So my trusty old Nokia 6120 has finally died, after many dents/cracks/scratches from being bashed around in a saddlebag and occasionally dropped in the middle the road/trail. Thought I’d go for something a bit more rugged this time around. Don’t need all that iPhone ‘functionality’ just a basic 3G phone so I can use my existing plan, but that will last a bit longer with the abuse I give it. Any suggestions….

Does this thread help at all? Know it’s more about contracts but has a few comments.
http://www.singletrackworld.com/forum/topic/please-recommend-me-a-mobile-phone-contract

Haven’t read the linked thread, but I have a Motorola Defy – android smartyphone. So far has survived being droped in a pint (“look, it’s even beer proof” splash “ehhh, i hope”), dropped several times, left on the car roof (drove off, where’s the phone, thump thump ohhhhhh shhhht), dropped in salt water a couple of times. i’ve also seen one spend 20 minutes rattling round the bottom of a RIB at speed at sea and still working. Amazingly, it gets a clean every so often and it scrubs up like new, even the glass.
It does some smartphoney stuff as well.

another vote for the defy. Gorilla glass does seem indestructible.

Thanks for the suggestions guys – the Defy sure looks good, but a bit outta my price range, and I don’t really need the Android/smartphone functionality. Instead have just ordered a Samsung B2710 which is IP67 waterproof/dustproof, has compass/GPS functions and a built in LED torch… Will report back if its any good once I’ve had a chance to abuse it for a few months.