LG VX1 (Verizon): Mobile dwarf on stimulants. (TM-520, Generic)
Written: Aug 29 '02 (Updated Dec 18 '02)
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Pros: small, clam shell, call clarity, 1xRTT capable, midi sound (polyphonic), web-enabled
Cons: some bugs, marginal documentation / support, No IR or Bluetooth, no color screen
The Bottom Line: A very compact phone with lots of good and upper class features that also has a few ridiculous shortcomings. The VX-1 is not Get-It-Now capable.
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| theuerkorn's Full Review: LG VXI Cell Phone |
A one-does-it-all cell phone in a small package with functionality of big phones and a few new tweaks ... that's the LG VX-1 at least on paper and I fell for this created image after having my Motorola StarTac meeting it's ancestors (due to battery and mechanical failure).
What should I say, I was in the market for a new cell phone and as an existing Verizon customer explored other options without being to serious about changing. I guess I didn't use my phone enough to get sickly annoyed with the marginal service close to my home (very low signal strength).
Cell phones pretty much are a new status symbols of a technology savvy generation, regardless whether in Europe, Asia or America. (... but who didn't know that before.) And for me being very susceptible to such gadgets, the intent to "just replace" my old one turned into a choice of features and style.
The VX-1 won and here is why ...
A very small package indeed.
Virtually identical to the LG TM-520, the VX-1 offers TriMode (CDMA 800/1900 MHz and AMPS) in a mere package of 3.3x1.8x1.0inch (84x46.4x24.8mm), weighing in at 3.8oz (108g). The main difference to the TM-520 is the integrated 1xRTT cabability in the VX-1.
It is small and despite its size still comfortable to use. The clever use of the clam shell design (made famous by Motorola's Startac series) is the main reason to make this possible. The 120x100 pixels Gray LCD display is placed on the one half while the other bears the keys. Thanks to this popular arrangement it is possible to have relatively 'big' keys and a well sized screen in a tiny package.
The size, however, is reflected in the battery life. While 190 minutes of talk time are very good ... especially in such a small phone ... the 110 hours standby (4.5 days) are only half of what the slightly bigger TM-510 has to offer. Either is equally bad in analog stand-by which significantly reduces the time between battery recharge.
The antenna is typical for the form factor and is both a tribute to its size as well as FCC regulations. The latter is also a reason for the seemingly bulky belt clip that comes with the phone. Apparently designed to hold a distance of 20 mm (less than 1 inch) between body and phone, it addresses increased concerns regarding electro-smog. The antenna is retractable and while there is no gain visible in signal strength, the actual purpose is to reduce the perceived impact on a human's head.
Mechanically sound dwarf.
I didn't know the Korean manufacturer LG Electronics before and have been a little skeptical towards the phone. However, the clam shell is rugged and shows no sign of weakness despite the tiny dimensions (H:3.3in. x W:1.8in. x D:0.97in.).
The styling is good and certainly fits the current trend. However, Silver is the only option. I would also expect the design to age quick due to it's use of flashy (but short lived) chrome trimmings. (Silver is also coming and going with each season.) Then again, in about 2 or 3 years new phones may be 'necessary' anyway.
The number of buttons has been reduced to the bare minimum which allows fairly reasonable size and even normal sized (male) thumbs have no problem to find their target key. The navigation key combination excels in mechanical feedback and usability, as all keys have a very good tactile feel to them (plus audible feedback if need-be).
The relatively small speaker is nestled right above the display and surprises with a relatively good quality. Though sort of standard, it still amazes me, how a smaller display fits on the other side of the slim lid to display time, caller ID, signal strength and more. Either display is Green backlit.
The lid is designed to allow single handed opening and use of all features of the phone. This is very nice, since one may not have the other hand available all the time.
The slim battery provides up to 180 minutes talk time and 110 hours standby in digital mode. The battery is a Standard Lithium Ion with 900mAH capacity.
A good argument for a clam shell type phone is the full size phone it pretty much unfolds to from a very small form factor when stored. Call clarity and convenience are direct benefits from this design idea. (microphone close to mouth, small size when stored).
Huge functionality, for the size.
Even the VX-1 is foremost a phone. It does handle the spoken word very well and clarity in digital mode is very good. The buttons are easy to read and operate. The reception strength is average. Audio quality in reference to surrounding noise is improved via Automatic Audio Gain Control.
This phone is on par with many other phones in this price range regarding phone book (199 names with up to 5 numbers per each). Unless you know a lot of people, this is getting to a point where it does not matter whether it stores 99, 199, or 1000 numbers for that matter. It also stores timed and hard pauses (to access mail boxes etc.) Everything here is pretty much standard. A nice addition is the ability to assign specific ring tones to special numbers (sort of a audible caller ID). It also stores the last 10 numbers dialed, last 10 received or last 10 missed for easier redialing.
Europe experienced a huge SMS hype several years ago (late 1990's). Thanks to the worldwide quasi-standard GSM, it works everywhere and between any carrier. The US took a little bit of time to catch on (partly due to multiple 'standards'). I am glad to see SMS being an (though still exotic) option for mid to upper class phones. The VX-1 does good, though text entry has the same issues (cycling keys) as any other (normal) phone. (Having said that, E.M.S. is now widely finding it's way to users in Europe and Asia.)
To address the text hassle, the "T9 Predictive Text input" for faster entry of text messages allows you to hit each key only once and the software guesses which character you actually meant. (Only works for programmed language.) For instance, simply typing the word "for" would require 9 taps normallysince all 3 letters are 3rd on it's respective button. With T9 you only push 3 buttons (3-6-9) and it guesses the right one. (You can add words to the database.) A major disadvantage of the SMS system in general: The target phone has to be on (standby) in order to receive and store the message.
The VX-1 is web enabled and sports mobile internet with Openwave UP 4.1 Browser (WAP). Most navigation happens via multi navigation key and the two soft buttons. Some function (like home page and back and use internal browser instead of Verizon / MSN (default) are less obvious. Mainly due to the use of keys that are not specifically labeled for the browser (i.e. SEND or #). This makes it sort of cumbersome to navigate websites that don't sport soft button support for "back to previous page".
The sound quality of the ring tones is impressive and 19 different MIDI (sampled) sounds are available. Alternatively, the integrated vibration (motor) or the LED can function as quiet alarms, which is good for meetings or the movie theater or any other public place. A one-button toggle is available to switch between normal (programmed) alarm mode to mannered mode (vibration only) and back.
The 2 included games are somewhat annoying and especially the shooting game feels really slow. Both Comanche and Blackjack provide sound, but if you have a PDA you won't bother to play these games anyway.
An included scheduler is nice to look up dates and in case you didn't see the necessity for a PDA yet, to store your appointments etc.. Having such a device already, I could not care less about the scheduler (besides the calendar). The calculator (basic function , -, /, x) may fall into the same category.
Hearing impaired users find help since the VX-1 is TTY/TDD capable. It also allows to act as a modem for a laptop or PDA. For the high speed internet access via Express Network (1xRTT) the so-called Mobile Office Kit is necessary ($79) and a monthly subscription ($35/mo). Otherwise you will get standard (low) transmission rates (CDMA Data = 19kb/s). The high speed translates into average data transmission speeds between 40 and 60 kilobits per second with bursts up to 144 kbps. It's only available on one-third of Verizon's nationwide network and requires a digital voice calling plan of $35 and up.
For enterprise customers, Verizon Wireless recently announced pricing based on mega byte usage for heavy data users with rate plans starting at $35 per month for 10 MB, $55 per month for 20 MB, with tiers up to 150 MB of data. On the $35 monthly rate plan, customers can download 10 MB of data.
What's not to like?
Alright, a probably minor thing for US only residents, but I still want to mention that the VX-1 offers virtually no option to customize the display of time, month or even special characters for foreign languages. Not a big issue but an annoyance for my German soul (or names of friends at home).
Further, the phone offers one (1) alternative 'theme' that pretty much changes the digital display into an analog clock. Not necessarily pretty or original. There is no other option to probably customize or download new 'themes' to the full graphic capable screen. The GUI (graphical user interface) is plain and functional. Some might like to spiff it up a little ... but no can do here.
While the ring tones are plentiful, a major flaw and a 'minor' inconvenience take away from the first good impression. The major thing first: Ring volume is adjustable but only works while the clamshell is open (usually not the mode it would be in when receiving a call). When closed, it's always at full volume. And this phone is very noticeable (read loud). Also, 'preview' of the ring tones is very muted and nowhere close to the 'actual' ring volume. The escalating sound and vibration option works well for the latter but not for the sound. I guess the good thing is that one doesn't jump when the phone starts vibrating at full strength.
Though the phone is serviceable over the air (OTA capable), this seems to be limited to downloading area information used for recognizing your home area and consequently whether additional charges apply (Verizon: dial *228). Updating ring tones or downloading new games or additional functions seems to be Nokia's turf and no "threat" from LG in this regard.
Further, Verizon just released it's 'Get-It-Now' service, pretty much after the European model where ring tones, games and other gimicks can be downloaded to your phone. Despite it's capable screen, the VX-1 does not take advantage of this (fee based) service for above reasons.
Another moot point is the documentation and support. LG's newly designed website (www.lge.com) is everything but easy to navigate. Other information than (a few) actual product details is almost totally absent. FAQ's (i.e. the ring tone volume bug) are missing just like a glossary that would explain the acronyms OTA, 1xRTT, CMX MIDI, TTY/TDD. The latter, however, seems to be assumed to be common knowledge by most wireless companies.
Verizon's default internet partner is MSN. The documentation is sort of set up to make you believe that this may be the only option available. Not so, if you read the phone's manual carefully. (When online press and hold # to type in any web address and use standard browser. Note: When accessing my.yahoo.com you need to actually use www.yahoo.com.) I encountered an annoying side effect when using the MSN menu to access Yahoo. It would lock my phone up and the only option left is to pull the battery in order to interrupt. (Using # did not have this issue.)
Since this phone covers 3 US standards, which are incompatible to the quasi-standard of the rest of the world GSM, it will not work outside NAFTA either. In other words, frequent business travellers (who might pay ridiculous roaming charges) are out of luck and need another phone.
Before I get too carried away, I want to close with one minor issue (bug?) that can be significant though. The VX-1 does not make a difference between charging in the base or being carried in the field, means if you set it to vibrate only it will just do that when residing in the base as well. Be in another room, and you will certainly miss all incoming calls. Something the 'old' StarTac managed much better by automatically switching to audible when charging. (Afterall, it can be assumed that you are not close to the phone when it's recharging anyway.)
The final verdict.
Is mostly positive and since this phone comes at a cost of $145.- (after $50 rebate, vendor Verizon) it certainly is one of the most powerful and feature rich devices on the market in this segment.
Outstanding features like small size and high speed network capability, are countered by some oversights or flaws. The overall picture is good though, and one may live with the shortcoming.
It could have been a great phone. Taking all factors into consideration, it's certainly a good phone for the money. A must for 'high speed' wireless internet junkies and a good choice when size matters. (Check out www.thesupplynet.com for cables and instructions to connect your PDA to this phone. The tool kit to connect you PC is about $79.- and available at Verizon.)
There are better options out there regarding some other features. So it's the old verdict, that it heavily depends on what YOU need, and what you can live without. I hope this review helped to find the answer to both.
th/th
Recommended:
Yes
Amount Paid (US$): 145
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