vB Easy Archive - 8600 reception good/bad?

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8600 reception good/bad?
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Posted by: lpaint

I'm considering two tri mode phones from Verizon the LG VX 4400 .and Audiovox CMD8600.

I've been a GSM service user for years and currently the state of Maine is far too spotty for good GSM. Verizon has fairly good digital coverage in the southern part of the state and some digital elsewhere in the cities, otherwise it's analogue. Therefore trimode is probably the best option.

At this point, for what I need the two best 'vemodels (in terms of plans offered locally, cost, weight and general features I'm used to with flip phones. the LG 4400 and Audiovox 8600 seem like my best options.

I've seen only a few reviews of the Audiovox (none on cnet at the moment) and though the weight and size makes it tempting for me. I have no idea of the reliability of firmware or software. Most importantly I have seen no postings of the reception quality. How is the reception?!

I'd like to hear the good, bad and ugy before getting into either of these phones.

Posted by: melonkollie

I'm not very impressed with the reception quality, but that doesn't mean it's poor. Here's why ..

I have the phone set to notify by tone when it loses signal. It's done this numerous times in the car and in buildings, but everytime I pick up the phone to look at why it's beeping the signal returns to at least 3 bars. This is all with the antenna down, as soon as I place the antenna up the signal jumps right back up to 5 bars. Also, I've kept it down low in buildings to try to replicate losing the signal and even when it says there is no signal I have had no problems placing CLEAR calls. It's really weird and it's never gone into analog mode. I doubt I would even notice the 'signal loss' if I didn't have the notify feature on.

The only thing that concerns me about this phone is the data connection options, but it seems the cable from older 8000 series phones will work just fine with these. I'm still waiting for Vz to get the MOK in though, they say it should only be another week.

Oh .. and one more thing - Walmart has Belkin auto chargers for this phone for $6.97 in the electronics dept which also work with the other 8000 series phones (confirms the same type of connector for data too)

Posted by: lpaint

It seems that even though you have low signal whenever you pull the antenna out, the signal is recovered and the phone makes clear calls.

Can you make calls on the 6800 with antenna down however?

This is my concern, if I give up my GD-55 with T-Mobile service which at least has great reception intown and weighs next to nothing. Will I get something that has equally poor reception here and the phone is useless in Europe too?

Posted by: shooto_ed

Personally, I only make calls with the antenna down. I always forget to put it up, and the calls sound fine to me. I've made calls in the downtown core, in my condo building, in my work building and haven't had a problems with it.

It also has call answer which is pretty cool as hold more messages then my message centre option through my carrier -so now I can cancel the message centre and save some bucks.

I'm totally satisfied with this phone and would have bought it again in a second over the other phones available. I don't see myself switching my phone for another couple of years..when hopefully the camera phones come down in price.