Saturday 30 October 2010

Rugged Phones for Rugged Folk

So I'm looking for a spare phone. It needs to be exercise and toddler proof, and I've found myself looking for what's known as a "Ruggedised" model. If, like me you've never heard of IP certification, then you'll be pleased to know technicians have been working on life proofing the gadgets we sometimes need to depend on for a while now. Surely fall-out from military hardware, IP, or "Ingress Protection" comes in many flavours representing the varying level's of protection available against solid objects and liquids hitting your beloved handset.
IP ratings seem to have two (or occasionally three) numbers -

  • Protection from solid objects (poking) 

0
No special protection
1
Protected against solid objects up to 50 mm, e.g. accidental touch by persons hands.
2
Protected against solid objects up to 12 mm, e.g. persons fingers.
3
Protected against solid objects over 2.5 mm (tools and wires).
4
Protected against solid objects over 1 mm (tools, wires, and small wires).
5
Protected against dust limited ingress (no harmful deposit).
6
Totally protected against dust.
  • Protection against liquids (dunking)

0
No protection.
1
Protection against vertically falling drops of water e.g. condensation.
2
Protection against direct sprays of water up to 15o from the vertical.
3
Protected against direct sprays of water up to 60o from the vertical.
4
Protection against water sprayed from all directions - limited ingress permitted.
5
Protected against low pressure jets of water from all directions - limited ingress.
6
Protected against temporary flooding of water, e.g. for use on ship decks - limited ingress permitted.
7
Protected against the effect of immersion between 15 cm and 1 m.
8
Protects against long periods of immersion under pressure.
  • Protection against mechanical impacts (dropping) - This isn't often used - I'm guessing to keep peoples spirits up?

0
No protection.
1
Protects against impact of 0.225 joule (e.g. 150 g weight falling from 15 cm height).
2
Protected against impact of 0.375 joule (e.g. 250 g weight falling from 15 cm height).
3
Protected against impact of 0.5 joule (e.g. 250 g weight falling from 20 cm height).
4
Protected against impact of 2.0 joule (e.g. 500 g weight falling from 40 cm height).
5
Protected against impact of 6.0 joule (e.g. 1.5 kg weight falling from 40 cm height).
6
Protected against impact of 20.0 joule (e.g. 5 kg weight falling from 40 cm height).

There are two current contenders for this noble position as my spare mobile - A. the niftily named "GT-B2100SRAXEU" (otherwise known as a Solid Extreme). Coming with a IP57 rating this sucker is totally protected against dust and will take a dunking to a depth of a metre of water - perhaps like me jumping in a swimming pool river or the sea up to my waist & B. The as yet un-released XCover 271, which promises to be IP67 - instantly promoting it to Indiana Jones's mobile of choice.  

What's your spare mobile like?

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