Can anyone confirm that the Motorola v710 bluetooth phone can successfully use hands-free link in the new 2005 RL? It is not listed on the Acura site as being supported. I understand that some of the features are crippled by the Verizon firmware. I am only interested in confirming that it will, in fact, work for hands-free dialing and usage in the car.

Thanks in Advance.

 

I have had the v710 (VZW) and 05 RL paired and linked succesfully for about 3 months. The bluetooth in the v710 is sufficiently enabled to receive and make calls via the HFL system without any problems. As you may know, the RL screen will not show the battery status information on the cell phone but will show the incoming number when you receive a call. You can also make calls from the numbers of businesses in the Navigation. You can't transfer the phone's directory to the RL via bluetooth so you have to manually input the names and numbers into the RL that you intend to use. Easy to do. The RL is a bit selective regarding the v710 ringtones and does not seem to recognize all of them. I found several that it did recognize so its not a problem, unless you don't like any of the ringtones that the RL does. HFL works very well and I have never yet picked up the cell phone for use in the RL and only use the HFL system.

 

This may be helpful, too. https://acurazine.com/forums/showthread.php?t=89299

 

That's precisely the information I needed. Thanks for sharing it.

 

Since one cannot export one's phone book from the v710 to the RL, is it possible to export a phone book from one's PocketPC to the RL via Bluetooth? I have so many names in my phonebook that it would be infeasible to enter them manually.

 

General question: Do you guys like the 710? I am considering a switch to Verizon and since this is the only BT phone that they seem to offer, was wondering what you all thought of the phone.

BTW, MaxBuck, my understanding is the HFL phone book can only hold about 20 entries and they are merely voice tags entered thru the HFL. No one can upload a phone book from a phone, PPC or otherwise to the HFL.

Of course if you have a PPC Phone Edition, you can get voice dialing programs and then do the transfer function to transfer to the HFL.

 

ACK! Then my ability to place outgoing calls from the car is severely compromised, no? Or is there another way to take advantage of all my phone book numbers without transferring them into the car's system? I really want to be able to make calls from my car using voice commands in the same manner as I would on the v710 as a speakerphone. And perhaps that's the best way to do it; bypass the HFL altogether and just sit the phone on the console.

I think I need a tutorial on how to use car Bluetooth before I make a final decision on my new car. I'm hearing that the implementation of the system in BMW, Acura, Lexus and Mercedes-Benz is very different.

Gator, as to your question about the v710, generally I like the following things about it:

1. I can use Verizon's Mobile Office Kit to transfer my Outlook contacts (with phone numbers) to the phone, using a USB cable (can't use Bluetooth for this).

2. I can voice-dial by name or by number. Very convenient.

3. Speakerphone is outstanding in quality. Several people have expressed surprise that I was talking to them via speakerphone rather than by regular handset use.

4. Sucker really pulls in the signal!

 

Max, with the Acura HFL, you can make your call using the phone and then use the HFL to transfer the call to the HFL by hitting the button and saying "transfer". It does take a second and you do have to call from the phone, but if your voice activation on the phone works well, you make your call via the voice activation on the phone and then when the call is ringing your transfer to the HFL. I do it all the time and it works well. The only problem is the HFL won't transfer the call until your phone actually connects to the number you are calling, but it will as soon as it starts ringing.

Thanks for the review of the v710. Sounds pretty nice.

 

This may be a little off topic, but I've been thinking about a V710 and looking around for a good deal. My local Verizon stores and affiliated dealers are definitely behind the times with the pricing on their V710's. The stores on the Net seem to have some good deals going on, all with 1 year contracts instead of 2.

It looks like Amazon now has it for -20.01 back...

http://tinyurl.com/5egek

Wirefly still has it for free, with some accessories, but I'm more skeptical of their rebate process, that's just me though. The initial cash outlay for the Amazon deal is less though...

http://tinyurl.com/6lkd9

Buy.com has a $0.01 deal, but they actually go through Wirefly. I ordered one through Buy.com back in December and I had to cancel the order due to a 3 week delay without status updates. Customer service eventually blamed the delay on an activation system issue.

http://tinyurl.com/4j7lz

I don't work for nor am I associated with these companies in anyway, except for purchasing or attempting to purchase products from them in the past.

 

FYI, there is a new phone annouced that will bascially replace the v710. It is the Moto E815. Here is a link to Phone Scoop with the details. To be released early 2nd quarter.

http://www.phonescoop.com/phones/phone.php?p=663

 

Yup, the E815 was announced during CES this year. It has crossed my mind to wait for it, but the deals on the 710 are almost too good to pass up, and I want to dump T-Mobile pretty soon. I also don't want to pay the $400 that the E815 will probably debut at. The data speed might be worth it for me though... We'll see...

BTW, here's some more info on it...

http://www.infosyncworld.com/news/n/5697.html
http://www.infosyncworld.com/news/n/5673.html

 

Being forced to dial on the phone handset itself (whether via voice-dial or otherwise) seems to kind of defeat the whole purpose of automotive Bluetooth. I understand the BMW system can handle a lot of phone numbers (maybe similar to my Outlook databse), so that may be the way I have to go. I was kind of on the fence between the RL and the 545i anyway ...

 

Outgoing calls work great!

Incomming is not reliable. I am aty a dealer for service today and am bringing this up. I'll post when I get more info on incomming problems.

The outgoing is seemless and reliable!

 

You can place an outgoing call to anyone in your address book on the RL. No need to call out numbers if you've added the person/place to your listing.

Regarding the 710 Blutooth, I researched that phone and found it to be less than well received. The V710 model was dead last among the five Verizon phones tested by Consumer Reports in the magazine's new report, although differences weren't gigantic. (BTW, no offense meant to any 710 owners!) Also, Verizon deliberately disabled data features of that phone (to charge more) and is being sued over it.

Then I came across Cingular's Bluetooth models (several Bluetooth phones to choose from) and wound up with the Motorola Razor V3, a truly stunning phone that mates perfectly with my RL. And Cingular must have started to add lots more transmitters, because my reception in the D.C. area is outstanding, much better and in more locations, than I ever got with Verizon. (And the mid-Atlantic area is where Verizon's headquartered!)

I know Verizon has high ratings for service, but my Cingular connection is definitely superior, costs less every month (for more minutes) and I get data transmission AND rollover!

To each his own I guess.

 

DCRL,

I must agree with you and I have been with Verizon for 7 years. I also had other services during that time provided by my employers and have come to rely on Verizon. The lack of equipment has taken its toll and being a technical professional, I stopped in a Cingular store this weekend to look at the selection of bluetooth phones. The thing that has stopped me from moving forward is coverage since they are an all digital network. Sometimes I have to travel to remote locations and need service in those areas.

If you have a V710, you can flash you phone to remove those limitations. Just do a search on google to find out what is needed to update your software. This may be the last option for me. However, I feel that since I am buying the equipment, I should have the option of enjoying my phone with all features enable. This is really why I am losing faith in Verizon.

 

Check you Ringer setting in the phone. It has been reported that when you change from the default ring tone in the V710 it will no longer inform the Acura handsfree system of an incoming call. Also happens when th ephone is set to Vibrate and Ring.