LG VX-6100
Average Ratings
Better than I thought it was going to be...
I had the 9900, but couldn't deal with a few of the issues that some people complain about when talking about this phone, so I swapped it out for the 6100 (after a two month wait!!)
So far I'm glad I did. I have not experienced any of the dropped calls or signal fluctuations that some have mentioned. (although I am coming from a Kyocera 2035a (my back up phone as I waited for the 6100 to come in)). I have experience the volume bug a couple of times, and that was some-what annoying.
Two things I don't like about the phone: The speakerphone has some vibration in it when I get up past midway on the volume (maybe some phone mod action is in order?). The other is that there is no vibrate THEN ring feature that I loved so much on my Kyocera.
Good things:
- The front display is second to none as far as readability, usability, and functionality (of course, the 9900 was SO bad...)
- Menus seem to be pretty intuitive
- Phone book is well thought out.
Thumbs up on the 6100!
Got the 6100 using my NE2 two weeks ago, and I am very happy with it. Reception is better than my 4500, and it is tri-mode. Speakerphone is just as good as the one on the 4500. The screen is great - blows away the Moto 265, which I looked at (very) briefly before getting this phone. This is my first camera phone so my frame of reference is limited - the camera is OK - but if I want to take really good pictures I was not going to use my phone to do it anyway.
The much written about "Volume Bug" is somewhat annoying - for the first 2-3 seconds of an incoming call, the volume will be very low and will then revert to normal. IMHO this is not a big deal, and an upcoming firmware update will address it. Not a reason to avoid this phone...
The interface is very user-friendly - LG is light years ahead of Motorola on this front.
I've heard that many VZW stores can't keep the 6100's in stock - my Mom could not get one at the store near her, did not feel like waiting and settled on a Sammy 670 (also a good choice - but no speakerphone, which is a must for me!). There must be a reason why...
Volume bug & Dialing bug
This phone is well built, but with Verizon constantly touting that they THOROUGLY TEST PHONES before release, it's amazing that this phone and other phones like the Moto 710, T-720, et al, actually suffered the problems they did once they hit the street! Obviously, such testing is, in part, only lip service. That said, here's the scoop on the VX6100 problems: LG is clearly aware of the two major bugs in this phone (the volume bug and the dialing bug). For those that don't know, the volume bug is evidenced when you answer the phone and the volume level stays down for around 3 seconds or so. The dialing bug actually is manifested when "digit dialing" is done -- it can only dial 7 digits. Some markets, as well as long distance, require 10 digits. LG is working on a patch that should be released in the next few weeks. The patch is not done yet, so no promises have been made. But, look for it in December. Another thing: The VX8000 is in Verizon warehouses now. It is not LG, but Verizon that's holding up distribution of this phone. They are, among other things, awaiting wider deployment of EV/DO, which is where that phone shines. Remember, however, that it is even bigger than the VX7000, and quite a bit bigger than the VX6100. I personally spoke with someone who used the VX8000 on a test basis. It behaves much like the VX7000 but feels even bigger in the hand. The screens are the same (including the red bands), but it does have a speakerphone. The real value of this phone is using it as a modem on the EV/DO channels. Price point is around $400.
My Review
pros: speaker phone stays on always.
lg functionality.
no verizon banner.
incredible sound quality.
strong vibrate.
very good picture quality.
cons:
clr button and camera button should be reversed. (you'll know what i mean if you text a lot. Real annoying).
when you reply to a text message, the first option should be text message, not pix message. (can get annoying).
cannot push up on side button to shoot people to voicemail. (can live with).
difficult to put people into a speed dial location. (can live with).
camera slide is flimsy. (can live with).
no cradle charger. personal preference.
otherwise this phone is pretty good. i had a 4500 and a 6000 before. there are just certain features you get used to that you would expect on future models. i text a lot and the camera button and clear button gets extremely annoying when trying to type. this is the only reason why i did not rate phone a 5.
6100 a total waste again !
Again, LG proves to provide a phone with terrible reception.
We have been testing this phone for 2 weeks and sure enough it drops calls and will not maintain a signal strength even close to the Samsung Phones. We have 2 A670's 5 A530's and some 6000's and 2 of the 6100's..
The LG's have proven time and time again that the Stub antenna and signal control is horrible. For those of you that think your signal is great and your reception is good. Try a Samsung A670 out and see how much better it is.. There of course is an acceptable limit but you have to understand that we have been used to occasional dropped calls and other drop outs and digital break up. THIS is 100% not entirely the networks fault. Verizon has great coverage and they should enforce their phone manufacturers to keep up with Samsungs specs.
Pro's -
Inexpensive
Speakerphone is okay but not usable around noise.
Cons -
Camera is Unusable - It's as bad as the Moto 710
Speakerphone comes out the back and when the phone is laying down or not right near you , you can't hear it.
Drops calls like all LG phones in fringe areas where other brands like SAMSUNG do not drop calls.
Belt Clip included is the worst thing ever, you can break your fingers to get it out.
Slider over camera port is hideous and will get stuck and break eventually. You don't put moving parts on cell phones !
Preliminary Reviews #1
I ordered this phone online last Tuesday when VZW accidentally post it on the web (I have not seen it again since they took it off and my zip is 64152), and received it yesterday. I have not had time to play with it very much so I will only cover a few features on this posting until I have more time to play with the other features.
Size: It seemed a little longer than my VX4400 but a lot lighter weight, although you will have to take into consideration that I have an extended battery in the 4400. It may feel a little heavier once I can get my hand on an extended battery for this phone.
Standard Battery Life: Itâs good depending on what you do with this phone. Iâm not big on surfing the Internet with cell phone; therefore, itâs good enough for me. I have been talking on this phone since I received it & I still have 4 bars on the battery indicator.
Camera: Considering itâs a camera phone, the 640X480 pixels is quite good compared to other phones on the market. If you truly want exceptional picture quality, I suggest you get a real digital camera. I do like the sliding lens cover; it will help minimize scratches on the lens. I took a picture of my dog and use it as wall paper and it looked pretty good for a cell phone camera.
Speaker Phone: It is plenty loud when I set it on medium. I canât imagine anyone not able to hear it if itâs set on high, if so, I suggest hearing aide instead of trying to find a phone that is loud enough.
Display: It is crisp and clear, a lot better quality than the 4400.
2nd Display (outside the phone): It is very much like the 4400.
Gets the job done
Okay, I got this phone Oct 26 so i have a good idea of many of the pros and cons. Overall, a much better phone than the moto t120v that i had from cingular so my complaints pale in comparison, but for future buyers here goes...
Pros: Easy to read outer lcd screen
Loud rings/speakerphone when not in
noisy area
Easy to navigate through menus
Good reception in columbus, oh
So far good battery life
Good button construction
Cons: No "ignore call" button on outside
when you have the phone set
on "flip-open" answer
Volume bug as previously mentioned
Voice dialing a waste of time,
quicker just to navigate phone book
No missed call audible signal
Overall, the negative aspects are things that I can live with, as I just use my phone for personal calls, not text messaging or getting on-line, etc. This is a decent phone for the money and I would recommend it to others who are not so anal about all the bells and whistles that come on phones these days. However, i can't give this phone a 5 b/c the 6100 does have its downfalls and to me a 5 is a perfect phone (is there one out there?) and i dont see how others who have complaints have proceeded to rate phones with five stars.
VX 6100 Marches on.....
This phone never dies.....refurbished it is the best CDMA work-horse of a phone still out there. Only one little fallback, no bluetooth.
I have had 5
Good phones, the first phone worked and I had it well for like 1 year it had been thrown around tossed kicked dropped etc, and even submerged when washed, and it still worked, then the phone broke the hinge and lost the connection to the screen function when dropped and there was when i got my second, the second worked fine, but then the outer screen went out and the inner screen went backlight out, i could still hear sound, and then I got the third phone, I had no issues, and due to me heavy using this phone the screen rarely turns out okay, I usually get lines or locked up unresponsive phone. Could have been all the texts,pics,ringtones but I dont know and i told verizon, they said it was something in the motherboard, and again replaced my phone, that phone got to the point where it got thrown, and i found a good deal on an lg 6100 again with great condition and retired my old one. the next phone worked fine and had surprpisingly held up to me but I decided I needed a new phone and this phone was getting tiring.
