What can you say about the Motorola V120c without sounding like you are blabbering about it? The phone is quite small, sturdy and has good reception. The only drawbacks are the somewhat flimsy antenna and the confusing menu system. But the antenna problem can be solved by being careful (or using some well placed duct tape) and the menu system, once you figure out what is where, isn’t all that hard to navigate.

I have had this phone for almost a year now, as I got it when I renewed my cell phone contract with Verizon Wireless and signed up for their family share plan. As part of the deal, I paid $39.99 for the phone and received a second one for free, which my partner has. Thus we both have the same phone, but different colors.

The phone comes in two different colors, black and blue. Black is pretty plain with a checkerboard type pattern on the faceplate and the blue, while blue, is quite light. When the salesperson asked what color I wanted, I immediately said blue thinking that it would be your basic blue, but it turned out to be this very light sky blue. So I ended up with the sky blue phone and my partner got the black one (I wish it has been the other way around). But color isn’t everything.

Neither of us has had much trouble with the phone. I find that it gets better reception than my older phone (check out my review of that phone here - http://www.epinions.com/content_50552016516) and it is quite a bit sturdier than any phone I have had before. The basic design keeps everything on the phone together in one handset (no flip-ups here) and that is good for people who take their phone everywhere. I throw it in my carry-on bag ever morning on the way to work, toss it around my car all the time, and take it hiking by throwing it in my pack. Other than a few scratches, I haven’t had any problems with it.

For those of you putting it in your pocket or otherwise knocking it around, pressing the “menu” key and then the “*” puts the phone into key lock and prevents you accidentally dialing a number and calling. To get back out of key lock just press “menu” and “*” again.

I won’t go into too many technical specs, but the phone is a tri-mode phone, working on both digital and analog systems and offers caller ID, one touch dialing, voice activated dialing, a phone book feature, web browsing and more. Take a moment to flip through the manual to find out everything the phone can do.

Which brings me to one problem that I have had with the phone. Other than the most basic functions (phone book access and voice mail calling), setting up other features on the phone can be quite confusing and frustrating as the menu system that the phone has is not all that user friendly. Most commands often take several keystrokes and are buried in sub-menus that you may not expect. Once you get a handle on what is where, you won’t have so much trouble, but if you are somewhat distracted and trying to access a command, you might be quite frustrated.

The voice activated dialing (once you set up your numbers) is activated by pressing a button on the right side of the phone and speaking the name of the number you want to call (“home” for example). This feature is quite handy when you are driving or have your hands tied up and don’t want to bother dialing the number.

The other minus on the phone is the antenna. When not in use, the antenna retracts and just the stub sticks out. When in use with the antenna extended, a thin stiff wire is exposed between the top stub and the phone itself. It’s this thin wire that is fairly weak and prone to breakage. The Verizon salesperson actually told me this when I was looking at the phone and said that quite a few phones are returned because the antenna breaks.

For me, I have found that the antenna does not need to be extended for most phone calls, unless you have poor reception. This helps in not breaking it. Otherwise, I have reinforced the antenna wire with a small amount of duct tape, just to be on the safe side.

Talk time runs several hours on a single charge and if you don't use the phone, the charge will last about 2 and a half days (until you won't be able to have enough charge to make a call). The charger comes with the phone and plugs into the bottom. Plugging the charger into the phone can be a bit tough if you are rushing, as it is off to the side of an existing plug - so you make sure not to force the charger in, otherwise you could damage the phone and make the charger inoperable. After you plug it in, make sure that the phone says "charging" and that the little battery symbol is flashing, that means you are charging.

Bottom line, would I recommend it? Yes. It’s a great knock around cell phone that you won’t have to worry about losing (because it’s not that small), will be able to bring anywhere and put anywhere (because it’s not that big), that gets great reception and has some cool features. Just watch the antenna and learn the menu system quickly.

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Other cell phones that I have reviewed on Epinions:

LG VX4400 - http://www.epinions.com/content_100374122116
Nokia 5180 - http://www.epinions.com/content_10947432068
Audiovox CDM135 - http://www.epinions.com/content_50552016516

Recommended: Yes

Amount Paid (US$): 39.99 (for2)