifiable or not.

T-Mobile has SIM cards.

[Paul Swenson]

To take care of the waterproofing I'm waiting for this to be available. Bigwheel will dig this: http://www.golden-shellback.com/faq.html

[destrago]

I have an LG 8600 I hate it - it's pretty much a POS.
However - this thing has been through hell and high water with me and survived unbelievably well. It's been dropped into water while on (though not for very long) in pockets of sweaty riding shorts for HOURS, dropped, cruched into trees, thrown across rooms (usually unintentionally), kicked, and the like. I've been wanting to get a newer phone for a while now- but this one keeps on working.

Features: 2/10 (too many, the ones it has are useless)
Call Quality: 8/10 - can't compain on the whole
Reception 7/10 - had a nasty tendency to drop when I first got it, now it's pretty good.
Durability: 9/10 - In the 8 years I've had cell phones I've NEVER had a phone last me 2 years. This one is a few months away from that, but it's already lasted longer than any other phone I've ever owned.

I'm sure they don't make/sell this phone anymore, but it's descendents or other LG phone are probably good candidates for durability.

-Tony

[destrago]

I believe AT&T and T-Mobile have sim card phones too. Verizon does not, or did not when I bought my phone almost 2 years ago.

-Tony


Paul do you mind if I piggy back onto your thread? Does
anyone know which providers use the SIM cards? I have had bad luck with phones and would like the option to be able to buy a phone on Ebay and just plug the little card into the back. I'm currently on Sprint but my latest two year agreement is set to expire so I'm ready to jump ship.

I'd love to pick up an internet phone but not sure if the added data expense would be justifiable or not.

[dave t]

Nextel seemed to be the favorite phone for the construction guys I know because of their ruggedized phones. I don't know personally how well they worked, but they were still using phones that looked like they had spent 5 years in a tool belt without protection.
Sprint still offered the tough ones not too long ago.

[Pain Cave Spelunker]

If you don't mind the bulkiness or lack of features, Nextel makes the most rugged phones out there. I've never had to replace mine. Signal coverage is very good around the metro and outer metro. I've never dropped a call. Before switching to Nextel I had destroyed 6 or 7 phones in a two year period.

Nextel uses SIM cards BTW.

[gopherhockey]

I believe AT&T and T-Mobile have sim card phones too. Verizon does not, or did not when I bought my phone almost 2 years ago.

-Tony

There are a lot of web sites devoted to "unlocked" cell phones. Many will help point out which carriers they work with or what frequencies to be sure you are covering in order for it to work in your area.

Sometimes the phone itself might not have a sim card. I think both sprint and cingular use SIMs but some of their blackberry phones (for example) don't have SIMs in them. They can still be "unlocked" and programmed to work with the carrier though.

[At the Gates 2121]

I believe AT&T and T-Mobile have sim card phones too. Verizon does not, or did not when I bought my phone almost 2 years ago.

-Tony

i like my blackberry pearl serviced by t mobile

[Ish]

[quote=gopherhockey;302560]I usually wrap my phone up in a small baggie with a paper towel folded up inside as shock protection and to soak up moisture. I carry it on the road, on the trails and during trailwork and its protected my phones really well. (and I usually have touch screen type windows mobile devices)
quote]

+1 on the baggie. Plus, you really don't want the phone to last too long. Gives you an excuse to upgrade.:D

[Paul Swenson]

Why did this get moved to non-biking discussion?

The whole point of this thread was to find out what other bikers were using for cell phones since as a group we're pretty hard on phones. I don't see what's non-biking about that?

[gopherhockey]

its moved back.

[Mo-Tay]

Look at the Nextell Motorola i580. It is a military-grade construction with rubberized body. Very rugged and NEVER drops. I get reception where others don't...

[ppgc]

If you are looking for a beefy phone, like others have said, go Nextel. If you just want something for rides/etc I like my Pearl, in a baggy or in the Camelbak. I have beat the heck out of that phone and it still works great.

[fallingup]

I like my Palm Centro personally... although... those with larger fingers have complained about the tiny buttons, but not my problem...

[TML]

[quote=gopherhockey;302560]I usually wrap my phone up in a small baggie with a paper towel folded up inside as shock protection and to soak up moisture. I carry it on the road, on the trails and during trailwork and its protected my phones really well. (and I usually have touch screen type windows mobile devices)
quote]

+1 on the baggie. Plus, you really don't want the phone to last too long. Gives you an excuse to upgrade.:D

I'm a bagger to. Been plenty of times when the phone would have been fried from rain when I got caught in a shower while on a road ride.

[gtbikes]

part of the reason I bike is to "get unconnected" for awhile, so there is only room for beer or a cell and guess which one usually wins;)

On another note walkies for groups, some first aid, spare tube, quick link, pump, multi tool are all you really need. What ch gonna do call your grandma to come fix you flat?!?

[biking_stickman]

My cell phone has been crapping out on me and my contract is coming to an end. I need something that I can throw in my jersey pocket and won't stop working when I get sweaty as well can bounce off some rocks. Anyone have any advice. Currently I have a Razr with T-Mobile.

I noticed that Verizon has what looks to be a ruggedized Razr, the Motorola Adventure V750.

http://www.verizonwireless.com/b2c/store/controller?item=phoneFirst&action=viewPhoneDetail&selectedPhoneId=3891

http://cache.vzw.com/images_b2c/phones/med/mot_v750.png

[Paul Swenson]

part of the reason I bike is to "get unconnected" for awhile, so there is only room for beer or a cell and guess which one usually wins;)

On another note walkies for groups, some first aid, spare tube, quick link, pump, multi tool are all you really need. What ch gonna do call your grandma to come fix you flat?!?


Cell phones sure are handy when being messed with on the road. Also, I ride trails quite a bit by myself so I think of it as safety equipment

[Stonehenge]

If you just need a phone on a ride...( phone booth in a pocket) why not Trackphone? check Target for phone and cards...web site too.

pay as you play and the phone is cheap to replace if you break or loose it.
Sims card in it.

Maybe not your only phone, but one for the low cost, low use, easily replaced

[kabbie_cache]

If you just need a phone on a ride...( phone booth in a pocket) why not Trackphone? check Target for phone and cards...web site too.

pay as you play and the phone is cheap to replace if you break or loose it.
Sims card in it.

Maybe not your only phone, but one for the low cost, low use, easily replaced

Only problem with this is you need to buy more time every 90 days or they shut you off. They do have extended plans but they cost quite a bit more.

I have never had an issue with my T-Mob. flip phone. Its what ever free Samsung one they sent. I always carry it in my pocket. Maybe just good luck so far.

[Shorty]

...pay as you play and the phone is cheap to replace if you break or loose it...

Maybe not your only phone, but one for the low cost, low use, easily replaced

Only problem with this is you need to buy more time every 90 days or they shut you off.

My cheap Virgin phone costs $15 every 90 days... and it automatically tops off when I'm low or 90 days has past. I hardly use the thing, so I never use up the minutes.

[stuntjunkie]

Check out the new Sanyo Pro700 From Sprint, It is small like your razor, but is ruggedized and features walkie talkie. It is on Sprints new Qchat network so It eliminates the need for SIM card style nextels. Doesn't have a ton of bells and whistles but it gets the job done.

[DJ Nree]

+1 on the nextel i580
I have dropped/thrown/kicked that phone on more occassions than i care to admit to. The thing is bomb proof.

I have also had a few i530's as work phones. They are also nearly indestructable, but no bells + whistles.

[jonesdb]

With Verizon, the older version of the GzOne takes a beating, droped in water, concrete, off the top of foundations onto the footings. Ran one over with the work truck. Taken lots of hits when the foreman wants his phone passed to him and he is 14ft up on top of a wall....and cant catch...
Way better than the Nextel motorola phones the company used to have. Better battery life and way way better service in the outskirts of the cities. thats the main reason the company switched...because the forman kept having to use my personal verizon phone cause his nextel had such bad coverage.

Here is the new one
http://www.verizonwireless.com/b2c/store/controller?item=phoneFirst&action=viewPhoneDetail&selectedPhoneId=3988

It also comes in not orange...but who doesnt want a high visibility phone if you lose it on the trail right?

[ppgc]

Here is the new one
http://www.verizonwireless.com/b2c/store/controller?item=phoneFirst&action=viewPhoneDetail&selectedPhoneId=3988

It also comes in not orange...but who doesnt want a high visibility phone if you lose it on the trail right?

That phone looks pretty dang cool. Made by Casio and it has a flashlight and compass!

[Ish]

That phone looks pretty dang cool. Made by Casio and it has a flashlight and compass!

But can it do a skim latte? :cool:

[ppgc]

But can it do a skim latte? :cool:

No but my lady can. :)

[dave t]

With Verizon, the older version of the GzOne takes a beating,.....

It also comes in not orange...but who doesnt want a high visibility phone if you lose it on the trail right?

Free here with new service after jumping through some hoops. Orange or "Not Orange"

http://www.letstalk.com/cell-phones/productdetail.htm?prId=34450

[Paul Swenson]

With Verizon, the older version of the GzOne takes a beating, droped in water, concrete, off the top of foundations onto the footings. Ran one over with the work truck. Taken lots of hits when the foreman wants his phone passed to him and he is 14ft up on top of a wall....and cant catch...
Way better than the Nextel motorola phones the company used to have. Better battery life and way way better service in the outskirts of the cities. thats the main reason the company switched...because the forman kept having to use my personal verizon phone cause his nextel had such bad coverage.

Here is the new one
http://www.verizonwireless.com/b2c/store/controller?item=phoneFirst&action=viewPhoneDetail&selectedPhoneId=3988

It also comes in not orange...but who doesnt want a high visibility phone if you lose it on the trail right?

I think that's what I'm looking for. Thanks.

Once again problem solved by morc.

[nigel]

I've had one of these for a few years. I was going through a couple phones a season from sweat eating the heck out of them and getting inside. This lil guy has a water resistant shell and is super shock proof. I ended up having to buy it from Japan unlocked since nobody in the US sells decent sport oriented phones. Not sure if you can get them any more but I love it! Most durable phone I have ever used.

Nokia 5140
http://tbn0.google.com/images?q=tbn:HK2OaMHCPflv_M:http://www.techoni.com.au/images/nokia5140l.jpg
<table cellspacing="0"><tbody><tr><th rowspan="3" scope="row">General</th> <td class="ttl">2G Network (http://www.gsmarena.com/network-bands.php3)</td> <td class="nfo">GSM 900 / 1800 / 1900 </td> </tr><tr> <td class="ttl">Announced (http://www.gsmarena.com/nokia_5140i-1150.php#)</td> <td class="nfo">2Q, 2005</td> </tr><tr> <td class="ttl">Status (http://www.gsmarena.com/nokia_5140i-1150.php#)</td> <td class="nfo">Available</td> </tr> </tbody></table><table cellspacing="0"> <tbody><tr> <th rowspan="2" scope="row">Size</th> <td class="ttl">Dimensions (http://www.gsmarena.com/nokia_5140i-1150.php#)</td> <td class="nfo">106.5 x 46.8 x 23.8 mm, 86 cc </td> </tr><tr> <td class="ttl">Weight (http://www.gsmarena.com/nokia_5140i-1150.php#)</td> <td class="nfo">100.8 g</td> </tr> </tbody></table> <table cellspacing="0"> <tbody><tr> <th rowspan="3" scope="row">Display</th> <td class="ttl">Type (http://www.gsmarena.com/nokia_5140i-1150.php#)</td> <td class="nfo">CSTN, 65K colors</td> </tr><tr> <td class="ttl">Size (http://www.gsmarena.com/nokia_5140i-1150.php#)</td> <td class="nfo">128 x 128 pixels, 5 lines, 1.5 inches, 27 x 27 mm</td> </tr> <tr><td class="ttl"></td><td class="nfo">- Adjustable display brightness
- Themes, flash messages</td></tr> </tbody></table> <table cellspacing="0"> <tbody><tr> <th rowspan="3" scope="row">Ringtones</th> <td class="ttl">Type (http://www.gsmarena.com/nokia_5140i-1150.php#)</td> <td class="nfo">Polyphonic (24 channels), MP3</td> </tr> <tr><td class="ttl">Customization (http://www.gsmarena.com/nokia_5140i-1150.php#)</td> <td class="nfo">Download, order now (http://adsnew.gsmarena.com/adclick.php?bannerid=25&zoneid=7&source=&dest=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.funtonia.com%2Fgsmarena)</td></tr> <tr> <td class="ttl">Vibration (http://www.gsmarena.com/nokia_5140i-1150.php#) </td> <td class="nfo">Yes</td> </tr> </tbody></table> <table cellspacing="0"> <tbody><tr> <th rowspan="4" scope="row">Memory</th> <td class="ttl">Phonebook (http://www.gsmarena.com/nokia_5140i-1150.php#)</td> <td class="nfo">Yes</td> </tr> <tr> <td class="ttl">Call records (http://www.gsmarena.com/nokia_5140i-1150.php#)</td> <td class="nfo">20 dialed, 10 received, 10 missed calls</td> </tr><tr> <td class="ttl">Card slot (http://www.gsmarena.com/nokia_5140i-1150.php#)</td> <td class="nfo">No</td></tr> <tr><td class="ttl"></td><td class="nfo">- 3.5 MB shared memory
- Max 128KB Java per appl.</td></tr> </tbody></table><table cellspacing="0"> <tbody><tr> <th rowspan="8" scope="row">Data</th> <td class="ttl">GPRS (http://www.gsmarena.com/nokia_5140i-1150.php#)</td> <td class="nfo">Class 10 (4+1/3+2 slots), 32 - 48 kbps</td> </tr> <tr> <td class="ttl">HSCSD (http://www.gsmarena.com/nokia_5140i-1150.php#)</td> <td class="nfo">No</td> </tr> <tr> <td class="ttl">EDGE (http://www.gsmarena.com/nokia_5140i-1150.php#)</td> <td class="nfo">Class 6, 177.6 kbps</td> </tr> <tr> <td class="ttl">3G (http://www.gsmarena.com/nokia_5140i-1150.php#)</td> <td class="nfo">No</td> </tr> <tr> <td class="ttl">WLAN (http://www.gsmarena.com/nokia_5140i-1150.php#)</td> <td class="nfo">No</td> </tr> <tr> <td class="ttl">Bluetooth (http://www.gsmarena.com/nokia_5140i-1150.php#)</td> <td class="nfo">No</td> </tr> <tr> <td class="ttl">Infrared port (http://www.gsmarena.com/nokia_5140i-1150.php#)</td> <td class="nfo">Yes</td> </tr> <tr> <td class="ttl">USB (http://www.gsmarena.com/nokia_5140i-1150.php#)</td> <td class="nfo">Yes, Pop-Port</td> </tr> </tbody></table> <table cellspacing="0"> <tbody><tr> <th rowspan="8" scope="row">Features</th> <td class="ttl">Messaging (http://www.gsmarena.com/nokia_5140i-1150.php#)</td> <td class="nfo">SMS, MMS, EMail, Instant Messaging</td> </tr><tr> <td class="ttl">Browser (http://www.gsmarena.com/nokia_5140i-1150.php#)</td> <td class="nfo">WAP 2.0/xHTML</td> </tr><tr> <td class="ttl">Games (http://www.gsmarena.com/nokia_5140i-1150.php#)</td> <td class="nfo">Bowling, Adventure Race + Java downloadable, order now (http://adsnew.gsmarena.com/adclick.php?bannerid=25&zoneid=7&source=&dest=http%3A%2F%2Fringtones.gsmarena.com%2F0-003%2Fuk_en%2Fgames%2Fhome.html)</td> </tr><tr> <td class="ttl">Colors (http://www.gsmarena.com/nokia_5140i-1150.php#)</td> <td class="nfo">3 - Black, Orange and Dark Green Transceiver</td> </tr> <tr> <td class="ttl">Camera (http://www.gsmarena.com/nokia_5140i-1150.php#)</td> <td class="nfo">VGA, 640x480 pixels, video</td> </tr> <tr><td class="ttl"></td><td class="nfo">- Push to talk (VoIP service)
- Stereo FM radio
- Java MIDP 2.0
- T9
- Calculator
- Calendar
- Voice memo
- Stopwatch
- Improved durability
- Thermometer
- Flashlight
- Integrated handsfree
- Automatic volume control
- Digital compass</td></tr> </tbody></table> <table cellspacing="0" height="28" width="388"><tbody><tr> <th rowspan="3" scope="row">Battery</th> <td class="ttl"></td> <td class="nfo">Standard battery, Li-Ion (BL-5B) 760 mAh</td> </tr><tr> <td class="ttl">Stand-by (http://www.gsmarena.com/nokia_5140i-1150.php#)</td> <td class="nfo">Up to 300 h</td></tr></tbody></table>

[TML]

Time for me to renew a phone as well. This thread's got some good info, thanks all. Since I managed to smoke a phone, due to the elements, a few years ago, I think I'll have a look at that Motorola Adventure 750 through Verizon. It looks pretty sharp, its slim, a flip phone and it's ruggedized. And the buttons look decent sized.

[H2O_GOalie]

Paul do you mind if I piggy back onto your thread? Does anyone know which providers use the SIM cards?...I'd love to pick up an internet phone but not sure if the added data expense would be justifiable or not.

Google for "GSM provider". GSM is the system that utilizes phones with SIM cards. The two big ones in the US are AT&T and T-Mobile (I have AT&T and like it). Re: internet phone...many PDA phones are capable of running the IP Phone/SIP software, and if you get an unlimited data package (in conjunction with those phones' ability to use WiFi) you're all set. Look into the AT&T "Tilt"...it's made by HTC and is very hackable.