Ask MetaFilter questions tagged with rugged

Unbreakable - the netbook/netbook case edition

Elysum — Thu, 15 Oct 2009 16:31:06 -0800

Unbreakable netbooks/netbook cases?: I've realised the one feature I really need in a $350 netbook, is one I can get a case for one so I don't *break* it... I'm looking for a netbook, $300-$350ish range.
I had a bunch of criteria I was originally looking on, good battery, good keyboard, preferably matt/good screen.
Eg I'd been tempted by the sweet-looking Red MSI U123, or an ASUS Eee PC 1005HA or something,
but I realised...

What I REALLY need in a netbook, is one I won't break or lose.
:(

Either rugged out of the box OR
a really good case.

Not a slipcover, or a bag I take it out of, but something it stays permanently in -
either a bag that it can usably be permanently strapped in,
or some kind of snap on case (like the Macally Protection Shell for Macbooks? If that is effective?),
or a rubber case?

Worst case, I'm trying to figure out whether I could pad the corners and sides with padded foam tape for the enevitable knocks and jostles.

Added extra: preferably something in a bright color, so I don't lose it.
Yeah, so, think, the ideal ADHD case? ;P

PS I'm aware that a SSD harddrive would be more rugged, but I'm reluctant to sacrifice the capacity...

Am I smart to buy this dumbphone... or not?

Unicorn on the cob — Thu, 17 Sep 2009 13:44:42 -0800

I'm thinking about buying the Sonim XP3. Does anyone here own one or know someone that does? Asking primarily because I'll have to order it online; the only store carrying it is on back order and I can't futz with it before buying. As someone who notoriously destroys things quickly and frequently, I can't see any reason not to spend more money on a dumbphone that has an awesome warranty and is virtually indestructible. I already have a Blackberry for Web access, don't IM on the go and abhor video games of all kinds. I'm really just looking for a contract-free Unicorn-proof phone; I'm happy with my tertiary devices, but have gone through a score of cheap, crappy, annoying contract-bound phones through AT&T.

If it matters, my current contract runs out a year from now with AT&T.

Please do not try to convince me to get an iPhone; I've already had one and sold it because I hate the touch interface and already own an iPod and a Blackberry for music/browser stuff, but the GPS feature would be nice to have.

Anyone own one of these things? Personal experiences? Negatives? Positives? Thank you in advance!

Rugged travel/storage case for hard drive

Zed_Lopez — Tue, 21 Oct 2008 12:03:19 -0800

Rugged travel/storage case for hard drive? I'm getting an eSATA cradle that should make swapping hard drives around almost as easy as swapping USB flash memory sticks. But naked drives are fragile -- and I'd like to be able to leave one with a family member for remote backup, or bike with one to work, and still have some hope of it working.

A standard 3.5" hard drive is 4" x 5.75" x 1". I was thinking of an Otter Box, but they all seem to be too narrow -- interior dimensions less than 4" wide. The Pelican 1060 is enough bigger that it would rattle around inside. (But arguably this is a feature, so I could build a shock-absorbing elastic suspension cage and put that inside it.)

Anyone know of a case that's just right? I'm just looking to stow away a naked drive with no electronic access to it while it's in the case; I'm not looking for the expensive ruggedized enclosures.

Rugged mixed drinks?

Picklegnome — Thu, 16 Oct 2008 20:06:09 -0800

Alcoholics (of course you aren't): Need drink ideas that fit the theme "rugged". Fewer ingredients is better, and if you've got several suggestions that all require the same base liquor, that's wonderful.

Looking for a sturdy bag.

warriorengineer — Fri, 05 Sep 2008 09:08:25 -0800

I'm looking for a sturdy, high quality, somewhat large bag to put up with some abuse. I hope to be going to Marine Corps Officer Candidates School next summer or fall. It is well know that when a candidate arrives, the things he brings will get thrown and abused by the staff. During "pickup" (when the candidates meet the staff that will be training them for the next 10 weeks) they should expect every single personal item they have brought to be thrown across the parade deck (basically a large parking lot without any painted lines).

I'm looking for a bag that can survive this kind of abuse. A few basic requirements (in decreasing order of importance):

1. NO WHEELS. It can NOT have wheels.
2. Again, very sturdy and rugged.
3. Somewhat rigged (i.e. not loose and flowy).
4. Easy to carry. Shoulder or backpack straps being the bare minimum.
5. Easy to access the contents and re-fill after all of my stuff has been dumped out.

Thanks.

Urban Rugged Clothes like Triple 5 Soul and G-Star Raw. For chicas, not guys.

barnone — Sat, 06 Oct 2007 10:28:23 -0800

Women's urban clothing. I'd like to find more brands of clothing like G-Star Raw and Triple 5 Soul. I particularly like this jacket and this shirt and this blazer. What are other retailers or brands that sell kinda tough, kinda sexy, kinda rugged apparel, specifically for women? I know of Karmaloop, Diesel and a few other online places, but so much of it is cutesy or too tiny. This is for a women's size large, about a 12-14 if possible. Men's clothing just doesn't really fit me (or someone else for whom this kind of clothing would be perfect). Guy's shirts are often too broad and the arms are too long, my hips are too wide. Think "urban rugged" rather than "full-out military" and definitely not too cutesy like this.

So: any suggestions? Skater/snowboard attire that isn't too tricked out? Punk clothing that's toned down a bit?

What are some more rugged earbuds?

mmascolino — Fri, 01 Jun 2007 11:45:35 -0800

Recommendations for earbuds that can take some abuse. I seem to be horribly rough on earbuds. I've gone thru about 4 pairs of earbuds within the last couple of years. All of them suffered the fate of what is most likely a broken wire leading to the bud or the minijack. At first it will cut out intermittently and then it will die completely. I've checked the previous earbud posts but they are more focused on people with incompatiable ear canel geometries.

I know that these thing vary wildly in price (I've typically bought in the $8-$15 range). I'm hesistant to spending more if I am going to have to buy another pair in a few months.

Help me find indestructible video and still cameras

davey_darling — Mon, 29 Jan 2007 12:37:48 -0800

I need to find some indestructible (or as near to it as possible) still and video cameras for use in a school environment. I teach photography and video editing in a high school. I would like to give my students more opportunities to borrow equipment, but I am usually a bundle of nerves the entire time that the equipment is on loan (especially overnight/on weekends).

I am looking for some ruggedized digital still and mini-dv cameras. I have found some online but I am having trouble coming up with the exact combination of keywords to find more
of what I am looking for.

Some specific features I'd like:

No fold out screens or extending lenses to get broken/dropped on.
Weatherproof
Some sort of shock protection (rubber casing, etc)
Minimal battery/memory card doors to get broken off.

Older models are fine, I don't mind buying used on ebay.

Rugged Laptop Filter

Alterscape — Sun, 20 Aug 2006 00:04:17 -0800

Help my father choose a ruggedized laptop for use in a salt-water environment! My father is hoping to get a job as crew on a 60' sail yacht. He's looking for a laptop that's rugged enough to survive at least a year of consistent contact with a salt water environment, and powerful enough for basic computing tasks -- organizing digital pictures and word processing, mainly, with the possibility of using the machine as a backup chart plotter via Garmin Bluecharts or similar software and his GPS (already a ruggedized unit). He isn't really a power-user, but would like to be able to keep connected when possible.

The boat is large enough that water splashing directly onto the machine is not likely to be an issue, but the air will be very salty and spray may exist. His current PCs are a homebuilt dual Pentium III tower, and a G3 Pismo laptop running OS 10.4. The obvious answer for "ruggedized laptop" is "Panasonic Toughbook," but those are terribly expensive and have many features that aren't essential (touch screen, etc). What specifications should I be specifically looking for, and who makes laptops that meet them? Is the toughbook worth the premium in a harsh environment like this? Are there any more budget-friendly alternatives that're similarly hardened?

Where can I find good pants?

ordu — Thu, 24 Mar 2005 19:09:27 -0800

Who makes pants that can take a beating and still be comfortable? I have a few specific requirements.... I'm really hard on pants. Generally I go for rip-stop cotton as a material since it seems to be the best of both worlds in strength and comfort, especially given the weather here in the desert. I'm looking for pants that have a crotch gusset, articulated knees and cargo pocket(s). I've tried most of the usual suspects like North Face Crag pants and Patagonia Jackalope pants. While both are nice they fail for either not having cargo pockets or being made from all nylon. I really like the Tadgear Force 10 pants, big pockets, no velcro and extremely comfortable but they don't seem to keep any kind of inventory.

Any recommendations? Cost isn't the main factor.