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Catalina/Capri 25/250 Sailor's Forums

General Sailing Forum

Waterproof Cell Phone?

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ClamBeach
Master Marine Consultant

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3072 Posts

Initially Posted - 11/15/2003 : 13:19:00

Strange... with all the mfg's competing in this area...
nobody makes a waterproof cell phone.

Hmmm.. anyone here got a couple million to invest?

WOTAM - '77 Catalina 25 SK/SR Sail Number 158

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ronrryan
Admiral

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USA
561 Posts

Response Posted - 11/15/2003 : 19:55:48

When remote phones just came out, a million years ago, a friend of mine (the "first to own" type) dropped his new phone into a salt water canal. Took two days to fish it out with a fluke net. He took it back to store, complaining "this thing quit working!" They replaced it, no charge. I often wondered if anybody took it apart and a killie swam out, ron srsk Orion SW FL

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dlucier
Master Marine Consultant

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Virgin Islands (United Kingdom)
7583 Posts

Response Posted - 11/16/2003 : 10:38:32

If you need a waterproof cell phone you can simply use a waterproof floating case for a handheld radio/cell phone/GPS.

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ClamBeach
Master Marine Consultant

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3072 Posts

Response Posted - 11/16/2003 : 11:12:06

"use a waterproof floating case for a handheld radio/cell phone/GPS."

Yes, I have one for my non-waterproof handheld VHF.. but IMHO they are a PITA and a stop-gap measure. Wont' fit in my shirt pocket or clip on my belt, clumsy to use.

I was really surprised to see that no mfg had latched onto the idea of a 'ruggedized' cell phone yet. In such a highly competitive market, I'm surprised they haven't (point of original post).

From what I can see, the majority of GPS and VHF units are now "water resistant"...

Edited by - on

Dkn420
Captain

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USA
298 Posts

Response Posted - 11/16/2003 : 11:47:33

There may be something available that is in use with the US Military...I searched the web and found "Laptops" that are for "rugged" use and used by the military in the field...a little bit more expensive than you get from Dell or Gateway

Good idea to manufacture a new product, would love to help, but I'm a million short

Dan #727

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JimB517
Past Commodore

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USA
3285 Posts

Response Posted - 11/16/2003 : 13:48:31

standard cell phones are already highly ruggedized and have become disposable items in today's market. With the latest technology you can even keep your number if you change phones or carriers.

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lcharlot
Master Marine Consultant

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Antigua and Barbuda
1301 Posts

Response Posted - 11/18/2003 : 08:15:58

A cell phone factoid picked up from NPR a couple weeks ago: 90% of Swedes have cell phones, especially in remote rural area where it is not practical for the phone company to install wire for land-line phone service. And even more interesting, the Swedish cell phone service charges only for outgoing calls. I think the report mentioned that some other European countries also operate their cell phone service this way, charging only for outgoing calls. Think we will ever have this here?

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Bryan Beamer
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1038 Posts

Response Posted - 11/18/2003 : 16:54:26

That is how my Nextel cell phone is. I get free incoming calls, unlimited nights and weekends, free long distance calls and only pay for out going calls. Plus it has the nationwide direct connect. I can talk to my dad in Cincinnati Ohio (I’m in Colorado) on the 2-way feature of the phone.

No I'm not a Nextel salesman. I just think it is the perfect phone for my business, my family and me.

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ClamBeach
Master Marine Consultant

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3072 Posts

Response Posted - 11/18/2003 : 20:04:41

"...ruggedized and have become disposable items... "

Agree they are pretty tough, but not waterproof.

I'm thinking of one that could go on a lifejacket! Even though I have two VHF radios, In the coastal waters around here you stand a better chance of getting help via 911 than any other means.

Due to the placement of the cell phone towers, commercial fishermen here report good reception up to 30 miles out. If you went in the drink with a little waterproof VHF I don't think you'd get your signal very far out at all... maybe 5 miles if you were lucky.

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Oscar
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
2030 Posts

Response Posted - 11/18/2003 : 20:57:31

Cell's are also line of sight. At, or slightly below, sea level you'll probably get the same result as the vhf.....

Oscar
250WB#618 Lady Kay on the Chesapeake

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The Officers, Staff and members of this site only provide information based upon the concept that anyone utilizing this information does so at their own risk and holds harmless all contributors to this site.