Re: [Paddlewise] cell phones

Greg Hollingsworth wrote:
> 
> ...SNIP...
> 
> I now carry both a VHF and a cell phone when I paddle.  My problem with
> the cell phone is that it is not submersible and  I can't imagine how
> I'd use it successfully in the worst case condition where I'd get
> separated from my boat in challenging conditions.  It's nowhere close to
> waterproof and it has tiny little buttons that I don't have a chance of
> using with neoprene gloves on.  I'd probably die of dialing frustration
> before succumbing to hypothermia.
> 
> I wonder if anyone makes a submersible cell phone with buttons that can
> be used with heavy gloves on.

I also carry both a VHF (or two) and a cell phone.  I have a cell phone
that I purchased explicitly for sea kayaking.  Unfortunately it is not
submersible, but it can be used quite easily when double bagged (I use a
plastic VHF baggie with a thin inner bag as a second line of defense).  

A good sea-kayaking cell phone has several key features: large buttons
(that can be operated through the baggie with gloves on), one-button
programming (for ease of dialing), clear sound quality when the volume
is set high (so that you can hear it through the baggies), good fringe
reception, a heavy-duty battery pack (I have three, but have never
needed more than one), at least some minimal water resistance (it
shouldn't fail the one-drop-of-water test!), and it should be ready to
operate without "flipping" it open (Motorolas need not apply).  I have
had mine for about four years or so, and it has always worked reliably,
including once when I used it to report that I had spotted someone
paddling my friend's stolen kayak--an incident that found its way into
Sea Kayaker magazine.  

Most numbers that I want to call require only that I punch one number
and "send". You may have heard the joke, "What is the number for 911?" 
Well, with my cell phone that is no joke--the number for 911 is 9! The
number for the US Coast Guard is 8, and the number for the Canadian RCC
(Rescue Coordination Center) is 7.  I also have one-number access to
information, which will connect me to any listed phone number. 

I can't provide a recommendation for a current model, since the one I
bought has been discontinued and I really haven't kept up.  But I am
sure that you can still find one with the above features.  Although a
submersible would of course be preferable.

Dan Hagen
Bellingham, Washington
***************************************************************************
PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List
Submissions:     paddlewise_at_lists.intelenet.net
Subscriptions:   paddlewise-request_at_lists.intelenet.net
Website:         http://www.gasp-seakayak.net/paddlewise/
***************************************************************************