A lot of phone for the money
Written: May 19 '02 (Updated May 19 '02)
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Pros: Good voice quality and reception, high gadget factor for low price
Cons: Battery life so-so, phone book access a bit cumbersome
The Bottom Line: Very good bang for the buck. Not as refined as the Motorolla V60 but a lot cheaper in price.
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| justasec's Full Review: LGIC LG-TM510 Cell Phone |
The LG TM510 is a pretty good tri-band phone for the price though I wouldn't rank it as highly as some of the other reviewers. The hardware is well built and the sound quality good but the supporting software isn't as well-designed as some of the other phones I've had or seen. On the plus side you get:
-An LCD display on the outside so you can use the caller ID to screen calls without opening the phone
-You also get text messaging capability and wireless web (with an extra monthly charge)
-As well as digital and analog modes for those out of the way areas and compatibility with the latest calling plans
-Multiple ring types (including vibration)
-Calendar, scheduler and 198 number memory
-Multiple language support!
-Good sound quality and reception.
On the negative I found the voice dialing to be a bit frustrating. It worked half the time (by half I mean voice recognition was weak). And this was not a problem exclusive to myself. My friends have the same phone. Voice dialing is important on this phone since it's not easy to access the phonebook quickly. The phonebook requires navigating a few extra menus to get to and is not alphabetizable. It's hard to do on the go and even harder when driving. Sidenote: the successor to this phone, the TM520, is supposed to have an improved phonebook.
I also found the battery life to be disappointing. Granted it's a small phone with a small battery but I could not get much more than 2.5-3 hours of talk time on a single charge. My previous Motorola cheapie/freebie model got almost twice that. And remember, if you're in analog mode, you'll get considerably less talk and standby time. There are aftermarket accessories you can get including an extended life battery. But it also adds bulk. I'd suggest buying another standard battery which is cheaper and maintains the slimmer profile. Then you can alternate batteries on the charger.
I also found this phone to be a little on the thick side, especially when compared to other similar flip type phones. Dimensionally, I've always preferred a thinner more pocketable phone. I guess if you wear it on your belt or put it in your purse this point is moot. I prefer to carry it incognito.
Overall I'd say the TM510 is definitely worth the low price. And it's just going to get cheaper as time goes on. If you don't have service, you can get this phone for practically free (with a two year contract). If you've been a Verizon/Air Touch customer, then you could be eligible for some good rebates or call credit. I got both when I bought this phone.
Recommended:
Yes
Amount Paid (US$): 49.95
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Epinions.com ID:
justasec
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Reviews written: 9
Trusted by: 0 members
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