tractor worthy smart phone

[RxRatedZ71]

Thanks for all the feedback 'woodlands'. There's always a fine line between the most advanced vs durable. I tend to prefer the smaller units so I don't have to keep a belt clip. I tried a Galaxy IIs for a few days and it was drastically heavier and bulkier than my current device. Ill admit that its hard to change from something you've carried for 2 years. That Rugby Pro looks like a substantial device and probably the one ill get. Well see what they've got stocked when I go in...

 

[crazyal]

I have an older Samsung Galaxy Nexus and when I take it with me I have a plastic case that came with a watch I got for a gift. I have it mounted so I can see it and get to it quickly if needed. I've found that anything that's on me while doing work with the tractor will get lost or damaged. If I replace it I'll probably go with something like the Samsung 4s active (or the current version) when I replace it. I like the larger screens of the Android phones, it's easier to type for me.

 

[Midniteoyl]

I was wearing my Nokia phone once while clearing and burning brush.. Found at the end of the day I couldn't find it. While preparing the burn pit for another load a few days later, I found my phone. Well, a charred circuit board anyways

 

[newbury]

I need a good tractor-worthy smart-phone that is rugged & dependable for everyday use. I work indoors but am always outside doing projects while im home. I mainly access TBN via my phone so its crucial that find a new one. My current phone has survived for 2.5 years in a busted up case and its time for an upgrade. Hit me with your recommendations!

So what do you use your phone for and how often?

A telephone, or phone, is a telecommunications device that permits two or more users to conduct a conversation when they are not in the same vicinity of each other to be heard directly. A telephone converts sound, typically and most efficiently the human voice, into electronic signals suitable for transmission via cables or other transmission media over long distances, and replays such signals simultaneously in audible form to its user. The word telephone has been adapted into the vocabulary of many languages. It is derived from the Greek: τῆλε, tēle, far and φωνή, phōnē, voice, together meaning distant voice.

How "smart" does a phone have to be? Do you need a supercomputer or a phone? What are your "smart" applications?

If your accessing TBN is it within range of WiFi?

I'm a computer nerd from the early '70's. I worked in the chip center when IBM introduced their 3 transistor chip.
Since about '96 I've usually had a full functioning computer in my pocket, starting with the HP95LX.

I don't, and never had, tend to talk on the phone long. Get 'er done and get going.

For the phone call part I've a cheap Samsung that I bought for $15 and came w/ a $15 phone card. It's very small (about 2"x3") light and cheap. I buy about $10 worth of airtime a month and that pays for everything. If I'm going to be working in a rainy situation I put it in a Ziploc bag.

For the "smarts" of a smartphone I bought a Samsung Note 8, an Otterbox Defender, and a bunch of 1 gallon Ziploc bags.

It's got a big bright screen, and an S-pen. It recognizes my handwriting, works w/ my BT keyboard, my BT headset, my computer. It's got good GPS, is a good "surfing" platform, lot's of pen specific apps, fair to middling camera. In it's case it slides into my cargo pants pocket easily and is like carrying a field notebook.

I'm putting all my manuals and parts diagrams on it and lots of you tube videos so I can refer to them when I'm fixing something. I take a snap/scan of the pertinent hardcopy manual pages and use them on the tractor in the field.

AT&T is supposed to be carrying it in a 4G version but doesn't have coverage where I need it.
Verizon has the smaller version, the Note 3 but it's smaller.

When it comes to computers I like the biggest screen I can manage and 8" is about it for my pocket. I like real estate and this has screen real estate. And it costs $0/month on no plan.

Combined my phone and Note 8 costs $10/month. Note a minimum data plan from Verizon cost $50+.

 

[woodlandfarms]

Outside of communication(heavy phone/internet/email use) on the farm I use my miles per hour guage, the gps, and inclinometer and camera. Oh, and the calculator and welding chart from miller. I use Bluetooth to power the earmuffs, keeping them cord free

 

[RDrancher]

I have a Casio GZone Commando... Casio's Rugged G'zone Commando Takes Android Smartphones Into Mil-Spec Territory

I have a love / hate relationship with this phone...I'd love to kill it and hate that it just won't die. The keys are too small so texting is a PITA. It turns itself on and answers calls, returns calls, texts people, goes on the web, puts itself into airplane mode, and adds and updates things that I've deleted from the phone (like email) which kills the battery. It accomplishes all of this while sitting in my pocket. If I use the clip-on case, it won't allow me to hang up calls. Nice camera though...

I'm going back to a flip phone.

 

[Diamondpilot]

Galaxy S4 here with a Otter Box Commuter case.

Chris

 

[paulharvey]

Kyocera Hydro Edge as of last week. Water proof, good screen, and works well so far. Was cheapish ($129.99) with out a monthly plan, and does what I want. Its not the cutting edge, but its leaps ahead of the 3.5 yr old Samsung it replaces.

 

[RxRatedZ71]

Ok, as far as phonecalls is concerned, I manage a walmart pharmacy and have to be reachable by anyone of my 14 employees most of the day (9a-9p). I don't text that much but get an occasional one. We don't have WiFi at the house beyond 20' from our laptop computer. Actually I don't use the computer that much either bc my wife is typically on it. I check my email occasionally on my phone and use pharmacy and TBN apps in the meantime. I do use it for pictures but im certainly not needing professional quality. I just need a phone capable of accessing the web, and small enough to fit inside my front hip pocket most of the time. While im at home, im usually outside working, in the barn, on the tractor, or playing with my kids. Life just seems to take its tole on phones today and im trying to get the most out of it.

 

[farmer2009]

Lost interest in the indestructible phones. Had a $400 Tundra mil spec phone lasted 9 months they said it was not normal wear (hinge broke off on flip). So I got a $40 go phone worked fine for 18 months. Hmmm. But we wanted smartphones. Walked in and salesman asked what I had showed him the phone and he said going from a dumb phone to a smart phone hum. I said yea wha you got. He tried to sell me another mil spec phone only this one was a smart phone said I would thing on it. Got a regular smart phone and put a good case on it.

My experience with mil spec or indestructible phones.