I dunno, but I like the idea of having a phone that doesn't die in water, without being a huge glob of plastic because we'd perceive it as stronger somehow.

Either maybe this is a new trend that will benefit active people a little
http://www.sonymobile.com/global-en/pro ... xperia-go/

why?? Kiting is freedom. No need for a phone out there. Unless for pix. But if you sink it, .. well...
Want to make a call while dead-maning?

haha yeah but some people are in call..and in addition some times it is nice to not have to worry that you drop your phone in your pint.

Samsung B2100, incredibly durable and waterproof. Never take it with me while kiting but it is very convenient after the session to not care if it gets wet! And it does get very wet!

I always carry an old cell phone with me when kiting in the lake, I put it in an aquapack. Why? Very simple: ever you ever tried to break a line or to have any problem and discover you're alone in 8 celsius water (normal temperature of our lake in february/march) and you have to swim half an hour to go to the first beach?
An emergency phone is an absolute must have if you're kiting in cold water and cold air. Lakes can be cold also in summer, last week about 30 windsurfers had to be rescued due to a sudden wind (50 knots...) and some of them were wearing only boardshorts (air was hot before the wind came). A dutch woman resulted missing and local authotities used elicopters and boats to find her. After a day of searching, they discovered the woman swam for more than an hour to the beach and, since she is dutch and she was in Italy, she simply did not understand the rescue operations were for her, so she did not advise she was safe in her bungalow. If she had a cell phone with her, maybe thing could be different.

better being not reacheable ....it's always my boss calling in or (even worst) my wife...

Definitely not a bad thing to have when kiting in cold water - especially if you're out there alone.

I don't carry one, but came across this phone a few weeks ago - seems like an interesting concept, but a little pricey for my liking. Maybe 2nd gen they will put out a less expensive model...

Claims a 15 year life on one AA battery - and can be 'geolocated' in an emergency, although doesn't specify if this is via GPS, triangulation, etc.

http://spareone.com/spareone/spareone-emergency-phone

I just bought a Sony Xperia Active. I bought it primarily as a phone to take with kiting, not necessarily out while riding. My trusty Nokia is now toast (much like Nokia in general....) after a few days ago when we were in a small, overloaded boat and a few waves came over the bow. No biggie. It was time for a better device anyway. I have thought about bringing a cell phone for doing some of the longer downwinders in Hatteras. Wouldn't be the worst idea I've had. At least we could order pizza while we're on our way in.

The Active has some pretty impressive Youtube videos in regard to it's durability/waterproofness. They are only $250 on Amazon so I got one. A nice added bonus for this cool little phone is it has Ant + compatability so it will work on my bikes as a computer for speed/cadence/heart rate while showing GPS and playing music. Not bad.



*I like the fact that it's not this giant, VHS tape sized device that doesn't even fit in a pocket. A buddy of mine has the Samsung Galaxy Note. It is massive! I'm not that important to need a phone that big.

Haha I agree I think people think they are super important with their 7or 8 inch telephone in hand, shit I dont want that, rather have a bar in my hand, hehe

I work at Sony Mobile and design responsible for the Xperia Active, and starting the active line that has the Xperia go as the latest version.

while these phones will take getting wet, they are IPx 7, meaning: x= dustproof not measured, and 7= will take 30 min in 1 m water. if you fall in water at speed and have phone exposed the connector covers and even the waterproof membranes over the mic and speakers may open or burst. think of them at watches that you can take shower with, but not any water action sports.
keep it in your pocket and wrap it in a simple plastic sandwich bag, and it will go kiting with you.