DeWalt launches the MD501 rugged Android smartphone

[HEXUS]

An IP68, MIL810G, Dual-SIM, 4G, Qi charging, black and yellow tough device.

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[Biscuit]

Definitely not for me but I really like it

[3s-gtech]

the MS501 can operate in temperatures ranging from -20°C to 6°C

I suspect that's supposed to be -20°C to 60°C

[jigger]

I want the Caterpillar one with the FLIR camera.

[scaryjim]

Hmmmm, currently have a cheap-as-chips second-hand-off-a-mate android phone for use as a bike gps/computer. One that's actually designed to cope with water & muck, operate with gloves on, and would bounce if it fell off the handlebar mount is actually pretty tempting...

edit: hmm, found a listing. £450 sim free! https://www.clove.co.uk/the-dewalt-phone (disclaimer - I have no knowledge of that company beyond the fact that they're the only listing I could find for the phone).

[jigger]

I can't find any details on the screen size or resolution.

[Spreadie]

I can't find any details on the screen size or resolution.

5" 1280x720

[jimborae]

Bet the battery life is impressive with those specs, i actually like it for its purpose but could do with being cheaper.

[maxp779]

This actually looks pretty cool!

[scaryjim]

... i actually like it for its purpose but could do with being cheaper.

Yeah, was just poking around at the Cat phones and their S30 and S40, whilst having lower-end tech specs (Cortex A7 CPU, lower res screens, only 1GB RAM), are much more reasonably priced. I'd've thought they're better entries into the ruggedised market: a mid-priced phone with slightly lower specs, rather than a top-priced phone with decidedly mid-range specs. e.g. the S30 is only £239 delivered; you'd need a very particular set of use cases for the extra RAM, screen res, and 64bit processing to be worth another £300+... if I was a construction company outfitting my staff I'd be getting 2 S30s + change rather than 1 MD501...

[Big Adam]

It's actually a rebranded RugGear RG730
http://ruggear.co.uk/rg730/

[jimborae]

It's actually a rebranded RugGear RG730
http://ruggear.co.uk/rg730/

Thanks for that, so you're basically paying, atm, £70 for the Dewalt name and branding. Thanks but no thanks!

[mers]

Got that poser word Dewalt written on it , puts me off for a start. Hilti or Makita maybe but never at that price. Think Motorola did a shock and dust proof one years back aimed at workmen. Didn't need a forklift to carry it either. lol.

[Myss_tree]

De fault would be a better name as the quality of their tools has declined in the last few years.

[Zak33]

If I bought that... I'd still buy a case for it to keep it pristine



Seriously though, that's a proper phone. Most "builders" phones have been ancient spec and old tech.

[Big Adam]

Thanks for that, so you're basically paying, atm, £70 for the Dewalt name and branding. Thanks but no thanks!

No, the RugGear site prices are ex-VAT so it's about the same.