Anyone own a Motorola phone?

[AsSiMiLaTeD]

It looks like my next company phone is going to be a Motorola. I've heard really bad things about Motorola phones...

Any of you guys use their phones and have good luck with them? Any of you use the Mobils Phone Tools software that Motorola sells - know anything about that?

I'm just looking for some basic feedback...wondering what they're getting me into

[dkg999]

I have had Motorola cell phones since 1990. I have not had a problem so far.

[Mike682]

I have two motorola cell phones, the first one was a workhorse and still works today. My current moto (v60s) I am sorry to say, is a POS. So for me, moto is 50-50

[jet2001]

I switched from a Nokia phone to a Motorola and have been really pleased with it's dependability.

[Demiurge]

I have the same one as Matt Polk :)

There isn't a huge variance in phone reliability....it's more about how much your drop it, step on it, etc.

[thehaens@cox.net]

I have two motorola cell phones, the first one was a workhorse and still works today. My current moto (v60s) I am sorry to say, is a POS. So for me, moto is 50-50

I have to agree, I had a Startac that I had since 95 or so, and it worked all the way up to 2004, and the only reason why I traded it in, is peer pressure. I got ranted on everytime I pulled that phone out to answer. So I got the V60s and had to replace it twice in the same year. They finally gave me another, the V265, the only problem I have with this one is that the quality of the ear speaker isn't even as good as my StarTac....

So, I will probably get another StarTac after this one dies.....

[Mike682]

I have to agree, I had a Startac that I had since 95 or so, and it worked all the way up to 2004, and the only reason why I traded it in, is peer pressure. I got ranted on everytime I pulled that phone out to answer. So I got the V60s and had to replace it twice in the same year. They finally gave me another, the V265, the only problem I have with this one is that the quality of the ear speaker isn't even as good as my StarTac....

So, I will probably get another StarTac after this one dies.....

Exactly. My v60s went through a few batts before they gave me a replacement v60s. Now the replacement is acting up with the same problem..

[thehaens@cox.net]

I am surprised they are giving you another V60s. When I brought my second one back for a replacement they (verizon) told me they didn't have any more. And that they were getting away from the S vers. I think they moved on to the V60p....
scott

[shack]

The rest of my family uses Motorola flips (v551s currently and t720s prior). No real issues except my youngest daughter's v551 did not survive a swim in the toilet. I'm a Nokia "candy bar" phone man myself. My current one is still going strong after 2 1/2 years. One I got "for free" when we renewed the family contract so the kids could get new phones is still in the box waiting for this one to die.

[Mike682]

I am surprised they are giving you another V60s. When I brought my second one back for a replacement they (verizon) told me they didn't have any more. And that they were getting away from the S vers. I think they moved on to the V60p....
scott

I got my replacement phone about 8-9 months ago when they still had the v60s. I had asked to get a different phone and verizon told me either I would have to go through three replacements before they would give me another model or if they were totally out of the v60s.

I have to check but I don't think replacments have a very long warranty period.

[Willow]

I used to work for one of the biggest cell companies in canada, The best phones I have used are Samsung. Worst Audivox, like the one I have now a major POS. I did have nokia which are also good and moto, was crap, it would drop the signal faster than H&M dropped Kate Moss. But the older moto the big Ass ones way back were amazing

[AsSiMiLaTeD]

yeah I have a Nokia now, and it really sucks, so they're replacing it with a Motorola phone, I'm hoping that will work better...

[Pauly]

Depending on which one they are very easy to hack into so you can download free games with p2k software adn Midway software and i also use the MPT software to transfer pics and music for free as well. No sense paying for all that stuff when you can get it for free.

Paul

[AsSiMiLaTeD]

Depending on which one they are very easy to hack into so you can download free games with p2k software adn Midway software and i also use the MPT software to transfer pics and music for free as well. No sense paying for all that stuff when you can get it for free.

Paul

Do you have links to any of that software you mentioned?

[bobman1235]

I've had mostly Nokias, had a motorola for a while, it was reliable and decent, I just didn't like the interface too much. I've had few problems with any of my higher-end Nokias.

Like most things it depends on what "level" you get. You can get the low-end versions that are... spotty or the higher-end ones.

[Pauly]

Do you have links to any of that software you mentioned?

Sure do....
http://forums.afterdawn.com/forum_view.cfm/132

Get your read on, will take you couple hours to get everything set it up and know how to hack your phone :) Let me know if you have any problems

BTW this site is very good check out the forums for other how toos from Cd's to DVD's to Xbox, Ps2 etc......

Pauly

[heiney9]

I would have no problem rec. Motorola phones. I get a new phone about every 2 years. My current Motorola (V262) is about a year old and is a basic model by today's standards (no camera) and I have zero trouble. It is very intuitive and easy to use. Batt life is very good and I like the way it looks and feels.

My previous phone was also a Motorola. It was also a very good phone. It was a non-flip so other than that no trouble. It seems after the original StarTac Motorola lost some ground and had some quality issues, but I think they are just as good a phone as Nokia today, maybe even better.

I have had no experience withe the higher end phones.

YMMV

H9

[scottnbnj]

there was a thread like this several months back. i'm still on board the motoboat with my v400.

http://www.polkaudio.com/forums/showthread.php?t=26592

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[schwarcw]

My son has a "candy bar' Motorola phone. after two years the battery cannot hold a charge and the battery is too costly to replace. I have seen too many Motorola flips bite the dust. I like Nokia. I've the for eight years with no problems

[scottnbnj]

schwarcw, i dunno about all motorola batteries, but the lithium ion battery in my v400 is pretty good. it's probably almost 2 years old, i leave it on 24 hours a day and it holds a charge for several days. it also isn't picky about charging habits like nicad batteries that i've had in other phones. though, if you use the screen display for games, internet, etc. or expose the phone to cold weather for hours, it does drain rapidly (i think nicads hold up to cold weather better). i'm pretty sure it doesn't like the car charger much either, but my cords are aftermarket, so that could have something to do with it. i haven't noticed that just using the phone for calls drains it excesively.

when i priced replacement batteries on ebay a year or so ago, i thought they were pretty reasonable compared to what you'll pay for lithium ion for tools or other electronics. you can also upgrade the battery on the v400 if you buy a larger battery cover.

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[bobman1235]

I don't think those batteries are really designed to last more than two years anyways. Eespecially when they're on 24/7.

Then again, I'm a gadget freak - I get a new phone every year just because it's new :)

[Mike682]

My son has a "candy bar' Motorola phone. after two years the battery cannot hold a charge and the battery is too costly to replace. I have seen too many Motorola flips bite the dust. I like Nokia. I've the for eight years with no problems

Check Walmart for Motorola batteries (batts are actually made by motorola). They have batts for some models and they are only $22.

[AsSiMiLaTeD]

batteries aren't too big of a concern for me since I won't be the one paying to replace it if it goes bad.

Do you still have to 'discharge' batteries these days?

[heiney9]

batteries aren't too big of a concern for me since I won't be the one paying to replace it if it goes bad.

Do you still have to 'discharge' batteries these days?

Not really.....I still try to if possible because I'm just anal that way. Lithium Ion batteries are almost virtually immune to the "memory" problem of the older NiCad's. I would say 99.9% of the phones today come w/Lithium Ion batts. If it doesn't, dont' even consider the phone. They do however rec. that the very 1st charge be 100% and to completely discharge the first time. After that it should be no problem.

H9

[Mike682]

Not really.....I still try to if possible because I'm just anal that way. Lithium Ion batteries are almost virtually immune to the "memory" problem of the older NiCad's. I would say 99.9% of the phones today come w/Lithium Ion batts. If it doesn't, dont' even consider the phone. They do however rec. that the very 1st charge be 100% and to completely discharge the first time. After that it should be no problem.

H9

I also heard optimal batt life will be achieved after about five successive charge/discharge cycles with lithium ions.

Not sure if that is true, but I know this is true for the rechargeable Nimh batts that we use for digicams.

[scottnbnj]

i've read in a few places that, like nimh's, lithium ions 'like to be charged' and you're better off charging than waiting until they die. from the time you notice they don't have full power, the drop off to zero is more steep than nicad and waiting until they are dead is more likely to damage them. i notice that the v400's battery does have some sort of memory if i use the car charger, but it seems to recondition itself if i'm more careful the next few charges.

the guy at the store said not to leave it charging all night, but that's how i usually end up doing it. no problems so far.

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[billbillw]

I've been using a Moto V400 for about a year now. The battery life sucks on it I have to charge it every 3 days even though I don't talk much more than 30 minutes a day. Otherwise its pretty good. The sound quality is good. Prior to this phone, had 4 Nokias in a row. I personally liked the Nokias better, except for the fact that none of them were flip phones and I always had to put keylock on when it was in pocket.

[scottnbnj]

i don't love everything about this phone, but there's no way i charge twice every week. but then, i usually talk less than a couple hundred minutes a month, nowhere near your several hundred. maybe that's the difference.

in the other thread disneyjoe talked about metal buildings discharging batteries faster too (strong synchs or something). i've also noticed that synchs aren't as strong and don't cause nearly as much interference on other devices since i started turning it off for a few seconds every couple of days (as per moto cs, to fix dropped calls). maybe that has something to do with it too.

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[heiney9]

I've been using a Moto V400 for about a year now. The battery life sucks on it I have to charge it every 3 days even though I don't talk much more than 30 minutes a day. Otherwise its pretty good. The sound quality is good. Prior to this phone, had 4 Nokias in a row. I personally liked the Nokias better, except for the fact that none of them were flip phones and I always had to put keylock on when it was in pocket.

That's too bad...because I have good luck with my Moto phone (V262). Getting up to 7days on one charge if I don't talk too much. I've had it on stand by for 14 days before. Bottom line is if you talk alot...be prepared to charge alot w/any phone unless you get a special battery.

YMMV

H9

[audiobliss]

I guess I came into this late..and sorry if this is redundant, but I'm not reading this whole thread...

My mom and dad both used Star Tacs for quite a while (hmm...Mom still does) with great success. That's a great phone: reliable, rugged, and great reception.

I personally have a V262 and I can't say a thing negative about it (had it for almost a year). It's never dropped a call, never broken up, nothing. They say it's supposed to be as good a phone as the StarTac was.

The V265 is the same thing, just different colors with a camera built-in.