With my job, I'm often on reserve, which means that if I am called out, I have to front up within two hours. My phone is a Samsung S5, which is waterproof, but I'm reluctant to take it out in the water with me. I often leave my keys and phone in the kite bag on the beach while i'm out kiting, or surfing. With these new smart watches that connect to your phone, I wonder what the range might be while on your wrist, out on the water? Obviously, it would have to be a waterproof model. I imagine that I would get a alert on the watch, check it and then come in and use my phone.
Most use Bluetooth or Bluetooth LE as their connection method, meaning you'd be lucky to get 30m away before losing connection. There are some that also use wifi, but I don't think I've seen an access point that I'd happily plonk on a beach, and the range would be max 150m.
I also wouldn't be trusting the waterproofing on the S5. It can barely survive an accidental dunk in the pool, let alone a high impact on water.
Possibly an ElCheapo feature phone in a ziplock bag?
Have you looked into waterproof cases, such as Aquapac? I don't carry a phone while kiting, but I keep my car key in a small Aquapac that I tuck inside my rashie/wetsuit. Been doing that for two seasons and haven't had a problem. Not cheap, but a quality product, and I'd definitely trust a splash-resistant phone to it, unlike the $5 triple-ziplock case I got in Thailand.
If you got a call or text, it might be a hassle to get your phone out. You could Bluetooth it to one of the latest GPS watches, such as a Suunto Ambit 3 or Garmin Fenix 2, which would give you a great excuse to get one, if you haven't already!
Select to expand quoteTheGeneral said..
Have you looked into waterproof cases, such as Aquapac? I don't carry a phone while kiting, but I keep my car key in a small Aquapac that I tuck inside my rashie/wetsuit. Been doing that for two seasons and haven't had a problem. Not cheap, but a quality product, and I'd definitely trust a splash-resistant phone to it, unlike the $5 triple-ziplock case I got in Thailand.
If you got a call or text, it might be a hassle to get your phone out. You could Bluetooth it to one of the latest GPS watches, such as a Suunto Ambit 3 or Garmin Fenix 2, which would give you a great excuse to get one, if you haven't already!
I looked at waterproof arm pouches and none seemed big enough to hold the S5 with the flip cover on it. I'm thinking of maybe a very small waterproof back pack, but then that would make it hard to get to the phone?
I work for Telstra. I have the S5 and Gear 2. I killed my S5 recently after a waterproof pouch let a teaspoon of salt water in where it soaked for a day.
Do not take it in the water, especially salt water. As for the smart watch, the blue tooth range outdoors is about 30 ms tops. The watch would also die real fast in salt water.
I bought a life proof case for my replacement S5 which I would now happily wear around my neck on the water (if I had to take my phone out).
If I were you I'd research waterproof blue tooth head sets and carry the phone in a waterproof case under your wetsuit and around your neck.
FYI the next generation smart watches will come optional with the ability to take a sim card so they will be self sufficient. Not sure if they will be waterproof though...
Look into a lifeproof case, although they're a bit pricey they provide great drop protection and are completely waterproof.
Have taken my on-call phone out in an otterbox case before (although my phone is an candy bar nokia rather than a smart phone) . I use waterproof ziplock bag, inside otterbox case, under impact vest. This seems good enough to stop water bursting through the seals during crashes.
Try the H2O Audio range of waterproof arm/waist band cases suitable for most smart phones. I recently started using mine to use one of the phones (iPhone 5) GPS tracking apps to record a kite session. Also handy for the days you are kiting alone.
Do you really need this?! Leave your worries behind is why I kite. The world can wait.
Would the smart watch connect and get reception from the phone every time you kited close to the beach? (assuming you are just kiting out and back from the beach)
would it connect via bluetooth in the ~5 seconds you are close enough to it?
Steve
Amazing how good those lifeproof cases are. Ipad flew off the car roof today doing about 80km/hr. Next couple cars managed to miss it and vóila! All good! Phew.
Second that, mate managed to run over his in a 7ton forklift. Phone survived but he didn't trust the waterproofness of the case after that! Suggest have phone in case when rings head to beach and call back. Let us all know if you come up with a better result.
