Despite their recent successful forays into smartphones, Motorola remains a regular source of rugged handsets. The latest to come out of the company is the Motorola Quantico, a clamshell boasting compliance with full military specifications.
Physically, it shares the same form factor as the recently-released Motorola Brute. The resemblance ends there, though, as much of the design is evidently different. Being a rugged phone, looks take a backseat to durability - hard plastic housing, textured rubber sides and back, securely-plugged jacks and a very bulky frame.
It sports two screens, a 1.6-inch external panel and 2.2-inch display (176x220 resolution) inside. Both are colored. While they obviously won't dole out the sharpest graphics, both have sufficient brightness and good usability. Both the keypad and navigation array are easy to use, unlike other rugged phones we've seen.
As a phone, it makes for impressive calls - conversations were clear with no discernible distortion. Voices came through sounding natural with plenty of volume. On the other end, users reported the same positive experience. Speakerphone feature worked well, although those we were talking to reported some notable harshness in the sound. Battery life is rated at 5.8 hours, which should be good for up to 2 or 3 days of normal use.
The Motorola Quantico comes with largely basic features. There's the standard phone stuff, such as a 1,000-entry phone book, PIM tools, messaging (SMS, MMS, web email), stereo Bluetooth and microSD card expansion (up to 8GB). More advanced capabilities include a wireless web browser, aGPS and push-to-talk (depending on carriers).
Music player is decent, with support for a wide variety of file formats and playlists. They also threw in a 1.3 megapixel camera with a good amount of options and surprisingly usable photo quality. Of course, we also tried dropping and dunking it in shallow water a few times - it's good enough to withstand basic durability tests.
Overall, the Motorola Quantico doesn't bring much in terms of looks, but does make up for it with solid rugged capabilities and strong execution of its core features. US Cellular currently has it for $99.95 ( no PTT, though) on a two-year service agreement.
Motorola Quantico Brings Dependable Phone Capabilities, Durable Makeunratednoel2010-02-07 13:23:11
Phone ReviewsMotorola Quantico Brings Dependable Phone Capabilities, Durable Make
Sprint and Motorola just announced a new rugged PTT phone for Nextel's network. Billed as the Motorola Brute i680 and clad in a buff frame, it's difficult to mistake it for anything else but an extra-tough handheld device.
Thick and bulky, the clamshell phone complies with Military Specification 810F, which provides for a whole host of durable characteristics. Not only will it survive shocks, vibration, water and dust, it should prove just as capable handling unusual temperatures, solar radiation and fog.
The Motorola Brute i680 phone sports two colored LCDs, a 1.3-inch external display (120 x 160 pixels of resolution) and a 2.2-inch internal screen (176 x 220 pixels). Details include a 2.0 megapixel camera (with flash), aGPS, stereo Bluetooth, microSD card support, 180MB of internal storage and a "large" battery module for extended talk time (Motorola didn't give exact specifications). Features include a music player, email support, onboard web browser and threaded messaging.
Apart from the push-to-talk capabilities of Nextel Direct Connect, the device will come with Nextel's exclusive Public Safety application, which will allow users “to communicate, even when they are out of network range," a tool that can prove valuable to many field workers and outdoor enthusiasts. A convenient ability to switch between PTT and regular voice calls in a push of a button is also provided.
Interested consumers can now get the Motorola Brute i680 (with Nextel Direct Connect calling plans) in all Sprint sales channels. Price is $119.99.
[Press Release]
Rugged Motorola Brute Announced For Nextel's Networkunratednoel2010-01-12 10:51:18
NewsRugged Motorola Brute Announced For Nextel's Network
Casio's series of ruggedized phones have earned them a good niche following. The latest in the line, the Casio G'zOne Rock, appears set to continue the positive trend. With rugged-yet-attractive good looks and excellent multimedia features, it should make a nice companion for both outdoor enthusiasts and regular folks who need a durable phone.
Physically, it's exactly what you'd expect from a tough-natured, clamshell handset. Looks are decidedly masculine, with jagged angles and blocky corners. It's military-certified to withstand a bevy of environmental hazards, including water, dust, high falls and extreme temperatures.
On the outside flap lies a 0.9-inch display, while a nicer 2.1-inch LCD (320 x 240 pixels) sits inside. Both work well for their respective purposes. Same with the well-designed navigation array and raised keypad, both facilitating comfortable use.
As a phone, the G'zOne Rock makes for somewhat poor call quality. It's usable - but the voice sounded hollow and harsh everytime we tried it. The speakerphone was worse, although both offered plenty of volume. Broadband performance was very good, especially since very few rugged phones come with 3G. Battery life is rated at five hours of talk time, which is kind of disappointing for a phone that's meant to be taken outdoors.
Of course, it comes with all the basic features, including a 500-entry phonebook, PIM tools and a good messaging suite (SMS, MMS, IM and web-based email). It also has push-to-talk capabilities, as well as a GPS, making it really suitable for on-the-road applications (such as for in-field workers).
As a ruggedized device, though, none of those capabilities actually come as a surprise. What is pleasantly unexpected is the rather decent multimedia capability, making for a good entertainment phone whether you're slumming it outdoors or sitting comfy in your home. It comes with support for Verizon's wide range of streaming services too, handling them very capably. The music player is a bit sluggish, but audio quality is great. Casio also threw in a wireless web browser and an average-quality 2.0 megapixel camera (with plenty of editing options).
A feature unique to this phone is the G'zGear suite of applications. Geared for outdoor enthusiasts, the collection consists of a compass, a pedometer, a thermometer, an astral calendar, a sun-tracker and a tidal graph app. As a bonus, you can access most of them from the phone's outer LCD, which is especially handy.
Overall, the Casio G'zOne Rock is an excellent rugged handset, bringing a good mix of apps along with the durable construction. Even better, the multimedia features are robust, allowing you to have a little bit of digital entertainment while enjoying your time outdoors. The $149.99 price (with contract) does sound a bit steep, though.
Casio G'zOne Rock Brings Good Multimedia Support To Go With Ruggedized Outdoor Featuresunratednoel2009-12-11 14:20:49
Phone ReviewsCasio G'zOne Rock Brings Good Multimedia Support To Go With Ruggedized Outdoor Features
Durability and PTT capability take front and center for the Samsung Convoy, which was recently released on Verizon's network. Like many of Samsung's phones, form and features are very similar to another existing handset, the Samsung Rugby, so if you're familiar with that, you'll probably take to this device in much the same way.
Physically, the Convoy is unmistakably rugged - hard plastic skin, thick rubber sidings and an extremely firm battery cover. It passes all the usual military specifications, although it's only water-resistant to a certain degree (don't dare swim in a pool with it). The clamshell mechanism is sturdy and it feels solid overall.
Like most flip phones, it comes with two screens, a very small microSD-sized one outside and a 2.2-inch LCD inside. Both are quality displays, with sharp colors and bright graphics. The menu and navigation array, usually casualties in many rugged phones (especially those from Verizon), are surprisingly good.
As a phone, the Convoy manages very good call quality, apart from offering compatibility for both M4 and T4 hearing aids. Voices sound loud and natural, despite busy surroundings. The speakerphone was similarly admirable. This phones supports 3G, although speed is not very impressive. Since we're sure it's not the network that's problematic, it's probably the phone. Take note if you're planning to use this for heavy downloading. It has a stated battery life of 5 hours of talk time, which pales in comparison to many rugged devices.
On the features end, it has all the basics covered: 1,000-contact address book, stereo Bluetooth and a decent messaging suite (SMS, MMS, IM and POP3 mail). PTT costs an extra $5 a month, which isn't bad, and there's an onboard GPS too (with VZ Navigator preinstalled).
It comes with a 2.0 megapixel camera, with a good range of editing options, including multiple shooting modes. Photo quality is good for such a low-res phone camera, although it lacks flash. Media playback is decent and, since it has 3G, comes with support for Verizon's range of streaming services. Performance, like we said, isn't the fastest (videos encounter some amount of buffering), but it's tolerable. One disappointment is the 2.5mm audio jack.
Overall, the Samsung Convoy ($99 on contract) is a pretty good phone, particularly if durability and PTT support are primary considerations in your decision-making. It's easier to use than most handsets I've seen in the category and the inclusion of 3G makes it a passable entertainment device, too.
Samsung Convoy Brings PTT And 3G, Along With Rugged Formunratednoel2009-11-23 10:12:45
Phone ReviewsSamsung Convoy Brings PTT And 3G, Along With Rugged Form
Motorola has seen some bad days in the mobile world lately. To supplement their losses in the various niches, they've been doing pretty decent business in the PTT field (see the Motorola Debut we reviewed previously). The Motorola Barrage is another one of those phones, combining push-to-talk with a rugged design and a number of other features.
Rarely have we seen Motorola offer a PTT phone outside Nextel's network, so seeing one out of Verizon Wireless is a refreshing change. More importantly, though, the Barrage comes with a durable yet attractive design that should let it stand the barrage of elements without looking an eyesore.
Clad in a clamshell form factor, the handset should handle a good amount of abuse, thanks to the patches of rubber overlaying the plastic skin on the sides, front and rear. It features a solid build and an oversized hinge, making sure it stands through worse-than-normal mishandling. Even better, it fits in water-proof qualities, allowing it to survive when put in water. Don't worry about portability, either, as it's still pretty light at only 4.2 ounces.
Being a clamshell phone, it comes with two screens, a 1.6-inch LCD outside and a 2.2-inch display inside. Both are sufficiently bright and sharp, with excellent colors. The outside face includes touch-sensitive music controls, so you can use the onboard music player even when it's closed. Keypads and buttons work surprisingly well, proving easier to use than the stiff ones available on most rugged phones.
As a phone, the Barrage manages good calls, with clear- and natural-sounding voices. It lacked some extra volume for use in noisy spots, though. Speakerphone was also decent, but the volume was very much lacking. The 3G connection works fine, although it seems slower than other phones on the same network (which is pretty odd). Battery life is rated at a little over six hours, making for a good three days of regular use.
On the features end, it comes with the usual basic niceties, including a 1,000 contact phone book, some basic apps and stereo Bluetooth. Do note that PTT numbers are stored in a different phone book, rather than integrated into the regular one. For messaging, it supports SMS, MMS, IM and web-based POP3 email.
More premium capabilities include an onboard GPS, support for Verizon's range of broadband media services and a 2.0 megapixel camera. It actually manages to snap up good photos for a 2.0 megapixel device, although video recording isn't quite as nice.
Overall, the Motorola Barrage is an excellent choice for a PTT phone, especially with the rugged design in tow. The addition of 3G is a big plus, making it a really useful media handset.
Motorola Barrage Boasts Rugged Qualities, PTT Features And 3G Connectivityunratednoel2009-10-13 15:45:14
Phone ReviewsMotorola Barrage Boasts Rugged Qualities, PTT Features And 3G Connectivity
