I often get asked about my CAT S61 phone, so here's a one-year review.
The CAT S61 is an industrial phone. It's designed to withstand a harsh work environment and has features aimed specifically at engineering and construction. In a way it's a flagship phone, but more in a blue collar than a fashionista sense.
Besides the water and impact resilience it has a Flir Lepton thermal imaging camera, an air quality monitor that reacts to VOCs (Volatile Organic Compounds) like solvents, and a simple laser assisted measuring system that works in conjunction with the camera to estimate distances.
I've been using this for a year, and although the firmware has been a slightly rough ride it has done its job well.
I know you can get plug-in thermal cameras, but have always felt that plugging solid items into the tiny charge connector on most phones runs the risk of damaging the connector if dropped.
The only niggle I have is that the main camera drops clumps of frames when used with other apps. That results in sudden jerks in the video. The supplied app is OK for general filming, but for YouTube stuff you really need to be able to lock things like exposure, focus and white balance, especially when doing bench style videos.
When I got this phone it was the most expensive one I'd ever bought. Although initially disappointed by the camera app compatibility issue (tried with and without AP2) it's still become a very useful daily carry phone. Especially with the built in thermal imaging camera. I'd actually feel a bit lost without it.
If you enjoy these videos you can help support the channel with a dollar for coffee, cookies and random gadgets for disassembly at:-
http://www.bigclive.com/coffee.htm
This also keeps the channel independent of YouTube's advertising algorithms allowing it to be a bit more dangerous and naughty.
The CAT S61 is an industrial phone. It's designed to withstand a harsh work environment and has features aimed specifically at engineering and construction. In a way it's a flagship phone, but more in a blue collar than a fashionista sense.
Besides the water and impact resilience it has a Flir Lepton thermal imaging camera, an air quality monitor that reacts to VOCs (Volatile Organic Compounds) like solvents, and a simple laser assisted measuring system that works in conjunction with the camera to estimate distances.
I've been using this for a year, and although the firmware has been a slightly rough ride it has done its job well.
I know you can get plug-in thermal cameras, but have always felt that plugging solid items into the tiny charge connector on most phones runs the risk of damaging the connector if dropped.
The only niggle I have is that the main camera drops clumps of frames when used with other apps. That results in sudden jerks in the video. The supplied app is OK for general filming, but for YouTube stuff you really need to be able to lock things like exposure, focus and white balance, especially when doing bench style videos.
When I got this phone it was the most expensive one I'd ever bought. Although initially disappointed by the camera app compatibility issue (tried with and without AP2) it's still become a very useful daily carry phone. Especially with the built in thermal imaging camera. I'd actually feel a bit lost without it.
If you enjoy these videos you can help support the channel with a dollar for coffee, cookies and random gadgets for disassembly at:-
http://www.bigclive.com/coffee.htm
This also keeps the channel independent of YouTube's advertising algorithms allowing it to be a bit more dangerous and naughty.
great review, on a verge of buying one myself
I had a cat s51 which would get very very hot in summer the battery actually ballooned just for reference I live in Australia
Have you seen the successor, the S62?
The flaps break off after use. Pity
My Cat s60 finally broke after so many years (battery connection) and I'm decanting if to go for the s61
just wondering have they fixed the camera software issue for other apps?
I purchased the BV9900pro.Its a better deal .I paid $450 cdn shipped to my door.More than good enough .Many jealous coworkers
why did they remove the dualsim AND memory card? my cas S41 has all three, the reason I'm looking to replace it is that the flap broke after two years, and that the sim tray has now become brittle to the point where it's not sealing anything either. those phones are super duper heavy duty, I've abused the heck out of mine, dropped it on concrete more times then I can remember and never bothered with snow, rain, if I wanted to snap a picture I'd just double tap the power button and use the volume up to snap that picture.
nice man. Thx its video bro!
Hola, me gustó mucho su explicación, el equipo es muy bueno, pero en Colombia es mejor no comprarlo, en mi caso compré un S61 original, cuando paso el año de garantía lo mandé al representante de la marca en Colombia la empresa 'Woden', con miles de requisitos para despacharlo a Bogotá, para que finalmente me digan que no tienen la repuestos para repararlo y que me recomiendan la compra de otro, el diagnóstico que envían es totalmente ambiguo pero si adicionan claramente la cotización para que les compré a ellos el nuevo equipo. En lo personal en Colombia recomiendo "No comprar teléfonos CATERPILLAR de ninguna serie…. Saludos
I have the newer s62 pro, its fine, but it does not have the distance measurement 🙁
Why do persons need two SIMs?
thank you for this video. Im a mechanic and need a new phone. I saw this one on google for rugged phones and if you give it this good of a review then this is for sure the phone ill be using. Not to mention FLIR and air quality sensors are awesome to have in the shop.
ew
People in an audience with an elevated skin temperature may be on some kind of drugs.