Casio G’zOne Rock C731 Phone
- Ruggedized clamshell phone that’s shock-, dust-, and water-resistant; outdoor software tools include earth compass, thermometer, and more
- Talk instantly to friends and colleagues using Verizon Wireless Push to Talk network; GPS-enabled for turn-by-turn directions; access V Cast Music (with Rhapsody) and Video services
- 2-megapixel camera/camcorder; Bluetooth stereo music; microSD memory expansion to 16 GB; access to personal email and instant messaging services
- Up to 5 hours of talk time, up to 630 hours (26.25 days) of standby time; 80 hours of PTT standby time
- What’s in the Box: handset, rechargeable battery, charger, device lock tool, charging cradle, quick start guide, user manual
Amazon.com Product Description
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 Casio G’zOne Rock is prepared to handle life’s most challenging obstacles while providing directional information, Push to Talk capabilities and connectivity over the nation’s largest and most reliable wireless voice and 3G network. 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 … More >>
While the phone itself is great, connectivity via Bluetooth is poor. it also did not come with a second cable, nor did the Verizon store sell one, so be prepared to order online to make it functional.
Rating: 2 / 5
I had one of the first versions of Casio’s hardened phones and it was great for almost 3 years. I was happy to switch to this phone because it seemed to have everything that previous phone had while also being thinner and more visually appealing. Unfortunately the voice quality is completely unacceptable. Every person I speak to complains of not being able to hear me. This is a complaint I did not get once in 3 years with the earlier model. Additionally the software has a bug which confuses the incoming or dialed calls with the previous call’s supporting data. I am refusing to pay Verizon a restocking fee on this phone. I’m sure that Casio will have to pull it from the market.
Rating: 1 / 5
I had an earlier Casio G phone. And liked it. So I got the “Rock”.
This phone has a lot of fun features. Very neat compass/ temperature/ moon phase/ high tides function, good rubberized feel. Good display, camera with flash/ flashlight… etc.
BUT… voice quality is poor (hollow, crackly).
The poor quality has been a concern for other “G” phones by past reviewers, and it looks like this one is really the same. Too bad. Had to exchange.
Rating: 2 / 5
Really love everything but the vibrate function. Sound quality incoming and outgoing is fine, not sure why others have had a different experience.
Rating: 4 / 5
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.
Rating: 5 / 5