Comparing 4000 to 9000
Written: Oct 21 '00 (Updated Oct 21 '00)
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Pros: Intuitive, Clear
Cons: Font Size can be frustrating
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| cutlernj's Full Review: Audiovox CDM4000 |
I'm comparing the 4000 to the 9000 since I purchased the 9000 when my friend bought the 4000. I've been able to compare both phones side by side and thus can report the similarities and differences for those trying to make a choice between them.
The Similarities
Both phones are feature packed the following features are available to both:
-phone book (dual phone numbers allowed)
-secret numbers (for those you want to be secret)
-15 ringer options (4 plain & 11 melodies)
-link dialing (for sequences of numbers)
-call history
-distinctive ringing
-voice & text messages easily available by two buttons
-call timers
-data connection
-lockout for security
Both phones are the exact same size, and that is quite small, generally smaller then most non-flip phones.
Both phones have the same one touch buttons available, messages, voice messages, allowing easy access to voice & text message alerts and voice mail.
The menus are really well put together, in an hierchy manner, each one is associated with a number so it can be quickly accessed, but is also available by using the up, down, left and right roller button in the middle.
The Differences
The 4000 is slightly heavier then the 9000, most likely because of a slightly heavier battery.
The 9000 feels a little less durable in your hand then the 4000.
The 9000 has tri mode, this means you have an extra digital frequency, and I did notice that the 9000 had an extra 2 bars of signal strength (out of 4) over the 4000, I would assume that it is the tri mode that gave it this much difference.
The 4000 does not have voice activated dialing, whereas both the 4500 and 9000 do.
The 9000 has a more solid antenna, and also appears more rounded.
The 9000 has voice activation, I could not find voice activation on the 4000. (Just say the name and it dials)
the 9000 has at least an easier way of turning on vibration, I could not locate the vibration on/off for the 4000, nor could my friend.
The 4000 does not have web access, the 9000 does.
I find the 9000 a little more intuitive then the 4000, there's more menu options to control the new options that were included. The web has it's own menu in the 9000, there isn't a menu under the 4000.
The 4000 just isn't as intuitive as the 9000. I found the 9000 extremely easy to get to the options I wanted to. This I would imagine is simply because Audiovox has had more time to perfect it.
The buttons on the 9000 are rubbery, whereas the buttons on the 4000 are plastic. I find the rubbery feel to be nicer, but as pointed out, the plastic ones tend to resist food and drink etc.
In Conclusion
I've found the 9000 generally the better phone, however there are several reasons why you might choose the 4000:
The color; the 4000 just looks cooler with the silver color.
The plastic buttons; they are more food and drink rsistant.
The more solid feel; It seems to feel a lot more solid and durable.
However the 9000 simply has more features, if you are looking for the web access the 9000 has a lot more options for the web. And the other primary reason for choosing the 9000 in my opinion would be the significantly better signal strength.
I have made a complete epinion on the 9000 here: http://www.epinions.com/elec-review-7671-F9B4078-39E5591E-prod5
Recommended:
Yes
Amount Paid (US$): 99
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Epinions.com ID:
cutlernj
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Member: Neil Cutler
Location: Cowichan Bay, BC
Reviews written: 41
Trusted by: 32 members
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