I don't know if these are true or not, but I have heard that T616 has echo when using HFL, Siemens S56 has delay when first connected with HFL ... and V600 does not send the signal and battery info to the console display (??) ...

My contract with Sprint is over, and I want to get either a Cingular/T-mobile blue tooth phone to use with the HFL feature ... any suggestion? Thanks!

 

T616 works profectly with my HFL.

 

I have a v525, and only the signal meter is sent to the console display. Unless I get a call then the caller ID is there.

 

My T616 works great, too.

 

Signal would by nice. I don't think battery is any big deal cause you can just leave the thing in your console charging and forget abotu it. You will know getting in the car how your battery life is.

 

I've been using the T610 for just over 2 weeks now. Except for the occasional "Phone" display glitch, it works great, providing both battery and signal strength displays.

 

v600 works well. Sig is displayed as is caller ID but not battery. Ditto not needing it if you leave it charging in the center console with a CLA.

 

I've been using the Siemens S56 and it has been great. I had no problems with setup and the signal, battery and caller ID information displays as well.

 

 

ATT does not yet have the Moto v600. Which provider in which country are you using?

 

I also have the Moto v525 and have no complaints.

 

My acura dealer used the SE T610 to show off HFL.

Worked perfect no echo, he even paired and unpaired it in a diffrent car to show how easy it was.

I think the whole echo thing is a rumor IMHO.

 

I have the T616 and I am happy with the phone. It is only average for reception and occasionally drops calls but it works perfectly with the TL.

 

You can get a SE T608 with BT from Sprint right now. I've had very good luck with it, though there are posts from owners less fortunate than me. It's not sold through stores or websites, only through Sprint Telesales, 1-866-PCS-AUTO (1-866-727-2886).

 

T616 echo is not a rumor. It is probably just not very wide spread. I have had my TL and 616 since October. About every 5th call, the person on the other end complains of an echo that is so bad that we have to redial the call (which normally fixes the problem).

Perhaps I should see if the firmware upgrade to the 616 will solve the echo.

 

I have the T-Mobile version of the T616, the T610 and I have no echos.

 

using the se Z600...awesome! see battery and signal indicators, caller id, reception is good and the phone has great battery life...

 

I have a Nokia 6310i which works well but displays nothing on the MID except that HFL is in use. What should be displayed if everything is working perfectly? Hope its not in the manual cause you guys will give sh**t.

 

Ditto

 

Out of curiosity, do all of you with non-echo T616's have the latest firmware upgrade (I guess it was released in November or December of 2003)?

 

S/E T616 works well so far here. Had it for only two weeks though.

 

I don't have any problems (audio or otherwise) with my T616 and the TL.

 

I have a T616 and everything works great except that when I get an incoming call, the caller can't hear me for the first 3-4 seconds so I have to wait that long before I say hello.

Has anyone else experience this?

 

There`s a time delay when I want to say hello too.

 

I'm currently using Sony Ericsson T616. As someone mentioned before besides that "PHONE" glitch, everything else works fine. This is my 4th T616 though (Not TL's fault). Last phone that I had was the only phone that didn't have "PHONE" problem, but the reception was really poor. I haven't really experience the echo problem through HFL though.

Prior to using T616, I had 68i. That worked flawlessly with the TL. However, I just hated that phone (too slow).

 

SE t610.....great w/hfl but the actual phone interface sucks. For me it's temporary till Verizon gets their act together.

 

bigdomer is right. The echo problem on the T616 is not a rumor. When the T610 was first released there were the same problems that the T616 have now:

* bluetooth crackling / cutting in and out
* bluetooth pairing impossible to stay connected
* echo (at first this was deamed as a hardware issue but others have said otherwise)
* faded screen / uneven lighting
* extremely slow menus
* poor reception (rf) - a firmware upgrade has proven to increase reception for both the T610 and T616. I have witnessed it first hand. It is not a placebo effect.
- a firmware upgrade has lead to fix some of these problems. Some are mechanical while others are just software issues. Also, The T616 models released in November/December of 2003 still have the R1A firmware. PM/IM/Email me for firmware upgrades. (check sig)


cutemp Make the switch to GSM! You'll love it. My vote for GSM carriers are T-Mobile & Cingular. Currently, T-Mobile still has the cheapest rates for their plans as well as data. Cingular on the other hand has more coverage given that they support 850mhz as well as 1900mhz (T-Mobile uses 1900mhz only). I have been with T-Mobile for 3.5 years and coverage has been solid. I have driven around the southwest (TX/OK/NM/CO/KS) and had very little problems. Just go in and talk to the reps and see what they have to offer. If they don't have a phone you want, Email Me!


OldGuy Concerning your Nokia 6310i. Nokia wrote the firmware to disable sending out certain information via bluetooth. I read an extensive article about 2 weeks ago about their bluetooth technology. You will not find it in the manual. That is just how the 6310i behaves. I have one myself but I just pair with my PDA and headsets via bluetooth.


scifitechguy The Motorola V600 has been out for a little bit. It is available all over the net. This is one phone that is hard to get, even for me. The Aston Martin model seems to be a popular one as well but who wants to shell out $2400 bucks for it when all you get is the Aston Martin cover and Aston Martin startup sound? Well maybe if you have money burning a hole in your pocket.

The biggest underdog of all companies is Siemens. As kelnshe is using the S56, it is an EXCELLENT model. Siemens is stepping up and here is proof. click for link. Of course, everything looks good on paper but with the much needed makeover and upgraded features, they are on the up and up. BTW, before any of you make a joke...it is pronounced Zeemans but in the U.S., it seems as though these phones are still the butt of everyone's jokes. Siemens is one of the rare companies that still manufacture their phones in Germany only whereas other companies outsource to places like Hong Kong / Mexico / Korea /etc.

All apologies for the technical banter. I'm very passionate about my mobile phones & gadgets. And no, I'm not in sales. I'm just finishing up the last leg of my degree and then I'm off to find work in grueling 50+ hour workweeks. I'd like to look at myself as a student and entrepreneur or sorts. If you have any questions, feel free to PM/IM/Email me. thanks.

...there is a reason why I left Sprint and Verizon off the list. I have been through the trials and tribulations of CDMA technology and never wish to return

 

Mobilezen,

Thanks for this excellent post. Maybe you know the answer to this. I have SE T616 with Cingular, and occationally when I start the car, HFL will display "PHONE" on the display. I have to press talk and then back to get out of this mode. Do you know what causes this? Will firmware upgrade fix this problem? Thanks.

 

dtchung,

Thanks. Check your PM.

 

I would recommend looking into the Sony Ericsson Z600. Has very good reception and is the Flip version of the T610/616.

 

My t68i works just fine. I love the phone and the car!!!

 

Hey, no fair! Tell us if you know the answer to this. I have the same problem with my T616.

 

I told dtchung to check his PM cause I didn't want this thread to turn into a lengthy thread. In any case, we came to the conclusion it is not a firmware problem as he has R1B0027. I suggested dtchung to exchange the phone cause it could be a hardware issue.

 

T68i, no problems whatsoever.

 

The Z600 is actually a bit different than the Z600. The first thing of course is the flip but beyond that screen quality is equivelent to that of the T630 that is currently out. The o/s runs somewhat smoother than the T610/T616 but nothing too noticeable. Other than that, its about the same.

 

Sorry to put you on the spot Mobilezen, but which phone would you recommend more- the Sony Ericcson T616 or the Siemens S56? I'm going to get one of them tomorrow morning- thanks for the advice and time!!

 

Huh?
I recommend it due to the better reception standpoint and also an alternative if someone is looking for a flip. I am currently using a V600 and previously a Nokia 6820.
While the V600 is a beautiful piece of equipment it is still buggy in some ways. i had mine flashed and that has helped but in terms of the TL you don't get the benefit of the display as you do with any SE phones.

my recommendation between the T610 and the S56 is go with the t610. Interface wise Seimens is not the most intuitive out there and screen wise the t610 beats it hands down. If you have the latest firmware on the T610 whickh you probably will since you are getting it new, reception shouldn't be a problem either.
My personal feeling is that Acura designed the HFL with Sony Ericsson in mind thus probably used their phones for testing.
remember Bluetooth is SE's baby.

 

For ease of use and familiarity, definitely the T610/T616 depending on which provider you go with. If you go with the T616, your firmware upgrade will be up to par. A new set of firmware should be out soon as I'm trying to keep everybody posted. The T610 however (if you don't need 850mhz), is a very seasoned phone.

ck37: DOH! did I put that? I meant to say Z600 compared to T610/T616. I compared my upgraded T610 with R8A firmware to a Z600 with R5A firmware and ran all over town with both of them. I went to places where I would get zero reception and places where there was full reception. Both of them performed the same. Just preference would separate a T610 and Z600. Z600 is a VERY nice phone. a bit chunky but very nice. I will say this though, the stability of reception on the Z600 is just a tad better than the T610 (this phone would flucuate a bit more and usually held one bar from full signal most of the time)

...and no I don't have too much time on my hands. My scientific method for testing phones and firmware is just quick and effective

 

T630! the black version would match the interior very nicely as well...

 

Thanks guys- I feel prepared now...