Recommend me a robust mobile phone?!

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Gerdy

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Latest phone has died (an old generation samsung galaxy that I hated with a passion!!)

So i need to upgrade desperately, but have no idea about techy things!

Can anyone recommend a robust phone, suitable for life on a horse yard!

Perhaps one that you can text with while wearing riding gloves - though that probably doesn't exist!!!

Thanks m'dears
 
I have just got the guys at work (tyre fitters) the JCB tradesman phones. They seem to be pretty robust. They are waterproof and dust proof. Not smart phones but they do have internet access.
 
Just make sure that you get a Griffin survivor case for whatever you buy.

Brilliant cases and you can bounce them off concrete.
 
Whatever you get, fork fork out for a strong protective case. In winter I even slot mine into a waterproof bag as well..

Oh and please post up your findings! I have seen many phones die an early death at our yard. Chief issue being phones slipping out of pockets and into things they are not supposed to. Will be even more impressed if you can find a phone you can use with gloves on!
 
its_noodles said:
i have a 2.5 years old galaxy s and it works ok for me. what's wrong with yours?
Click to expand...

Well, getting mistreated on the yard probably didnt help but it was so slow and cranky, drove me mad!

thinking about an iphone perhaps then getting a super tough cover?

although they are darned expensive... don't really want to pay more than £26ish on contract...

all advice appreciated!
 
My Samsung galaxy 3 is amazingly robust despite only having a 'normal' case. I drop it on to concrete regularly and have even thrown it against a brick wall (by accident!).
 
Nothing with a touch screen and a cheap Nokia £20 and just get top ups. You can get robust covers for ie iphones etc but I had Nokia as it fits in pocket and if I fall off I know I wont crunch it. It has buttons too.
 
Iphones are great:) i would just get a tough case for it and a screen protector and you shouldnt have a problem.

Ive dropped mine down down a hill, it whacked and rolled down the concrete path and its not even scratched! Plus I dont have a case.. But go fir black.. My white one shows dirt way too easy :rolleyes:
 
Griffin cases are fantastic. They are tested by the army in all sorts of outdoorsy ways- water, dust, crushing ect! You can get gloves that work with touch screen phones, or a small few stitches of fine wire on the area of your finger pad makes your favourite riding gloves touch screen friendly, as the metal conducts the charge from your finger to the phone.
 
No idea if been suggested yet - but I LOVE my Sony Xperia Go. It is waterproof/dust proof/smallish + slim (therefore fits in jod pockets)/can usually get some reaction through riding gloves/decent+quick camera etc etc. It was free on a fairly reasonable O2 contract. Had it a year now and it is working as well as the day I got it despite being dropped, stood on, lost in the arena and used out in the rain. Like the operating system too. I really can't fault it.

Good luck.

ETA: here's a review
http://reviews.cnet.co.uk/mobile-phones/sony-xperia-go-review-50008582/
 
Last edited:
indie999 said:
Nothing with a touch screen and a cheap Nokia £20 and just get top ups. You can get robust covers for ie iphones etc but I had Nokia as it fits in pocket and if I fall off I know I wont crunch it. It has buttons too.
Click to expand...

I agree. I've even dropped my old Nokia while texting from the back of my horse (in gloves.....) and it didn't come to any harm! It isn't pretty, though!
 
Gerdy said:
i heard about the Sony one being waterproof - amazing! are they easy to use?
Click to expand...

I've an Xperia Z and love it, find it really easy to use. The screen is big, so the battery life isn't great but they are properly waterproof. (Which is great, having drowned an iPhone in a water bucket before...)
 
I've never raved about a phone in my life, but I LOVE my Motorola Razr!

Super fast android, 8MP camera, HD recording, big screen but not brick-sized. I've fallen off with it in my pocket, dropped it while riding, dropped it on concrete with no case, used it in the rain... worst it has is a couple of tiny scuffs on the corners.

It's about as indestructable as smart phones get. Oh, and battery life is brilliant too - I can get a couple of days out of one charge if I don't overuse it :)
 
I have a Samsung via Orange (can't remember the name but comes up on the orange website shop).

It is an old fashioned type phone with a proper key pad - not very galmorous but has a camera etc.

It is waterproof, has a rubber case for when dropped on hard surfaces, and very robust. It also slots neatly into the strap of my skull cap so can conduct 'hands free' calls, and am often witnessed out hunting carrying on a conversation whilst cantering down a muddy track!

It also has a torch which is great for getting horses in in the dark.
 
Having a husband that works with tech means that in my opinion you need to decide what you need from a phone and then go and try a few out. Do you want a 'smart phone' - touch screen, internet etc, or do you just need a phone?
Once you've decided that go to a shop and play. People are very brand loyal and will hate x but love y when for another its the opposite - hence have a play!
Then, especially for smart phones, check that getting it on contract is actually worth it. In some cases you pay a ridiculous amount more and it would have been better to buy separately - with tech shop about!
Then check your package - you'll need mobile broadband etc and understand what your costs will be if you go abroad.
Then no matter what get a properly good case for it and think about a blue tooth head set for the car/while in the stable etc
Also you can get special gloves that work with touch screens
 
I second the griffin cases. I have one on my iPhone and its great! I've dropped the phone so many times and there's not a scratch on it! The case makes the phone quite bulky but it's definitely worth it :)
 
aran said:
Having a husband that works with tech means that in my opinion you need to decide what you need from a phone and then go and try a few out. Do you want a 'smart phone' - touch screen, internet etc, or do you just need a phone?
Once you've decided that go to a shop and play. People are very brand loyal and will hate x but love y when for another its the opposite - hence have a play!
Then, especially for smart phones, check that getting it on contract is actually worth it. In some cases you pay a ridiculous amount more and it would have been better to buy separately - with tech shop about!
Then check your package - you'll need mobile broadband etc and understand what your costs will be if you go abroad.
Then no matter what get a properly good case for it and think about a blue tooth head set for the car/while in the stable etc
Also you can get special gloves that work with touch screens
Click to expand...

Such useful advice, thanks so much Aran!
 
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