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(More customer reviews)The only cell phones I have really liked have been rugged ones. I owned a Casio G'zone Type-S for several years. I dropped it on concrete, used it in rainstorms, took it boating and camping; and it just kept on serving me well. Finally, I gave it to my wife to try and I upgraded to the Casio G'zOne Rock C731.
The Rock has the toughness and features I liked in the G'zone and a lot more. Casio moved some of the side buttons so I no longer accidentally trigger the sound volume rocker switch or the speaker on/off switch.
The sound is great at both ends of a conversation. The speaker function has a louder max-volume, allowing hands-free commands and conversations in a variety of situations. The ring tone can be loud enough to be heard almost anywhere.
The Rock has good operating programming. For example, when I first tapped a key that could be programmed to a different function, it told me and offered to help me reassign it. Next time I used that key, it politely left me alone. It also offers an "Easy Setup" function to quickly guide the initial set-up of sounds, display, etc. You can skip any parts of the easy set-up. And, you can just directly set each separate item without using the easy setup.
I have been surprised to find that I use the GzGear functions all the time. The tide tables help our frequent agate-hunting drives to the coast. My wife and I are now relying on the pedometer for our daily walks and longer hikes. I used the GPS to accurately measure a few walks and then adjusted my stride length, making the pedometer's accuracy better than 95 percent. The compass checked out to be accurate. And, it is handy when Oregon weather hides the sun on days when we are exploring back-roads in the pickup (which has no compass). The thermometer is accurate. But, if the phone has been warmly riding on my belt in fall and winter, it has to be set aside for quite awhile to reach the ambient air temperature. I used the lunar phase view of the moon, sun, and earth to show my grandchildren why the moon was only half-full. They were impressed.
I have only one whine. The camera lens is on the back of the keyboard-half of the clam shell instead of the display-half. So, if you hold the phone most naturally, your finger can easily cover part of the lens. It took me a couple of tries to find a comfortable hand-hold for pictures or videos. But, the camera functions are very useful.
I cannot comment on the mp3 player or web-browsing functions. I hardly use them. I have those services covered with a Sandisk Sansa and my laptop for now. Also, when I need driving guidance, I rely on a wide screen Garmin GPS. It is always-on and firmly attached to my windshield. I cannot imagine trying to mess with any cell phone while I am trying to find my way through city traffic.
Okay, the Rock has music, GPS, web, and all the GzGear and other tools; but it is not one of those phones that provides a bunch of toys and candy while falling short on the essentials. It is a rock-solid telephone. I recommend this cell phone to anyone who wants a tough, weatherproof, and no-nonsense phone.
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Casio G'zOne Rock C731 Phone (Verizon Wireless)Built to military specifications, the Casio G'zOne Rock mobile phone for Verizon Wireless is ideal for highly-mobile and active users who want access to Verizon's always-on Push to Talk service. Built to survive extreme shock, water and dust environments, this rough and tough clamshell phone will meet the demands of an avid fisher, hunter, hiker or climber with its six-mode G'zGear software--featuring Earth Compass, Walking Counter, Thermometer, Astro Calendar, Sunrise Sunset and Tides.
The G'zOne Rock is compatible with the V Cast Music with Rhapsody service, which enables you to purchase songs through your phone and download them via the fast Verizon Wireless 3G EV-DO data network, and the V CAST Video on Demand service that enables you to watch full-length TV shows plus news, sports, weather, and live entertainment video clips. You'll stay on course thanks to the VZ Navigator GPS turn-by-turn direction service, and be able to track employees and colleagues with the Verizon Wireless Field Force Manager service. See more details on optional services below.
Other features include a 2-megapixel camera/camcorder, microSD memory expansion (up to 16 GB), Bluetooth connectivity for hands-free devices, stereo music streaming, and tethering a PC, access to mobile e-mail and instant messaging services, and up to 5 hours of talk time.
Key Features
Fast 3G connectivity thanks to the reliable Verizon Wireless EV-DO, Rev A network
Tough Technology design that can withstand water, shock, dust, vibration, humidity, salt fog, solar radiation, altitude, and high and low temperature storage (conforms to MIL-STD-810F)
G'zGear outdoor applications (Learn more)
Push to Talk capability enables you to quickly connect with one or multiple team members at the same time with just a push of a button. Connect on the Verizon Wireless nationwide broadband network, and get expanded coverage across the United States within the National Enhanced Services Rate and Coverage Area.
Place group calls: Hold conversations with as many as 50 total participants.
Check team member status with Presence: See who is available for a Push to Talk call.
Manage contacts for the entire company online: Add, delete and assign contacts, create groups and more.
Use one number, one device: Make and receive voice calls without needing a second device or phone number.
GPS navigation capabilities via VZ Navigator service
Internal 2.1-inch LCD screen (240 x 320 pixels, 65K colors)
2-megapixel camera/camcorder (Learn more)
Digital audio player for MP3, WMA, and unprotected AAC/AAC+ formats. Sync music from your PC to the phone and create and manage playlists right on the device.
Touch-sensitive music controls on the sub-display
Bluetooth connectivity (version 2.1) includes profiles for communication headset, hands-free car kits, and the A2DP Bluetooth profile--enabling you to wirelessly stream your music to a pair of compatible Bluetooth stereo headphones or speaker dock. And with dial-up networking capabilities, you can access the Verizon Wireless Mobile Broadband Connect service to use your phone as a modem. (Learn more)
Memory expansion via microSD card slot with support for optional cards up to 16 GB.
Full messaging capabilities including SMS, MMS, Mobile IM, and Mobile Email.
Voice commands
Web browser
Organizer tools including calendar, notepad, countdown timer, stopwatch, alarm clock, and world clock.
Airplane mode allows you to listen to music while the cellular connectivity is turned off.
Phonebook with up to 500 entries with multiple contacts
Media Center capable for downloading games, ringtones, and more.
2.5mm headset jack
Bilingual Interface: English/Español
Hearing Aid Compatibility = M4/T4
Vital Statistics The Casio G'zOne Rock weighs 4.4 ounces and measures 4.1 x 2 x 0.9 inches. Its 1150 mAh lithium-ion battery is rated at up to 5 hours of talk time, and up to 630 hours (26.25 days) of standby time, or 80 hours of PTT standby time. It runs on the CDMA 800/1900 frequencies as well as EV–DO, Rev A 3G frequencies.
What's in the Box Casio G'zOne Rock handset, rechargeable battery, charger, device lock tool, charging cradle, quick start guide, user manual
Verizon Wireless Services
Reliable 3G Network: With support for the EV-DO high-speed data standard, you'll enjoy fast access to the Internet and Verizon Wireless multimedia services (additional charges applicable), with average download speeds ranging from 400 to 700 Kbps and peak rates up to 2 Mbps. (Learn more about where EV-DO coverage is offered.)
VZ Navigator Capable: With this GPS-enabled phone, you'll be able to access the Verizon Wireless VZ Navigator service (additional charges applicable) for voice-prompted turn-by-turn directions, heads-up alerts, local search of nearly 14 million points of interest in the US (such as landmarks, restaurants and ATMs), and detailed color maps.
Family Locator: Securely locate your family members' locations from your Verizon Wireless device or the web. The locate feature provides you with the information you need to stay aware and stay in touch, including detailed location information and the address of your family members displayed on an interactive map and the option to receive turn-by-turn driving directions to your family member's location using VZ Navigator. You can also receive updates when your family members leave or arrive at locations that you define such as school, soccer practice, or home, with monitored locations set up within a 1/4-, 1/2-, or a 1-mile radius.
Field Force Manager: Combining a powerful Web-based application with a handset application, the Field Force Manager service provides visibility and control for all of your mobile workers. It's a turnkey wireless-solutions package that breaks new ground in resource tracking and management. It is composed of three solution modules:
Location and Tracking uses rich, detailed mapping to show the location and location history of field workers; provides location information when users clock in and out; shows where they are when they accept and complete jobs; creates an audit trail to validate job information for customers; and generates turn-by-turn driving directions.
Electronic Timecard gives employees an automated way to capture their time, and gives employers the ability to export this information into many current payroll systems for processing.
Job Dispatch provides an automated way to manage customer service requests, dispatch field personnel, and track job progress through completion.
Mobile Broadband Connect: Use your smartphone as a modem for your notebook when you connect the two using a USB cable--or open a Bluetooth connection--enabling you to access the Internet or your company intranet. The Mobile Broadband Connect tethered modem capability is ideal when you're traveling and need to use your notebook to check e-mail, access corporate networks, or download large files like presentations and reports. And with Mobile Broadband Connect, you won't have to buy an extra PC Card or other devices.
V CAST Music with Rhapsody: Access this exclusive digital music service for RealNetworks and for MTV Networks, which delivers unlimited monthly access to music on up to three Rhapsody-compatible mobile phones and players and online on multiple PCs and Web browsers. For a monthly fee (billed on your Verizon Wireless bill), you can load and reload your subscription songs from your PC to your V CAST Music with Rhapsody phone as often as you want, and take your music on the go.
On PCs running the Windows XP or higher operating system, you can also browse, preview, and purchase music using the V CAST Music with Rhapsody software, which is available as a free download from the V CAST Music with Rhapsody download website. Additional subscription charges applicable.
V CAST Video on Demand: This optional service enables you to watch full-length TV shows plus news, sports, weather, and live entertainment video clips. It features more than 100 full-length programs from leading broadcast and cable networks, ranging from highly-rated drama and comedy series to reality programs and children's programming. V CAST Video on Demand also delivers live sporting events, including NHL hockey games and an upcoming slate of college football games
The service offers unlimited viewing of Basic Videos and the ESPN MVP channel. You can choose from 14 categories, including Entertainment, Kids, Music, Sports, Comedy, News, Pop Culture, Information, Women, Latino, Home & Leisure, Multicultural, Cutting Edge, and Hollywood. Additional subscription charges applicable.
Learn More
G'zGear Outdoor Applications
Earth Compass: functions as a standard compass; GPS shows the distance from and directions to over 40 domestic and worldwide locations
Walking Counter: measures steps, time, distance, speed, and energy consumption
Thermometer: shows current temperature in both Celsius and Fahrenheit
Astro Calendar: provides the moon's age and days until a full or new moon
Sunrise Sunset: shows the current time and position of the sun and times for sunrise and sunset for current, past and future dates; allows you to view times for select major cities; shows the ratio of day and night in numbers and graphs
Tides: shows the tidal graph for the day; shows the time of ebb and flood tides; shows the time of sunrise and sunset; shows past and future sea tide levels; shows tidal graphs for 100 locations made available by Surfline's webcams, and GPS will show the nearest location; shows the current tide and the best time for fishing
2-Megapixel Camera/Camcorder
Integrated flash
Dedicated camera/video key
Resolution adjustment: 1600 x 1200, 1280 x 960, 640 x 480, 320 x 240, and 160 x 120
Self timer: Off, 3, 5 or 10 Seconds
White balance: Auto, Sunny, Cloudy, Tungsten and Fluorescent
Shutter sound: Shutter or Silent
Color effects: Normal, Black & White, Negative, Sepia, Green, and Aqua
Multi–shot
Night mode
Photo editing: Zoom, Rotate, Crop and Resize
Viewfinder: Main Display or Front Display
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