Advice needed for technical challenge

[Indy]

This summer I will be wilderness camping for a week and would like to use my iPhone 4S to take notes, photos and videos to document the event. There will be no cell coverage, so the phone will be in airplane mode the whole time. My issue is one of the phone's relatively short battery life, especially when taking photos/videos.

Here are the questions: 1) what is the best waterproofing solution? I am considering using ziploc bags, but I know there must be some specialized cases out there, and 2) what is the most cost effective way to keep the thing charged? The best solution I have seen is a solar charger with battery that could sit in the sun during the day and then quick-charge the phone as needed. Unfortunately, this device is $150 and I would probably never use it again. Any ideas?

[Indy]

Another thought: if someone knows of a good, cheap waterproof digital camera that runs on regular disposable batteries, that could work, too.

[Elmo T]

Hand Crank Charger (http://beprepared.com/product.asp?pn=CL%20L330&sid=GOOGLELA&EID=GLACL%20L330&gclid=CMiDpLnFlrACFUSK4AodKSRl4w)


Fully submersible or water-resistant?

I love my Pelican case for my iPod Classic - and our Hazmat Team stores nearly everything in Pelican Cases.

Pelican Case (http://www.amazon.com/Pelican-i1015-Black-iPhone-Resistant/dp/B002PJWHMS)

Something similar here:

Pelican Dry Boxes (http://www.opticsplanet.net/pelican-micro-case-series-dry-boxes-1030.html)

[KLang]

I've got a couple external batteries from Hypershop (http://www.hypershop.com/). The micro model is supposed to recharge an iPhone three times. Wife and I each tote one along when we travel.

[TravelGal]

I've got a couple external batteries from Hypershop (http://www.hypershop.com/). The micro model is supposed to recharge an iPhone three times. Wife and I each tote one along when we travel.

Travel? Did someone say Travel?? I clicked on the link and see the micros with single USB port are on clearance.

[chop456]

Camping or canoeing? If you're just camping, you don't need anything expensive. A ziploc inside another ziploc would be fine. At most, a dry bag. Canoe-style with the sliding tube seal on the top. And don't be a dumbass and leave it out in the sun inside a ziploc, either. :D

Pelican cases are great and I have one. You just don't need it.

http://www.rei.com/product/786438/sea-to-summit-lightweight-dry-sack-x-small

[KLang]

Travel? Did someone say Travel?? I clicked on the link and see the micros with single USB port are on clearance.

They've been on clearance sale for a couple years now. :D

Edit: Now I see what you mean. They've added another USB port.

[dando]

I come here for bacon 411 and this is what I get.... :gomer: :D

-Kevin

[Gnam]

If you charge an extra Iphone battery, how long will it hold a charge if stored separately?

How much would an extra battery cost?

[dando]

If you charge an extra Iphone battery, how long will it hold a charge if stored separately?

How much would an extra battery cost?

iCrap batteries are not user replaceable, you dolt. :gomer:

-Kevin

[dando]

Travel? Did someone say Travel?? I clicked on the link and see the micros with single USB port are on clearance.

Looks like I'm gonna need me some extra battery power for that SoCal trip after readin about the expected waits @ DLR for Cars Land. :saywhat: :eek: Which ones did you spot on clearance?

Amazon also has a selection of portable backup batteries as well. I'm liking the PowerGen models.

http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_ss_c_2_11?url=search-alias%3Dmobile&field-keywords=usb+battery&sprefix=usb+battery%2Caps%2C149

-Kevin

[KLang]

Looks like I'm gonna need me some extra battery power for that SoCal trip after readin about the expected waits @ DLR for Cars Land. :saywhat: :eek: Which ones did you spot on clearance?


Here (https://www.hypershop.com/SearchResults.asp?Cat=223) are single USB batteries on clearance.

[Gnam]

oh-wha-togu-siam. :laugh:

[/flippy-phone-4-life]

[Don Quixote]

I come here for bacon 411 and this is what I get.... :gomer: :D

-Kevin:thumbup:

[Indy]

Any of you guys have experience with something like this? http://www.target.com/p/Vivitar-8MP-Underwater-Camera-Red/-/A-13722150?ref=tgt_adv_XSG10001&AFID=Google_PLA_df&LNM=%7C13722150&CPNG=NoCPNG&ci_sku=13722150&ci_gpa=pla&ci_kw=

[dando]

Any of you guys have experience with something like this? http://www.target.com/p/Vivitar-8MP-Underwater-Camera-Red/-/A-13722150?ref=tgt_adv_XSG10001&AFID=Google_PLA_df&LNM=%7C13722150&CPNG=NoCPNG&ci_sku=13722150&ci_gpa=pla&ci_kw=

No, but based on the reviews, I wouldn't touch it. One like it doesn't fair much better on Amazon:

http://www.amazon.com/Vivitar-ViviCam-2-4-Inch-Underwater-Digital/product-reviews/B001PKCK2A/ref=dp_top_cm_cr_acr_txt?ie=UTF8&showViewpoints=1

If you want to go that route, why not just go with a single-use waterproof camera that uses....*gasp* film?

http://www.amazon.com/Fujifilm-Quick-Waterproof-Single-Camera/dp/B00004TWM6/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1338046498&sr=8-1

I've used those before, and they work decently w/o any potential water leak issues for the electronicals in a digital camera. For the jack you'd spend on a 'waterproof' digital camera, I'd just get a decent waterproof case for your point-n-shoot.

-Kevin

[cameraman]

That one is crap. I've had a Powershot D10 for a few years now which has survived children, mud, water, dust, & sand. The d20 looks to be pretty nice too. The buttons designed for gloved hands is a significant improvement over the d10 which pretty much requires you to take off most gloves.

You just wash it off in the sink when you're done. Though you might want to avoid dish soap.

[Indy]

Found this one.

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0073HSJLA/ref=s9_simh_gw_p421_d0_g421_i1?pf_rd_m=ATVPDKIKX0D ER&pf_rd_s=center-3&pf_rd_r=0778BX5XB9K0F49S2T96&pf_rd_t=101&pf_rd_p=470938811&pf_rd_i=507846

$99, free shipping. And I think it runs on AA's, which is key.

Here is the D20.

http://www.amazon.com/Canon-PowerShot-Waterproof-Stabilized-Wide-Angle/dp/B0075SUKIC/ref=sr_1_1?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1338046928&sr=1-1

Too expensive.

[Indy]

dando, that is a good idea, but I would like to have video. I will be editing a video history of the trip later, and I would like for it to be more than a slide show.

[Indy]

Went to dpreview, and the Nikon is the only one that takes 720p video and uses AA's. If anyone has another idea or one to sell, let me know. Thanks!