Re: T720 Question(s)

Of course, I asked for various opinions, so yours is as valid as anyone
else's for me. But I would take a long look at "Too Slick's" response to
your post before you go too long.

When I referred to the "antenna length", I was referring to the extended
antenna- not the stub part which sticks out before you extend it. Unless,
as you pointed out, the phone is made differently for different carriers,
the 720's antenna which I have extends out much further than the extended
antenna of my v60. I do tend to extend the antennas as that improves range
and battery life. The longer antenna of the 720 looks much more likely to
get broken than the shorter one of the v60.

I have already observed a much shorter battery life with the 720.

I frequently switch between "ringer" and "vibrator" with my phones as I
change where I'm at. So, if I go into a public place I always put the
vibrator on (I think it's discourteous when other people's phones start
ringing in restaurants and movie theaters; you?). Anyway, to switch between
vibrator/ringer on the v60 is a two button process using the external
buttons without even opening the phone. With the 720, you must open the
phone and navigate through a menu series and then navigate back out. That's
not well thought out for a PHONE user, to me. Maybe for a "game player", I
don't know. The external buttons have very limited function- earpiece/ringer
volume only and, as I said, I have to keep both of those maxed to be usable,
so I'll never even use those buttons. I don't know how you get away with
"3".

The V60, though, can't be held under your chin, as it's too small, something
I haven't tried with the 720.

Combine those problems, which I deem significant, with the larger size,
limited battery life and the plastic housing and the 720 seems to introduce
more problems than it solves. It's not an "upgrade" with improvements for
the end user, but a whole new device with all the flaws often inherent in a
first run of a product. I guess I was looking for a V61 or something, not
an entirely new concept.

Too Slick's suggestion of a Google search is eye-opening. I had checked
there first and came here for further validation of all those complaints
before I return mine. I feel bad as I wanted to love this phone, but it's
going back today.


"Pete Stephenson" <pete@heypete.com> wrote in message
newsete-6E5F68.15540214072003@dsl081-079-101.sfo1.dsl.speakeasy.net...
> In article <lVDQa.21976$QD2.3351277@news4.srv.hcvlny.cv.net >,
> "Carl Rothman" <crothman@NOSPAMoptonline.net> wrote:
>
> > I spoke to my dealer today and he's going to let me trade back for a new
> > V60i (I gave mine to my wife). How do the rest of you feel?
>
> I'm quite satisfied with my T720, and I too switched from a v60i.
>
> I've found the T720 to have a more "solid" feel to it -- when I cradle
> it against my shoulder, it doesn't feel like I'm going to snap it in
> half, like I did with the v60i.
>
> In my car, with the stereo blazing some loud Offspring or Rammstein
> music, I can still hear my ringer (using the "Classic" tone) when it's
> only on volume 3.
>
> The metal case isn't really an issue for me, as I got a Body Glove
> (synthetic?) leather case, which protects the phone from scratching and
> other such damage.
>
> I've found the antenna on the T720 to actually be smaller -- I don't
> know if there's different types of antennas for different carrier's
> versions of the phone -- I have the Cingular GSM version, and it's just
> a little rounded stub, rather than the long, thin plastic antenna on the
> v60i.
>
> I've only had my T720 about a week, but I really like it so far. Maybe
> I'm the one satisfied customer.
>
> --
> Pete Stephenson
> HeyPete.com

It is sad that you are unhappy with your T720. I am afraid I am another one
who loves it.

But I was just curious. How much research did you do into the phone before
buying it ?

Before I switch phones, I tend to read as much as I can on these groups and
other forums to see if there are any common complaints.

Then when I go into the shop, I ask to browse through the user manual. I
look for key functions and find out roughly how the menu system works to
access the functions I use regularly.

After that I ask to see the phone working (i.e. with a battery in) and test
the ringtone volumes, menu speed, screen clarity and get a general 'feel' of
the phone and its build quality, casing etc.

After doing all that I was happy to switch to the T720i. (Mind you, ours in
the UK are different to the US models, for a start we do not have extending
aerials).

When you buy a new phone, or upgrade under contract, you are looking for an
item which will probably have to last you a year until your next upgrade,
unless you want to pay out for a phone only without contract.

Surely, when buying the phone, a bit of time spent looking it would have
told you how long the aerial was. A brief scan of the manual would have
given you an indication as to what functions were available. Asking the
seller to put a battery in and switch it on would have let you hear the ring
tone volumes and clarity. And by just holding it you would have spotted the
plastic casing and build quality.

You could even have put your sim card in from your old phone and called
someone to test the call quality.

I know it sounds like a long winded process, but you are buying a bit of kit
which you are going to have to live with on a daily basis for some time, so
why not take some time to be sure you are happy ?

If the salesman is not prepared to spend a bit of time with you and let you
check the phone out, then turn and walk away and find a real salesman.

Don't get me wrong, I am not criticising you, I have bought stuff without
checking it out thoroughly before, and know how easy it is to do. But I do
not do that any more, I check stuff out first.

But I am curious why you did not spot some pretty basic things which you are
now complaining about when you bought the phone.

Lofty

(Sorry this is on top of old message, but I never know which way round is
right)


"Carl Rothman" <crothman@NOSPAMoptonline.net> wrote in message
news:k2SQa.28574$QD2.5662505@news4.srv.hcvlny.cv.n et...
> Of course, I asked for various opinions, so yours is as valid as anyone
> else's for me. But I would take a long look at "Too Slick's" response to
> your post before you go too long.
>
> When I referred to the "antenna length", I was referring to the extended
> antenna- not the stub part which sticks out before you extend it. Unless,
> as you pointed out, the phone is made differently for different carriers,
> the 720's antenna which I have extends out much further than the extended
> antenna of my v60. I do tend to extend the antennas as that improves
range
> and battery life. The longer antenna of the 720 looks much more likely to
> get broken than the shorter one of the v60.
>
> I have already observed a much shorter battery life with the 720.
>
> I frequently switch between "ringer" and "vibrator" with my phones as I
> change where I'm at. So, if I go into a public place I always put the
> vibrator on (I think it's discourteous when other people's phones start
> ringing in restaurants and movie theaters; you?). Anyway, to switch
between
> vibrator/ringer on the v60 is a two button process using the external
> buttons without even opening the phone. With the 720, you must open the
> phone and navigate through a menu series and then navigate back out.
That's
> not well thought out for a PHONE user, to me. Maybe for a "game player",
I
> don't know. The external buttons have very limited function-
earpiece/ringer
> volume only and, as I said, I have to keep both of those maxed to be
usable,
> so I'll never even use those buttons. I don't know how you get away with
> "3".
>
> The V60, though, can't be held under your chin, as it's too small,
something
> I haven't tried with the 720.
>
> Combine those problems, which I deem significant, with the larger size,
> limited battery life and the plastic housing and the 720 seems to
introduce
> more problems than it solves. It's not an "upgrade" with improvements for
> the end user, but a whole new device with all the flaws often inherent in
a
> first run of a product. I guess I was looking for a V61 or something, not
> an entirely new concept.
>
> Too Slick's suggestion of a Google search is eye-opening. I had checked
> there first and came here for further validation of all those complaints
> before I return mine. I feel bad as I wanted to love this phone, but it's
> going back today.
>
>
> "Pete Stephenson" <pete@heypete.com> wrote in message
> newsete-6E5F68.15540214072003@dsl081-079-101.sfo1.dsl.speakeasy.net...
> > In article <lVDQa.21976$QD2.3351277@news4.srv.hcvlny.cv.net >,
> > "Carl Rothman" <crothman@NOSPAMoptonline.net> wrote:
> >
> > > I spoke to my dealer today and he's going to let me trade back for a
new
> > > V60i (I gave mine to my wife). How do the rest of you feel?
> >
> > I'm quite satisfied with my T720, and I too switched from a v60i.
> >
> > I've found the T720 to have a more "solid" feel to it -- when I cradle
> > it against my shoulder, it doesn't feel like I'm going to snap it in
> > half, like I did with the v60i.
> >
> > In my car, with the stereo blazing some loud Offspring or Rammstein
> > music, I can still hear my ringer (using the "Classic" tone) when it's
> > only on volume 3.
> >
> > The metal case isn't really an issue for me, as I got a Body Glove
> > (synthetic?) leather case, which protects the phone from scratching and
> > other such damage.
> >
> > I've found the antenna on the T720 to actually be smaller -- I don't
> > know if there's different types of antennas for different carrier's
> > versions of the phone -- I have the Cingular GSM version, and it's just
> > a little rounded stub, rather than the long, thin plastic antenna on the
> > v60i.
> >
> > I've only had my T720 about a week, but I really like it so far. Maybe
> > I'm the one satisfied customer.
> >
> > --
> > Pete Stephenson
> > HeyPete.com
>
>

No, I am not taking you wrongly and I get your message. But there's more
here than meets the eye at first glance.

First, I am an impulsive buyer and often do NOT research some things before
I buy them (not true for everything). I am far from compulsive and this is
what makes me exciting.. :-) In this case, I did NOT research first.

Second, I am an excellent customer who almost never complains and usually
buys headache free (for the salesman). I have a relationship with my cell
phone dealer, I have 4 cell phones in my family, and I upgrade my phones to
the latest model at the first chance I get, almost once every 10 months.
When I walk into my cell phone store, the guy knows me instantly, and my
wife, and my kids. I have relationships like that all over the neighborhood
in different stores, from the florist, to the appliance store, to the
pharmacy. I am a "conspicuous consumer".

Third, I have been buying, trading and upgrading cell phones almost since
they became available to the consumer, over12 years ago. I probably have a
"right" to assume at this point that a new model should have "improvements"
over the last model since that has been historically true for the past 12
years of my experience with cell phones. Of course, this phone didn't have
a consecutively numbered model #, so I guess I shouldn't have jumped to any
conclusion there.

In case you're wondering, I didn't call my cell phone provider up and
complain, demanding my money back. I just asked him if I could trade "down"
back to a V60i. I don't even intend to ask him for the difference in the
money back. My son is satisfied with his 720 (I bought two at the same
time) and will be keeping his. He said it was no problem for him.

Now that you know my story, may I ask, what is it about your 720 that you
"love"? I can't find those qualities in this phone. Sorry.

Oh yes, btw, here in NY it's RARE to find a store that has an operating demo
model and an accessible manual. They have these "dummy" phones just so you
can see what it looks like. But that's NY.


"Lofty" <paulloft@btconnect.com> wrote in message
news:bf11s4$cus$1@sparta.btinternet.com...
> It is sad that you are unhappy with your T720. I am afraid I am another
one
> who loves it.
>
> But I was just curious. How much research did you do into the phone before
> buying it ?
>
> Before I switch phones, I tend to read as much as I can on these groups
and
> other forums to see if there are any common complaints.
>
> Then when I go into the shop, I ask to browse through the user manual. I
> look for key functions and find out roughly how the menu system works to
> access the functions I use regularly.
>
> After that I ask to see the phone working (i.e. with a battery in) and
test
> the ringtone volumes, menu speed, screen clarity and get a general 'feel'
of
> the phone and its build quality, casing etc.
>
> After doing all that I was happy to switch to the T720i. (Mind you, ours
in
> the UK are different to the US models, for a start we do not have
extending
> aerials).
>
> When you buy a new phone, or upgrade under contract, you are looking for
an
> item which will probably have to last you a year until your next upgrade,
> unless you want to pay out for a phone only without contract.
>
> Surely, when buying the phone, a bit of time spent looking it would have
> told you how long the aerial was. A brief scan of the manual would have
> given you an indication as to what functions were available. Asking the
> seller to put a battery in and switch it on would have let you hear the
ring
> tone volumes and clarity. And by just holding it you would have spotted
the
> plastic casing and build quality.
>
> You could even have put your sim card in from your old phone and called
> someone to test the call quality.
>
> I know it sounds like a long winded process, but you are buying a bit of
kit
> which you are going to have to live with on a daily basis for some time,
so
> why not take some time to be sure you are happy ?
>
> If the salesman is not prepared to spend a bit of time with you and let
you
> check the phone out, then turn and walk away and find a real salesman.
>
> Don't get me wrong, I am not criticising you, I have bought stuff without
> checking it out thoroughly before, and know how easy it is to do. But I do
> not do that any more, I check stuff out first.
>
> But I am curious why you did not spot some pretty basic things which you
are
> now complaining about when you bought the phone.
>
> Lofty
>
> (Sorry this is on top of old message, but I never know which way round is
> right)
>
>
> "Carl Rothman" <crothman@NOSPAMoptonline.net> wrote in message
> news:k2SQa.28574$QD2.5662505@news4.srv.hcvlny.cv.n et...
> > Of course, I asked for various opinions, so yours is as valid as anyone
> > else's for me. But I would take a long look at "Too Slick's" response
to
> > your post before you go too long.
> >
> > When I referred to the "antenna length", I was referring to the extended
> > antenna- not the stub part which sticks out before you extend it.
Unless,
> > as you pointed out, the phone is made differently for different
carriers,
> > the 720's antenna which I have extends out much further than the
extended
> > antenna of my v60. I do tend to extend the antennas as that improves
> range
> > and battery life. The longer antenna of the 720 looks much more likely
to
> > get broken than the shorter one of the v60.
> >
> > I have already observed a much shorter battery life with the 720.
> >
> > I frequently switch between "ringer" and "vibrator" with my phones as I
> > change where I'm at. So, if I go into a public place I always put the
> > vibrator on (I think it's discourteous when other people's phones start
> > ringing in restaurants and movie theaters; you?). Anyway, to switch
> between
> > vibrator/ringer on the v60 is a two button process using the external
> > buttons without even opening the phone. With the 720, you must open the
> > phone and navigate through a menu series and then navigate back out.
> That's
> > not well thought out for a PHONE user, to me. Maybe for a "game
player",
> I
> > don't know. The external buttons have very limited function-
> earpiece/ringer
> > volume only and, as I said, I have to keep both of those maxed to be
> usable,
> > so I'll never even use those buttons. I don't know how you get away
with
> > "3".
> >
> > The V60, though, can't be held under your chin, as it's too small,
> something
> > I haven't tried with the 720.
> >
> > Combine those problems, which I deem significant, with the larger size,
> > limited battery life and the plastic housing and the 720 seems to
> introduce
> > more problems than it solves. It's not an "upgrade" with improvements
for
> > the end user, but a whole new device with all the flaws often inherent
in
> a
> > first run of a product. I guess I was looking for a V61 or something,
not
> > an entirely new concept.
> >
> > Too Slick's suggestion of a Google search is eye-opening. I had checked
> > there first and came here for further validation of all those complaints
> > before I return mine. I feel bad as I wanted to love this phone, but
it's
> > going back today.
> >
> >
> > "Pete Stephenson" <pete@heypete.com> wrote in message
> > newsete-6E5F68.15540214072003@dsl081-079-101.sfo1.dsl.speakeasy.net...
> > > In article <lVDQa.21976$QD2.3351277@news4.srv.hcvlny.cv.net >,
> > > "Carl Rothman" <crothman@NOSPAMoptonline.net> wrote:
> > >
> > > > I spoke to my dealer today and he's going to let me trade back for a
> new
> > > > V60i (I gave mine to my wife). How do the rest of you feel?
> > >
> > > I'm quite satisfied with my T720, and I too switched from a v60i.
> > >
> > > I've found the T720 to have a more "solid" feel to it -- when I cradle
> > > it against my shoulder, it doesn't feel like I'm going to snap it in
> > > half, like I did with the v60i.
> > >
> > > In my car, with the stereo blazing some loud Offspring or Rammstein
> > > music, I can still hear my ringer (using the "Classic" tone) when it's
> > > only on volume 3.
> > >
> > > The metal case isn't really an issue for me, as I got a Body Glove
> > > (synthetic?) leather case, which protects the phone from scratching
and
> > > other such damage.
> > >
> > > I've found the antenna on the T720 to actually be smaller -- I don't
> > > know if there's different types of antennas for different carrier's
> > > versions of the phone -- I have the Cingular GSM version, and it's
just
> > > a little rounded stub, rather than the long, thin plastic antenna on
the
> > > v60i.
> > >
> > > I've only had my T720 about a week, but I really like it so far. Maybe
> > > I'm the one satisfied customer.
> > >
> > > --
> > > Pete Stephenson
> > > HeyPete.com
> >
> >
>
>

In article <csIQa.779$Fy2.408@newssvr22.news.prodigy.com>,
"Too Slick" <too_slick_@hotmail.com> wrote:

> With all due respect Pete, I hope you're not trying to justify your
> purchase to yourself and others.

I most certainly am not trying to justify my purchase...I'm merely
expressing my experience with the phone. Simply because your experience
was negative doesn't mean that because mine was positive, it was wrong
or a work of fiction. If a movie critic likes a movie, and you don't,
does that make the critic wrong? No, they're a different person, and
experience the movie differently.

I like Motorola products in general -- I have used Motorola cellphones
for as long as I can remember, except for a short stint with Nokia
(whereafter I bought my v60i), and I use a Motorola pager.

In terms of battery life, I charge my phone every night, and rarely use
it for more than an hour or two a day. So far, I've not dropped below
2/3 battery capacity. *shrugs*

If I was not satisfied with my T720, I would not recommend it, and I
would return it to the phone shop from which I purchased it. However,
that is not the case.

--
Pete Stephenson
HeyPete.com

Pete,

Nothin personal man. I was just tryin to look out for you and all other
potential T720 buyers. Maybe you have younger ears than my middle-aged
ones I just done a Google newsgroup search on "T720 volume" and got 500
hits. At least 95% of these are not favorable.

I too am a Motorola fan. I'm looking forward to the upcoming V600 with
bluetooth. I hope they have addressed the issues created with the T720. The
T720 works and has some neat features, but I think they let the neat stuff
get in the way of the stuff that makes it a good cellular phone. The
Startac, replaced by my T720 was durable, solid and had earpiece and ringer
volumes that had to be kept below the highest settings. Not the case at all
with the T720, not to mention the vibrator is nearly unusable.

As stated, my next phone will be a Motorola.I want Motorola to do well and
make more great products. However that doesn't stop me from warning buyers
that the T720 is substandard, at least compared to past Moto products. Also,
to pass along that if I would have paid any more than $50 for this phone, or
signed up for a two year contract, it would be living in someone's ass.
Motorola needs to know they've made a mistake so they can fix it.

Yes, all of the above is my OPINION. Of course, it's also the opinion of a
ton of other folks too, mainly those who have owned the phone long enough to
thoroughly test it out under all circumstances. Those who are beyond the
coolness of color screen, polymorphic ringtones and downloadable games who
are now trying to use it as a phone.

Too Slick

"Pete Stephenson" <pete@heypete.com> wrote in message
newsete-051FBD.12571315072003@dsl081-079-101.sfo1.dsl.speakeasy.net...
> In article <csIQa.779$Fy2.408@newssvr22.news.prodigy.com>,
> "Too Slick" <too_slick_@hotmail.com> wrote:
>
> > With all due respect Pete, I hope you're not trying to justify your
> > purchase to yourself and others.
>
> I most certainly am not trying to justify my purchase...I'm merely
> expressing my experience with the phone. Simply because your experience
> was negative doesn't mean that because mine was positive, it was wrong
> or a work of fiction. If a movie critic likes a movie, and you don't,
> does that make the critic wrong? No, they're a different person, and
> experience the movie differently.
>
> I like Motorola products in general -- I have used Motorola cellphones
> for as long as I can remember, except for a short stint with Nokia
> (whereafter I bought my v60i), and I use a Motorola pager.
>
> In terms of battery life, I charge my phone every night, and rarely use
> it for more than an hour or two a day. So far, I've not dropped below
> 2/3 battery capacity. *shrugs*
>
> If I was not satisfied with my T720, I would not recommend it, and I
> would return it to the phone shop from which I purchased it. However,
> that is not the case.
>
> --
> Pete Stephenson
> HeyPete.com
>

Now that you know my story, may I ask, what is it about your 720 that you
"love"? I can't find those qualities in this phone. Sorry.

I must admit to having deserted motorola in the last 12 months and had a SE
T68i,
so going back to Motorola on the T720 may have made me happier than going
straight
from my V60 to the 720.
Against the T68i, for functionality, the Moto wins hands down.

Little things like:

Regular alert reminders when you miss a call or sms
Automatic resend of sms's which fail
Clamshell design (something I really missed on the T68i)
Visible signal strength/missed call indicator etc on the outside of the
phone
Personalisation of menu system and shortcuts (terrible on the T68)
The main 4 way menu navigator (much better than T68's 'nipple')

I have no probs with the battery life - it can go several days on one charge
unless I play MotoGP for hours.

I have no problem with the ring or vibrate. Want to hear a quiet tone or
feel a weak vibrate (which only goes on for a few secs) ? - try a T68i !
It's rubbish, I was constantly missing messages and calls and there is no
reminder feature so you have to keep checking the phone, but the screen is
always on screen saver, so you have to press buttons to see the screen, but
your keypad lock is on as without it the phone dials out in your pocket, so
you have to press a tiny 'c' button followed by another button, just to see
if you have had any calls !!!!! You get the idea.

I could go on, but as you can see I am comparing it to the SE rather than
the V60.
But still I think if I had gone straight from the V60 to the 720, I don't
think there is anything I would have missed, as the 720 has all the V60 had
and much more.

There are a few things I do not like about the 720 (to find the perfect
phone I will have to wait for the V600):

The camera - waste of time, but not an important feature on a phone for me.
No connectivity - big issue for me as I like to link to my PDA for e-mail
and web. Moto should have provided IR at least. What's the point of being
able to take piccies if the only thing you can do with them is send them by
MMS ?

So it is not perfect, but I am very happy with it until the V600 comes
along, then I will dash out and buy one.

Thanks for reading my post in the correct way, I really did not mean it to
sound like I was having a go at you, but it may have come over like that.

Cheers, and keep buying those gadgets :-)

Lofty



"Carl Rothman" <crothman@NOSPAMoptonline.net> wrote in message
news:OMWQa.30765$QD2.6357753@news4.srv.hcvlny.cv.n et...
> No, I am not taking you wrongly and I get your message. But there's more
> here than meets the eye at first glance.
>
> First, I am an impulsive buyer and often do NOT research some things
before
> I buy them (not true for everything). I am far from compulsive and this is
> what makes me exciting.. :-) In this case, I did NOT research first.
>
> Second, I am an excellent customer who almost never complains and usually
> buys headache free (for the salesman). I have a relationship with my cell
> phone dealer, I have 4 cell phones in my family, and I upgrade my phones
to
> the latest model at the first chance I get, almost once every 10 months.
> When I walk into my cell phone store, the guy knows me instantly, and my
> wife, and my kids. I have relationships like that all over the
neighborhood
> in different stores, from the florist, to the appliance store, to the
> pharmacy. I am a "conspicuous consumer".
>
> Third, I have been buying, trading and upgrading cell phones almost since
> they became available to the consumer, over12 years ago. I probably have a
> "right" to assume at this point that a new model should have
"improvements"
> over the last model since that has been historically true for the past 12
> years of my experience with cell phones. Of course, this phone didn't
have
> a consecutively numbered model #, so I guess I shouldn't have jumped to
any
> conclusion there.
>
> In case you're wondering, I didn't call my cell phone provider up and
> complain, demanding my money back. I just asked him if I could trade
"down"
> back to a V60i. I don't even intend to ask him for the difference in the
> money back. My son is satisfied with his 720 (I bought two at the same
> time) and will be keeping his. He said it was no problem for him.
>
> Now that you know my story, may I ask, what is it about your 720 that you
> "love"? I can't find those qualities in this phone. Sorry.
>
> Oh yes, btw, here in NY it's RARE to find a store that has an operating
demo
> model and an accessible manual. They have these "dummy" phones just so
you
> can see what it looks like. But that's NY.
>
>
> "Lofty" <paulloft@btconnect.com> wrote in message
> news:bf11s4$cus$1@sparta.btinternet.com...
> > It is sad that you are unhappy with your T720. I am afraid I am another
> one
> > who loves it.
> >
> > But I was just curious. How much research did you do into the phone
before
> > buying it ?
> >
> > Before I switch phones, I tend to read as much as I can on these groups
> and
> > other forums to see if there are any common complaints.
> >
> > Then when I go into the shop, I ask to browse through the user manual. I
> > look for key functions and find out roughly how the menu system works to
> > access the functions I use regularly.
> >
> > After that I ask to see the phone working (i.e. with a battery in) and
> test
> > the ringtone volumes, menu speed, screen clarity and get a general
'feel'
> of
> > the phone and its build quality, casing etc.
> >
> > After doing all that I was happy to switch to the T720i. (Mind you, ours
> in
> > the UK are different to the US models, for a start we do not have
> extending
> > aerials).
> >
> > When you buy a new phone, or upgrade under contract, you are looking for
> an
> > item which will probably have to last you a year until your next
upgrade,
> > unless you want to pay out for a phone only without contract.
> >
> > Surely, when buying the phone, a bit of time spent looking it would have
> > told you how long the aerial was. A brief scan of the manual would have
> > given you an indication as to what functions were available. Asking the
> > seller to put a battery in and switch it on would have let you hear the
> ring
> > tone volumes and clarity. And by just holding it you would have spotted
> the
> > plastic casing and build quality.
> >
> > You could even have put your sim card in from your old phone and called
> > someone to test the call quality.
> >
> > I know it sounds like a long winded process, but you are buying a bit of
> kit
> > which you are going to have to live with on a daily basis for some time,
> so
> > why not take some time to be sure you are happy ?
> >
> > If the salesman is not prepared to spend a bit of time with you and let
> you
> > check the phone out, then turn and walk away and find a real salesman.
> >
> > Don't get me wrong, I am not criticising you, I have bought stuff
without
> > checking it out thoroughly before, and know how easy it is to do. But I
do
> > not do that any more, I check stuff out first.
> >
> > But I am curious why you did not spot some pretty basic things which you
> are
> > now complaining about when you bought the phone.
> >
> > Lofty
> >
> > (Sorry this is on top of old message, but I never know which way round
is
> > right)
> >
> >
> > "Carl Rothman" <crothman@NOSPAMoptonline.net> wrote in message
> > news:k2SQa.28574$QD2.5662505@news4.srv.hcvlny.cv.n et...
> > > Of course, I asked for various opinions, so yours is as valid as
anyone
> > > else's for me. But I would take a long look at "Too Slick's" response
> to
> > > your post before you go too long.
> > >
> > > When I referred to the "antenna length", I was referring to the
extended
> > > antenna- not the stub part which sticks out before you extend it.
> Unless,
> > > as you pointed out, the phone is made differently for different
> carriers,
> > > the 720's antenna which I have extends out much further than the
> extended
> > > antenna of my v60. I do tend to extend the antennas as that improves
> > range
> > > and battery life. The longer antenna of the 720 looks much more
likely
> to
> > > get broken than the shorter one of the v60.
> > >
> > > I have already observed a much shorter battery life with the 720.
> > >
> > > I frequently switch between "ringer" and "vibrator" with my phones as
I
> > > change where I'm at. So, if I go into a public place I always put the
> > > vibrator on (I think it's discourteous when other people's phones
start
> > > ringing in restaurants and movie theaters; you?). Anyway, to switch
> > between
> > > vibrator/ringer on the v60 is a two button process using the external
> > > buttons without even opening the phone. With the 720, you must open
the
> > > phone and navigate through a menu series and then navigate back out.
> > That's
> > > not well thought out for a PHONE user, to me. Maybe for a "game
> player",
> > I
> > > don't know. The external buttons have very limited function-
> > earpiece/ringer
> > > volume only and, as I said, I have to keep both of those maxed to be
> > usable,
> > > so I'll never even use those buttons. I don't know how you get away
> with
> > > "3".
> > >
> > > The V60, though, can't be held under your chin, as it's too small,
> > something
> > > I haven't tried with the 720.
> > >
> > > Combine those problems, which I deem significant, with the larger
size,
> > > limited battery life and the plastic housing and the 720 seems to
> > introduce
> > > more problems than it solves. It's not an "upgrade" with improvements
> for
> > > the end user, but a whole new device with all the flaws often inherent
> in
> > a
> > > first run of a product. I guess I was looking for a V61 or something,
> not
> > > an entirely new concept.
> > >
> > > Too Slick's suggestion of a Google search is eye-opening. I had
checked
> > > there first and came here for further validation of all those
complaints
> > > before I return mine. I feel bad as I wanted to love this phone, but
> it's
> > > going back today.
> > >
> > >
> > > "Pete Stephenson" <pete@heypete.com> wrote in message
> > >
newsete-6E5F68.15540214072003@dsl081-079-101.sfo1.dsl.speakeasy.net...
> > > > In article <lVDQa.21976$QD2.3351277@news4.srv.hcvlny.cv.net >,
> > > > "Carl Rothman" <crothman@NOSPAMoptonline.net> wrote:
> > > >
> > > > > I spoke to my dealer today and he's going to let me trade back for
a
> > new
> > > > > V60i (I gave mine to my wife). How do the rest of you feel?
> > > >
> > > > I'm quite satisfied with my T720, and I too switched from a v60i.
> > > >
> > > > I've found the T720 to have a more "solid" feel to it -- when I
cradle
> > > > it against my shoulder, it doesn't feel like I'm going to snap it in
> > > > half, like I did with the v60i.
> > > >
> > > > In my car, with the stereo blazing some loud Offspring or Rammstein
> > > > music, I can still hear my ringer (using the "Classic" tone) when
it's
> > > > only on volume 3.
> > > >
> > > > The metal case isn't really an issue for me, as I got a Body Glove
> > > > (synthetic?) leather case, which protects the phone from scratching
> and
> > > > other such damage.
> > > >
> > > > I've found the antenna on the T720 to actually be smaller -- I don't
> > > > know if there's different types of antennas for different carrier's
> > > > versions of the phone -- I have the Cingular GSM version, and it's
> just
> > > > a little rounded stub, rather than the long, thin plastic antenna on
> the
> > > > v60i.
> > > >
> > > > I've only had my T720 about a week, but I really like it so far.
Maybe
> > > > I'm the one satisfied customer.
> > > >
> > > > --
> > > > Pete Stephenson
> > > > HeyPete.com
> > >
> > >
> >
> >
>
>

Let me begin by clarifying from the outset that Too Slick and I do not know
each other. Yet, apparently we think along the same lines.

Without trying to offend you, Pete, or any of the other 720 owners who like
the phone, my interpretation of Too Slick's remark to you goes something
like this: while the new 720 is a "cute" phone with a lot of "toy" or
"gimmick"-like features, it is so evident to us that it doesn't operate
nearly as well as a PHONE compared to the V60i that we don't understand the
use of the descriptive "love" in conjunction with it. You might "like" it;
you might think it's "novel"; you might think it "does the job well enough
for you". But, as I asked another poster lower down in this thread, what is
there that you "love" about this phone? It's the use of that word which
imparts the feeling to us that you're "defending" the phone as opposed to
evaluating it objectively. And, I think, that's where Too Slick's remark
comes from.

Of course "love", "hate", etc. are all subjective remarks and the user of
those words has all the right in the world to feel as they feel. But it is
actually measurable in the real world that the 720's ringer isn't as loud,
that the audio volume isn't as loud, that the vibrator barely vibrates, that
it's larger, that the battery doesn't last long enough for active users and
that it's made out of a plastic, clearly more cheaply made than the V60.
These are the functions which, in my world, make it a "useful" or "not
useful" device as a PHONE, as opposed to a "game toy" or a "gimmick".

Help me see it in a different way and I'll be appreciative.



"Pete Stephenson" <pete@heypete.com> wrote in message
newsete-051FBD.12571315072003@dsl081-079-101.sfo1.dsl.speakeasy.net...
> In article <csIQa.779$Fy2.408@newssvr22.news.prodigy.com>,
> "Too Slick" <too_slick_@hotmail.com> wrote:
>
> > With all due respect Pete, I hope you're not trying to justify your
> > purchase to yourself and others.
>
> I most certainly am not trying to justify my purchase...I'm merely
> expressing my experience with the phone. Simply because your experience
> was negative doesn't mean that because mine was positive, it was wrong
> or a work of fiction. If a movie critic likes a movie, and you don't,
> does that make the critic wrong? No, they're a different person, and
> experience the movie differently.
>
> I like Motorola products in general -- I have used Motorola cellphones
> for as long as I can remember, except for a short stint with Nokia
> (whereafter I bought my v60i), and I use a Motorola pager.
>
> In terms of battery life, I charge my phone every night, and rarely use
> it for more than an hour or two a day. So far, I've not dropped below
> 2/3 battery capacity. *shrugs*
>
> If I was not satisfied with my T720, I would not recommend it, and I
> would return it to the phone shop from which I purchased it. However,
> that is not the case.
>
> --
> Pete Stephenson
> HeyPete.com