Time for a new phone

[Grant Lamontagne]

After over two years of faithful service my Motorola Atrix has finally given up the ghost.  It was inconvenient when it stopped sending and receiving emails, it was frustrating when it stopped receiving texts, but when it started crashing during calls then booting up, crashing, resetting then crashing again I figured it was toast.  I tried to do a factory reset on it but it locked up.  In the end I had to make the hard decision to replace it.

I hate replacing things like phones, laptops etc.  Its inconvenient to me to try and import things from one machine to another and invariably things get lost. 

Anyways I made a claim on my phone's insurance policy and now a fancy new Samsung Galaxy S3 is on its way to me.  I could have gotten an S4 but I decided I didn't want to pay for it since it would have cost a lot more.

I'm looking forward to the S3.  It'll be nice to have a phone that works again. I've been limping along for a while now trying to make my Atrix last as long as possible, making do any way I could and making excuses when I couldn't.

My phone is dead. Long live my phone!

Def

Sent from a digital multitool

[Mr. Whippy]

S3/S4 Galaxy is probably going to be my next phone.    Differences between them is minimal. Good choice

[detron]

many of the S4 features will be available on the S3 through future updates.  not things that require hardware (IR blaster, 1080p screen, eye watcher)  but things like camera features and such.

I have the S4, and I love it.  my friends have the S3, and they are very happy with it.

[Grant Lamontagne]

Yeah, I know a couple of people with the S3 and they all like them.  I was shooting for the S4, but decided to go cheap with the insurance route.

I'm eligible for a hardware upgrade in January, although I can upgrade earlier for a fee.  Right now the fee is $120.  The S4 goes for $179 right now, and there's a $35 activation fee.  Add in a case, taxes etc and I'd be looking at $400. 

By claiming my insurance I get the S3 for a measly $150 plus my upgrade schedule remains intact, so I'll still be able to upgrade any time after January.  I won't of course, but it'll be nice to have that as a backup plan. 

I'm giving serious consideration to the Armor Series case too:

http://www.otterbox.com/samsung-galaxy-s3-cases/samsung-galaxy-s3-cases,default,sc.html

I think the S3 is the only Android they make that case for.  It's a bit pricier than the Defender type that I usually get, but it's waterproof, which is good for kayaking, work etc.

Def

[powernoodle]

I have the S2 Skyrocket, and its awesome.  Does everything I want.  The only downside is that its pretty large in the pocket or on the belt.  Seems like everything these days is too large for me.  I would prefer something smaller, but no dice.   But performance-wise, you should really dig the S3.

I have the Otterbox Defender case, and it provides a lot of protection, but its just adds a huge amount of bulk to an already big phone. 

[Grant Lamontagne]

Since I work outside in all weather conditions I accept a little extra bulk if it means my phone will still function when I need it.

I have just ordered an Armor Series case.

Def

[Syph007]

I love my S3! Had it around a week now and no complaints.   I bought  spare battery and charger and I never plug  in now just swap batteries and keep going and put the dead one in the charger.

[comis]

I too have been using my S3, and do like it after almost a year.  I have an Otter commuter case, and it worked like a charm(the phone had been dropped a few times)

However, a friend of mine somehow manage to crack the screen twice, once by accidentally dropping it while in a seat, and second time was worse, it was in his front pocket and the screen cracked merely by him sitting down(maybe he is too skinny?)  And that's one complain(weak screen) I hear often about Samsung phones.

[Whoey]

When I was looking it was one of my options as well. If you are still planning to upgrade in the short term (6 months or so) it might be a good idea to not invest in too many accessories for this phone, as you'll just have to replace them all when you do replace it.

[Reinier]

I've had an S3 for half a year now and it's an excellent phone. I also bought an S3 Mini recently but other than the looks it shares nothing with its bigger brother

[Whoey]

I was looking at the mini myself, lack of gorilla glass really turned me away from it (I think it's one of the few galaxy phones to not have it!)

[derekmac]

I too have been using my S3, and do like it after almost a year.  I have an Otter commuter case, and it worked like a charm(the phone had been dropped a few times)

However, a friend of mine somehow manage to crack the screen twice, once by accidentally dropping it while in a seat, and second time was worse, it was in his front pocket and the screen cracked merely by him sitting down(maybe he is too skinny?)  And that's one complain(weak screen) I hear often about Samsung phones.

They are a  nice phone, but the screens do seem to crack easily on them. My wife's cracked while in a case from a few foot drop.

My brother in law sells and reviews cases, so if you want I can check with him to see if he has anything for the S3.

Sent from my HTC One using Tapatalk 4

[Grant Lamontagne]

I too have been using my S3, and do like it after almost a year.  I have an Otter commuter case, and it worked like a charm(the phone had been dropped a few times)

However, a friend of mine somehow manage to crack the screen twice, once by accidentally dropping it while in a seat, and second time was worse, it was in his front pocket and the screen cracked merely by him sitting down(maybe he is too skinny?)  And that's one complain(weak screen) I hear often about Samsung phones.

I usually invest in an Otterbox Defender right away, and the moment the phone comes out of the box it goes into the case.  My phones always look brand new when they get replaced because of it.  Unfortunately my Atrix has been without a case for the last year or so since I am a heavy user and decided I needed the extended battery, which didn't fit in the Otterbox Defender.  The Commuter is way too lightweight for my needs, and the Defender series is much better.  However, since I often work in the rain (not to mention the watersports like kayaking and snorkeling that I enjoy!) I always wanted something waterproof, so I might as well go the distance and get the Armor series since it's available for this one.  I've been drooling over the Armor series cases since they were released, but I never had a phone that would fit in one until now.    I figure if it's resistant to 10 foot drops, two tonnes of crushing force and waterproof to six and a half feet, it might just keep the phone intact while I'm at work.  Remember, my job and environment have killed Leathermans!   

When I was looking it was one of my options as well. If you are still planning to upgrade in the short term (6 months or so) it might be a good idea to not invest in too many accessories for this phone, as you'll just have to replace them all when you do replace it.

I actually don't plan to upgrade it any time soon.  I figure the upgrade I'll be eligible for in a few months is added insurance for myself and my wife, although she'll be able to upgrade a few months later.  Since neither of us like grabbing new phones if we don't have to it'll be another level of security for us, although I still believe I will keep my insurance policy going.  As I said, my job is so harsh sometimes that it kills Leathermans, so what chance does a teeny electro-gizmo have against those odds? 

I too have been using my S3, and do like it after almost a year.  I have an Otter commuter case, and it worked like a charm(the phone had been dropped a few times)

However, a friend of mine somehow manage to crack the screen twice, once by accidentally dropping it while in a seat, and second time was worse, it was in his front pocket and the screen cracked merely by him sitting down(maybe he is too skinny?)  And that's one complain(weak screen) I hear often about Samsung phones.

They are a  nice phone, but the screens do seem to crack easily on them. My wife's cracked while in a case from a few foot drop.

My brother in law sells and reviews cases, so if you want I can check with him to see if he has anything for the S3.

Sent from my HTC One using Tapatalk 4

I placed an order at Best Buy last night for the Armor series case.  It was on for $76 or so, which is pretty good considering Otterbox.com has it listed for $99 plus shipping, and the Defender was going to cost me $60 anyway.  An extra $16 for waterproofing?  Heck yeah!

I will keep you in mind for my next upgrade, or my wife's though.  I'm all about protecting the phone and so is my wife.  She was quite upset when she found out there were no cases available that covered the screen on the Droid I got her a couple of years ago since she has one of the ones with the fold out keyboard.

Def

[derekmac]

The Armor cases really are awesome! We did tests with the iPhone 5 case (with phone in it) and I was throughly impressed with it. For what you do, that definitely is the best case for you.

My wife might still have a defender and commuter case for the S3, and if she does you can have them. I'll try and remember to have a look for them tonight.

Sent from my HTC One using Tapatalk 4

[Grant Lamontagne]

Thanks!

My wife says her phone is having issues, so I'll be seeing if I can fix them over the next day or two that I have her phone.  She may be wanting to upgrade soon too, in which case it's possible she may get the S3.  If she does, she won't want the big heavy Armor series case.

Def

[comis]

Remember, my job and environment have killed Leathermans!   

Wow, would you mind letting us know what industry that kills leatherman?

I work in an office environment, so the otter commuter is enough for me, and I thought the defender was pretty hard core until I see the Armor Series.  It is built like a fridge!  I am sure the phone will look fresh and nice when it is time to retire. 

[Grant Lamontagne]

I work in shipping, and I'm in the North Atlantic.  Weather here changes quickly, the temperature can vary by twenty degrees Celsius and there are high levels of moisture and salt in the air.  If you do a search in our Leatherman forum you'll see pictures of my Wingman which rusted shut after being in my work vest for a few months.  I'd post a link for you but I'm on my tablet.

Def

[Syph007]

  from http://forum.multitool.org/index.php/topic,37952.0.html

[derekmac]

And now my nightmares are going to start again! 

[Grant Lamontagne]

Thanks for posting the link for me!

Def

Sent from a digital multitool

[comis]

Wow, Grand, looks like it is the last frontier for all MTs, where everything needs to be rough and tough!

My day-do-day setting is a lot less demanding, but it is quite humid all year round, and somehow, maybe it was the wrong or less lube, some MTs do develop rust over time(happens to LM tools more often).   

Recently, I just did a video about ferro rod and MTs, and brought out a lot of the LM to film, much to my dismay, Juice was developing specks of rust all over the drivers.  I usually get a little disappointed when this happen--after all, I wasn't expecting MTs to survive diving in sea and all weather conditions, but I do hold the expectation that sitting in a drawer, few months to a year, should not be a challenging task and they shouldn't self destruct that way.  Right now I am changing all the MTs lube to Tuf-Glide and Tuf-Glide Marine, hopefully to report back with good results in few months or years time. 

[Grant Lamontagne]

I actually have some multis that couldn't stand up to the rigorous lifestyle of living in a drawer.





All of the corrosion you see on these two are the result of a hard lifestyle of sitting there and doing nothing.   

Def

[Grant Lamontagne]

The S3 arrived today.  So far I'm liking it, although I haven't really gotten too far with it yet.

Def

[Cupboard]

Not being one to nanny my phone, for work I've got a Cat B15. It was fairly cheap at half the price of an S3, though the kit fund we have with our provider paid for it.

It's not desperately high spec but it's built to be tough and being able to rinse slurry off it without worry is very nice. Compared to iPhones I've seen in similarly tough cases it's smaller, tougher and has a bigger screen. I've accidentally thrown it across our yard on to concrete and it's just got a very small mark on the side. The screen's sensitive enough that I can use it with most of my usual gloves on too

[nuphoria]

Also weighing up S3/4 for my next phone... can't think of a good reason why not at this point!

[derekmac]

Thanks!

My wife says her phone is having issues, so I'll be seeing if I can fix them over the next day or two that I have her phone.  She may be wanting to upgrade soon too, in which case it's possible she may get the S3.  If she does, she won't want the big heavy Armor series case.

Def

I just remembered to ask my wife, and she thinks she still has a few cases for the S3, but she needs to find them.

Sent from my HTC One using Tapatalk 4

[comis]

All of the corrosion you see on these two are the result of a hard lifestyle of sitting there and doing nothing.   

Def

Thanks for the pix.

I am not a steel guy, but sometimes I do wonder about the steel they use and the cause of corrosion.  IIRC, tools of the leatherman was made of something like 420 and Victorinox is using X55CrMo14.  But if we look at a steel chart composed by a member on BF:




It looks like the corrosion resistant of these two steels are very similar.  But why do I see leatherman tools rust a little more often than the Victorinox tools?  I like these two brands of MTs the most, and either way it probably won't change my fondness of them.  Just want to know the cause of rusting so to better prevent it. 

[Millhouse]

Also weighing up S3/4 for my next phone... can't think of a good reason why not at this point!

Because you're cool and the S3/4 isn't.

The next couple of weeks should see the new iPhone. If you want Android, the HTC One is nice.

[Whoey]

If you need a new phone right now that's a good option, but there are also new androids due out shortly... and after the price drop on the Nexus 4, it's a pretty attractive off contract option... I could have gotten a cheaper on contract option vs my Nexus4, but after seeing how great my Nexus7 was, I was keen on a phone that is essentially a smaller phone version, plus I'm now free to jump to another operator for a better deal if one pops up...

[Grant Lamontagne]

All of the corrosion you see on these two are the result of a hard lifestyle of sitting there and doing nothing.   

Def

Thanks for the pix.

I am not a steel guy, but sometimes I do wonder about the steel they use and the cause of corrosion.  IIRC, tools of the leatherman was made of something like 420 and Victorinox is using X55CrMo14.  But if we look at a steel chart composed by a member on BF:

(Image removed from quote.)


It looks like the corrosion resistant of these two steels are very similar.  But why do I see leatherman tools rust a little more often than the Victorinox tools?  I like these two brands of MTs the most, and either way it probably won't change my fondness of them.  Just want to know the cause of rusting so to better prevent it. 

Part of the issue is the finish- Victorinox has a very high polish while Leatherman (usually) does a bead blast finish, although that excuse doesn't help the Wingman any.  With a bead blast finish the contaminants last longer on the surface of the tool, increasing the likelihood of corrosion, while the same contaminants get worn or washed away faster from a polished finish.

Back to phones, I am really liking my Galaxy S3 so far, but I am getting antsy for the case I bought to show up.  I am really uncomfortable with such a flimsy feeling phone.  I am sure it's more solid than I am giving it credit for but given how quickly things get destroyed around me you can understand my paranoia.

Also weighing up S3/4 for my next phone... can't think of a good reason why not at this point!

If I were choosing a phone right now I'd probably take the S4 simply because I like to keep them as long as possible (it's always inconvenient to me to have to change phones, laptops etc) and the S4 is currently the most advanced and "futureproof" phone there is at the moment.  Still, if it somehow improves on the S3 then I think it would be amazing as the S3 is pretty darned good, even though it's "last year's" phone. 

Def