When StarTAC just won't do
Written: Dec 08 '00 (Updated Dec 08 '00)
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Product Rating:
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Pros: small, sleek design; long battery life; excellent reception; loads of goodies
Cons: price; almost too many features
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| jfkreviews's Full Review: Motorola Timeport P8767 Cell Phone |
I recently purchased a Motorola Timeport P8767 from Verizon. Truth be told, I didn't need it at all...but, after nearly two glorious years with my StarTAC 7760, I felt it had to be time to update. I sold my StarTAC to my buddy who was purchasing his first cell phone. I quickly realized that this phone was not a true step up from the StarTAC. Most of the features are identical with the exception of the mobile web browser which seems to be a prerequisite for every phone sold these days although I don't know anyone who uses it and I personally do not see any reason to pay the extra $7 per month for it.
So, why should you pay $250 for the Timeport instead of around $170 for the newest StarTAC? Well...it's...hmm...it's subtly better. Build quality, for instance, is better than that of my StarTAC. It seems to be built of a heavier, tougher plastic. Another feature I particularly like is the new two color LED matrix display which features illuminated characters on a black background. It looks alot more "high tech" than the StarTAC's backlit LCD display although both are very easy to read.
The Timeport's keypad, which looks pretty similar to that of the StarTAC, is actually much easier to use. The buttons on my StarTAC were difficult to press. They often double dialed when pressed and sometimes did not dial at all. The Timeport's keys make a definite "click" when pushed and they are raised so they are easy to feel; a definite advantage for the Timeport. The only qualm I have about the Timeport's buttons as compared to those of the StarTAC is that the "smart buttons" on the side of the Timeport are slightly more recessed than those on the StarTAC. It sometimes requires me to use the very tips of my slightly larger than average fingers to push them. I use these buttons alot because they are more convenient to use than the ones on the keypad so I was disappointed to find out that Motorola decided to recess them.
As far as clarity is concerned, have no fear. The Timeport sounds even better than the StarTAC. I would attribute this more to a slight redesign of the ear-piece than anything else. The StarTAC's ear-piece speaker was housed underneath a piece of plastic which was attached to, but not part of, the ear-piece itself. This occasionally caused a slight buzzing sound, especially with the volume turned up. The Timeport's ear-piece is all one piece and I have noticed no buzzing at all. Both of these Motorola's get excellent reception. I can not remember a time using either of these phones (in digital mode) when I have heard annoying or even particularly noticeable static.
The main draw of these phones is their portability. Both almost exactly the same size, they are easily two of lightest, most portable phones out there. I often use the included holster to clip the phone to my pants pocket. This was virtually the only area where the StarTAC held the definite advantage. The holster on the StarTAC was made of a sturdy plastic and it wrapped around the closed phone. It was very easy to slip the phone into and out of and it also provided a great deal of protection in case the clip ever slipped off my pocket and onto the ground. The holster for the Timeport isn't nearly as good as the StarTAC's. The phone still slides in in roughly the same fashion but this holster is designed to allow the phone to be opened while still clipped in. I don't know why Motorola would do this as it is definitely easier to slide the phone out of the holster than it is to unclip the whole assembly from your belt or pocket. Also, I don't see how having an open phone on your belt would be beneficial. The Timeport's holster provides virtually no protection against impact. It also takes a little more thought to line the phone up when sliding it in. I found removal simple though. The Timeport's holster can also be swiveled to change the angle of the clip. Both holsters allow you access to the smart buttons on the side of the phone so you can cancel the ringing of an incoming call. This is an excellent feature.
One aspect of the Motorola phones that has been repeatedly criticized is their lack of "entertaining" features such as specialized rings and games. I say if you want these features, buy a Gameboy. Phones are not supposed to be particularly entertaining. Playing a game on a cell phone only uses up precious battery time. And, the next time I hear Beethoven's Fifth start playing through a crappy little electronic speaker while I'm in class or a meeting, I'm gonna scream!
The Timeport's features are useful, convenient and plentiful. There are more timers, security features and phonebook features than I would ever need. The phonebook features 100 memory locations each of which contain sub-locations so that you can store multiple numbers for each entry. This is especially useful when your contacts have cell phones, work phones, home phones, etc. All features are accessible via the main menu. You'll definitely have to have patience when navigating through the abundance of directories. Motorola provides a wallet sized quick reference guide for utilizing some of the most common menu features specifically designed for those of us who are not electronically inclined. Several features that I find I use every day, including the vibra-call, are accessible via shortcut keys on the keypad itself, no navigation necessary.
Overall, the Motorola Timeport is as good a phone as you can get your hands on. It's slick, user-friendly and loaded with little goodies that put it way ahead of your friend's Nokia. Perhaps the price would steer more potential customers toward the more affordable StarTAC but, if you're a gadget guru, a busy executive (did I mention you can link this phone to your PC to synchronize with your P.D.A. software?) or you just one who simply must have the best, this is definitely the phone for you.
Recommended:
Yes
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Epinions.com ID:
jfkreviews
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Reviews written: 14
Trusted by: 5 members
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