farmboy48

Member
I know, this is TOOL talk, but I consider cell phone a tool most of the time. Especially when I am stuck in the middle of nowhere, or out of fuel. Just heard this morning on CBS news that I am back in style again. They said the flip phone is getting popular again. I have a Samsung Convoy rugged phone that has taken a lot of abuse over the last 6 years or so, and still works great, and I don't have to ignore everyone around me playing stupid games or facebook on it. Smartphones are too cumbersome for someone with work to do. Also I am too dumb to figure most of the functions out. Mine has been dropped onto concrete off step ladders, dropped in oil, and God only knows what else. Anyone else back in style with the old flip phones?
 
Good Luck to you getting it to call out if you are stuck in the middle of nowhere or out of fuel. I just hope I never have a heart attack and need to call 911 in a hurry. I'll be dead long before verizon gets the call connected.
 
Watching a football game last week or so, the television crew focused on Jerry Jones and the other owner at the same time. They made the comment that "with all their money, they are still in the dark ages using flip phones." Maybe they are not wasting money with all the phones that are obsolete the moment you buy it. They might be smarter than they look.
 
i have a verizon flip phone with the two way
radio. swmbo and dottir have the i phone do-dads.
i use mine to call people on, and for them to call
me. hate texting. i dont need to play games or any
of that other "stuff" they have on the phones now.
 
I found a Samsung Galaxy S4 in the ditch along the road the other day. It was all in pieces (case, back, battery, main phone part) scattered in the ditch, obviously fell off a car moving 60+. It was wet so I brought it in the house and put it in a bag of rice overnight. Powered it up and found the owner's mom's number and sent a text saying we found her daughter's phone. It was lost nearly a month ago and subjected to snow, rain, freeze and thaw not to mention a 60 mph tumble from a car. I'm pretty impressed with the durability.
 
Farmboy, we think alike. Exactly what I use and why I use it. Smart phones are far too big and fragile for me to use!
 

A flip phone is what I have. Drop it in the bib pocket of my overalls and I don't even know it is there. My basic subscription does not allow me to send text messages, but that's just fine 'cause I don't want to anyhow. Now if I could just find a way to block the text messages other folks send to me.
 
wife has an at&t flip phone about 8 years old. she went to them to buy a new one and the sales person said keep the old one cause it's much better than the new ones--i was impressed!!
 
I have a Sprint Mil. spec phone and it does what i want it to do ,Make and receive calls and that is it as this is what i wanted no camera no texting just calls. I can talk faster then i can type i can hear faster then i read. The phone will handle a 30 foot drop on to concrete it can go swimming it can handle dirt and dust and goes around 9-10 days with out a recharge.
If you want to talk to me then talk don't text me as you will get no reply . If i want to do face book that is what my desktop is for if i want to check E/Mail then here again that is what my computer it for . Ya want weather then listen to the radio or T V . I can hear the thing ring over a working tractor at full throttle .
 
Maybe I am the odd man out here. Now I was very reluctant to even have a cell phone for years. Probably wouldn't have had, had it not been for my wife.

That said, I am on my second "smart Phone" and no, I am not ever going to figure out all that can be done with it.

Having said that, I find them very good TOOLS to have along. One example is an app called "realcalc". It is a scientific calculator that is at your finger tips anytime you have your phone. Flashlight app comes in real handy. They have an app called "Tikl" that lets your phone act as a walkie talkie. Real handy for when you need someone quick as long as they have the app too. News and weather right there in your pocket. Another app is a level. Your phone can be used as a level and pretty accurate or so it seems.

I know they aren't for everyone but, then again I know people who do not yet own a computer either. I'll even bet there are some on here that used top say that they never would own one either. Look what all you would have missed on this site alone if you had never gotten one.
 
I've been carrying a flip phone since they first came out. I have only had problems with one of the three I have had, and that was simply a worn out joint, so they just gave me an updated phone. I changed again when I went with Verizon and now have a G'Zone Ravine2. I'm not sure who makes it, but it has been dropped, abd just basically caught he!!, and it's still going strong. Best of all I have yet to butt dial anyone.

On the other hand nearly everyone I know has a smart phone. I consistently get butt dialed by them, and I don't know of a one that hasn't broken at least one screen, regardless of the protective case they have on it.

I'm probably going to be forced to upgrade before too long, as the one I've got is being obsoleted before too long, and I guess at that time I'll have to do what I have to do, but if a 'smart phone' is the only option the decision will be made kicking and screaming.......
 
I like my flip phone, fits in my pocket and works
well. Not real convenient for texting, but I only
do that in the deerstand, because it's quiet!
 
Almost every call is dropped, can't get service unless you are in a certain spot, screen on new phone goes black when you are talking and hangs up, have to dial two or three times, sometimes more to get another phone to actually ring, incoming call rings about four times and goes to voice mail before you can answer, most of the time the signal cuts out so you only get every other word. Verizon- the "CAN YOU HEAR ME NOW!" ? phone company.
 

I have a bottom of the line LG flip phone. This was an upgrade from the even lower cost ($9.99) Nokias I had used for several years. The Nokias were the old flat style phone and the screen would eventually get so scratched I couldn't read the numbers. So I got the lowest priced Tracfone flip with a camera. If the thing had a flashlight like the old Nokias and a little better camera it would be perfect. The camera is great for taking a quick shot of whatever I'm taking apart or a part number or a particular item I have to research on line. Beats walking back and forth taking a look at stuff.

My oldest son was complaining about his cell contract going up to $90.00 a month. I told him I hadn't spent that much all year. Musta caught him paying attention cuz now he's on a pay as you go plan!
 
Retired Farmer, I had the same trouble with AT&T, switched to Verizon and all is well now, just depends where you are in relation to towers. Verizon 5 miles away, AT&T six miles away. Go figure. Now I have to get a JET PAK for Verizon so I can get internet at farm, only option I have, and I am hooked on this site, wouldn't be able to ignore it for the six months a year I am at the farm. Then again, maybe some of you guys would like me to be gone for six months?
 
well i had a smart phone sense the l4 came out would not be with out it i can look up parts before i call dealer make my life and parts people a lot easier and a lot time having the parts brake down is as important as the manual so i have my iphone and i pad on my service truck and and once you get into texing would not be with out that ether costumer drops me a tex and not lot talking i let know when i be there also i tex parts people if parts have arrived texing one the best thing that for some one in service business can use
 
I have a smart phone and won't ever have anything else. All the time looking up utube information on how to make certain repairs. Look at drawings, order parts, take pictures of serial numbers and model numbers so there is no problem with writing the number down wrong. Also with a picture I can blow it up so I can actually read the number. Use the flashlight often. look at the weather and the local radar. It is a great tool.
 
Hello,
I have the same Samsung convoy. Been dropped and left in the rain also. Now have the convoy 2. Only difference a flash light a 3.2 Mg pixel camera. Front display no longer works, but I like it because it is slimmer then the old convoy a better camera. Old one is my standing by if run this over again!

Guido.
 
Still have the Gz-One Casio. It's pert near indestructible so I reckon I'll hang on to it.

My son used to have one as well until he just had to have a smart phone. He's replaced it half a dozen times but he never hurt the old Giz One even though he would talk on it while taking a shower.
 

I don't know about anyone else, but I've tried using an Android tablet which I understand works like a so called smart phone. Can't stand it! It doesn't seem to matter what I do, the thing hates me. I'm too old to screw around with it. I was perfectly happy with Windows 98, XP was perfect. I like a PC vs laptop and I still remember how to use a rotary dial phone. I;m officially a dinosaur!
 
I have a Motorola flip phone with Verizon cell service provided by Page Plus Cellular, unlimited text and talk and International service for $45 a month, no problems. Had a lot of connectivity problems when I had Sprint. Being a technoboob, I had a smart phone and got rid of it.
 
Hello Ted,

Check your side button. It probably is assigned to take pictures. Go into the options and disable it,

Guido.
 
I had to give up my Motorola phone in a bag about 15 years ago when the carrier dropped analog service. I used it for about 10 years. I've had a N.o.k.i.a (spam blocker doesn't like that word for some reason) since then. I had to replace the original battery after about 12 years. I don't do text messages. All the numbers and letters have worn off the key pad anyway.
 
(quoted from post at 13:50:42 12/03/14)
I don't know about anyone else, but I've tried using an Android tablet which I understand works like a so called smart phone. Can't stand it! It doesn't seem to matter what I do, the thing hates me. I'm too old to screw around with it. I was perfectly happy with Windows 98, XP was perfect. I like a PC vs laptop and I still remember how to use a rotary dial phone. I;m officially a dinosaur!
Please don't take this the wrong way, but this was today's daily Dilbert. I get it emailed to me every day. Had to share.
mvphoto13579.gif
:D
 
I presently have a Flip Phone By Sony/Ericson thast has Served me Well, But its Broken and getting a Smart Phone Motorola moto 1 the one I have now the Ribbon Wiring to the Flip part has Broken I can Talk but cant hear anything But can Text though... Larry
 
We still use flip and even non-flipping old cell phones. The smart phones are a great tool but:

A. They're no cost effective for me.

B. They're too damn fragile

C. I don't really need all those "useful" features.

I'm actually using a Convoy now and it works fine. My favorite and longest lasting was a Casio G'zone. Something messed up with the software and it continually re-boots. Had the best battery life ever. Would go a week without recharge.
 
There seems to be plenty of them out there still, several friends of mine have them.

I've had a smartphone, since late '09, and honestly, given some of the things you can do, and the advantages you do have, they are well worth consideration if some practical use would be helpful.

2 things come to mind, the weather, and using the internet for parts diagrams, ordering parts and so on, those 2 things are a part of every farm large or small.

I can use this device to pull up a parts diagram immediately for something that is right in front of me that I am working on, then order the parts, and I have done it for tractors, small power equipment, appliances, and so on. Its possible to talk on the phone and look at the diagrams as well, though my first smartphone, the droid you could not do that.

The weather, well its simple and extremely handy. Before I had a smart phone, I had to do some fence work at the farthest end of the place, and a laborer from another farm was sent over to help, he had a smart phone, and I knew the weather was going to turn, just not sure when. So we are handling t-posts, fence, using a long steel bar, tractor and loader, etc. He pulls up the radar map and I see this impending doom unfolding to the west, a really intense thunderstorm, we packed it in, and made it back to the barns with time to spare, that in itself sold me. I constantly look at the radar to determine where the rain is or incoming weather is.

Cameras are nice on these, so if you want to take a photo of a data plate, serial number plate, all of your equipment, tools and things similar for insurance reasons, that little silver or black box in your pocket will do it. Take something apart need to have someone else(s) eyes see it remotely, just send it off. Need a parts diagram from a book or anything you can think of that won't fit in your pocket.... the uses are many.

When I feel that the device that fits neatly in my right leg carpenter pants pocket, just above the knee, is at risk of loss or damage I remove it and put it in a protective case that I can either wear on my belt or place it in the cab, or somewhere safe. I don't need to be that connected, people get ticked if you don't answer immediately LOL, so what.... when you get to it, you get to it. I do this when processing firewood, as saw chips get into the connection port and I use my legs to butt logs against when using a hand tool to lift the logs.

As much as I liked the last flip phone I had, the advantages of the smartphone are many just the same. I got an HTC one a year ago, aluminum case, no protective case to keep it thin, just a screen protector, I use blue painters tape over the camera lense as a cover, keeps it perfectly clean and scratch free. It is thin and you don't really notice you have it on you. This one has speakers in true stereo, so I plug it in near my tool box in the garage, call up any radio station I want across the country and listen away. I cut and trimmed 2 deer a few days back while listening to my favorite station, and its hours for each deer, so it sure was nice to have something to listen to, late at night no commercials, just music.

Just some practical everyday uses, I don't do social media, or many things similar, nor do I have a ton of apps, or any complicated usage, most if not all is practical and I think anyone could easily learn how to use one of these.

I find the maps and or app like map quest to find places you have not been too, say when buying something off CL, makes it easy. I had to find a fellow YT'er 90 miles away, for a badly needed salvage part and it made the trip real easy at the end, however these apps are not infallible, still very useful.

Tin foil hat- well if the government or someone wants to look at my boring life, (photos or any text messages etc.) have at it, nothing to hide, if I did, I'd not be using one of these devices.

Not trying to debate or anything of the sort, just pointing out the usefulness of a smartphone, each to their own on that. I like things simple, and resisted getting one of these, never thought I'd need any of it, but practical use convinced me otherwise. Could I still get along without any of it? Certainly.

I've had a cell phone since the bag phone and all the way to the current times, its really something to look back now. When I sold electronics for a period of time to get by, I can remember phones that listed for $800, while bag phones were still prevalent, and that phone did nothing for you except fit in your pocket, and probably had all kinds of issues with the service available then.
 
I have had a flip phone for 15 years. Not smart enough to have a smart phone. My last flip phone I purchased at Wal-Mart, Samsung Verizon pre-paid, for $15. $10 of the $15 was applied to minutes. So the phone cost be $5. At the Verizon store same phone was $50. Go figure. So far, the Samsung is the best. Lasts for days on a charge.

I'm saving money using Verizon prepaid over Verizon contract, getting more minutes and free pics and text. Go figure, Saving about $20/mo.
 
(quoted from post at 20:28:25 12/03/14)
(quoted from post at 13:50:42 12/03/14)
I don't know about anyone else, but I've tried using an Android tablet which I understand works like a so called smart phone. Can't stand it! It doesn't seem to matter what I do, the thing hates me. I'm too old to screw around with it. I was perfectly happy with Windows 98, XP was perfect. I like a PC vs laptop and I still remember how to use a rotary dial phone. I;m officially a dinosaur!
Please don't take this the wrong way, but this was today's daily Dilbert. I get it emailed to me every day. Had to share.
mvphoto13579.gif
:D


:lol: :lol: :lol: HAR! Yup, that's me.
 

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