650 as a phone? and other ???? - Treo Forums

Cosmo · 05-10-2005, 01:26 AM

Hey everyone,

I'm thinking of picking up a 650 on Monday when I get back to the states. I'm a military pilot who's looking to combine my PDA and cell phone into one handy unit. After doing much research, it seems clear that the 650 is an obvious choice. However, before I go and spend the $$ on this phone, I was wondering if some of you out there could answer a few questions?

First, how is the phone function of the 650 as a phone? I guess specifically, what's the reception and phone quality like? If you have the same carrier as you did before you purchased the 650, how do you feel the reception is compared to your older phone (i.e., pre-650)? If you've switched carriers, then this question really doesn't apply. I'm looking for those who got the 650 and kept the same phone provider...cause obviously you're still using the same antennas...just a different phone for reception. Is the signal strength better/worse, clarity better/worse, drop calls, etc. Any replies in this department would be awesome.

Secondly, how easy is it to IM someone on Microsoft's Windows Messenger (my wife uses MS IM faithfully from the home computer)? I've heard conflicting reports on this, and was wondering what the scoop is. Is there bundled software on the 650 that allows this? Obviously SMS is cool, but wondering about the IM function (I'm not a wiz in this department...will be a new feature for me.)

Third, seems to me that those experiencing instability issues are mostly from 3rd party apps. Is this the consensus from everyone? My primary uses will be for syncing Outlook (appointments, tasks, etc.) and phone service. I don't really need the phone aspect while I'm overseas, but I definitely need the PDA function all the time. Do any of you think if I install very minimal 3rd party software that I might experience a problem with the PDA function overseas that will prevent me from using it? (I'm usually out of the states for 2 weeks at a time...home for 2 weeks at a time.)

Finally, has anyone used the MP3 player function on the 650 while jogging/working out? Because of my job, I carry my cell phone all the time, it would be nice to leave the iPod home and carry one unit. I'm not a fanatic that needs high definition sound, but a nice mix of music while jogging/working out would be an added bonus. Additionally along these lines, what's the deal with the headset plug in? Does a standard laptop computer headset work?

I'm new to this site, but expect to contribute after I have the 650 in hand (probably more asking than informing for awhile :-). I appreciate any and all feed back to someone looking to combine the cell and PDA into one unit...who's never owned a smartphone. Additional comments and suggestions is always appreciated. Thank in advace....

v/r

Cosmo

kabeyun · 05-10-2005, 06:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cosmo

Hey everyone,
Does a standard laptop computer headset work?

Unfortunately, no. The Treo's jack is smaller (natch). You need either an adaptor, buy a bluetooth headset, or use the earbud headset that comes with the Treo. Waiting for Verizon to announce the Treo 650, so I can't answer you other questions yet.

What do you fly??

-K

Cosmo · 05-12-2005, 11:54 PM

Thanks...any idea on the phones reception, and other questions?

C-17 Globemaster III

thanks,

Cosmo

bspkarma · 05-13-2005, 10:23 AM

I have had sprint for years and the Treo 650 for about 5 months. At first the reception was not as good, but sprint released an update that dealt with that. I find that using the device as a phone is good, but much easier to use when you use a headset. A cool accessory is a headset which doubles as earphones which is 40 bucks from treo, but about 20 on ebay (it is called a hybrid earphone or something like that)

I have found it difficult to find an AIM program that works good, however i do believe that MSN has a palm version. You can check on freewarepalm.com. I don't use MSN that much, so I can't tell ya. All I know is I was looking for AIM for the palm and the only free one I could find was an MSN one, but I didn't try it out.

The phone does have a tendency to crash every so often. I find that a hard reset (after backing everything up of course) tends to fix this for a while. Too many apps = too much problems. This is more of a palm problem than anything specific to this device.

The music quality is actually quite good. I have been very impressed with it. I don't use an ipod and just use the phone. I bought two 1GB SD cards and I am very pleased with that. I obvioulsy would love to have the 20 GB ipod hard drive, but it is a good trade off to have all devices in one. I have worked out with the device and even played basketball. There are no problems doing that. HOWEVER!!! very important is that you need to get a set of earphones specially made for the device. Do not use an adapter as the connection isn't too good when you do that and it cuts in and out.

claytonbell · 05-13-2005, 10:24 AM

Hey man,

I didn't have Cingular before i used the treo, but i have good call quality, as good, usually better than I had with Nextel. i have tremendoulsy better coverage than i haid with nextel. also, depending on where you are overseas and if you are even allowed to use your phone, you can look into using your phone overseas for a slightly higher charge, but probably easier to have your own phone number than a calling card.

As far as MSN messanger, good choice, by the way, i don't think that you can actually install it, but there is a great application called verichat, which allows you to be on two different IM's at the same time. you can download it at pdaapps.com, try it out, and then sign up for a yearly contract. highly recommend it.

I use very little 3rd party apps, other than a bible, and have no huge problems, other than when i downloaded the upgrade for DocumentsToGo. (it was making every document reset when i opened it, so i deleted it and reinstalled the factory version found on the CD that comes with the treo). It does a reset some times, but nothing consistant enough to say there is a problem. like any other electronic, sometimes it gets overloaded or doing things in a wrong way, and it just needs a reset. no harm, no foul. but yes, the more you put on, the more chances for a bad mix to cause problems.

as for the music, this was a suprise for me, how well it plays music. i did have to buy the adapter for my sony headphones, but the screen goes off and it still plays, the volume is good, and the quality is very good.

to get music on to the card, i would recommend getting a SD card reader, using that to put music on, and the popping that card back into the Treo. make sure they are not in a file on the card. MUCH faster than anything else.

any one more bonus, GET A CASE! especially if you are out running, you don't want to have your hand of sweat leaking into your Treo.

anything else, post here, or email me at clayton.bell@everynation.org. thanks for serving the country.

jackoat · 05-14-2005, 08:59 PM

On the IM front try VeriChat. I use it regularly and it's great. It works like Trillian for the PC... one package that ties together MSN, Yahoo and AOL IM

http://www.pdaapps.com/verichat/default.html

As for the phone I don't use it often (i have another cell) but, when I do, the service is great with Cingular but the phone volume tends to be low in volume, I find it a little noisy and the speaker phone is terrible.

JT1 · 05-15-2005, 08:52 PM

Obviously everyone who logs in on this site has a treo 650 and is sticking up for it. Im just here to let you know that I was in the same boat you are about 3 months ago and thought the treo was the perfect solution for the cell/pda combination issue. It might have been the worst investment I have ever made in my life. The reception sucks, the functionality is very time consuming and the reset problem is very frustrating. Roughly 40% off all the calls I made were either choppy or just plain cancelled. I will have to say the only good thing about the phone is that it is in high demand on ebay and I got some money back for it, but overall the phone is the WORST phone I have ever owned. I will have to say that Chris (the administrator of this foum) is very helpful and will be able to answer about any question you have but if you want an unbiased opinion feel free to ask me.

WiggyFife · 05-15-2005, 11:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JT1

Obviously everyone who logs in on this site has a treo 650 and is sticking up for it. Im just here to let you know that I was in the same boat you are about 3 months ago and thought the treo was the perfect solution for the cell/pda combination issue. It might have been the worst investment I have ever made in my life. The reception sucks, the functionality is very time consuming and the reset problem is very frustrating. Roughly 40% off all the calls I made were either choppy or just plain cancelled. I will have to say the only good thing about the phone is that it is in high demand on ebay and I got some money back for it, but overall the phone is the WORST phone I have ever owned. I will have to say that Chris (the administrator of this foum) is very helpful and will be able to answer about any question you have but if you want an unbiased opinion feel free to ask me.

What network were (are) you on w/ the Treo650, & where are you located???

JT1 · 05-16-2005, 05:57 AM

illinois, cingular.

claytonbell · 05-16-2005, 08:23 AM

champ, that has got to be unique to your situation, otheewise people wouldn't be blowing up the phone on ebay. I'm in tallahassee, florida, and this is the BEST phone ans service i've ever had.