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Motorola V750 Adventure
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Gunshots. Fist fights. Fleeing an exploding warehouse on a motorcycle. These are the things I imagine when hearing the word "adventure." Rugged phones from Motorola don't quite make that list. Nevertheless, Motorola has attempted the impossible with the slim V750 "Adventure." It's durable like the company's line of walkie-talkie handsets, but get this — it's not entirely hideous!
First, a word to the RAZR fans. (There are some still left.) Though the V750 has similar looks and ergonomics, this isn't the second coming of the world's favorite fashion phone. With military grade protection from dust, shock, and high/low temperatures it's a different creature entirely. Even though it casts the same fragile silhouette as the RAZR, my review unit took repeated 4-foot drops and dirt naps with ease (and just a few cracks). After brushing the phone off, I was still able to make and receives calls with reasonably clear audio. If you're concerned with the average accidental drops and collisions a cell phone endures on a day to day basis, the V750 has you covered, hands down.
Ohhh, but that doesn't mean all is well in Ruggedtown. Although the V750 is built to survive impacts and endure dirty environments, Motorola cut a corner with the water resistance. In all fairness, the phone's hard plastic chassis and keypad did fine in my splash tests, but without the official certification in place it's unlikely that the V750 couldn't take a full dunk. As someone who's accidentally immersed their phone (thrice), this is a cardinal sin for a rugged phone.
Luckily, the V750 has a couple trump cards up its mud encrusted sleeve. Motorola defied rugged convention by outfitting the V750 with an impressive array of multimedia features. Be it pictures, video, music, or (gasp!) mobile web, the V750's brisk interface and capabilities match pace with most mid-level multimedia phones. Granted, its 67 MBs of memory and crippled Bluetooth aren't going to send Nokia or Apple packing — but it's still an admirably audacious fence for a rugged phone to straddle. Paired with its price, these features make the V750 a solid investment for the weekend adventure seeker. —Terrence Russell
WIRED Sensible balance of utility and entertainment. Fantastic data speeds via EV-DO Rev A. 1,000 entry phone book stores multiple numbers per entry and postal addresses. 1.6in external LCD makes on-the-go media playback a breeze. Looks and handles like a sleek, non-rugged phone.
TIRED Modestly rugged at best. Push-To-Talk setup is convoluted and clunky. Muddy speakerphone audio at high volumes. Flimsy battery door flies off during impacts. Verizon OS cripples Bluetooth, video message length, and file sharing. Flashless cameras are the stuff of the Dark Ages.
$260, motorola.com
(Photo by Terrence Russell)
