Motorola VU204 Phone, Black
Posted by adminMar 30
- Stylish clamshell phone for easy voice and text communication
- GPS-enabled for turn-by-turn directions using Verizon’s optional VZ Navigator service
- VGA camera for still photos; Bluetooth for handsfree devices; access to personal email and instant messaging
- Up to 4 hours of talk time, up to 447 hours (18+ days) of standby time
- Includes: handset, battery, charger, quick start guide, user manual
Amazon.com Product Description
A great choice for your everyday, on-the-go communication needs, the Motorola VU204 clamshell phone makes it easy to stay in touch with friends and family via voice, email, and both text and IM messaging. You’ll also benefit from the phone’s A-GPS receiver, which enables you to access Verizon’s VZ Navigator service for turn-by-turn directions. Other features include a VGA camera for still photos, Bluetooth for handsfree devices, speakerphone, and up to 4 … More >>
THE GOOD:
- Despite claims of this phone falling apart, I actually think this phone is VERY sturdy. It’s certainly not a pretty or high tech phone, but it has held up MUCH better than even some of my more expensive phones. And I’ve dropped this at least twice and had no problems.
-It incredibly easy to use. It’s great if you just need a phone for texting and making calls, nothing more.
THE BAD:
-This phone is INCREDIBLY glitchy. For the first 3 or 4 months it worked perfectly. After that, the phone gets constant error messages when trying to receive an incoming call or text. Even if I have good reception, the phone will freeze briefly, then a screen will come up saying, “Searching for Network.” As a result, it makes it very difficult for people to contact me. A very bad problem because what’s the point of having a cell phone, if you can’t count on it.
I got this phone for free so luckily replacing this phone will be no problem. I would NEVER recommend this phone to anyone. It’s easy to use…..but it just does NOT work. It’s completely unreliable, what is the point.
Rating: 1 / 5
After doing a lot of research, I bought this phone for call quality and speakerphone. The speakerphone is softer than my old one (Moto Krzr), but the phone is a good phone. However, through no misuse on my part, the hinges broke and the flip screen is barely connected. The phone lived in my purse and pockets during those three months. One day a piece of plastic fell off by the hinge and it was downhill from there. Sure, “something” must have happened, but it was through ordinary use. Of course, the warranty won’t cover it.
Rating: 2 / 5
I received this phone as a company phone. It works the way a cell phone should, so that is why it gets a couple of stars.
The cons are enough that I would never buy this product and would not use it if not forced on me.
The buttons are poorly placed. The voice button is on the upper right side of the phone. The button is senstive. I am already sick and tired of hearing, “Please say a command”. Even wearing it in a case clipped to my belt, while driving it will accidentally trigger. I would lock the phone, but that is not feasible because of the fact you must enter a four digit code to unlock it.
The covers for the USB socket and the headset are flimsy rubberized plastic. I expect this will be gone with a little use.
The cases matched to this phone add to the aggravation. They have a plastic slip over the top and bottom of the phone. This is very clingy plastic. I was going to court yesterday and went to remove the case so I could carry the phone in a suit coat pocket. The only way I could remove the case was to tear the clear plastic off it destroying the case. Another minus to the case is that the openings near the charger/USB socket make it difficult to charge when the case is on.
The phone has limited data transferability. It is blue tooth capable and my headset works fine with it. My personal cell phone is a Palm Centro, which I highly recommended for its cost and benefits. The Moto VU 204 does not take calendar entries. Instead of being able to push my calendar onto the VU204, I must keep two phones with me when I am working so I have my calendar handy and my company cell phone.
Rating: 2 / 5
On the cheaper end of the phone selections as well as (with Verizon) the free phone currently (08/09) with the 2 year contract update, this is the best I’ve used. I have to say straight up that I am already pretty attached to the Motorola Brand of phones, though, as I’m most familiar with their interface.
Pros:
Programmable “hot keys”
Number locations make it easier to text message
Sound quality is great
Camera is really good – for a cell phone camera
In-depth contacts including emails
“group” feature so that, for example, you can send a text to all the “girls” for a girls night.
Battery saver options, many tools, easy to download more tools for the phone
Cons:
Flip feature makes for easier breaking (mine hasn’t broken, obviously, but this is true of any flip phone)
There seems to be a bit of a delay between the call made and the ring, but I’m not certain if this impacts anything and I haven’t tested out other phones
Battery charger is covered by a rubbery cover which isn’t really necessary and seems as though it might not be very durable (though mine hasn’t fallen off or anything).
Rating: 4 / 5
This is a good, basic phone for people who just want a phone that acts like a phone. The camera is only 640×480 and doesn’t record video, but there are two levels of zoom and some adjusting is possible. There’s no music player and no card slot. It doesn’t sing, it doesn’t dance and it won’t make your coffee in the morning. That said, what it does it does well. It feels solid in the hand with buttons which are easy to push even for large fingers. The matte finish has a slightly rubbery feel and doesn’t show fingerprints. The layout seems well thought out and I especially like the customizable shortcuts. For instance, I have mine set so that I can turn bluetooth on or off with the press of one button. Voice commands work well and are adaptable to your own voice and accent. The battery life seems good. The speaker is decent but mp3 ringtones sound tinny, so if you’re looking for a phone to play obnoxious pop music instead of ringing this might not be the phone for you. “mid” files sound great though. It is VZ Navigator capable but I’ve not used the service. I am quite satisfied with this phone.
Rating: 4 / 5