Why I'm Returning My v710

I'm completely amazed by the low volume claims I see. My phone is loud, clear, and in fact is too loud if set over 4. 10 minutes ago I got a call in a crowded, loud restaurant, and when it rang I immediately started to "volume up" as I answered. I had to turn it back down a couple of knotches to carry on the conversation because it was loud. I'm really starting to think there may be different software/firmware versions of this phone being released........

There are other things about the phone I'd like to see improvements on, like the phone book, but IMO the basic phone funtionalities on this phone are excellent. Clarity, reception, and yes volume, are great on my phone.

I'm coming off a workhouse LG phone, and on the bottom of my office building it couldn't make calls with VZ. The 710 has 2-3 bars and makes calls great. I was very impressed by that.

Anyway, good luck with your new choice. I'm just not sure what else there is to choose from with VZ. All I wanted is pics and speakerphone. The other choices were not real good (8900, etc)

 

I am sorry that excitment and anticipation has turned into disappointment. I have said many times in this forum, wait a few months until the phone is tested by others. Unfortunately, you learned the hard way, but to the others in this forum learn from the experience of Kenstee, wait a while. If the phone is any good you will still be able to buy it as a New Year's gift for yourself.

 

I've never been satisfied with my T720's earpiece volume and I swore 2 years ago I'd never get another phone with anything close to marginal sound. I've been waiting as anxiously as most for a BT VZW phone but I won't make the same mistake with the V710. I'm going to get one but it's going right back if the volume stinks.

 

I bought the T720 3 days after it came out at full retail ($349.99) which was one of the biggest mistakes I ever made. Any phone where you have to adjust the earpiece to "the sweet spot" is bad news.

 

Except that most phones require a little hunting for the "sweet spot". There are rare exceptions, like the v60, but most phones have their own quirks about exactly where the users ear should go. In the case of the V710, I think it's just that most users are holding the phone too low, essentially listening to the display. Those who have taken the time to adjust have reported fantastic sound.

Oh, and incidentally, the StarTAC was one of the WORST phones for finding the "sweet spot".

 

I agree with this thread 100%.

These are the serious flaws in the phone that I have found with #1 being the topic of this thread:
1. Earpiece Volume (still debating on returning for this)
2. Camera Quaity (not important as #1 but its pathetic for the way this phone is rated)
3. Speakerphone cant be used when closed. Again, poor design by Motorola .
4. No games! (but this is a Verizon issue not Motorola)0 Come on, at least give us 2 free basic games so I can keep busy on the subway.
5. Minor but you should be able to change the picture on the outer display (I know you change the color theme, I mean put real pics instead of those annoying patterns)

To be fair, the transflash is great, bluetooth is a nice feature but it sucks that VZW had Motorola limit its functionality, and the mp3s

 

If there are enough complaints firmware will, probably be issued, to correct the problem.

 

Some phones must simply be louder than others. I've done several experimental calls since this post, and all I can say is the earpiece volume would be the LAST thing I would complain about with this phone. I do agree, however, with lots of the other shortcomings mentioned above and I hope at least some can be resolved with updates.

 

I also can not fathom people saying the earpeice is too quiet. I often turn mine down. Maybe they have read that other people think it is quiet, so they are looking for a problem? I don't know. The phone is a little big, but I love it.

 

I think I'm missing something, but I thought that the V710 was digital only...

 

The V710 is tri-mode. The LG VX-7000 is digital only.

 

Not to stray off topic, but I had the 7000 and the 710 side by side the other day, and they are almost identical in size (the 710 is very slightly wider, all other dimensions are the same) Makes me wonder if the 8000 will be just as big....

 

The same goes for the Timeport. I could have my ear up to the display and still hear without any problems.

 

Well, i don't know what to tell you. I had two StarTACs (the 7860 and 7868, I think), and both had a very tiny sweet spot - especially when compared to the v60.

 

This whole topic of sweet spots and volume too low is totally a matter of one's opinion. In my experience the volume on the 710 is loud enough for me. Now it is not as loud as my old VX6000 but it is loud enough that I can hear fine. So if you want to get this phone, and the ear piece volume is your only worry, then go try the phone at the store and draw your own conclusion.

 

With regard to "sweet spots" - May I make an observation?

There are three design issues:
-Overall phone size (length)
-Display size
-Speaker size/placement

I don't see how you can have all three. The phone DOES require getting used to, in terms of holding it lower in your ear. That being said, my phone is loud enough that I can clearly hear with it set an less than the loudest setting -- And my secretary can easily hear the other person talking.

For those of you with the v710 -- Open it up, and ask yourself -- How would you make the speaker larger and/or further away from the edge without either making the display smaller or making the phone larger?

Based on some of the comments from people about the current size of the phone, I would suggest that Motorola chose the correct compromise on placement and size.

 

npitlor - I don't think anyone here would argue any of your points for a second. Fact of the matter is, the speaker in the earpiece has been the same size for some time. This is just the first phone on which Motorola decided "hey, you know what? We can slide the speaker up and use a larger display!" If anything, it's an effective use of space. And certainly Motorola is not the first manufacturer (and won't be the last, either) to make this sort of compromise - look at some of Nokia's designs!

 

Or... "I'm deaf, you made the phone too loud!" Verizon, and I'm sure the government, set limits on these sorts of things.

 

Update: I picked up my V710 late this afternoon - fresh off the truck. (No, it didn't fall off the back - I wish!) So far, I've very pleased with it. And as far as the handset speaker goes, I have had no problems with the volume. I've actually had to turn it down a bit - I think the factory preset is 6. And when I compared the speaker location to that on my V60 (retired), it wasn't all that dissimilar.

 

My v710 arrived yesterday, and my BT 810 headset arrived today. I spent all last evening playing with the phone, personalizing everything. Tonight I sync'd my 810 with the phone. Three words here: I LOVE THEM!!!!:inlove:

I've been reading most of the threads regarding everyone's complaints about the v710, so I was almost wishing I hadn't ordered it. I'm glad I did, because I don't have any of the problems so many on this board are having, such as:

• crooked display for camera
  volume too low (not a chance! mine is perfect.)
  phone gets "greasy" easily. (so what?)
  problems connecting BT. (none)
  phone's too big and/or heavy (puh-leeze)

There are others that I can't remember, but for the most part, I can't relate. After using my v710 all day today, it makes my v60i seem like an antique.:wink:

One question I have for everyone who's been complaining about the volume being too low: WHY AREN'T YOU USING A HEADSET?? Wireless or not, it would take care of the volume issue. I almost never use my phone without a headset, so it seems like a logical fix to me.

redbeemerbabe

 

Sorry, my mistake; "Fix" was a poor choice of words. As I already said, I've always used a headset, and I do it to keep my hands free, whether I'm driving, shopping, walking, or whatever. I don't want to hold a phone with my shoulder while I'm talking (how uncomfortable is THAT?! ), and I don't want to hold it w/my hands, either. Using a headset is the only way I ever use a phone, even at home. For me, it's strictly a matter of comfort and convenience.

I've taken photos with the camera, and mine are straight up. I don't need to angle the camera. So again, I'm sorry you're having problems, but I guess I'm one of the lucky ones without any.

redbeemerbabe

 

What's the alternative?

If you returned your V710, did you get a new phone or go back to your prior phone? If you got a new phone, what did you get?

 

I agree. For me, this phone has been loud and very clear. The ultimate test came with my wife using it over the weekend - she is normally extremely fussy. She loved it!

I also got a Jabra BT250 and had to turn down the volume on that when I started using it. So either way with the headset or standalone, the audio quality is great.

I have to believe that people who are experiencing poor volume tried different placement of the phone against their ears. There must be a manufacturing discrepency.