Emergency phone

JonathanRyan

JonathanRyan

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So I like to run a bit. Sometimes it's in out of the way places and sometimes race requirements say I *must* carry a charged phone at all times.

I have a really nice Blackview but it's way too big to fit in a running belt/pocket. I thought of getting an emergency phone so that I can swap my SIM into it.

Requirements:
  1. Excellent battery life. When I need it, I need it. Looking for 48 hours on standby at least. 72 is better (because that should give me a genuine 48)
  2. Smaller than a Blackview (pretty much everything is - but the smaller the better). Lighter the better too.
  3. Will take my Tesco SIM - actually it would be nice if I could take a couple of SIMs. Some places are very out of the way.
  4. At least water resistant. IP68 would be awesome.
I'd also like (but not really need) it to have a camera. If it wasn't for this I'd get a 90s Nokia with 15 day standby. If I can't find something with a camera then I probably will.

Also, cheap :D
 
Tesco will do you a sim free phone for £19.

I just found out while looking for that ^ that Tesco Direct shut down in July! clearly because I've not shopped there for some time.
 
Steep said:
Tesco will do you a sim free phone for £19.
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They do. IIRC it's the old school Nokia and for emergencies it's a very good phone. Just wonder if I can also get a camera phone for a reasonable price.
 
The £19 one has a camera. So does the £30 one.
 
Steep said:
The £19 one has a camera. So does the £30 one.
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Wow - you're right! That will teach me to think I know the answer :)

Amazing bargains. Now to remind myself how terrible a VGA camera would be. That £19 might just be a winner though.
 
What about checking out somewhere like CEX for a used model of choice? Their stuff comes with a two year warranty also.
 
gman said:
What about checking out somewhere like CEX for a used model of choice? Their stuff comes with a two year warranty also.
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Thanks - yeah. Good place to buy them. I want to know what to get before I go out though - otherwise they will bamboozle me with touch screens and Nougat.
 
scott199 said:
I looked at one of these but not actually tried it. Does it defo need a camera, why not a watch ?

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/171976527878
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Ooo that might be a winner. The Chinese seller puts me off a bit in case there are extra charges.

It doesn't absolutely need a camera but I run in some nice places and with friends so it would save me carrying one and for obvious reasons I'm trying to keep the weight of stuff I carry down.

I have a watch ;)
 
JonathanRyan said:
Ooo that might be a winner. The Chinese seller puts me off a bit in case there are extra charges.

It doesn't absolutely need a camera but I run in some nice places and with friends so it would save me carrying one and for obvious reasons I'm trying to keep the weight of stuff I carry down.

I have a watch ;)
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I order all the time from chinease sellers, never had any extra, esp at this price range. Can’t you just use your watch for phone calls, Apple Watch type thing ? I assume the phone calls are for emergency ? Maybe a gps tracker with emergency calls ?
 
scott199 said:
Can’t you just use your watch for phone calls, Apple Watch type thing ? I assume the phone calls are for emergency ? Maybe a gps tracker with emergency calls ?
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I didn't know an iWatch could make calls without a phone. That's pretty cool. But no, I don't have an iWatch (or an iPhone so it would get pricey). My Suunto watch will receive messages from my phone but it's BT so range is about 10 metres.

Yes, they are for emergency. In fact, lots of races require you to have a phone with you so an iWatch may not pass kit check.
 
JonathanRyan said:
I didn't know an iWatch could make calls without a phone. That's pretty cool. But no, I don't have an iWatch (or an iPhone so it would get pricey). My Suunto watch will receive messages from my phone but it's BT so range is about 10 metres.

Yes, they are for emergency. In fact, lots of races require you to have a phone with you so an iWatch may not pass kit check.
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Yep only the iwatch 3 makes calls without the phone, so would be a really expensive option, but maybe give that one I linked a shot.
 
scott199 said:
Yep only the iwatch 3 makes calls without the phone, so would be a really expensive option, but maybe give that one I linked a shot.
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It’s actually called Apple Watch, and not every series 3 can make/receive calls independent of the iPhone. Only the cellular version does, and only EE offer a cellular connection in the U.K.
 
Have you tried the FlipBelts?

I use mine for running and fit my iPhone 6s with its armoured case in there easily (which is quite a big phone). Website says it'll take a G4 at 76mm wide and I've just stuffed my wallet into mine (90mm wide & fat!).
 
Harlequin565 said:
Have you tried the FlipBelts?

I use mine for running and fit my iPhone 6s with its armoured case in there easily (which is quite a big phone). Website says it'll take a G4 at 76mm wide and I've just stuffed my wallet into mine (90mm wide & fat!).
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I haven't actually - I've used a Spi belt and it's a constant battle getting the phone in and out of it. The bigger problem is that it's 155mm long and there isn't a section on my waist that's flat for that distance :D

Also, it weighs 225g which is more than a waterproof jacket...................
 
JonathanRyan said:
there isn't a section on my waist that's flat for that distance
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My 6s is 160mm long x 80mm wide and it fits in there nicely. I tend to swivel it to my back (when I don't need it) because it's not a comfortable fit on the hip. Can also tuck a pair of gloves in there too which is handy. Getting the phone in/out isn't what I'd call "easy" but neither is it a "battle". However I tend to set my music, press play, then I'm done with it. I can't even tell I'm wearing it.

Link to the one I bought: https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B00JF9DWWU

I got a "Large" for a 36" waist that went down to 34" and still has a nice snug fit that doesn't move around.
 
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Anybody actually tried the hilariously named Hipipoo J5+? It looks like it's a ruggedised Jelly for a lot less money.
 
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