600 at end of service life

[User24]

I try to get the most service life out of a PDA as possible. Currently there are several factors that make retiring the 600 inevitable:

1. Battery replacement service life:

I have replaced the 600 battery around 3 or 4 times over the past 4 years. The original OEM battery lasted 2 years before funny instability issues set in. But as time goes on and I keep purchasing additional new old-stock batteries, they last shorter and shorter. I've gotten around 2 months use from the last pack I bought.

When these batteries are at the end of their useful life, all sorts of weird things happen. For one, the battery no longer charges correctly to full capacity. For another, random restarts, and very strange call issues start happening. It may become impossible to make or receive a call.

2. Magnetism of battery cable:

This is the reason why there is a buzzing noise. Unfortunately, shielding the battery cable with aluminum foil only lasts two weeks, and I'm tired of doing this procedure. I've also grown weary of hearing the other end complaining of a buzzing noise that makes conversation impossible. Having to run to a wall outlet and plug-in to improve clarify got old a long time ago.

3. Charger tips life:

I've gone through about 3 OEM battery chargers. The tips usually wear out and start to loose pins, or the strain relief fails. I've resorted to purchasing a modular charger with interchangeable tips (iGO). That way when I need a new tip, I just go to Radio Shack to get one rather than having to mail order.

4. Stylus avaiability and life:

Since the reset button on the 600 needs to be hit very often, the plastic stylus tip doesn't last very long. It is impossible to find one that lasts longer as well. I tried a metal stylus for 600, but the metal tip was actually too short to reset the 600. So, there are a lot of bad 600 stylus tips out there, because they don't actually fit the 600. The past year I've been using a safety pin.

As I search for a PDA replacement, I wonder how long it is before the battery replacement issues start cropping up on the newer models. Inevitably todays model will become yesterdays, and the batteries will be out of production, with remaining batteries lasting shorter and shorter. Fundamentally my 600 works and I believe it is ridiculous to replace it simply due to these issues. It's like having to purchase a new car because you can no longer find batteries for it..

I've had my 600 long enough to go through 2 aluminum hardcases. It was a very expensive phone and I hate to have to get rid of it. All my 3rd party software investment is going to be wasted as well. This sucks.

I will never purchase Treo again.

On the plus side, perhaps my next PDA will be able to open "large" websites, such as Amazon or Ebay. It is ridiculous that the original Danger color sidekick had a higher resolution screen, browsed Ebay, and could switch between call and web and apps instantly to cut and paste. 600 needs to reload the web page painfully slowly if you exit browser to an app or call.

[hostchecker]

well how long did you have it? if you had it that long why complain?