Casio G'zOne Type-R, a cellphone for the great outdoors

Casio, the manufacturer voted most likely to be seen adorning our childhood classmates' wrists, is coming out with another one of those ruggedized cellphones. No weekend getaway into blissful solitude is complete without hourly check-ins to the office, and the Casio G'zOne (pronounced "jeez one"?) will make the perfect "can you hear me now?" companion as you trudge through the less-than-GPRS-soaked wilderness. Enjoy your 1-bar nirvana as accompanied by an electronic compass, illuminated clock, stop watch (natch), 2.2-inch QVGA screen and digital camera for nabbing that prize-winning Sasquatch shot. Then again, the G'zOne will be going to market in Japan, where legend has it the trees grow WiFi repeaters on their own — so you might actually do alright.

[umijin @ Dec 19th 2005 1:21AM]

They had two previous G'zone models a few years ago, then suddenly they disappeared with no successor (2003). I figured they were discontinued, because people didn't break them as easily as other phones. Hence cell phone companies lost out on revenue from all those women who dropped their keitai's in the commode.

I've actually been hoping for a new G'zone model for quite some time. The styling isn't as important to me as the ruggedness and function of the phone. As someone who values his time in the water or outdoors, this could be what I've been waiting for - for a couple of years. :-)

[Ben @ Dec 19th 2005 1:21AM]

These are phones for guys. I really like the black one but I'd like to see it in real life to make sure it's not too chunky. A lot of the phones in Japan are getting really big now. According to the PR, it's certified waterproof. Also, I really like the external display - it just looks like a Casio watch I used to have that had a compas and altimeter in it. Also, like Casio say, it's easy to read without a backlight. Color screens can be pretty aweful in daylight - the RAZR is the worst.

[Ty @ Dec 19th 2005 1:21AM]

I'm guessing, they wanted it pronounced G-Zone...wonder why they spelled it that way...

[When will they be available in the US? @ Dec 19th 2005 1:21AM]

I want one. When are they coming here to the U.S.?

PS: All your G'zones are belong to us!

[umijin @ Dec 19th 2005 1:21AM]

The last models in 2001-2003 didn't even have English mode (bilingual function), but I'm hoping this one will.

I bet this doesn't make it stateside.

[Bonita @ Dec 19th 2005 1:21AM]

Finally !! I've been waiting for a cellphone like this for years !! I want one !! When can I expect this one to be sold in Norway ??

[Lev @ Dec 19th 2005 1:21AM]

You and me both I drooled over this one while in Tokyo :( sad how behind we are, they are trully G3 now and we are still talking about G2.5.

[Shane @ Dec 19th 2005 1:21AM]

This really does need to come to the US, I have gone through 3 V710 phones due to moisture from beach/motorycle riding in FL...anyone know if and when it will? Or any other durable phone?

[from92714 @ Dec 19th 2005 1:21AM]

I bought it last month right after it was out. Since the day I broke my first cell, been using the G'z One series. This thing is realy tough, I kinda threw it on the floor(carpet) to show that it is tough to my coworkers.
THe gadget is neet too, can add the GPS data on the photos you can take, don't know why, but its cool. I can pointout where I took the photo later.
BTW, yes it is pronounced jeez one.

[Chris @ Dec 19th 2005 1:21AM]

This phone is awesome, I am a US Marine stationed in Okinawa Japan, I bought this phone when it first came out. The phone has since proven it's self field worthy. It's been in downpours, puddles, fallen, been thrown, abused, and neglected.. It still runs perfectly... and the battery lasts forever between charges, I've had mine last up to 6 days. Longer than any phone I've had in the states... I hope I can get it converted when I get back to the states.

[clint @ Dec 19th 2005 1:21AM]

What is the retail cost of the G'zOne phone in Japan?