Archived from groups: alt.cellular.verizon (
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FPP writes:
> In article <200406021908.PNR01973@netins.net>,
>
> > How have you liked the a530s?
> I like it. A lot... for a variety of reasons.
I replaced my old StarTAC 7868W many months ago. The first phone I
tried was a V60s (largely based on comments in this newsgroup). It
didn't take me long to return it--the phone was too thick, and most
importantly the battery life was terrible. The Radio Shack sales
person recommended the a530 instead, and I've been *very* pleased.
> The 530 will routinely go 4 days without a charge...
I've not tried to push mine out that far, but it doesn't surprise me.
I tend to be very methodical, so it's easiest for me to remember to
just plan on charging every other night. I'm sure I could go three
days, if I wanted to.
> It's got a decent color screen, whereas the both v60 models were
> monochrome. The small size of the 530 is a point in it's favor. It's
> on a par with the v60i, and smaller than a v60s. WAY easier to open
> using one hand too...
The color screen is pretty, but just a perk for me. I was actually
satisfied with the old StarTAC's display.
The size is perfect for
me, and you're right about it being easy to open with one hand.
> Reception with the antenna down is at least as good as reception with
> the antenna up on the other phones. The antenna seems sturdier on the
> 530, and about twice as long. Quality of the sound coming in and going
> out is good... better than the v60i and much better than the v60s.
T didn't use my V60s long enough to get a good feel for the sound
quality, but I occasionally think the a530 isn't quite as good as my
StarTAC was. If not, it's awfully close, though. The antenna looks
easy to replace. My reception has been okay--I've dropped a few calls,
but the other end was always a mobile phone and it could have been the
end that lost it.
> The 530 has polyphonic ringers, whereas the v60i doesn't. (The v60s
> does.) Just about the only area where the Motorola v60s blows the a530
> away is the speakers. The v60s is a speakerphone, and a pretty good one
> at that. It's polyphonic ringtones are really loud, and pleasing.
> The 530's are *not* without their shortcomings, though... The
> speaker/ringers aren't as loud as I'd like - and the built-in selection
> of tones is appallingly bad.
I don't really need a speakerphone, and like a pretty plain ringtone, so
these points don't matter much to me. They are valid points, just not
important to me personally.
> Also, I think the 530's lack of a reoccurring reminder when a call is
> missed is kind of irritating.
My a530 reminds me of missed calls and waiting voice mail. It is quite
a long time between reminders, though--perhaps an hour. Maybe you haven't
waited long enough?
> ... The changeable metal covers on the
> Motorola's are a nice touch I'd have liked to see on the Samsung. (My
> seventeen year old is hard on a phone - and most everything else.)
I have three sons ranging in age from 17 to 23. I know *exactly*
what you mean.
> All in all, I like them - and so do my wife and #2 son. I got them for
> free... but I'd have paid the going rate to get them. The Verizon
> website has been selling them dirt cheap lately.
One shortcoming you didn't mention is no analog mode with this phone.
For me, that's actually an advantage, as I have only rarely needed analog
and the times I've tried (with my StarTAC) it was almost unusable. The
absence of analog precludes the a530 from trying to find an analog tower
in weak digital signal areas, and contributes to the great battery life.
> Does that about sum it up for you? Or were you looking for a more
> simple "Yeah, they're OK." type answer?
No, that was perfect.
I've been so pleased with my a530 that it's
seemed funny there hasn't been much praise of it on this forum. Thanks
for the detailed comments.
Ted
--
Theodore Heise <theo@heise.nu> Bloomington, IN, USA
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