 |
 | Home | Contact Us | FAQ | Search & Site Map | Link to Us |
 | Sign In | Join | Other 45 Sites in Network |
| HomeDiscussion Groups General General TopicsGSMBluetoothProviders AlltelATT WirelessCingularFidoNextelSprint PCST-MobileVerizonManufacturers EricssonNokiaMotorolaCountry Specific Australian GroupUK GroupRelated Topics PocketPCPalmMore Topics ... |
Cellular Phone Forum / Providers / Verizon / August 2004Motorola V710 Reaction Thread
I've seen a LOT of talk about this phone on Howard Forums, where it has its own sub-forum...but not here. I'd kinda like to know what everyone thinks of the Motorola V710. I bought one a few days ago, and so far, it's been a stellar performer for me. Much of the concern posted in places like HoFo seems to revolve around a few things, like a "crippled" Bluetooth profile (no OBEX, which involves moving files back and forth out of the phone) and a camera lens tilt, which doesn't bother me at all. The base of it for me - the phone is, as far as I can tell, now easily VZW's RF champ...certainly significantly better than my last phone, an LG 4400, which wasn't bad by any means. The sound quality is excellent, Bluetooth data (DUN) for my laptop and PDA works with no problems at all - and seems faster than the cable I used with the 4400 for some reason - and I'm also enjoying the BT headset and speaker. Whatever bugs there are - and there are *some* - are either in parts of the phone I don't use or care about, or don't affect me. One occasional reported problem - a loose, moving keypad - is not present on my phone at all. So...comments? I'm hoping to get a more adult perspective on the whole thing. For one, whenever I visit HoFo, I feel like I'm back on the high school playground. One day when I logged in there, roughly 3/4 of the "birthdays" list was people around 20 years old. Heck, I couldn't even stand GOING there until I turned off the "sig file pictures" feature...most of the pictures people used were oversize and reminded me of something on a high school boy's bedroom wall. Mike >I've seen a LOT of talk about this phone on Howard Forums, where it >has its own sub-forum...but not here. I'd kinda like to know what [quoted text clipped - 27 lines] > >Mike I have a question for you as I was thinking of getting one too. I've played with the 710 in the Verizon store. It has those four icons that show on the main screen. Is there a way to have a main screen without those icons? I haven't been able to get them off the screen in the short time I used it in the store. I agree with your opinion of the Howard Forums although you don't seem to get as many trolls and flames there. Could be because it is moderated. > >I've seen a LOT of talk about this phone on Howard Forums, where it > >has its own sub-forum...but not here. I'd kinda like to know what [quoted text clipped - 37 lines] > to get as many trolls and flames there. Could be because it is > moderated. Go Menu..Settings..personalize...Home screen..Home keys..Icons....then change the show to hide. Hope this helps..Wayne >I've seen a LOT of talk about this phone on Howard Forums, where it >has its own sub-forum...but not here. I'd kinda like to know what >everyone thinks of the Motorola V710. I've had one for a few days. Mine has the camera tilt and I'd sure like to be able to sync it with my laptop and Outlook contacts list, but otherwise I like it a lot. For the few pictures I've taken, I turn the handset slightly and hey, its level! RF performance equals the StarTac it replaces, in fringe areas as well as close-in to a cell site. Bluetooth linkup to my laptop and handheld (the main reason for replacing the StarTac) was straightforward and works well, as does the 1xRTT speed (the other reason for replacing the StarTac). Overall, I'm quite pleased. I replace phones infrequently, and the StarTac was a champ for the years I used it, so the combo of Bluetooth and good RF makes the 710 a winner for me. I did run across the earphone volume problem, but it turned out to be a slightly off-center sweet spot and I was holding the phone a smidge to high on my ear (probably in the same place I held the StarTac). A little lower and viola, problem solved. I actually tuned it DOWN while driving the truck home...not known for being a quiet environment. Cheers... Is there any way to get rid of that silly pattern that shows on the screen on the outside of the phone when the phone is closed? Its really dumb. > I've seen a LOT of talk about this phone on Howard Forums, where it > has its own sub-forum...but not here. I'd kinda like to know what [quoted text clipped - 27 lines] > > Mike > Is there any way to get rid of that silly pattern that shows on the screen > on the outside of the phone when the phone is closed? Its really dumb. My friend has the phone. If I remember right if you change the color theme it will change the background on the outside screen, but I didn't see a way to turn it off or replace it with another graphic. Kind of strange. rich It's a large, bug infested, battery hungry phone. I haven't heard many good things about it at all. While the current customer's are performing R&D on it, Verizon will eventually release another model with the appropriate name...like V720 or some thing like that. > I've seen a LOT of talk about this phone on Howard Forums, where it > has its own sub-forum...but not here. I'd kinda like to know what [quoted text clipped - 27 lines] > > Mike >It's a large, bug infested, battery hungry phone. I haven't heard many good >things about it at all. While the current customer's are performing R&D on [quoted text clipped - 32 lines] >> >> Mike Since I am comtemplating getting this phone could you please elaborate on the bugs? What exactly are they. Have you used this phone? On what information do you base your review? The poster you are replying to actually has the phone and gives it a good review. Your answer could be helpful in my choice. >Since I am comtemplating getting this phone could you please elaborate >on the bugs? What exactly are they. Have you used this phone? On what >information do you base your review? The poster you are replying to >actually has the phone and gives it a good review. > >Your answer could be helpful in my choice. A word of advisory: "Killer Madness" is our latest alt.cellular.verizon troll. At the slightest hint of something negative being posted about VZW or its phones, he leaps out from behind the bushes and shows his displeasure. He obviously does not HAVE the phone, and as you noted, I do. ;) A word of advice. All new phones are buggy to some degree, some more than others. The 710's sister phone, the 720, was perhaps...if you believed all the reports...perhaps the buggiest phone in creation. They finally "got it right", but it took a change of model number (730), because of the early reputation. My earlier message mentions some of the "bugs" (and perhaps a design issue or two) that some people post about this phone. Not a single one of these issues has been important to ME, as they affect parts of the phone either A) I don't or rarely use (camera tilt, etc.) or B) reflect missing features I wasn't concerned about in the first place (missing Bluetooth profile for moving contacts/files). Some, like earpiece volume and moving keypads, seem to vary from phone to phone (I have neither issue on mine). The only true BUG I can find can't be easily reproduced...occasionally the phone will kick out of either data use or camera use to a "No Service" screen, then it'll find the network and reregister. It's happened to me about 3 times now, less than once every other day. I would hope a firmware upgrade would fix this. The "bump to No Service" has never happened to be in a phone call (I've had some LONG ones, too) or in a Bluetooth data session with my PDA or laptop (ditto)...only in the in-handset data/menus. Just this evening, I was riding in a car down I-77 in Southeast Ohio, in Alltel's service area, and traversed an entire county (25-plus minute drive) doing data use with Bluetooth and my iPaq PDA. How cool is that? The upshot - I have used the thing extensively, it's pretty much bulletproof when it comes to actually making and receiving calls, the Bluetooth data works smoothly, and it seems to have the best reception of any current VZW phone (I haven't tried the 3589i, which has been lauded in that regard in the past). The verdict? Make your own decision. If you want to go for it, you have 15 days to use the phone like I have. If before those 15 days are up, you're not happy...return the phone. Mike <snip> > The only true BUG I can find can't be easily reproduced...occasionally > the phone will kick out of either data use or camera use to a "No [quoted text clipped - 4 lines] > ones, too) or in a Bluetooth data session with my PDA or laptop > (ditto)...only in the in-handset data/menus. This happened to me twice while using WAP on the phone. I figured it was due to me using a free WAP service & not verizon's built in service. <snip> > The upshot - I have used the thing extensively, it's pretty much > bulletproof when it comes to actually making and receiving calls, the > Bluetooth data works smoothly, and it seems to have the best reception I had a lot of headaches getting this to work with my PDA and my laptop. I wish I knew what I did because it suddenly started to work and has been fine since then. What WAP are you using? Thanks. > <snip> > [quoted text clipped - 19 lines] > I wish I knew what I did because it suddenly started to work and has been > fine since then. >>Since I am comtemplating getting this phone could you please elaborate >>on the bugs? What exactly are they. Have you used this phone? On what [quoted text clipped - 47 lines] > >Mike I'm well aware of Killer Madness and his trolling. I wanted to see what he would say when asked to give answers based on fact. I usually don't get involved in threads like that. I try only to reply to threads where I can offer advice based on personal experience or actual knowledge. I couldn't help myself this time. But I am thinking of purchasing this phone. Thank you for your input. It was thorough, and informative. I am particularly interested in your comment about the phone reception. >But I am thinking of purchasing this phone. Thank you for your input. >It was thorough, and informative. I am particularly interested in your >comment about the phone reception. It is *outstanding*. I've done a lot of driving in fringe areas, areas that used to get less signal even on my most recent phone, an LG 4400. I also went through an area that my old Nokia 5185i couldn't get signal at all or had a weak analog signal...in many parts of Southeast Ohio, and in West Virginia along I-77 between Charleston and Beckley, along with U.S. 460 between Princeton, WV and the WV/VA line. I had a little "help" from a Wilson mini-mag mount antenna. But even without the antenna, the results were impressive. Some of this may be due to upgraded coverage since I last went this route (over a year and a half ago), but much of it is clearly due to the phone. For example, I used to do the U.S. 460 run from Exit 9 in WV (Princeton) into Virginia on a monthly basis. My old Nokia 5185i would regularly go into roughly a 10 mile "no service" area about a mile east of the exit, picking up the VZW SID 502 (Roanoke) signal just at the WV/VA state line. The V710, with antenna, had a 1-2 bar U.S. Cellular digital signal the entire way, until the VZW Roanoke signal picked up...instead of at the state line, a good 3 or 4 miles BEFORE the state line. Wondering how much of this was the antenna, I occasionally unplugged it...which dropped a 1 bar USCC digital signal, but immediately picked up a 2-3 bar analog roaming signal I can't identify yet. The antenna has generally been adding about 1 bar of signal strength on the display on the V710. In fact, when I unplugged my antenna, it was the first time I've ever seen "No Service" on the V710 (well, aside from the in-handset data bug I mentioned ;). And that lasted roughly 2 seconds, when the phone quickly jumped into that analog roaming. The V710 seems MUCH quicker at making decisions about changing networks when the signal dies than the 4400, and MUCH quicker to find a more favorable network. (The V710 held onto that VZW Roanoke signal a few miles into WV without the antenna...it just dropped from 4 to 3 bars. The reason I attribute this to the phone is that as far as I know, VZW has not expanded its SID 502 coverage into WV, where it's not licensed...it was a strong network in VA even when I had my Nokia 5185i and took little time to go to nearly full strength back then after being inside the VA line.) The Southeast Ohio roaming via Alltel was a usually 3-bar or more digital signal all the way down I-77 with the V710...again, I don't know if this is coverage improvement or not, Alltel could have turned up more digital coverage on that route since my last time there. I haven't used the Nokia 3589i, generally acknowledged by many as the best RF performer in the VZW lineup, but my gut feeling tells me the V710 either meets or exceeds it. If you're looking into it, put the thing through its paces...see if the bugs/issues bother you (handset volume, BT implementation, camera quality/tilt, etc.). Use the keypad a lot and see if it moves around (mine doesn't). The only way you're gonna be sure is to put it through a workout for 15 days. But I fell for the thing after day 1! :D Mike Dude, from experience alone with when Verizon releases phones. Every single one has loads of bugs and never works right the first time. That's why there's multiple versions of the same damn phone on this network. Anyway, why spend so much money on a phone that only gets 3 hour battery time and is in it's first year of bugs? > >It's a large, bug infested, battery hungry phone. I haven't heard many good > >things about it at all. While the current customer's are performing R&D on [quoted text clipped - 39 lines] > > Your answer could be helpful in my choice. >Dude, from experience alone with when Verizon releases phones. Every single >one has loads of bugs and never works right the first time. That's why [quoted text clipped - 47 lines] >> >> Your answer could be helpful in my choice. What experience have you had with this phone? What bugs does it have? Be specific. Total nonsense. I got my LG 4400 the day it came out and it works flawlessly with the original firmware. >Total nonsense. I got my LG 4400 the day it came out and it works >flawlessly with the original firmware. What firmware? I'm curious, because I bought my LG 4400 about a month or two after it came out, and it was already up to v6 (it's v10 now, I think they're up to 11). The thing is...like the V710, whatever issues the earlier 4400 firmware may have had never affected ME. Mike > Dude, from experience alone with when Verizon releases phones. Every single > one has loads of bugs and never works right the first time. That's why > there's multiple versions of the same damn phone on this network. Anyway, > why spend so much money on a phone that only gets 3 hour battery time and is > in it's first year of bugs? So tell us all, Killer, what phone do you use and what carrier do you use??  SignatureGod Bless America! Bob the Printer Our web pages are located at: http://mywebpages.comcast.net/bdolson/ > It's a large, bug infested, battery hungry phone. I haven't heard > many good things about it at all. What bad things have you heard? SignatureStop Mad Cowboy Disease: Vote for John Kerry. i've had the phone for a few weeks and i'm really enjoying it. the only bugs i know of are in the design, where the ear hole is a bit too high, and "pixplace" is currently not working. when i first got the phone pixplace worked fine but it's been down for about a week, while VZW works on a bug related problem. aside from that, the speakerphone is awesome, i loved the way voicedial sets itself up after doing a voice analyzer for a few minutes, and the camera [which was never a priorty for me] works great and is just an added bonus for me. oh, yeah, the phone works great, as a phone, and i even get reception in on some side streets that i couldn't get before even with other tri-mode phones. i haven't used bluetooth yet, or tried PC synching, but i'll eventually get around to that. i guess they're coming out with the 810 model next month but i don't think it has bluetooth. i saved a lot of money on this phone by extending my two year plan, and with the $70 rebate. also, i returned the car charger since the one i used with my prior phone fits this model, and i also returned the headset since the speakerphone is so good, i really don't need it. some day, when the prices dip, i may but the bluetooth accessories too. good luck and remember, customer service is only as good as the person you're talking to - so, if you feel you're not getting good service, just hang up and keep calling until you get a quailty rep. same goes for the stores, there are good and bad reps out there, just try and find the good stores and people to work with. > I've seen a LOT of talk about this phone on Howard Forums, where it > has its own sub-forum...but not here. I'd kinda like to know what [quoted text clipped - 27 lines] > > Mike Come on folks, let's stop confusing "bugs" with "design" issures. There is a big difference. > i've had the phone for a few weeks and i'm really enjoying it. the only > bugs i know of are in the design, where the ear hole is a bit too high, and [quoted text clipped - 59 lines] > > > > Mike > i saved a lot of money on this phone by extending my two year plan, > and with the $70 rebate. also, i returned the car charger since the > one i used with my prior phone fits this model, and i also returned > the headset since the speakerphone is so good, i really don't need > it. Using the speaker phone in public may not be a good idea. For one thing, people can overhear your conversation; for another, it may be a distraction and noise pollution. But, if you're sitting in your car with the phone on its belt holster, can you use the speakerphone and microphone? -- Michelle SignatureStop Mad Cowboy Disease: Vote for John Kerry. yeah, i wasn't really referring to speaking in public, as i know how annoying that can be for the people around you [when using speakerphone]. i really meant using the speakerphone while driving, and for this, i simply place the phone on the panel directly in front of the MPH indicator and other dials. i drive an Accord which provides a shelf in front of the these indicators which turns out to be a convenient place to park the cell while talking. everyone can hear me fine and the phone hasn't fallen once. > > i saved a lot of money on this phone by extending my two year plan, > > and with the $70 rebate. also, i returned the car charger since the [quoted text clipped - 13 lines] > -- > Stop Mad Cowboy Disease: Vote for John Kerry. > yeah, i wasn't really referring to speaking in public, as i know how > annoying that can be for the people around you [when using [quoted text clipped - 4 lines] > be a convenient place to park the cell while talking. everyone can > hear me fine and the phone hasn't fallen once. And if you have an accident or have to take evasive maneuvers, the phone becomes a missile. But in the car, I'll have a bluetooth connection to the car, so that won't be a problem. And for elsewhere, I'll get a BT headset if I can find one that works with my hearing aid. SignatureStop Mad Cowboy Disease: Vote for John Kerry. My wife and I both bought a V710 on 8/20. We have given both of them a tough work out this weekend trying to find faults. Can't find any. Love the Bluetooth earset. Works great. Phone does a fantastic job of obtaining and holding a signal. Battery life has been very good for a battery that's only been charged once. Internet access via Bluetooth for our Iraq's works great as well. We are both very happy so far with the V710. We traded up from two V60i's. And we are both 50, does that makes us adults? :) > I've seen a LOT of talk about this phone on Howard Forums, where it > has its own sub-forum...but not here. I'd kinda like to know what [quoted text clipped - 27 lines] > > Mike ... <snip> > So...comments? I'm hoping to get a more adult perspective on the > whole thing. For one, whenever I visit HoFo, I feel like I'm back on > the high school playground. ... I like Hofo but yeah. I got my 710 on the 11th. I've not used it extensively but I've used it a bit. I had the phone plugged in, using it as a bluetooth internet modem and after a couple of hours, the battery power was reduced to nothing. I can understand this happening without being plugged in, but it was plugged in. I've not been able how to figure out how to get Mobile Phone Tools, which I keep hearing is "free" but hell if I can figure out where (legit). I'm planning on buying it in the next few days after I get a transflash card finally. To date I've not sent any pictures taken from the phone; it appears to me that the picture quality is mediocre for indoor pictures due to light issues and not because of anything inherent with the phone as compared to my zire 72 or other phone cams. I'll know more in upcoming weeks. I wished I'd gotten a better deal on the phone... $250 with no accessories is a little steep. I want a bluetooth headset but have no idea which one to get. Same with the covering; I've got a couple of scuffs already. When using the phone as a phone, the battery life is very good; I can go 2 days without needing a charge. (admittedly I don't use the phone that much). With my 120c (which was ~8 months old when I replaced it due to a headset jack problem) every 2 days I absolutely needed to charge the phone regardless of the # of calls I received or made. My 710 has easily matched that requirement, though BT drains the battery quickly. I've seen the 600. I like the fact that the outside of the 600 lights up and part of me wishes my 710 did that as well. (I know, its just a stupid "oooh, aaaah" and not a real useful feature...) I don't know if the external display is programmable or changeable. But I like my 710 phone. If you want it to replace your 3 mp camera, you're crazy. Oh and the default pictures on the phone appear to not be deletable. I wish there was a way around that. Yes, I would like to delete the pre-installed photos as well. Any ideas anyone??? > ... > [quoted text clipped - 45 lines] > Oh and the default pictures on the phone appear to not be deletable. I > wish there was a way around that. > I bought one a few days ago, and so far, it's been a stellar performer > for me. Much of the concern posted in places like HoFo seems to > revolve around a few things, like a "crippled" Bluetooth profile (no > OBEX, which involves moving files back and forth out of the phone) and > a camera lens tilt, which doesn't bother me at all. I havent noticed the camera lens tilt on mine, but I've also noticed that when the phone is open, the lens isn't exactly perpendicular to the floor, normally. Maybe my camera does have it and I'm missing it... Updated information, including some hacks to fix the volume and such. http://www.nuclearelephant.com/papers/v710.html |
Reply to this Message |
 Sign In
 Join
 My Latest Posts My Monitored Threads My Blog My Photo Gallery My Profile My Homepage Start New Thread Enable EMail Alerts Rate this Thread
|
©2009 Advenet LLC Privacy Policy - Terms of Use
This website includes both content owned or controlled by Advenet as well as content owned or controlled by third parties.