Questions about the Treo 650 (Sprint or Cingular)

[Chroma Cloud]

I have some concerns/questions before I make this investment. Mainly, choosing between CDMA and GSM. Therefore, I was hoping that some of the experts on this forum would advise me. Please I need help.

I spend most of my time in the US, which is why I am leaning towards the CDMA model for its coverage and speed. But I am looking to travel outside of the US for a week at least once a year, so I don't know what the best Treo is. I was wondering if it's possible to use the CDMA model in countries like Spain, Europe, the Caribbean, and maybe South America. Sprint told me that I would be able to use the phone in Spain roaming without a problem, but I don't know if this was a sales bull** line. I have read in other threads that countries like Japan have started to serve CDMA networks, which indicated that other countries would be upgrading as well. Is this true?

Additionally, I use my personal PowerBook G4 (Mac) for school and other things, and I use a Windows PC at work. So I was looking for a device that would consolidate email, calendar, memos, to do's, phone, etc. that would adapt to my mobile needs. Here is a list of things I would like to discuss:

1. Does the Treo 650 have a flash to use when taking pictures? If it does not what do you recommend?

2. Is it true that it does not support Bluetooth 2? Does it perform poorly when transferring via Bluetooth for sync?

3. Is it true that it does not have voice dial? What are the other methods or options?

4. What is the length of videos that can be recorded? What size of an SD chip do you recommed MB/Price/Sites? Does the SD chip stick out preventing a skin or cover to close?

5. I have read negative things about the earpiece and headset adapter, saying that it's crap, doesn't work stereo, etc. Is this true, what would you recommend?

6. Also, that the speakerphone is an embarrassment, unless you want to only listen. That the sound is hollow, it is not full duplex, and if you don't talk into it after some time, it stops responding. Is this true, has it been fixed with the upgrades?

7. What is the reset button for? If used do you loose everything like on a PDA? Some owners have indicated that they have reset it at least once a week to fix freezing issues with the GSM models, why is this?

8. Will the Treo 650 sync with Apple Mail or Microst Entourage?

Lastly, I would like to say thank you in advance for all that help me out and contribute to this thread. I am hoping that the Treo 650 would be the device for me, or at least I would like to know if there is something else out there like it. I just would like to ask the current owners for their insight before I make this $500 dollar investment.

Thanks again,
Chroma Cloud

[chris]

I spend most of my time in the US, which is why I am leaning towards the CDMA model for its coverage and speed. But I am looking to travel outside of the US for a week at least once a year, so I don't know what the best Treo is. I was wondering if it's possible to use the CDMA model in countries like Spain, Europe, the Caribbean, and maybe South America. Sprint told me that I would be able to use the phone in Spain roaming without a problem, but I don't know if this was a sales bull** line. I have read in other threads that countries like Japan have started to serve CDMA networks, which indicated that other countries would be upgrading as well. Is this true?

I'd say that GSM coverage in the US is just as good as CDMA. With Cingular taking over AT&T, that's one helluva big network. If you get an unlocked GSM, you can purchase a SIM card from the country you're in and then use their network. This is much more cost effective than roaming charges... Now, if you buy from Cingular, the phone will not be unlocked. However, many folks have had success calling them and pleading their case, "I'm travelling...don't want to pay high roaming charges...love Cingular...loyal customer...can you help unlock my phone..etc..etc".

Additionally, I use my personal PowerBook G4 (Mac) for school and other things, and I use a Windows PC at work.

Okay, you're 1 for 2.

Does the Treo 650 have a flash to use when taking pictures? If it does not what do you recommend?

The Treo 650 does not have a flash -- and the camera isn't the best. Cellphone (and smartphone) cameras are to me..nothing more than an added method of communication. It adds to your ability to capture a moment where you wouldn't be carrying your digital camera. I have an Olympus E-1 -- takes fabulous pictures...but my Treo is always with me and I capture moments where I would never be carrying my E-1. If you visit my SplashBlog (link at the bottom in sig), then you'll see a sample of Treo photography.

Is it true that it does not support Bluetooth 2? Does it perform poorly when transferring via Bluetooth for sync?

Correct. However, it works fine for syncing...however I use the Seido cradle.. why use Bluetooth when sitting at home? Some have had issue getting it to work. I experienced no problems with setting up Bluetooth Syncing on my Powerbook.

Is it true that it does not have voice dial? What are the other methods or options?

It does not come with Voice Dial. There are two software applications that will enable this...however, you'll only have voice dial through the Treo and not through the headset.

What is the length of videos that can be recorded? What size of an SD chip do you recommed MB/Price/Sites? Does the SD chip stick out preventing a skin or cover to close?

It's all based on the size of your SD card. Shop around and you can find a good deal on a 1GB - we also offer it in our Treo Store. No, it does not stick out. When you get your Treo, there is a piece of plastic in the slot. The SD card just replaces it.

I have read negative things about the earpiece and headset adapter, saying that it's crap, doesn't work stereo, etc. Is this true, what would you recommend?

You need an adapter for stereo.. If you're a Powerbook owner, I'm thinking you MUST own an iPod.:p

Also, that the speakerphone is an embarrassment, unless you want to only listen. That the sound is hollow, it is not full duplex, and if you don't talk into it after some time, it stops responding. Is this true, has it been fixed with the upgrades?

I'm not sure how to answer this... I've never experienced it not working...I rarely use the speakerphone. Not sure if it's full duplex or not.

What is the reset button for? If used do you loose everything like on a PDA? Some owners have indicated that they have reset it at least once a week to fix freezing issues with the GSM models, why is this?

That's just not true. There are different methods of reseting.. a hard reset will erase your data. The last time I did a hard reset, it was because I was upgrading the firmware. Reseting is a way to cure to spotty issues. However, there could a plethora of reasons why one persons Treo is problematic. The Treo runs a full OS - the Palm OS. Think of your friends and their computer experiences -- different computers, different software, different usage -- they can all contribute to an unstable PC or a Treo. Poorly written 3rd party software can also cause issues.

Will the Treo 650 sync with Apple Mail or Microst Entourage?

I don't sync my mail -- if you use a .mac account, then you can get SnapperMail which supports IMAP. Then, you're email is always sync'ed.

Lastly, I would like to say thank you in advance for all that help me out and contribute to this thread. I am hoping that the Treo 650 would be the device for me, or at least I would like to know if there is something else out there like it. I just would like to ask the current owners for their insight before I make this $500 dollar investment.

Glad to help out. Feel free to ask any questions you might have.. Sorry for the delay in responding. New.. BIG...changes going on with the site and that's been occupying my time.

Good luck.
Chris

[djt]

I would very much appreciate current feedback on the success folks out there have had in getting Cingular to unlock their phones. Has this worked for everyone who has tried, or is it a risky bet and better to buy an unlocked phone direct?? Please help before I upgrade from my Handspring Visor Pro!

Thanks!

[jmjii]

Hi. I went from being a loyal AT&T customer to a loyal Sprint customer. AT&T used to break their backs for you when they were on their own. Now that they've been purchased by Cingular their hands have been tied. Cingular wanted $145/mo for about the same thing Sprint charges between $105-115. The customer service with Sprint has been great! They will always take the time to address any issue you may have as well as call you back if necessary. I have noticed that they "appear" to enjoy speaking with their customers and can get off into personal conversations, if you are interested.

As far as the speaker phone goes, I have had no complaints and people haven't even been able to tell the difference. Other than that I think Chris had addressed all of your other issues. I'm just a newbie like yourself but this site has helped me in making purchasing decisions as well as offering general assistance. Prices are great here as well!! Haven't found anything cheaper elsewhere.

Good luck with the decision and new phone!

[mrsnak]

Because I was with ATT for years, bought treo and had accounts switched to Cingular.
Regretfull. They quoted me the same price for service that I had with ATT, but confirmation shows they upped it $5 per phone.

Configuration with support took hours. Inefficient staff who had to pass you to other people to help solve problems. The confusion about VersaMail vs. XpressMail, MediaNet, etc made it worse. They don't all know the differences. Website support is useless. Finally got a real tech who sorted it all out for me.

Beware of web use- If you don't specify a plan from the get-go, they stick you with their default penny per kb plan. Not knowing this, I innocently browsed a few websites.
2700KB cost me $27!
Switched to a $20 for mb plan. Still high, but better.

[chris]

Configuration with support took hours. Inefficient staff who had to pass you to other people to help solve problems. The confusion about VersaMail vs. XpressMail, MediaNet, etc made it worse. They don't all know the differences. Website support is useless. Finally got a real tech who sorted it all out for me.

Well, if you have more questions, this is the place (well, there are other places, but since I run this forum --I'm biased.)

Anyway, there are plenty of knowledgable folks here that can help you with your Treo 650.

You'll want to use Versamail -- and you set it up using your POP account.

Beware of web use- If you don't specify a plan from the get-go, they stick you with their default penny per kb plan. Not knowing this, I innocently browsed a few websites.
2700KB cost me $27!
Switched to a $20 for mb plan. Still high, but better.

Data can get very expensive. Check your monthly usage - it might be a good idea to bump up to the unlimited plan.

-Chris

[Chroma Cloud]

Thank you all for the helpful information. So far I am leaning towards getting the Treo 650 with Sprint, because I currently have Sprint and my contract with them expired almost 2 years ago.

I was actually in luck this weekend when my neighbor show me her new Treo 650, which she has with Spint. She said many good things about the device, even how it works much better than her previous Sanyo Sprint phone. In the past, I had gone to a couple of stores around my area and I was never able to see an actual working unit to test it. So after playing around with my neighboor's Treo, I thought it was really cool.

Regarding the data charges and phone plans that usualy someone pays for these devices are around what range? I am trying to estimate a monthly cost for the service, if I get the cheapest phone plan of 35.99 - 49.99.

Thanks again,
Chroma Cloud

[mrsnak]

Originally Posted by chris

Well, if you have more questions, this is the place (well, there are other places, but since I run this forum --I'm biased.)
Anyway, there are plenty of knowledgable folks here that can help you with your Treo 650.
You'll want to use Versamail -- and you set it up using your POP account.
Data can get very expensive. Check your monthly usage - it might be a good idea to bump up to the unlimited plan.
-Chris

Thanks much!
Yes, I'm using VersaMail. Don't use the Treo a lot-don't even run up that many minutes , so I was trying to find my "sweet-spot" for web usage.
I got the 5mb plan. Aside from the lack of knowledgeble Cingular support and confusing rate plans, the unit itself is fabulous. I've been using Palms for years, and I wanted to combine it with a phone/web.
Was originally looking at Blackberry (but not Palm and PC only- I use Mac), but decided on Treo.
Question:
Anyway to remove the XpressMail program from the unit?
Same in Contacts, with things like XpressMail and Bill Balance. Other contacts are editible, these are not. At least to be able to move them to the bottom.

[chris]

Was originally looking at Blackberry (but not Palm and PC only- I use Mac), but decided on Treo.

A fellow Mac user.

Anyway to remove the XpressMail program from the unit?

Not unless you change the ROM (which is an involved process and I don't recommend it)

Same in Contacts, with things like XpressMail and Bill Balance. Other contacts are editible, these are not. At least to be able to move them to the bottom.

For some reason, I thought you could edit these -- but it appears you cannot.

-Chris

[jmjii]

I have the 650 and my tech. challenged mother's phone on the "Nationwide Fair & Flexible for Families" plan with 800 shared min. ($85 for both lines), "Total Equipment Coverage & Ins. ($5 per line), "Early Nights & Weekends" beginning at 6:00 pm ending at 7:00 am ($10 shared), "Vision Pictures Pack" including UNLIMITED internet ($15 Treo only), $5/200 for each block of additional anytime minutes, no roaming charges, no long distance charges and free PCS to PCS calling. Total cost adds up to $120 (plus $11 in taxes ).

On one phone (Treo 650), at your stated usage rate just add in $5 for equip. coverage/ins., $15 for the "Vision Pictures Pack", $5/100 (instead of 200 for multiple phones) for each block of anytime minutes and your pesky taxes. NO SURPRISES at the end of the month for data usage.

Please keep in mind that I don't have a land line nor do I have DSL/CA/SAT access. I just can't stand quasi government organizations but we all have to put up with the utility co's. I just have to put up with Sprint! My Treo is it!! It's even my modem (off the Sprint Net.) to a free ISP for my PC.:tongue: Cheap aren't I

NO I don't work for Sprint but by the sound of it you think they whould want to hire me. If there is ANYTHING else you need to know about Sprint other than their fantastic CSR Svc. just let me know. Wish that ATT was still around though.

Almost forgot. Sprint just sent me a NEW 650 at no charge since mine had some minor malfunctions since I bought it over 1.5 months ago. They didn't even ding me for any deductables and paid for the shipping of the new as well as the old door to door. Also, buy only the Palm BT headset if you're going to get that. ET sells it for $20 less than Palm and $70 less than Fry's electronics (Outpost.com) stores.

The new 650 has the same key pad but the number keys are blue with a neat blue backlighting feature (instead of all white). Order on the Net at Sprint and you won't pay more than $300 for the phone! I mistakenly went to a reseller (WirelessToyz). Found that out the hard way. :mad: I hope that you resellers (or Chris) out there don't mind this comment but who doesn't want to save $'s..... EverythingTreo has the best prices around for accessories as well as a HUGE inventory/selection. I won't/wouldn't buy anything any where else for my phone. I am just getting my list together and will place my order with ET SOON.