Okay....every NE2, I go through this turmoil of what new phone to get... I have my eye on the Voyager, and although the reviewers are giving it a "thumbs up" the users aren't giving it a high ranking in comparison. So, here's what I'm looking for. I live in the So Cal area, so reception is pretty decent overall. I need first and foremost consistent and clear reception....I currently have the LG VX8300 and the reception is garbage!! I need clear calls. I need speakerphone. I need VZ Navigator. I need Caller ID on the outside screen. I need bluetooth for my headset (and the bluetooth MUST work! My VX8300 can't hold a headset for one conversation lasting more than 10 minutes!!!!) I will be receiving work-related texts and I'll probably be texting. I would like call announce, which is probably one of my favorite features on the VX8300. I would like to be able to sync my calendars and rid of my PDA, which is a luxury, not a necessity. I have a MAC, so it would need to sync with a Mac. Surfing the web would be fun, but not mandatory.... Getting my emails on the go would be a luxury, but not mandatory.... Don't care about music (have an iPod) Don't care about a camera Okay...lay it on me....suggestions?!?!?! BTW, my NE2 is up in April, so I'm trying to start my comparisons now...
Wirelessly posted (Sammy U540: SCH-U540/1.0 NetFront/3.0.22.2.5 (GUI) MMP/2.0) See if AirSet works with Mac. The $7 a month application allowed me to get rid of my Palm. I know it syncs with Google Calendar. That may help you out. My u540 has been a great phone other than the battery, but I conditioned it yesterday and all seems well. The speakerphone works well as does the bluetooth connectivity. Calls sound good and you have access to Navigator.
I just upgraded to a Motorola V9m. Excellent sound quality, speaker phone, reception,and bluetooth. I play music on it. Not sure of your other requirements, but after all, it is a phone. Both inside and outside screens are extremely large so caller ID is no problem. The phone seems well made. Glass and metal. I thought my E815 had great reception but this is equal if not better. My daughters have the Samsung U740. I have never used one but they are very happy with them. They text a lot so the two way opening flip which opens like a qwerty keyboard or a regular flip phone comes in handy for them. Keys are small though.They say the reception is good in the places they frequent
I'm sorry you're not having good luck with the 8300. Out of all the phones I have, including the Flipshot, Voyager, Q9m, etc. I am actually using the 8300 and have had great success with the reception, even in fringe areas. Anyways, enough of that. The Voyager is always an option for you- get it, try it, see if you like it. Personally, I wasn't a huge fan of it, but I gave it to a fellow WA'er to try and he loved it, although both of us agree that the call quality on the Voyager is not good at all. It sounds muffled and distorted. To be honest with you, I don't trust Samsung in the reception/call quality department. I own a U740 and a Flipshot and the phones don't do well in fringe areas. How about a Blackberry Pearl? I believe the device would have all the features you desire, as well as email on-the-go, which is a VERY nice feature to have.
Thanks for the feedback....it's a start... I was thinking about the BB Pearl as a 2nd consideration...any feedback on this one?? I had a Samsung a while back and liked the call quality (can't remember the model at the moment)... Thanks for the feedback on the Voyager... I guess I might want to look into the u540 as well....but I don't think it has email capability, which I'm needing more and more with traveling....as well as syncing my PDA calendar.
Wirelessly posted (Sammy U540: SCH-U540/1.0 NetFront/3.0.22.2.5 (GUI) MMP/2.0) The u540 can do email - either with the mobile email app or through mobile web. I use the mobile email app with Windows Live Mail. I am on the premium plan so I have it included in my bill, otherwise it is five bucks.
Wirelessly posted (Sammy U540: SCH-U540/1.0 NetFront/3.0.22.2.5 (GUI) MMP/2.0) I con only speak for southern Illinois and my experience with the Samsung line of phones. I had good success with the LG 5200 when I first signed up with Verizon. The Samsung may in fact have problems with fringe areas, but it is not something that I have dealt with..
My 8300 has given me problems since the year anniversary mark and no matter how many times I complained, because the VZW reps "couldn't duplicate the problem" they attributed it to user error and sent me on my way.....yeah.....right..... As for the BB Pearl....it looks like a nice unit, but the cost of the data/voice/messaging plans are more than double what I'm spending now!! If I don't have email on the Pearl, then what's the point? Any way to circumvent the costs?
Hello Jodi, long time.... That Samsung was the A670, you and I both had it at the same time. It did have excellent call quality. I don't have any recommendation but there is a relevant thread on Blackberry Data Packages that might be of some interest to you. Good luck on the phone decision. http://forums.wirelessadvisor.com/at-t-users-formerly-cingular-wireless/68138-berry-questions.html
Hello Charlyee! It HAS been a long time! Personally, I liked the reception and the call quality of the a670 much more than my LG8300, but I loved the features of the 8300, so I never reverted (such as VZ Nav and call announce)... Thanks for the link on BB's....
Wirelessly posted (LGE-VX8350/1.0 UP.Browser/6.2.3.2 (GUI) MMP/2.0) Jodi, have you seen the LG 8350? I also had the 8300, and I am now using the red 8350. Never had any problems with BT on the 8300, however, I have found that the reception, and sound quality is better on my 8350. Good luck with your decision.
Ellen, thanks for the feedback...but after my frustration with my 8300, I think I'm onto something else. A VZW rep I know personally recommended the BB Pearl, so I'm considering it....he said people are really frustrated with the touchscreen on the Voyager and seems to be his #1 complaint.
I've been playing around with a co-worker's Voyager and the touch screen would drive me nuts at times. I tried other tips for using the touch screen read on other forums, but they seem to be only simple workarounds that do little to correct the problem.
Update Okay...so I looked around and spoke with a colleague who is a VZW manager for their feedback. It seems I'm gravitating towards the BB Pearl.... Here's my dilemma (I probably know the answer, but I'll throw it out here anyway)... My NE2 is as of 4/5/08...the BB Pearl is on sale right now....what's the likelihood if I go into a VZW store that they'll give me my NE2 2 months early? If they won't, how do I get the special that they are advertising? Thanks in advance!
Re: Update I'm pleased with the Pearl. I would also say the V9m, but the display went out. The phone is haedly used and in mint condition. This is my wifes phone and she wants me to send it in to Motorola instead of getting a FRU.
Re: Update Jodi if you want a phone that gets the job done and is very sturdy check out the Motorola W385
Re: Update RJB...did you see my list of "musts" and "wants"? I'm wanting to ditch my PDA and I can't do that with the W385...
Jodi, if you're confused, I don't think I can help much. I use a Moto V9m...its okay...not an 815 and the form factor is getting a little too small for my fat fingers. I love my treo pda...trouble is no one can hear me cause its a lousy phone. I'm tempted weekly to turn the treo back on and ditch the v9m...for now, I'm waiting for open access to see what options come up...I prefer palm (mostly habit) but may jump to blackberry. Don't care for 8703 but would like the curve if available on VZW via open access. Maybe the Feb. 14th rumor is correct...probably worth a few days more?
