Is the 8500 worth it?

[Gideon H]

I'm in the market for a non-contract cell phone. I saw the flexibility in VirginMobile and the fact they use Sprint's network and was interested. Now should I get the CDM8500 or is there a new VirginMobile phone on the way that I don't know about? (I saw the K7-Rave and I think it's ugly so please exclude that [img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-wink.gif[/img]... )

[Drew05]

well in all actuallity, the rave is better than the vox. it actually has games along with the changeable faceplate and polyphonic ringtones. but if you dont want that one, then the 8500 is a good choice


EDIT: alos they are getting another phone before the end of the year, but we dont know what it is. i think its the kyocera slider

[AntsMarching]

Well, I work for DownEast Communications (a Canadian company) that sells phones for Aliant Mobility. The Atlantic canadian wireless provider.

In our store we sell the Motorola V120 and V60i, Kyocera 5235 and 4285, Audiovox 8200 and 8500, Samsung N370, A460 and A500.

I like to believe i'm pretty knowledgable when it comes to these phones because I work with them every day, program them and use them. After messing with each of these I settled on buying the Audiovox 8500 for two reasons. The number i've sold compared to the number returned to go to service for repairs, and the capabilities of this phone.

Another neat feature is that this phone has a built in answering machine, minimizing the need for a voice mail subscription from your provider.

The one drawback of this phone are the ringers. I dont like the whiney, musical ringers that are included when you purchase it. Other than that, it's a fantastic phone. I haven't had problems yet.

[Bradmofo]

I hate the Audiovox 8500 more than any phone I have ever owned. Why?

1) The reception is beyond pathetic.

2) The sound quality is horrible! It is sort of monotone

3) The speaker is either too loud or too quiet.

4) The display on the outside caller id is next to impossible to read at night time.

5) The exterrior scratches very easily and you cannot purchase a replacement. Mine looks like it's 4 years old while it's only 8 months old!!

6) Suprisingly, it's tough to find accessories for the Audiovox phones. I used to have a 9155 and the face plates are next to impossible to find.

I was attracted to the phone because it is a tiny flip and it reminded me of my old Vader. It also has the 7 color screen and a speaker phone (which is too quiet).

I wish I had spent the extra cash on the Audiovox 8600 because it is full color, has a louder speaker phone, and has a better overall sound quality. Reception is marginally better than the 8500.

[Gideon H]

Well I decided to wait for the Kyocera Slider to come out for Virgin Mobile in November. But thanks anyways!

[braindead500]

Yeah, its best you wait because the 8500 only get worse with time, mine is 6 months old and it creaks when you close the flip plus the screen colors seem off and it won't play the ringtone sometimes. The only good thing about the phone is that the ringtones are so loud and have so much bass to them it feels like the phone is almost vibrating sometimes, but if you use virgin xtras to get ringtones then beware because alot of them don't sound as good on the phone as they do on the web site, some of the instruments come out different.