I've decided I will have to join the 21st century and get a smartphone. I don't need one as a phone, I'm quite happy with my old push-button thing, but really, its because after reading numerous sat-nav threads on here and elsewhere, it seem a smartphone would be a better option than most dedicated bike sat-navs. Its cheaper as it's a phone and a mobile internet device as well and there's a good choice of apps which seem to work well. Makes sense, especially as with the amount of data I'm likely to use I can use my existing sim-only tariff and just buy an unlocked handset. Thing is, I'm a technophobe, or techno-ignoramous anyway and I know nothing about them except that i'll be android rather than i-phone for cost reasons. So which one, bearing in mind it's main non-phone duty will be a bike sat-nav. I'm looking at mid-price handsets under £400. I'm thinking a waterproof "rugged" phone because it will be better for work as well. Something like an AGM X1 or an Ulefone Armour 2. Any thoughts? And what about navigation apps?
I still think that Copilot Europe takes some beating. Often worked better than sat nav unit when I had it in the car, highlighting lane choice on the motorway when near an exit better than most navs. Phones there are many. You will get just as much love for Apple as Android. I stopped using Iphine though due a couple of issues; Memory is not expandable, you need to decide how much you need from the offset, at a significant price premium for good storage. Charging port failed after 18month on mine. Product guarantee is 12months, wasnt happy when on 24month contract. My camera lens had a mark on internally, this showed up as black semi cirlce right in the middle of every photo. Itunes is truly terrible for transferring files and ease of use. Android is great. Loads of apps. Easy for music. Most good phones run Android, Samsung, Sony, HTC etc etc Sony and Samsung offer at least one waterproof phone. This could be good for sat nav on bike, depending on the holder and or case? "Decent' phones, see above, will have expandable memory via a micro sd card. I have a 64GB in mine, over 1500 tunes and acres of space left. To be fair, nearly all phones now are superb quality.
I am on my second Sony Xperia and keep it in my pocket at work on a building site every day, it's waterproof and have never had any issues, I will definitely have another when the time comes. Steve
Samsung galaxy s8 was probably the best phone of 2017 in terms of spec and ability. It only launched less than a year ago (March 29th) but due to the recent launch of the iphone X, Samsung have reacted by releasing the new S9 only a few days ago and it's currently taking pre orders Right now you can pick up the S8 for just a little over £400 which considering its speed and value (all of a couple of months ago) is a bargain.
Don't get caught up in the phones race a perfectly good samsung galaxy 4 is more than good enough, it is the case and mount that can make the difference
agree with much of the above. I have a Sony Xperia that is pretty rugged and waterproof. my eldest has a S8 which is waterproof and has a really nice, sharp screen, but this is far less rugged (he dropped his from a couple of feet onto a desk and it has cracked - it did have a case on it similar to what I have on my xperia, too, which has been dropped from about 6' 4" a couple of times and survived well). after 18 months the battery life on the xperia has gone a bit crappy (maybe 10-12 hours of fairly busy use before I need to plug it back in). my experience only, and I am sure this thread may start a crapple vs android bitching match
I've got to think about work as well. I'm hard on phones and smartphones seem to be extremely fragile. I think on reflection I'll avoid Chinese. Sony Xperia is looking good but its not cheap... The CAT S41/S60 is possible too: https://tekdirect.co.uk/cat-s60-dua...MI57au5vjN2QIVzrDtCh0AuA5IEAMYAiAAEgIfX_D_BwE
I bought a Xiaomi note 4 64GB global edition from Hong Kong. Fine for my use which doesn't involve sat nav or getting wet. No issues with it though. It was cheap enough to take a punt on!
Although a US review some of these toughphones are available through the interweb but gives some ideas https://www.review-hub.co.uk/best-tough-rugged-waterproof-smartphones/
Not the trendy option, but I've used HTC for over 10 years (currently an HTC 10) , and my lass has had 3 in the same time. We have never had one fail, and they are metal bodied so take a beating. I never use a screen protector and it has no scratches, battery life is very good, but most important, not one has bust. I posted one up to comfy sofa when I bought the new one and after 6 years it was still working fine.
Agree that you don't need the latest version of your chosen smart phone, however, just watch how old you go. Older phones may not be fully supported by the manufacturer ie: Apple slowing down the Iphone 6 and 7 with update of the operating system Additionally, not all apps will work on older operating systems. All that said, 1 or 2 model older phone will save you cash and be more than good enough for your plans.
Sony Xperia everytime. My current one is the Compact X. Its all plastic so you can drop it and get away with it - ask me how I know!. Phones with a metal case when dropped seem to break the screen - my earlier Sonys did as well. Compact means it fits in your pocket easily. Waterproof is a real benifit if you plan to use it for a sat nav. Camera is way better than you expect. Ebay price is £290 unlocked/ warranty/ brand new. https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Brand-Ne...940434?hash=item2852ce4052:g:wnEAAOSwYRhamA6~ I prefer my Garmin590lm for sat nav though. It works with gloves, the screen is bigger & better in direct sunlight, its really rugged.
Thanks for the advice everyone. I'm still kind of hung up on getting a rugged phone because of work. I trash phones and these are expensive. Trouble is most ruggedsapart from the Samsung Active which are hard to find unlocked are buy direct Chinese which I'm not keen on at all and the CAT phones are rather low spec and high price. But I've just stumbled on these guys: https://www.tuffphones.co.uk/ Anyone heard of them? British made specifically for agriculture and construction, whereas CAT are really little more than a faux-industrial designer label. I'm seriously thinking about the Tuff T1. Good price, better spec than the more expensive CAT and should do all I need. No extra case needed for sat-nav duties. Like the idea that they're a UK bricks and mortar company and you can ring them up and talk to the people who make the things. Might give them a bell on Monday.
I'd say s8 in what's called an otterbox..... https://www.otterbox.co.uk/en-gb/ga...s-screenless-edition-case/sam2-galaxy-s8.html
Hi Gimlet, have a look at my Huawei P9 in the for sale section, very good spec phone, takes brill photo's, you could add otterbox for protection but the spigen case is very good. Shameless plug Cheers Paul
