The phone that does it all
Written: Feb 13 '01 (Updated May 16 '03)
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Pros: Well built, ease-of-operation, internet, battery life, 2way radio, speakerphone, can use w/flap closed, low radiation
Cons: some deadspots in suburbs, no way to turn off 'answer on flip open'
The Bottom Line: If you want to get irradiated and have musical rings, get a Nokia. If you want a great phone with great features get Nextel.
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| IronHelix's Full Review: i1000plus Cell Phone |
I got my Nextel because several co-workers had them and loved the two-way radio feature. I have not regretted it since.
The phone comes complete with a standard battery, belt clip, charger, manual and Instructional Video. Yes, they made a little 10-minute movie that gives you the basics. The charger is the 'travel charger', basically a plug with a cord that goes in the phone. A pocket charger that sits on your desk can be ordered from Motorola.
Setting up the phone is pretty easy, unlike my previous phone, a GSM StarTac 7000, which had level after level of nested menus with options that confused even me, the neighborhood gadget-head. There is only one base menu, which can be accessed by pressing *#. Options on it range from displaying your own phone number and private ID to changing ringers and programming your speed dials. While there are alot of options on this menu (sorted by number, so if you press *#20 you would get the add entry to autodial), I find having them all in one place helps. Unlike the StarTac, I dont have to look through 3 level nested menus to find what I want. One other useful feature is you can use their website to program your phone's speed dials and then download it to the phone.
The phone is a breeze to use. You just press MODE to select phone, private (direct connect person to person), group (direct connect talk to lotsa people), or net (surfing). The one thing that will confuse some people is that theres no send or end buttons, just a call button which you press once to send, again to end. A few times I would get a call, open the flip (answering the call) and then press the button (hanging up). I would like a way to turn off 'answer on open'. I guess that isnt necessary because you can see thru the flip to see whos calling. The phone has excellent caller ID, and if the person calling is in your speed dial it will display the name instead of the number. One option available is a second line, so you can give friends/family one number and clients another. It will say '1235551212 is calling on line 2'.
Another advantage is the see thru flip... you can use many features without opening it. You can dial anyone on your contact list (speakerphone), use direct connect or surf the web without opening it. The flip is quite sturdy and is not going to be breaking off. My only complaint is that if you start a call with it open, then go to speaker, you cannot close the flip without ending the call.
Direct Connect is a great feature. It works like a two way radio, punch up who you want to call (private) or what group of people (group), hold the button on the side, and when you hear the chirp start talking.
Update: Nextel has finally done away with 'business networks'. You can direct connect to anybody whos phone is registered in your region. Soon it will work nationwide.
Net browsing is another great feature. You can easily call up content from Nextel's partners, and configure some of it on their web portal site (mynextel.com). The phone can also access any WAP-compliant site.
One other extra feature is two way messaging, so you can send and recieve text messages. Every phone can recieve messages or emails (IE 1234567890@page.nextel.com) but you need the extra service to send them.
In my area (suburbs) coverage is OK but not great, there are dead spots and 'almost dead' areas. I am told this could be because I use a aftermarket antenna, one that lights up so I can see when its transmitting. However, the voice mail is great so I dont complain.
Another advantage is the radiation... it has a SAR of 0.43. (in the CNET survey where I got that number, the lowest was 0.24 and the highest was 1.49.)
The only bad things I can find with this phone are:
1. no way to turn off 'answer on open flip'
2. no headset plug builtin, with the adapter it doesnt come out of the case easily
Recommended:
Yes
Amount Paid (US$): 150
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Epinions.com ID:
IronHelix
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Reviews written: 20
Trusted by: 2 members
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