Water and electronics

[Ent]

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[tastrax]

Best I could suggest would be the following - http://www.zte.com.au/main/F159.htm Its only IP54 rated which is not the very best rating but a hell of a lot better than most.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/IP_Code

there are some IP67 models out there but as you suggest they are not cheap

http://www.nautiz.com/x7/facts.asp
http://www.sonimxp3.com/
http://www.airowireless.com/

[tastrax]

or one of these..

http://carscoop.blogspot.com/2009/06/la ... obile.html

but it probably comes with a Landrover ...for free

Cheers - Phil (owner of Discovery TD5)

[Son of a Beach]

It's a good point Brett.

In the meantime, I've not yet taken my iPhone out bush, but I have tested it a small zip-lock bag. It works perfectly well in a zip-lock bag. The screen is still easy to view (a bit more reflection from the bag though), and the touch-screen works perfectly well through the extra layer of plastic. So I'm willing to give this a try on my next walk, if I get my mapping application ready by then.

[Ent]

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[tastrax]

Hi Brett,

I agree the integrated devices never quite seem to make it - they are either great GPS and lousy phone, or great phone and lousy GPS. There are more cases becoming available that allow use of these devices in hostile conditions, even underwater, but they add a fair bit of weight and bulk... but they may save the device from death!

http://www.otterbox.com.au/

Personally, I am still favouring separate devices as the PDA that I need must have a good fast processor. As soon as the manufacturers add a phone then down comes the processing speed.

Only the high grade commercial units fit my projects ... but not my budget! This is the stuff I drool over!

http://www.trimble.com/mgismedia/produc ... %20GPS.xml

[tasadam]

My electronics...

Garmin E-Trex. Waterproof to 1 metre or something, and it floats. Never tested. Had it in the rain, no drama.

Nokia mobile phone. Always kept in a glad bag with a rubber band holding it tight unless being used. Would double-bag it if swimming a creek.

Nikon D200 - we have, or should say HAD two of these. Have briefly had them in light shower conditions with no troubles - they are reported to have extra weather seals to keep out the moisture, and though we don't push our luck, they haven't been affected by water. Always dry them off well if they've been used like that.
Now, though, we have only one Nikon D200, and a D700 replaces my D200. Unfortunately due to a slip on some rocks (total carelessness on my part), my camera, lens, tripod took a bounce off some rocks and landed in a fast flowing creek at the bottom of a canyon. Unrecoverable, unable to locate. Better it than me.
I think I can safely say that camera is now "affected" by water. My last entry in the August photo comp was the last pic ever taken on that camera.

I had a bit of a look and it seems those Sonim indestructible phones are available in Australia. Looks good!

[Ent]

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[tasadam]

Yep, you're right. Had a chat with an Aus distributor of them and they are indeed only GSM. The only waterproof phone that is on NextG is a phone that Telstra do, it's a Tradesmans phone, but the lady I was speaking to couldn't remember any more about it. She said it was similar to the Sonim.
So there is one out there. And you have the choice of Telstra or Telstra.

[tastrax]

I suspect it may be this one..

http://www.zte.com.au/main/F159.htm

zte phones are not the best in my opinion ...compared to the features on phones such as Nokia

[north-north-west]

Unfortunately due to a slip on some rocks (total carelessness on my part), my camera, lens, tripod took a bounce off some rocks and landed in a fast flowing creek at the bottom of a canyon.

I think there needs to be an update to the Laws of Bushwalking.
Photographers' Addenda
Item xxx: The likelihood of dropping equipment is inversely proportional to your distance from
a) water;
b) a drop-off;
c) both.