WaterProof Cases: Fallacy?

[PeteCress]

I started shopping for a waterproof case for my N7000... and then started thinking about the effect of water on the capacitative touch screen.

Sure enough: dip a finger in water, smear it around on the screen, and the screen stops reacting to touches - or reacts erratically.

Does this point out a basic fallacy in the idea of operating a capacitative touch device where wet is the rule?

i.e. Should I forget about using my N7000 when paddling and just swap the SIMM out to a candy bar phone?

Or is there some sort of workaround.

 

[Mostly Harmless]

A waterproof case covers the screen also, usually there is a space between the cover and screen so only when you pressure down on it does it react. Also note that the new Sony Xepria Z is waterproof without a case and can be used underwater as a camera.

 

[PeteCress]

..the new Sony Xepria Z is waterproof without a case and can be used underwater as a camera.

I find that to be a very attractive phone. Makes me wish I had held off on the N7000 purchase.

But experience suggests that it will still need a case if used around salt water because of the receptacle-type ports whose contacts will corrode with salt water exposure.

My Samsung B2100 candy bar phone is quite waterproof - and will survive repeated immersions in fresh water. But exposed to salt water, the I/O port quickly corrodes.

The only truly-waterproof devices I have encountered have no receptacle-type ports: only flush metallic strips (e.g. Garmin's Forerunner 201, Garmin's Forerunner 310XT))

EDIT 2013 04-12 1006:

For the benefit of anybody else on this little journey....

I just dug out the AquaPac bag-type case that I'd been using for my candy-bar phones. I had it in my head that there was no way it could accomodate the N7000.... but found that if I removed the protective case from the N7000 it just barely fit.

Beeeeeg surprise: It seems to operate pretty well - even when held under running water as in the bathroom sink with faucet on full.

The side-mounted "Off" button would probably be an issue with repeated use - seems like the plastic would eventually fail... but for my use, I'd call it acceptable; although, with a $500 smart phone inside instead of a more-or-less disposable candy-bar phone case leakage moves up to a whole new severity level..... -)

 

[SiempreTuna]

Interesting .. but if you think I'm going to trust my way-less-than-$500 phone in anything, anywhere near water, regardless of the manufacturers claims, you got another think coming

 

[PeteCress]

Interesting .. but if you think I'm going to trust my way-less-than-$500 phone in anything, anywhere near water, regardless of the manufacturers claims, you got another think coming

Yeah... My views are still "Evolving"... but right now they're weighted in your direction.

 

[Slug]

experience suggests that it will still need a case if used around salt water because of the receptacle-type ports whose contacts will corrode with salt water exposure.

All external ports/slots are sealed with rubber-lined covers, which allow it to attain the IP5/7 standards.

 

[bob60626]

And don't forget about the sand! I work beach volleyball and my OV was always in a zip lock bag. Still scratched the screen. When I bought a new S2 I double bagged it (wrapped it tightly around and taped each layer) for that last week of the season. The phone still worked fine and I didn't have any problems with sand but it was awkward. I bought a cheap Nokia to swap my sim into but I need a camera and internet access for my schedules. I'm not sure what I'll do for this season now that I've got a Note (and am waiting for the 3 to come out to score a 2 on the cheap! ).

 

[PeteCress]

All external ports/slots are sealed with rubber-lined covers, which allow it to attain the IP5/7 standards.

My experience has been that they do not stay sealed for very long.

Sand, as another poster observed, for one thing.

Maybe there's something out there that works for keeping salt water out of a receptacle-type connection, but I haven't seen it yet and cannot picture what it might be.