vB Easy Archive - My SP5 review [first impressions]

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My SP5 review [first impressions]
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Posted by: mrbofus

This is my first time posting any type of review/first impression, so please keep that in mind. If you would like to know anything more, post the questions, and I will answer them as I can.

My previous phone was a Motorola MPx220 and my carrier is Cingular and I am currently in the Sacramento metropolitan area.

I just got my i-mate SP5 yesterday and have been playing around with it and so far, I am very very pleased.

Pros:
-Great screen [bright, clear, colorful]
-Good build quality [feels solid and comfortable in my hand]
-Windows Mobile 5 is much more polished than Windows Mobile 2003 [information display during calls is more detailed, things are generally more responsive.]
-Voice dialing works from my Bluetooth headset now! Yay! [I have a Motorola H700]
-Cell reception is at least as good as, if not better than, my MPx220
-Wi-Fi! [for me, this is more of a luxury than a necessity, but still cool nonetheless] =)
-Bluetooth syncing! [I know you could do it with the MPx220 and ActiveSync 3.8, but I could never get it to work. With my SP5 and ActiveSync 4.1, it took me a little while to figure stuff out, but I got it working. My Bluetooth hub is my Logitech diNovo hub, and I had to tell it not to try to connect securely in order for the Bluetooth syncing to work.]

Cons:
-Not as much storage as the MPx220 [I don't use my phone for much else besides phone/basic PDA stuff, but I couldn't fit all the applications from my MPx220 on to the SP5. I ended up getting a 1GB mini SD card though, so storage isn't an issue for me anymore.]
-Not sure where to get spare chargers for it [mine came with a Type I to mini USB charger, but I want to buy a Type A to mini USB charger]

Any other issues I have are user issues; i.e., getting used to a different key layout from the MPx220, but I've already gotten pretty used to it. Also, I'm used to a clamshell format, and with a candybar format, I have to worry a little more about the screen getting scratched [bought some Fellowes WriteRight screen protectors] and I have to lock the keypad before I put it in my pocket. Another different thing is T9 text input versus iTap [i think?] on the MPx220. Minor things that I'm already pretty used to and are not the phone's fault to begin with.

Sound quality is actually very good; I would say it's definitely better than the MPx220 from my side. I need to ask people how I sound to them. Speakerphone is a little quiet, but I don't use that much anyways, so it's not that much of an issue for me. When I use my Bluetooth headset, the volume is louder with the SP5 than with the MPx220. Don't know if that's just a fluke with me or if it's like that for everyone else.

As mentioned before, reception for cell phone calls is just as good, if not better than, my MPx220. WiFi reception as far as I can tell is solid; at work, I was able to connect to a wireless router through 3 floors of cement and steel [it's an old building, so there's a ton of cement and steel] and get 605kbps according to bandwidthplace.com.

That's all I can think of for right now; if you have any questions, please feel free to ask, and I will update as I can.

Posted by: Fantastipotamus

I did a google search for images.. and to be honest.. the buttons look like we'd need to mash the keypad now to obtain a special dialing wand because the fingers we used are too fat to dial... Are they bad at all? They seem like half the size of my mpx220..

Am I off-base here?
(pic i'm basing this off of)

Posted by: Rookie1082

They are a bit small at first, but they are very easy to get used to. I have a sillicon covering over my phone, and that makes it even harder... when i take the casing off, the keys are very easy to press.

Posted by: HalM

My MPx220 was much easier to dial than my SMT5600. I now have a SP5m and I can't dial with my thumb. I consider that a minor annoyance. Speed dial pretty is easy and what I use without problems.

Posted by: leobg

I have ordered mine and waiting for it to be delivered (it's supposed to arrive today)One specific question that I couldn't find answer of: when you press the green handsed buton (send) what does WM5 do - does it bring the list of dialed numbers so you can scroll and dial with second press on the (send) button? I'm so used to this method of dialing with my Nokia phones - I really hope MS brought it to Windows Mobile 5

Posted by: captainmicahp

when you press the send button, the call log appears, then you have to scroll down with the joystick. an second push of the send button, makes a call.
on another point, i got my sp5 yesterday, and have never seen a more brilliant display on a cell phone. it is awesome in the true sense of the word (i.e. awe inspiring).

Posted by: leobg

Quote:

Originally Posted by captainmicahp

when you press the send button, the call log appears, then you have to scroll down with the joystick. an second push of the send button, makes a call.

You made my day! That's what I wanted to hear

Thanks!

Posted by: s.c.s.i.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fantastipotamus

the buttons look like we'd need to mash the keypad now to obtain a special dialing wand because the fingers we used are too fat to dial...

Love that episode...

Posted by: mrbofus

I personally find that dialing or typing out text messages is just as easy as it was with my MPx220. I actually like the tactile feedback of the SP5 better. Obviously though, this is a subjective point and your mileage may vary, but I like this phone better than the MPx220 in every way that I can think of.

Posted by: manchuia

has anyone listened to music on this device? What is the sound quality of the mp3 like? How much more difficult is it to get to the media player on the SP5 than on the SP5m which has mapped keys?

Posted by: captainmicahp

I have been listening to podcsts on the sp5, they sound fine, but sound quality is not as important as with music. but using the media player is very simple and intuitive, all the functions can all be controlled using the stick. i find it very easy to use. i dont really think you even need the extra buttons. and I personally like the looks of the sp5 better.

Posted by: Fantastipotamus

Quote:

Originally Posted by s.c.s.i.

Love that episode...

Hoped someone would get that..

Posted by: mrbofus

Hey guys; I've been playing around with the phone some more, and am still really happy with it, but wanted to let you know about two potential Bluetooth issues.

I have a Motorola H700 Bluetooth headset, and I don't know if the problem is limited to that particular headset or if it affects all Bluetooth headsets with this phone.

Everything works great with the headset [I love being able to voice dial from the headset!] except that when I answer a call on the phone, if I want to open my headset and have it pick up the call during the conversation, I have to hit Menu, then hit 5 to "Turn on Handsfree". This isn't that big a deal, since it takes all of 1 second to do, but on my MPx220, it used to do it automtically [if I open my headset, it automatically took over the call, and gave it back to the phone if I closed the headset].

The other Bluetooth issue is that when I first open the headset and voice dial, it hands the call off to the phone. However, every single time after that, voice dialing from the headset works fine. It seems to be only the initial voice dial that it can't hang on to the call.

Anyways, like I said, I don't know if this is a problem with the Bluetooth stack on the SP5, or if it's an issue with the H700 or a combination of both.

BUT, they are somewhat minor issues, and in every other way, the phone kicks major butt. =)

Posted by: tamarillo

I've just had my Imate SP% for a wk....
It's great... definitely a jump up from the SP3....
Does anyone have problems with eTrust Antivirus? I can download the Antivius Update but cannot get the app to scan... it comes up with "antivirus signatures not availiable. please run a signature update!"... I had just done this but the app does not seem to recognise this...I have also switched the imate on and off but this does nothing...

... anyone with this problem or answers...???

Posted by: mrbofus

Tamarillo - I did a hard reset on my SP5 wihch gets rid of all the 3rd party software since I don't need the eTrust Antivirus software. That would be my solution. I know, not what you were looking for, but is a solution of sorts.

Posted by: aaron_huber

Quote:

Originally Posted by mrbofus

The other Bluetooth issue is that when I first open the headset and voice dial, it hands the call off to the phone. However, every single time after that, voice dialing from the headset works fine. It seems to be only the initial voice dial that it can't hang on to the call.

This is listed as a known issue on the imate.com page for the SP5m, which I hope means that they plan to fix it.

From the site: First voicedial after pairing/power on, voice call is not connected to headset. You must tap the button on the headset for a second time to connect the audio to the headset. Subsequent calls are fine.

Posted by: Holishi

good to hear nothing but praises toward the sp5. I wanna give s60 phone a chance but before that I have to get myself a sp5.

Posted by: Neoprimal

My question is....

is it WORTH $500. I just can't bring myself to spend over 300 on a cell phone, despite the features on it. I'm not cheap, I have a 2k entertainment system and a nice car and stuff, but see those are examples of the things I think are worth the money. A cell phone, primarily for phonecalls and everything else secondly....I don't know, just not worth 500 to me. That's an opinion.

Could you guys give me examples of why you paid $500 or more for it?

I upgrade my phone yearly, and I agree that it's a nice phone and will be thinking of getting it when it hits $200, which is more than likely in Sep-Nov. 06 (Which is coincidentally around the time of my next upgrade). Wifi is the only reason I want the phone, but alas, I won't pay an extra $300 for that.

Posted by: Holishi

Technologies and especially portable devices are all like that. 2 years ago I bought a no-name 128mb mp3 player for nearly $200. Is it worth $200? Now, no. 2 years ago, yes.

Posted by: aaron_huber

Quote:

Originally Posted by Neoprimal

Could you guys give me examples of why you paid $500 or more for it?

For me, justifying an SP5m was pretty simple. I used to have a standard PDA (non-phone)that cost me $600 when I got it that I never carried around because it was too big. Then I had a Nokia that I kept with me but I didn't use the syncing features because I had a PDA for that (that I never had with me

). Then I started thinking about getting an iPod for music.

The way I figured it, I was getting a good phone with PDA and MP3 player features built in that I could easily carry around. Now I have my calendar and email with me all the time. Add up what I would have spent on a decent new phone plus a PDA plus an iPod and I figure it was a pretty good deal. :-)

It isn't a best-of-breed PDA or MP3 player, but having the best I can get of all three devices doesn't do me any good if I don't carry them around with me.

Posted by: digi snacks

what sort of decent phone can you buy for $300 dollars anyway?
(without a contract)

its all about seamless intergration.....

just waiting sor an app to contol my windows media center via wifi from my sp5....

they got the sync down pat.

Posted by: DanITman

Quote:

Originally Posted by digi snacks

what sort of decent phone can you buy for $300 dollars anyway?
(without a contract)

its all about seamless intergration.....

just waiting sor an app to contol my windows media center via wifi from my sp5....

I use this app for my pocket pc & Media Center. I am hoping they will port it to the smartphone.

http://www.pocketgear.com/software_detail.asp?id=13646

Posted by: digi snacks

Quote:

Originally Posted by wmustudent99

I use this app for my pocket pc & Media Center. I am hoping they will port it to the smartphone.

http://www.pocketgear.com/software_detail.asp?id=13646

yeah me too..

i have gone all out on my media center so this would just polish it off nicely.......

Posted by: Neoprimal

No, but I mean...I guess I phrased the question incorrectly. Why buy it when it's 500-600 is what I mean? As Holishi said - technology prices drop fast. Why get it now when in a year it's going to be 1/2 if not less than half the price? Is it SO much better than, say a 300 phone which does the exact same thing? But with maybe a screen with less colors or .1 inch smaller? or missing 1 or 2 features which you may or may not use anyway? That's the question I always ask myself when I'm about to upgrade something. Is it really worth it.... Something I'd say is worth the price is, a 40-60 gig MP3 Player or Portable Multimedia Center, because they don't fall much in price anyway, even after a long time. Also, laptops are also an example of items that don't drop far in price from 6 months to a year. But phones....when the MPX220 was out it was 400-500 without a contract, and 300 with one. Now it's like 200. I'd never have bought it a year ago, now I own one. And apart from WiFi it does everything the SP5 does. So then, why would I want to go out and get an SP5 for 300 more? Does the value really translate?

Posted by: ThorBlaze Dragon

I'd wait for T-Mobile (US) SDAII come out
it should be cheaper, and probably has UMA support

Posted by: mrbofus

Neoprimal, it's all relative. I don't know what answer you're looking for, but with new technology, the bottom line comes down to: if you want new technology early, you have to pay a premium.

Yes, you could wait until next year. But by that time, Windows Mobile 'Photon' devices will probably be coming out. It's the same thing with computers, MP3 players, etc...yes, you could wait until the price drops, but then you'll end up waiting forever. At some point, you just need to bite the bullet and get what you want.

For you, it sounds like you don't want to spend more than $300, so don't.

I was originally going to wait for the Motorola Q, but it looks like a GSM version won't be out until Q2 or Q3 of 2006, which is way too long for me to wait. While the SP5 doesn't have a thumbboard, it is smaller, and has WiFi, so for me, it was worth it.

Posted by: digi snacks

Quote:

Originally Posted by mrbofus

Neoprimal, it's all relative. I don't know what answer you're looking for, but with new technology, the bottom line comes down to: if you want new technology early, you have to pay a premium.

Yes, you could wait until next year. But by that time, Windows Mobile 'Photon' devices will probably be coming out. It's the same thing with computers, MP3 players, etc...yes, you could wait until the price drops, but then you'll end up waiting forever. At some point, you just need to bite the bullet and get what you want.

For you, it sounds like you don't want to spend more than $300, so don't.

I was originally going to wait for the Motorola Q, but it looks like a GSM version won't be out until Q2 or Q3 of 2006, which is way too long for me to wait. While the SP5 doesn't have a thumbboard, it is smaller, and has WiFi, so for me, it was worth it.

i think what he wants us to say is go out and buy that old 6620 or sony k700 you will be soo happy with your purchace...

but you are right in what you say if you wait too long the new models end up coming out. then if this guy follows his theory he would never buy a new phone...

Posted by: manchuia

some differences between the mpx and the sp5:
wifi
screen
edge
size
OS / speed

These are all upgrades to phone technology that happen BECAUSE of time. Like everyone else has said, if you honestly stick to your guns, you will be sticking to them forever. Soon some phones will have streaming TV features and be wifi X capatable that will allow you to view holographs, and they will be $500, but by that time you will be rocking the sp5 .. so save up

.

The main reasons I would (and have on occassion) spend $500 + on the phone are:
1.) because I don't like to carry a PDA, but need the functionality
2.) I don't like an independant MP3 player (have already lost TWO of them)
3.) I constantly check email / web and need to abuse the unlimited T-Mobile data plan
4.) I honestly like the look on people's face when I tell them they won't be able to find the phone in stores

(makes me feel like I am a some jet setter).

Gadgets for 1 - 3 combines with even a cheap phone off of a contract will put me at or over $500. This doesn't even count the pocket space and cost of replacement after I loose one or two of the devices.

If you feel you don't need a convergence device, then yeah, you DON'T need to spend $500 on the phone. If you feel you can wait, or that your phone will be ok for the next year or so, DON'T UPGRADE.

There are two type of people that will buy this phone. Early adopters that will always buy in early and get out quick (or whenever the next new thing comes in.), and people who buy phones once ever two years or so. For that group $500 is a lot, but then they aren't upgrading again for a good bit of time "in cell phone time", so it's worth splurging just a bit.

The way you sound, I don't think you should worry about upgrading unless you honestly can't stop thinking about the device. Let us early adopters jump in and whine about the technology until it's perfected, then it will drop in price and be smoothed out for all those that stuck to their guns

Posted by: Neoprimal

No snacks, you got me all wrong. And phone tech doesn't hold the slightest flame to PC tech.
I have a dual core athlon 4800 rig, with a great board (nforce4 platinum), 2gb of high perf. ram, 2 120gb, 2 200gb and 2 300gb sata drives, a 16x Dual DVD burner, a 52x cd burner and an x800gt ati card, prolly go for SLI if I want to later. I'll invest into that technology because even next year, it'll be around the same price. There's no OS out there now and even next year that will reduce the speed of this rig, maybe in 2k8 or 9, but not now or next year or the year after.

But for a phone it's like...ok, the only differences between most of the $300 devices and the $500 devices right now is wifi. OS and speed are just not significant enough. And screen size, right...it's like .2 inches of difference. I REALLY don't see a big difference in speed between most of the wm2k3 and the wm2k5 devices, and I likewise, don't see a big difference in the software either. Not like Windows ME and 2000 or Windows XP where the differences in OS were obvious.

Aaron_Huber answered my question. It's all about relativity. He wanted something with PPC features but small enough to carry around all the time.
I wouldn't have asked this question in relation to a PPC, PPCs are much more powerful, ALOT faster and there are many more programs written for them. If I was going to spend $500 on a cell, it'd be a PPC with cell capability. I don't mind the size, since most modern PPCs are strong enough to be thrown around like a cell.

I guess it's also for those who wish to adopt anything new (even crap), early. (Not referring to sp5 as crap, more referring to people buying the Razr when it was $6-700, and people who buy a 4gb nano for $250-$300, [when you can buy a 40gb player for that] because they were new). Sure I coulda got my Razr a month after it came out, but why? Because it's 'new'? Nah. Same with the T809. I got the phone the day it was released, but it wasn't worth 300 to me after a week of using it, so I returned it and now I love the phone I have.
At the time the Razr was out, there were 200-300 phones that did the same thing, but people opted to buy it - I just want to know what people are thinking....know what I mean? We're all different, to each his own.

Anyway, I got my answers. Thanks.

Posted by: digi snacks

so your a little tight with your money?

thats fine thats all you had to say.........

Posted by: rmastbro

Quote:

Originally Posted by mrbofus

Tamarillo - I did a hard reset on my SP5 wihch gets rid of all the 3rd party software since I don't need the eTrust Antivirus software. That would be my solution. I know, not what you were looking for, but is a solution of sorts.

How do you do a hard reset on the SP5 ?

Posted by: mrbofus

To do a hard reset, push both soft keys and while holding those, push the power key.

Posted by: Neoprimal

Quote:

Originally Posted by digi snacks

so your a little tight with your money?

thats fine thats all you had to say.........

Totally it; or, it could be that I have it, but don't choose to waste it.

Posted by: digi snacks

no dramas,

ill sell you my sp5 in a year if you like?

Posted by: Neoprimal

Quote:

Originally Posted by digi snacks

no dramas,

ill sell you my sp5 in a year if you like?

Oh my gosh! really? would you?...

Too bad, I want something a little nicer by then

My sights are set on the mpx300. I hate bricks, I think they're ugly and I don't like putting covers on my phones so it depends on how durable. The SP5s are...not durable. IF I feel I'm going to go pda style bricky then I'd rather get a pda2k or one of the phone Ipaqs (6515/6325), or maybe even a K-Jam, if I can get over the i-mate name. Something with at least a worthwhile sized screen which will allow me to get over the brick type.

But thanks anyway! Sell it on ebay. You can get about 300 for it if you sell it now.

Posted by: ysatti

First of all lets not get personal the guy is just trying to get some opinions of people ... no harm no foul.

secondly lets not make this thread long just with arguments, I mean the guy said he got his answer so lets just leave it to that and stop argueing on the fact that why one should or shouldn't buy these devices. Casue then people are not going to read through this whole thread for answers or folow the actual topic in hand and start asking saem questions over and over. Lets keep this thread to the point so people actually get answers instead of a lot of argumetn from this thread.

Lastly, my personal opinion, technology has no price. people who want them buy them for no matter how much. its not always about cost effectiveness or worth the buck. Some people just buy them casue they want to have all the latest tech and gadgetry. For those, there is no price for it. I know of people who buy phones worth couple of thousands of dollars too like the nokia elite series those diamond and gold plated ones. As I said it all comes to personal preference. its not always about relavance.

Hope I didn't offend anyone, was not my intention. I was just trying to make a point. ofcoarse it is only my opinion.

Yasir