vB Easy Archive - Please, phone recommendation with specifics in order

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Please, phone recommendation with specifics in order
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Posted by: Hirby

Note: Will be used on Cingular (so whatever mhz bands Cingular needs). For background info, I am only familiar with TDMA as I have been using a 6560 for a long time now. Excellent tough phone by the way as I have dropped it a zillion times and it still works great. As TDMA is being phased out, I am looking to go GSM. I also live in SW Idaho and travel to the Oregon border frequently, so there are many rural areas with possible weak signal coverage. I know my TDMA loses signal in many areas, I have no clue how well GSM will do in the same areas. Maybe someone can clue me in if GSM will do OK.

Minimal requirements in order of importance
1. Excellent reception
2. Fast UI response
3. Good/Loud speaker volumes (getting hard of hearing in my old age)
4. Good battery life
5. Phone book that allows decent amounts of notes/email addresses/home addresses, and such to be entered on names. (My 6560 does this fine for reference on needs).
- Prefer to have one name listing and sublistings of different info, but not absolutely necessary
6. Loud Ringer (preferablly buzzes and tones at same time, helps me find it in the house as I always lose track of the phone while at home)
7. Good loud alarm clock (preferablly buzzes and tones at same time, I use every day)
8. Computer connectable so I can enter all the junk without resorting to the keypad even though I don't do often.
9. Voice Recording for calls and general quick notes.

Don't cares:
1. Form factor (flip, candy bar, ??) as long as it is not huge and doesn't require two hands to open/use.

Would Likes (but I have good equipment that does the same better) so this is just play stuff:
1. Good screen
2. Camera/Video
3. MP3 player
4. Browser/web capable (don't know if I want to pay for service though)
5. Downloadable games
6. Bluetooth/IR

Note: actually coming up with this paired down list was pretty freakin' hard with all the neat features on the newer phones, but I had to evaluate what/how I actually need to "use" my phone, versus how I'd like to "play" with my phone. I don't do text messaging nor will I ever.

Here's what I have been looking at:

Nokia 6230: Seems to be very similar to what I am using and has the "would like" category.
Motorola V3: Obviously looks nice, but no idea about how it fits minimal requirements or "would likes". I'm sure there is some trade off for the styling.
Nokia 6620: Everything the 6230 is, with more, but don't now how fast the UI is in relation or if there's any trade off with battery life, etc.

My current thought is to go with the 6230 as Nokia is a known quantity to me and seems to have the features I want.

Thoughts? Suggestions?

Posted by: braindead5400

I vote 6230

Posted by: xtremein motion

6620, bigger screen, OS is expandable

Posted by: braindead5400

ah yes, but series 60 doesn't really fulfill their #2 minimun requirement

Posted by: gwlane

If I were going with Cingular I would choose the Motorola v635. Here's some info:

The successor to the popular V600 and V620. Upgrades include a color outer display, megapixel camera with video capture and flash, MP3 player, a TransFlash memory card slot, and EDGE high-speed data. Other features of this clamshell quad-band GSM phone include changeable outer metal shells, speakerphone, and voice dialing.

If you decide to get it e-mail me first at gwlane1@sc.rr.com. I may have a good deal for you.

Posted by: braindead5400

ummm...no, how about you stop trying to make a sale and re-read their minimum requirements

Posted by: BlueCaller

Do you feel the V635 does not meet his/her minimum requirements?

Posted by: braindead5400

It doesn't, it doesn't meet number one as well as it could and it definately doesn't meet number two.

I'm not sure if the v635 vibrates and rings at the same time, but if it doesn't, then thats another point against it.

Both the 6230 and the 6620 would be better choices (even though the 6620 doesn't have a fast UI, its rf beats the moto)

Posted by: BlueCaller

Quote:

Originally Posted by braindead5400

It doesn't, it doesn't meet number one as well as it could and it definately doesn't meet number two.

I'm not sure if the v635 vibrates and rings at the same time, but if it doesn't, then thats another point against it.

Both the 6230 and the 6620 would be better choices (even though the 6620 doesn't have a fast UI, its rf beats the moto)

Your conclusions worry me. In your RF testing, how poorly did the V635 perform? How was your RF testing conducted?

Posted by: braindead5400

Its not that the v635 is poor, its way better than my v80, its just that rf is a minimun requirement for him and therefor I'm only going to recommend the absolute best as far as rf is concerned, which is the 6230

Posted by: BlueCaller

Quote:

Originally Posted by braindead5400

Its not that the v635 is poor, its way better than my v80, its just that rf is a minimun requirement for him and therefor I'm only going to recommend the absolute best as far as rf is concerned, which is the 6230

Ah, okay, understood. Did you run any tests to determine the Nokia 6230's RF superiority? I'm wondering how much of a gap there is.

Posted by: braindead5400

The Nokia 6230 is widely known as an rf beast, you can ask anyone who has owned one

Posted by: BlueCaller

Quote:

Originally Posted by braindead5400

The Nokia 6230 is widely known as an rf beast, you can ask anyone who has owned one

I don't doubt the statement, but was looking for something a little more in-depth as this sort of explanation doesn't provide a very informative comparison. If the OP knew HOW much better the 6230 was in terms of RF performance, he might be able to weigh the pros and cons of each alternative.

Posted by: braindead5400

The most accurate way to compare rf is by decible reading I believe, but I don't have those for the two phones. I do know however that my 6230 was one of two phones that could actually get a signal at my job, the other being my e398 (which would drop calls there, the 6230 worked fine)

Posted by: Hirby

How does the Sony S710i compare reception-wise? It seems to have the other requirements and (according to the reviews) with a newer firmware, has a faster UI too.

Posted by: ronnadavid

I have had the 6230 for a couple of weeks now. Here are my thoughts:
1. Reception is very good. Can use it in places where my Samsung could'nt even get a signal.
2. Speaker is loud, but audio quality is just so-so.
3. Battery life is excellent.