Bushwalk Australia

didn't think this quite fitted a review so i put it here..
Anyway, ive been a fan of the Samsung xcover series of mobiles for years..xcover3,4 and now 5.
Granted i'm a few models behind the latest but funds are the only reason in that regard..
So im now using the xcover5, have 3 extra batteries for it (you can actually easily swap out batteries) and teamed it with the "AlpineQuest pro" nav app..
a lot of useful features with the app plus its able to keep logging position and track if you turn off the mobile screen if you want to save battery although i have found i can go 8hrs continuous use on the xcover5 before i get down to 10% after starting on a full charge..
The xcover5 is IP68 dust/water resistant and receives GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BDS..
so i think worth having a look at i think as an option for extended walks..
down side of the Xcover series is its not sold in Australia by Samsung so not really supported by them..

Seems interesting, I'll check it out. Battery swap out might be handy. You can obviously re-charge phones from a power bank but getting back to 100% straight away is a benefit.

Allchin09 wrote:Seems interesting, I'll check it out. Battery swap out might be handy. You can obviously re-charge phones from a power bank but getting back to 100% straight away is a benefit.

bear in mind that the Xcover series is not sold by samsung outlets in Australia, i picked all of mine up off ebay, other models in the galaxy series or other android phones may have the removable batteries but as i mentioned the xcover series are also IP68 on their own so wet weather etc are not a problem for them..
if you do opt for an xcover5 OEM batteries are here: https://www.sunsky-online.com/p/EDA0061 ... 000mAh.htm

dnaylor wrote:

Allchin09 wrote:Seems interesting, I'll check it out. Battery swap out might be handy. You can obviously re-charge phones from a power bank but getting back to 100% straight away is a benefit.

bear in mind that the Xcover series is not sold by samsung outlets in Australia, i picked all of mine up off ebay, other models in the galaxy series or other android phones may have the removable batteries but as i mentioned the xcover series are also IP68 on their own so wet weather etc are not a problem for them..

don't have removable batteries, they can be remove

The current S series don't have user removable batteries, they can be removed using heat to open the glue that holds them together and provides 'water proofing'.

Me? Any phone I take backpacking goes into a water proof case. Before I use the case I test it by putting in into water over night (without the phone). And yes the phone I use is said to be 'water proof'... but I don't rely on it.

Warin wrote:

dnaylor wrote:

Allchin09 wrote:Seems interesting, I'll check it out. Battery swap out might be handy. You can obviously re-charge phones from a power bank but getting back to 100% straight away is a benefit.

bear in mind that the Xcover series is not sold by samsung outlets in Australia, i picked all of mine up off ebay, other models in the galaxy series or other android phones may have the removable batteries but as i mentioned the xcover series are also IP68 on their own so wet weather etc are not a problem for them..

don't have removable batteries, they can be remove

The current S series don't have user removable batteries, they can be removed using heat to open the glue that holds them together and provides 'water proofing'.

Me? Any phone I take backpacking goes into a water proof case. Before I use the case I test it by putting in into water over night (without the phone). And yes the phone I use is said to be 'water proof'... but I don't rely on it.

ahh, can you clarify what phone you are talking about please as im talking about a Samsung Xcover 5.. and all the Xcover series have removable batteries...

I note the the Xcover 7 (so not the five) has a 500 NITS rating for the screen. This seems to have a rather low rating compared to higher-end phones. Therefore, I am curious therefore as to how readable the screen is in bright sunlight.

dnaylor wrote:

Warin wrote:
The current S series don't have user removable batteries, they can be removed using heat to open the glue that holds them together and provides 'water proofing'.

Me? Any phone I take backpacking goes into a water proof case. Before I use the case I test it by putting in into water over night (without the phone). And yes the phone I use is said to be 'water proof'... but I don't rely on it.

ahh, can you clarify what phone you are talking about please as im talking about a Samsung Xcover 5.. and all the Xcover series have removable batteries...

The S series
S7, S8, S9,... S20, S21, S22, S23, S24 etc.

My Old S4mini had removable batteries.. but they did not claim to be 'water proof'.

In regards to readability in bright sunlight (in general) I haven't actualy considered it as I tend to pivot to cast a shadow with my body but that's a habit I developed from the old analogue mobiles when they first came out..

Warin wrote:

dnaylor wrote:

Warin wrote:
The current S series don't have user removable batteries, they can be removed using heat to open the glue that holds them together and provides 'water proofing'.

Me? Any phone I take backpacking goes into a water proof case. Before I use the case I test it by putting in into water over night (without the phone). And yes the phone I use is said to be 'water proof'... but I don't rely on it.

ahh, can you clarify what phone you are talking about please as im talking about a Samsung Xcover 5.. and all the Xcover series have removable batteries...

The S series
S7, S8, S9,... S20, S21, S22, S23, S24 etc.

My Old S4mini had removable batteries.. but they did not claim to be 'water proof'.

Ah.. thanks for the clarification.. the xcover series especially the latest ones are targeted for outdoor "industries" shipping, logistics etc