a semi-good thing in a small package
Written: Jul 23 '00 (Updated Jul 24 '00)
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Product Rating:
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Pros: compact and lightweight
Cons: annoying rings and it's flimsy
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| tuffy702's Full Review: Motorola StarTAC ST7868W Cell Phone |
After using a Nokia 6160 for two or so years, I switched mobile phone companies and purchased a Motorola Star Tac 7868W. The cost of this phone was exactly the same as what I paid for my Nokia, about $200.00. I have a lower opinion of the Star Tac than do many of the other reviews I have read, and perhaps that is because of my previous experience with my Nokia, a phone that I really, really liked and had no problems with.
The Good Points:
First and foremost are the size and weight of this phone. The phone easily fits in a number of places without being noticeable, and also fits on your belt well. The disadvantage to its size is that it’s difficult to dial with one hand, and harnessing the phone with your shoulder is also somewhat cumbersome. Also, the battery, which is the bulk of the weight on this phone, is placed on the top half of the phone. Therefore, when the phone is open, it is awkward to try and dial with one hand and hold the phone at the same time.
The battery life on the phone is great, especially considering that the battery is so small. This phone comes standard with a Lithium - Ion battery. Lithium – Ion batteries are great because they pack a lot of power in a small, relatively lightweight package, and they don’t have the “memory” effect that the less expensive NiCad and NiMH batteries have. ‘Memory effect’ is when a battery doesn’t fully re-charge if it is not completely drained.
The display on the Star Tac is awesome, probably the best I have ever seen on a Mobile Phone. The lettering is large and easy to read, and it is capable of displaying relatively detailed graphics. The best part of the display is that it is back-lit with an Indiglo light, making it very clear and easy to see, and it’s easy on the eyes.
The Star Tac has a “Smart Button” which is a button that allows you to easily navigate the phone's various functions, as well as provide easy access to your directory. It’s located on the side of the phone, as are two up and down arrows you can use to scroll. This helps a lot with the problem I mentioned before of the phone being difficult to use with one hand.
Finally, the Star Tac is equipped with a Vibra-Call Alert Function, which makes the phone vibrate instead of ring or beep. I love this feature, as I don’t always want it to be obvious that I am getting a call.
Bad Points:
This phone is rich in features, but it lacks options. Options such as different styles of ring, and different modes such as “silent mode” or “pager mode.” It lacks different schemes in which you can change these settings. All of the ringing styles it does have are mildly to extremely irritating, and for message notification, you have three choices: one, two, or three beeps.
The call quality on this phone is poor. It’s arguable as to whether this is due to the digital signaling format it uses, CDMA, or because of the phone itself. Also, it could be related to the network of the specific wireless company I use (Verizon Wireless, formerly known as Bell Atlantic Mobile).
Lastly, since the day I purchased the phone, it’s been plagued with operational problems. The first one being that it will shut off all by itself for no apparent reason. I took the phone into the store I bought it at, where an employee literally huffed, put her hands on her hips, and glared at me because I was in there so close to closing time (see my review of Verizon Wireless for more on that). They replaced the battery for me and that did nothing to help that problem. Also, the phone seems to get very poor reception on a consistent basis, consistent meaning that the poor reception occurs all over, regardless of location. Such consistent problems with reception that happen without correlation to certain locations tend to indicate a problem with the phone and not the Wireless company’s coverage. I constantly experience dropped calls, poor reception, and one way audio (I can hear them but they can’t hear me, a “hallmark” of digital service).
All in all, I am relatively satisfied with this phone. But for the money, I would expect more.
Recommended:
Yes
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Epinions.com ID:
tuffy702
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Location: new york, ny
Reviews written: 14
Trusted by: 2 members
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