samss
Well-known member
Anybody already have one? The price is kinda steep, but I'm liking the specs.
https://www.catphones.com/en-us/cat-s61-smartphone/
https://www.catphones.com/en-us/cat-s61-smartphone/
Cat S61 Smartphone
- Thread starter samss
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Rabid Badger
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Big Clive seems to like it:
Strouty
Well-known member
I am surprised that the thermal imaging hasn't been included in other phones, I bet you would see a lot of people using it in interesting ways )read homemade ****). If I was a road tech, that would probably be a phone I would want, quick and easy one tool to use for diagnosis, it should also have a link for engine and machine diagnosis, then it would be the Cat's Meow.
Looks like it has a real "touch" screen too, I hate the capacitive ones, they don't work as well unless you have soft supple fingers, I always forget to moisturize my hands after working on my heavy equipment so they do get kind of dry.
Looks like it has a real "touch" screen too, I hate the capacitive ones, they don't work as well unless you have soft supple fingers, I always forget to moisturize my hands after working on my heavy equipment so they do get kind of dry.
danski0224
Well-known member
Off brand phones can be sketchy.
I tried a Doogee rugged phone, and it was OK at best, despite the reviews. The camera in particular was bad despite the claimed specs.
I really liked the stripped down Android interface, it was much like the Cyanomod.
This was a few years ago.
Fortunately, I was able to return it and get my money back. The vendor tried many things to get me to keep it at a reduced cost.
If you get it, be sure to run it through its paces before the return window closes... and make sure that you can return it.
There are relatively inexpensive small thermal imagers, some have very good specs. Might want to look at those too.
I went with a used Galaxy S8 Active. Don't know what will be next, but it certainly won't be a $1k+ phone.
I tried a Doogee rugged phone, and it was OK at best, despite the reviews. The camera in particular was bad despite the claimed specs.
I really liked the stripped down Android interface, it was much like the Cyanomod.
This was a few years ago.
Fortunately, I was able to return it and get my money back. The vendor tried many things to get me to keep it at a reduced cost.
If you get it, be sure to run it through its paces before the return window closes... and make sure that you can return it.
There are relatively inexpensive small thermal imagers, some have very good specs. Might want to look at those too.
I went with a used Galaxy S8 Active. Don't know what will be next, but it certainly won't be a $1k+ phone.
I'm disturbed that it runs an ancient version of Android. That means woefully inadequate security updates. It has a low level SoC with limited RAM and doesn't support band 71 so don't try to use it on T-Mobile. Also no 5G, no Wi-Fi 6. Things you can now get in a $500 phone.
The Flir One already exists to add thermal capability to any smartphone camera.
In an effort to kill a few birds with one stone I think you will end up with a very medicore phone and then overpay for the few other features it offers. There is some comical fine print at the bottom which basically states that any old phone in an OtterBox is just as rugged.
The Flir One already exists to add thermal capability to any smartphone camera.
In an effort to kill a few birds with one stone I think you will end up with a very medicore phone and then overpay for the few other features it offers. There is some comical fine print at the bottom which basically states that any old phone in an OtterBox is just as rugged.
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The Pixel 5 and 4a 5G will be announced at the end of the month. They will be able to access all of the new network technologies, run the latest version of Android and start at $450.
Rabid Badger
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It looks like the S62 should be available soon. I'd probably opt for that one.
https://www.techradar.com/reviews/cat-s62-pro-rugged-smartphone
https://www.techradar.com/reviews/cat-s62-pro-rugged-smartphone
Better SoC and more RAM but lost the laser rangefinder. No mention of the ‘air quality’ sensor which sounds like it’s just a temperature/humidity sensor.
I want a rugged tricorder as much as the next guy. This thing might make a little sense for a large corporate purchase for standardization and support. For an individual it’s a compromise device at a rip-off price.
paranoid56
Well-known member
this right here. it always amazes me at phones and tablets that just come out yet are on 4+ year old software.
"I want a rugged tricorder as much as the next guy." Tallpilot
Exactly. I started out with a pager, then finally got a Motorola bag phone. 1995ish
Technology is moving so fast, yet so slow. My Google Pixel is just about ancient at this point.
Cyanogen mod was great on an HTC I used to have. Why is there so much bloat ware on phones anyway.
Exactly. I started out with a pager, then finally got a Motorola bag phone. 1995ish
Technology is moving so fast, yet so slow. My Google Pixel is just about ancient at this point.
Cyanogen mod was great on an HTC I used to have. Why is there so much bloat ware on phones anyway.
Jbullfrog
ALLIANCE MEMBER
I carry a Kyocera flip phone that is one of the most durable phones currently offered. I also have a Dell Rugged tablet. I farm, mechanic, and do demolition work, so having a phone that holds up and makes and receives calls is the most important. If I want to surf the web, I reach for my tablet. The Cat phones are supposed to be durable, but they haven't been compatible with Verizon, yet.
Gotcha640
Well-known member
Not sure what your choices are, everything from pixel to iPhone to Samsung are capacitive. I know some people have better luck with a plastic or glass screen protector or no cover. Lick your finger?
Gotcha640
Well-known member
I guess this is for people who have a history of dropping their phones, or want to show off their gear?
I don't see the industrial appeal if it's not rated intrinsically safe.
A middle-high end phone is similar price and will get more regular security and feature updates, and a better camera, flir one is available, a bosch or whatever laser tape is more accurate.
We are all quick to buy a dedicated specialty tool. My phone is for calls and pictures, I'll prioritize those.
I don't see the industrial appeal if it's not rated intrinsically safe.
A middle-high end phone is similar price and will get more regular security and feature updates, and a better camera, flir one is available, a bosch or whatever laser tape is more accurate.
We are all quick to buy a dedicated specialty tool. My phone is for calls and pictures, I'll prioritize those.
I've got it. Had it since it launched. I love it but it is definitely not for everyone. It's slow as far as modern cell phones go, doesn't have much built in storage and is as big as most phones with an Otterbox. The thermal camera is slow to launch and a bit clunky but it's still amazing to have it. I've used it to find a pump on a manufacturing line that wasn't running because of a mistake in a PLC reflash, troubleshoot a blend door problem in a truck, find water leaks, map out the HVAC ducts in my house, find partially fused coils on solenoids, and all kinds of other things. The battery life on it is fantastic too, part of having a huge battery and part having a slow processor. I haven't killed it since I got it. It's gotten down to like 7% before but it just lasts and lasts and lasts.
As for the durability side, well it hasn't broken yet but with the exception of the water proofing which is solid, I don't have the confidence in it that I had in my Lumia 920. That phone was literally built like a tank. Also the CAT logo on the back fell off in a month or two of use along with the USB port cover. The covers aren't actually required for the water proofing though they're just intended to keep dust/dirt out. I also took it camping in northern Michigan in the winter and it was not able to tolerate cold weather. I woke up in the tent in the middle of the night and it was like 15F and the phone just had a pop up on it that said something like "Too cold to operate" and stayed that way until I brought it into the truck and warmed it up for a bit. I've been looking at the Blackview 9900 Pro (also has a FLIR camera onboard) and that phone claims to be able to tolerate cold weather better than this one.
I've looked at upgrading to the S62 but I really don't like the new super slim aspect ratio some phones are going to.
As for the durability side, well it hasn't broken yet but with the exception of the water proofing which is solid, I don't have the confidence in it that I had in my Lumia 920. That phone was literally built like a tank. Also the CAT logo on the back fell off in a month or two of use along with the USB port cover. The covers aren't actually required for the water proofing though they're just intended to keep dust/dirt out. I also took it camping in northern Michigan in the winter and it was not able to tolerate cold weather. I woke up in the tent in the middle of the night and it was like 15F and the phone just had a pop up on it that said something like "Too cold to operate" and stayed that way until I brought it into the truck and warmed it up for a bit. I've been looking at the Blackview 9900 Pro (also has a FLIR camera onboard) and that phone claims to be able to tolerate cold weather better than this one.
I've looked at upgrading to the S62 but I really don't like the new super slim aspect ratio some phones are going to.
RedneckWelder
Well-known member
An IPhone or your favorite flavor of Android phones in an Otterbox or similar with a tempered glass screen protector is going to be a better way to go.
Guess I missed the point.
I thought it was an multi purpose industrial measuring device - that also just happens to be a smart phone.
My work truck ELD (electronic logging device) is just an app running on a larger Samsung smartphone, that is only used for the logging purpose (google maps too).
If people want better smart phone capabilities, seems they would just carry a better smartphone.
Still seems like a good price, just for the measuring capabilities.
I thought it was an multi purpose industrial measuring device - that also just happens to be a smart phone.
My work truck ELD (electronic logging device) is just an app running on a larger Samsung smartphone, that is only used for the logging purpose (google maps too).
If people want better smart phone capabilities, seems they would just carry a better smartphone.
Still seems like a good price, just for the measuring capabilities.
ajchien
Well-known member
I worry about longevity of the smart phone software support/upgrades.
I think my smartphone goes about 4 years before apps stop getting supported or updated by the programmers. The hardware is just too antiquated by then. It would **** to toss away my thermal sensor and laser distance measurement device. I guess I might just keep it for those other functions.
On the other hand, I would also find it Quite annoying if you’re measuring out the size of a room or something, and the telemarketers start calling.
I think my smartphone goes about 4 years before apps stop getting supported or updated by the programmers. The hardware is just too antiquated by then. It would **** to toss away my thermal sensor and laser distance measurement device. I guess I might just keep it for those other functions.
On the other hand, I would also find it Quite annoying if you’re measuring out the size of a room or something, and the telemarketers start calling.
TuxThePenguin
Well-known member
I've literally used Android phones so slow that if you had a web browser open, it could slow the phone down so much that if you received an incoming call, the phone would lag so much you could not even answer it because the touchscreen won't recognize my presses.
Buying a phone without a modern, (relatively) high-end CPU is crazy in my mind, unless you literally never use ANY app on the phone (but in that case, why even have a smartphone?)
I have a Flir DM284 multimeter w/ thermal camera. Going to thermal camera mode is sloooooooooooooooow. A phone will have a faster processor, but it's still going to be slow overall.
Buying a phone without a modern, (relatively) high-end CPU is crazy in my mind, unless you literally never use ANY app on the phone (but in that case, why even have a smartphone?)
I have a Flir DM284 multimeter w/ thermal camera. Going to thermal camera mode is sloooooooooooooooow. A phone will have a faster processor, but it's still going to be slow overall.