vB Easy Archive - 8125... Do you hate it too?

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8125... Do you hate it too?
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Posted by: jocojr

Well I have had the phone for over a week now and I am very disappointed. Having just moved from a Treo 650 I am not too pleased with PPC and the 8125.

I am know I am going to get flamed for this, but let me explain and maybe you can convince me.

First off, I had to start by completely changing the ROM, just so I can support PUSH email for OMA. Then realized that using the screen for dialing is just horrible, half the times the buttons dont register when you push them with your finger. Sure it works great if you use a Stylus, but who wants do to that just to make a phone call. Ok no big deal you say, I will only make calls from my contacts list. Well thats horrible too. If you want to look up a contact you gave to select one of the tine buttons that represents three letters of the alphabet each. Which again are so small you cannot use your fingers, but lets say you actually do manage to select a tri-alpha button, well then just try to select a contact, you can't well not without a stylus. No try to do all of the above with one hand or while driving... impossible.

On to the keyboard, while it seems real cool at first, its big, especially by PDA standards, but you have to slide it out to use it. And the real stupid thing is when you do slide it out (well at least the screen turns landscape) but then the silly letter recognizer pops and you have to select the infinitesimally small recognizer button to retract it.. .again try to do that without a stylus.

And whats the deal with IMAP IDLE email apps. You get true push on a 650 and cannot even do it without Exchange on the 8125. IMAP IDLE is a standard feature of IMAP, how do no email apps on WM5 Support it

Well at least you get a cool four way button, but try to use it.. it sure doesn’t work barely for decent one-handed navigation.

I must say the 650 was great, you could use the keyboard when you needed it, especially useful for looking up contacts or dialing numbers. And believe it or not the teeny-tiny keys rarely fat-fingered.

I can only hope that we get a 700W on Cingular, maybe it might just be better.. who knows.

All in all I set out really trying to like this 8125, but I really am beginning to think the 650 was better. If anyone has constructive comments I want to hear them. I thought it was important to write this tho, as there seems to be little or no criticism of the device.

Posted by: That70sGAdawg

I tried one last week, It's too slow and hangs up frequently - even without any 3rd party software on it.
I'm back to using the Blackberry 8700c (very stable, and with opera browser beta - acceptable net) until a Flip true 3G with Bluetooth and modem capabilites comes out...

Posted by: saznpins

No flames for you

Everyone has different needs and maybe the Treo just suits yours better.

I use Exchange, so the push mail with the new ROM works great for me.

Voice command and a BT headset makes it such that I never have to bother with the screen to dial a call or look up a contact.

If you search, you can find a tweak called "null keyboard" that will solve your problem with the keyboard popping up when you don't want it to.

The four way button works fine for me, no complaints there. And I have only had one lockup in the month or so that I've had this device.

I was coming from an SX66, though I've used a Treo and it's a good device.
Best,
Sarah

Posted by: zkaudio

I am on the fence right now with it...

half of me loves it, the phone side of me hates it... Anyone got a link for the OFFICIAL rom upgrade thread?

Posted by: wookiee2cu

I previously had the Treo650 and I actually like the 8125 more. I think the primary reason is that I prefer the Windows OS. I had a few problems with the Treo650 and ended up having to swap it out for a new one 3 times. I have yet to have any problems with the 8125 and people I talk to say that they can hear me a lot better on the 8125 where as there was an irritating echo on the Treo650 (all 3 of them). I'm not bashing the Treo650, it is a great phone and there is nothing wrong with it, I just prefer the 8125. As far as the phone pad goes, I find the 8125 more responsive that the Treo650 which is odd because the buttons are smaller on the 8125 but this is jut my experience. I don't think you can go wrong with either phone. The one thing that I did prefer on the Treo650 was the email. It will send/received the mail a lot faster (for my comcast account anyways) and when you sent the email, it actually sent it instead of putting it in que the next time you select send/receive on the 8125.

Posted by: mbranscum

Which has the best reception? 8125 or 650???

Posted by: steph280

8125 has better reception in my experience.

I agree dialing is a chore without voice command. But MS voice command works really well. So well that MS sells it as a separate product. But it's well worth the price.

As for stability it's no worse than a Treo. I could go on days without having to reset it once. Most of the time hangup are due to third party software. For example, I run iGuidance GPS application and will lose Today's screen, but phone will still be functional.

I really like the 8125. Of course it's far from perfect, but as long as it can handle 80% of my needs I am keeping it.

Posted by: Jasafar

Quote:

Originally Posted by steph280

8125 has better reception in my experience.

I agree dialing is a chore without voice command. But MS voice command works really well. So well that MS sells it as a separate product. But it's well worth the price.

As for stability it's no worse than a Treo. I could go on days without having to reset it once. Most of the time hangup are due to third party software. For example, I run iGuidance GPS application and will lose Today's screen, but phone will still be functional.

I really like the 8125. Of course it's far from perfect, but as long as it can handle 80% of my needs I am keeping it.

Agreed. Get MS Voice Command -- Makes the 8125 an entirely different phone. I was blown away over how good the program is.

--JAS

Posted by: beatniks3

i really like mine so far and i haven't even tried voice command yet.

smartkey really helps with one handed use.

Posted by: importluva

in your contacts list, if you scroll down using the DPAD, it'll switch to letters (A B C D E F) and it'll skip to names startin with that letter.

When you slide out the keyboard, pressing any button on the keyboard will make the onscreen KB go away

I came from the Treo 650 (had it for a full year) and won't go back to it.

Posted by: ajpprc

If your waiting for the treo 700w you're going to be dissapointed, the thing only has 32mb of memory which means that it can't multitask at all. I love my 8125, but I have to admit it's not for the casual user, I did alot of research to figure out how to configure it properly so it works for me.

A couple of suggestions, when you scroll down on the contacts page it eventually switches you to an alphabet scrolling program that allows you to choose a letter, this is easier than trying to hit one of the small tri-letter keys at the top.

I have a review that outlines exactly how I configured my 8125, it may be helpful to you if you're willing to go through the work to make it functiont he way you want. You can find it at:
http://www.howardforums.com/showthr...856#post6752856

Posted by: every36days

I sent my 8125 back. The feature that I thought would be the best - the slide-out keyboard - turned out to be an inconvenience. You couldn't adjust the backlight timer and the keys were hard to read even in a moderately lit room. I much prefer having the keyboard at the bottom of the device. The ear-piece volume was so loud, even on the lowest setting, that it was painful. Too many little issues to justify keeping it.

Posted by: driven01

The backlight timer on the keyboard is one of my biggest annoyances on the 8125. I wish I could fix that.

I'm also having issues with Bluetooth. The Bluetooth support seems quite inferior to the Treo 650. I can't even get it to pair with my Powerbook. (Not sync, just pair!)

Posted by: cinny

After a week of useage I was hitting myself upside the head wondering why I didn't just buy another Treo 650 (mine broke

) but after using the 8125 for a few more weeks I really enjoy the stability of it. My Treo would randomly soft reset or freeze up, and this phone has never bailed out on me like that, even after installing various apps, never a reset or that annoying loop like what's on the Treo)

I found this app http://www.vgsmail.com/ppc that works pretty good as far as imap idle support using the standard outlook email program.

Posted by: Tin Star

Sent mine back too. I needed a phone first and any other features second. I'm outside a lot and found I needed a dial pad I could see. It just didn't work for me.

Posted by: driven01

I too wish this was in the Treo form-factor.

The 700 (with a higher res screen and GSM) would be ideal for me. Being limited to CDMA is a killer for me though.

Posted by: tulsa40

I'm currently on the fence. On the one hand, I like voice dialing on the 8125; the Bluetooth headset volume is loud enough --both ways-- so that I can hear the person I'm talking to and vice versa.

But...I still haven't gotten wifi to work. The letters on the sliding keyboard are hard to read.

Decisions...decisions...

Posted by: hitechy

I do hate my 8125 too. It's sooooooooo slow and clunky.

Posted by: driven01

Next problem I have: Bluetooth doesn't work. I can't pair it with anything. Even when it's in discoverable mode, it can't be discovered.

Posted by: Huckle Buck

I love my 8125. Once you get the right programs running on it, the device is amazing. WM5 is the hold up not the phone. I use wi-fi and BT every day and it works flawlessly. The hardware is great but the software is par. The backlight can be fixed i think...i think i saw a regedit to change it.

Posted by: driven01

Can you discover your device via Bluetooth?

I still get it working right even out of the box (after a hard reset) prior to anything being installed. I'm really about ready to give up on this device unfortunately.

Posted by: That70sGAdawg

I take back my previous post. The sluggishness of the phone was Cingulars extended ROM load, and the older ROM version.
I tried one again, because the size and capabilities are amazing- wouldn't let the Cingular Extended ROM load at start up- put on a new rom available at xda-developers.com- put back in my Cingular WAP settings -And So far, So GOOD!

Posted by: guildsolutions

It took me a week, but after i got the bugs worked out, and an updated ROM installed.. I really like the device..

Granted I will give you some points in that placing a call is somewhat more difficult than it needs to be -- but you get a bigger screen for the lack of those buttons. However you must have large fingers, because I have no problems touching the numeric buttons with my finger.

After I updated the ROM, started using agile messenger, my lock ups went away.

Posted by: techjunkie9194

I have had my 8125 since they were first announced. I have been around numerous Pocket PCs and really looked forward to seeing a Pocket PC/Phone combination in this form factor.

I know this sounds strange, but the longer I have the 8125, the better it seems to work. At first I had to soft reset every day. Now it is a rare occurance. I think the 8125 has room for refinement, but also think it is a great phone/PDA and would buy it again.

I really love the battery life and personally I am willing to take a slower processor for the extra battery life. I remember my first Pocket PC with WIFI an d BlueTooth and remember being able to basically watch the battery meter start a march towards empty.

Is the 8125 perfect NO but then neither was my Moto V551 or any other cell phone I have owned. Is is satisfactory YES IMHO.

Posted by: importluva

Quote:

Originally Posted by driven01

Can you discover your device via Bluetooth?

I still get it working right even out of the box (after a hard reset) prior to anything being installed. I'm really about ready to give up on this device unfortunately.

I've been able to do anything I've wanted to do with bluetooth so far. Have tried DUN yet, and probably won't (big scary bills and all). But OBEX and my headset work GREAT.

Posted by: guildsolutions

Quote:

Originally Posted by importluva

Have tried DUN yet, and probably won't (big scary bills and all).

There is no way to 'tell for sure' that you are using your phone to tether that I am aware of. The guy at the Cingular store said that if I use my phone to tether infrequently, on vacations to chat, load mapquest, etc. Doing the same things I would do on the phone, but with a larger screen, that there is no way to tell the difference, and you wont get billed extra unless they get proof you are tethering.

Posted by: JMBrown

I had one for a week and sent it back and went back to my 2125. I really enjoyed having a QWERTY keyboard, but having to slide it out was somewhat of a pain, and I found the device to be very slow and prone to lock up. Also, I really need a phone before a PDA. Hopefully either the Moto Q or Samsung i320 will be a decend qwerty smartphone.

Posted by: tdawgmd

I agree with JMB--need phone first, pda second. However, MS Voice Command does address a lot of the short comings of the form factor. I have had it for a week now, and I still have that nagging feeling like something isn't quite right for me. Don't know what I'm going to do yet.

Posted by: kernel843

Quote:

Originally Posted by driven01

I can't even get it to pair with my Powerbook. (Not sync, just pair!)

I couldn't either for a while and now it will, but when I pair it still won't recognize active sync (via missing sync) as an option for me to use.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Huckle Buck

I love my 8125. Once you get the right programs running on it, the device is amazing. WM5 is the hold up not the phone. I use wi-fi and BT every day and it works flawlessly. The hardware is great but the software is par. The backlight can be fixed i think...i think i saw a regedit to change it.

Sounds like you just got a bad phone. Mine can discover and be discovered without any issues now.

Posted by: tulsa40

My Cingular 8125 is going back tomorrow for the same reason: The slide out keyboard is inconvenient to use. Having to rotate the 8125 to type an email or text message is tiring. Also, as has been pointed out, the keyboard's backlighting is dim, making the keys hard to read. I find myself doing a lot of email and text messaging in taxis at night -- easy on the Treo 650, but not easy on the 8125.

There's a lot to like about the 8125, especially wifi and the better cell reception. But in the main, it's simply not as easy --or as fast-- to use as the Treo 650.

And oddly, the Treo 650's VGA camera takes better pictures in low light that does the 8125's 1.3 megapixel camera. (Speaking of the camera: I also don't like having to rotate the phone 90 degrees to use it.)

Quote:

Originally Posted by every36days

I sent my 8125 back. The feature that I thought would be the best - the slide-out keyboard - turned out to be an inconvenience. You couldn't adjust the backlight timer and the keys were hard to read even in a moderately lit room. I much prefer having the keyboard at the bottom of the device. The ear-piece volume was so loud, even on the lowest setting, that it was painful. Too many little issues to justify keeping it.

Posted by: importluva

Quote:

Originally Posted by guildsolutions

I mean like A LOT of tethering - meanign I would rack up GB's of data transfer. Then I think someone would notice

Posted by: kernel843

Yeah unfortunately some people go crazy with their tethering and they get caught. Its not too difficult to tell. I know a guy that actually tried to do file sharing through a tethered connection....good way to get caught fast.

Posted by: yackles

funny that i find this thread tonight... i have had my 8125 for just over a week, and on friday i called Cingular to get the address to return the phone to.

im a realtor, so i thought id really enjoy the functionality of this phone. just like the treo650, i can run our Supra key software on this device so i dont have to carry around a separate key. but in the end, the phone is just a pig and i find it difficult to one-hand dial. i also feel that the keyboard will get really loose after a lot of use. too many moving parts for me, unlike a treo or berry with their fixed size+design.

dont get me wrong, it has a ton of features... but in the end, i too need a phone first with exceptional reception, and a PIM/PDA/EMAIL/whatever second.

on the flip side, i only paid $199 before mail in rebate for the phone. gotta love it when cingular reps give you corp fan discount on 2 yr contract price... ;-)

Posted by: bigmark65240

I love my 8125. I agree that
1) it isn't for the average user and 2) if your looking for phone this isn't it
Having said that. I wanted to repace my pda and phone with one device and this phone is it. I use pop3 email checkinvg on 3 different accounts along with ms messenger ,aim and text messaging. I LOVE IT!