Kyocera QCP 2035: Does Size Really Matter?
Written: Sep 05 '01 (Updated Sep 05 '01)
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Pros: Compact, Price and Options
Cons: Antenna, Small Buttons
The Bottom Line: If on a budget and need a sense of security for unexpected times, this is a great item. With 99% of places requiring additional number, this is a good choice.
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| gypsyrose75's Full Review: Kyocera QCP 2035a Cell Phone |
Due to recent emergency events my husband and I realized just how much a Cellular Phone could come in handy. I had owned a dinosaur 5 years ago. Those big, bulky and heavy devices that looked like the original cordless phones. So comparing to previous experiences with such phone, this was not only appealing but also, easier to use.
I purchased this phone through a local Sprint sales rep. in El Paso Texas. They gave me a decent deal of $100.00 and NO contract. That is what we were looking for. Contracts are not for us, mortgages and vehicle payments are enough. And easily within most budgets, including ours. Though recently we have canceled our Sprint Wireless Phone service, next review, the phone itself is excellent.
Features
*Standard 1-9 dialing buttons and * #
*RED power button, for ON and OFF
*GREEN call or hang-up button
*Up, Down, Left and Right cursor position
*1/2 X 3/4 LCD screen
*Back Space/Previous Screen Key
*Enter/Select Button
These buttons are very small. This is perfect for people with small hands. If you have nails this is much harder to operate, especially if already occupied. My husband and I both have above average size hands, so though the phone fits well, the buttons are hard to manage with accuracy.
Ear Piece: Excellent voice volume. Being on both your home phone, or on this phone, the voice sound is not only extremely clear but also a pleasant level. Though I do not recommend blaring the radio and expect to still hear as well.
Microphone: As well as hearing. I could hear on any phone very well what was being spoken. The only thing I found annoying with this is with all small phones. Your head is a certain length, and you have to have the speaker on your ear to hear. So why do they place the talking slot so it fits next to your cheek? Because of the distance from your mouth to the slot you may feel impelled to YELL. This is NOT necessary! Speak with normal voice please, or your listener will be more than the person you are speaking to. But those next to them AND you.
We have used this on extremely windy days, up to 60mph, and not even then did we hear the wind whistling cutting out on the sound quality.
Battery Use and Every Day Abuse
How often have you dropped your phone? Be it corded, cordless or a little 2lb phone? Many times walking out of the store with my hands full, kids running through the parking lot and one screaming did the phone ring. This little piece of technology has stood up to even my abuse. Dropped on concrete, lost at the bottom of a purse (that is bad for those of you not experienced with such times) and passed back and forth from child to child. Still, not a scratch, dent or loss of durability. For a year it has been used several times and no complaints in that department.
The battery itself is out standing as well. For four days it was left on (purely accidental) and still held a charge long enough for a short (5-10 minutes) conversation. Fully charged, good for at least 120 minutes talk time and so far has lasted me five days just being on. Talking time does drastically reduce the battery life so be sure to keep charged for those emergency times.
To recharge simply plug in the cord, provided, into the hole and other end at the wall and let charge over night, or at least 8 hours for maximum usage. Though I do not have the car lighter charger, I do have a power converter which we used for the long drives.
Antenna
This has served no purpose for me. It does not stay up and when I have managed to get to stay positioned for more than a few minutes, it has never once picked up a signal any better than if it was 'put away'. When carrying it slips in and out and is pretty much useless. I wonder, was it really needed to make the phone look like a phone?
Extras
LCD screen shows a green soft glowing back ground. Pictures for easy up to date information. Such as battery charge, reception strength, easy access Menu screen and mail (voice, fax or email) notification.
Three different notify options.
*Ring
*Vibrate
*Ring and Vibrate Combined
Each ring having its own loudness, type (musical or beep), and numbers of rings. Same options available for Mail notifications so you may want to set one different from the other for obvious reasons.
Under Menu you have to choose from:
*Wireless Web
*Contacts (View All, Add New, Find Name, Speed Dial List, Business List, Personal List, Information. Will hold Names, Numbers and Addresses of SEVERAL entries. Icon options as well.)
*Recent Calls
*Settings (Silence All, Keyguard, Roaming-Analog or Digital, Sounds, Display, Security, Extras, Messaging and Accessories)
*Tools (Alarm Clock, Tip Calculator, Calculator, Countdown, Stop Watch and the game Brick Attack)
*Messages
*Phone Information (Phone's Number)
The game, though slightly generic, is a good time pass. When you are in a long waiting line at the store or the kids are bored with waiting. Tip Calculator great for the out to dinner surprise tip amounts. (As a waitress for many years prior, I know how confusing it can be to people.)
This phone is very standard size and style so getting alternative slip covers is easy to find. To change the face plate is just as easy. Snap off and snap on. It is a fairly universal phone for the not so technical person.
Though I am NOT happy with the Sprint service, this phone was a great purchase. I was told that the crystal is not compatible with Verizon. I am not looking into purchasing another phone, but sometimes you do not have a choice for quality. If you have a great Sprint Service in your area and on a tight budget this phone is a great addition for anyone on the go. With kids in school, work emergencies and every day away from home scares I give this a go ahead for an honest purchase.
© All Rights Reserved 2001
Recommended:
Yes
Amount Paid (US$): 100.00
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Epinions.com ID:
gypsyrose75
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Location: USA
Reviews written: 86
Trusted by: 146 members
About Me:
Where have all the good ones gone??
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