I've been trying to read all the posts here about bluetooth phones and the T616. It seems about 50/50 that people like it with no issues, and like it but sometimes it echos/crackles.

Verizon doesn't carry any BlueTooth phones (so they told me yesterday on the phone). Cingular only has the ugly Nokia 6300 I think, and the SE T616, not the T610 (with better battery life).

SO: is the T616 OK ?? I can get it for $150 and then another $50 rebate so $100 total since I now qualify for an upgrade for being with them this long.

Last opinions guys.. thanks, all info appreciated.

 

I would say the Sony T-616 is the way to go. I'm still waiting for my second one (you can pair up to six Bluetooth phones/items to your TL) from the Dealer who is giving them away as a promotion for buying the TL.

It best matches your TL for features, and does some things automatically that other phones do not as of yet. Your display in both the instrument pod, and the center info screen shows signal strength, and battery life which some other phones do not. I have not had even one echo, and the crackling some speak of is rare. Furthermore, I haven't attributed it to the T-616 as much as when you are traveling in an area where the signal is low.

All in all, the Sony T-616 is the best phone for the car according to the dealer, and in my opinion.

 

Is the T-610 the same as the 616. Is either a fine phone for the Bluetooth system?

 

I have a T616. It paired in less than a minute and works flawlessly. No echo for me but I think that depends on your carrier, reception etc.

 

That is correct, and I forgot to mention that in my post.

Yes, it is a great phone for the TL, read my previous post

 

Oh, and Sherlock check your IM, as I've sent you one

 

Actually it is technically not exactly the same phone. The T616 has a 850Mhz band that works really well for reception. However your provider has to have installed 850Mhz Towers for this to be really useful. Most complaints about GSM reception in N.A. have been rectified with this frequency. I would recommend this phone if you are not a world traveller and don't need the 800Mhz frequencies that are available on the T610.

 

My want for the T610 is it appears to have MUCH longer talk time if you look on the specs page.

Sounds like the T616 is OK so I reckon I'll go get one. now what to do with my standby Nokia, which I really really like..

Hmm.. maybe get the T616 just and leave it in the car, and still carry the Nokia.. we'll see

thanks for the input people.

 

The T610 and T616 are the same phone, supporting different bands.

Both phones are relatively old (because of the fast paced industry). The T630 is about to replace the T610 any day now, you can probably find info on this phone at sonyericsson.com.
I think T-mobile will carry the T630 (because of the 900 band it supports) and was scheduled to be released mid december.

If you want bluetooth, you can also go with a sonyericsson Z600 flip phone, or a motorola V600. Both these phones are better than a T610/T616.


Also the bluetooth static/crackle is not dependent on the network. This is a bug the earlier T610/616's had. If you get one of their later releases, you wont have this problem.

 

I wouldn't hesitate to recommend the T616. I have two of them on Cingular service.

 

Sherlock, I sent another IM reply, but I'm not sure if it went through or not, did you get it?

Get the T-616, you will be happy with it

 

The SE T616 is a great phone and works flawlessly with the TL. Howvever, take it out of the car, and it dropped so many calls that I took it back and got the Nokia which has a bigger internal antenna.

 

I have Cingular and use the Siemens S56 with Bluetooth and it works great. Both my wife and I use the phone and have paired both with the TL. Both work great and I have mine synced with my Outlook.

 

Hmmm.. the Z600 is kinda cool.. too bad their site sucks so bad, I can't get just a page of details..

 

FYI... A co-worker has a relative that works for verizon wireless corporate...they contend that they will indeed have a bluetooth phone available by Jan. I am patiently waiting because I am not willing to sacrifice poor reception to get a phone faster.

 

I've given up for now.. so few phones with BT, that Cingular will support now. I was impatient to get the car and I am paying the price in problems. I guess I can wait for a phone since mine isn't going bad in anyway, just wanted to be able to use BT HFL.. but oh well.

 

I am the one who first posted that the T616 had a crackle in Bluetooth mode when receiving a call. I think the problem is when some one has a higher voice, like a child and kinda yells or talks loud to me.It happened when I called my home answering machine and my kids voices were on the recording.Other than that, itseems to be working fine. Aside fromsuper small keypad I recommend it

 

Sherlock - I'm using a T616 from Cingular. I got it paired with my 2004 TL on the first try, and it's worked every since. The Bluetooth connection is very cool, and I've had no complaints from my family / friends (in Atlanta) about the voice quality ...

I'll also mention that if you upgrade your phone with Cingular, you have 15 days to return the phone or go back to your old plan with out penalty.

The risk is minimal. It'll be mainly your time to switch phones and see if you like it!

 

The only penalty I got from Cingular was the $35 activation fee.
You loose that when you return the phone (within the 15 days)

(Remember to also bring any accessories they gave you for free with the phone or they will not refund your money!)

 

That is indeed encouraging news!

One of the reasons I chose Cingular over AT&T is because Cingular was happy to give me a month-to-month service plan - no long-term contract. If Verizon finally wakes up and offers a decent Bluetooth phone, they can earn my business back immediately.