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Full user review
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244 out of 246 people found this review helpful
4.5 stars
"Lets clear some misconceptions about this phone"
Pros: Full featured, relatively inexpensive
Cons: Weak vibrate
Summary: I just got this phone a few days ago after reading all the online reviews I could find. Some reviewers mentioned a few "weaknesses" that almost held me back from buying the phone, but have since proved to be incorrect.
"It's too easy to accidentally turn off the ringer when it's in your pocket, since the button is outside the phone"
Not true - You can set the phone up to require an unlock code before allowing a volume change from the outside button. When you set it this way if you hit the button the outside display will simply say "Enter Unlock Code", and not change anything. You can lock it by going into Main Menu > Settings > Security > Lock Application > Ring Styles > Locked. The best thing about this it that it is still trivial to change the ringer volume or make it vibrate when you need to, by simply opening the flip and hitting the outside volume button to whatever setting you need it to be - no unlock code required! The designers put some thought into this, since lowering the volume through the different settings is silent, while increasing the volume gives you a quick sample, so you can check how loud the new setting will sound. This is exactly how you want it to behave - if you are in a meeting, restaurant, or funeral you don't want your phone to be stepping through the different volume levels when you are trying to make it silent or vibrate.
"You have to make and scroll through a separate Contact Entry for all the phone numbers each person has."
Not true - Simply go into Contact > [New Entry] > Select > Add New Phone Number. Fill out the Name and No: fields, then scroll down to ...MORE... and hit Select. Select Phone Number, and now you will get another field to enter a second phone number for the same contact. You can keep repeating this to get all the Home, Mobile, Work, etc... entries you need for a contact. For a finishing touch, go into Main Menu > Contacts > [select a contact] > Main Menu (the top center button at the top of the keypad with 3 horizontal lines on it) > Setup > View > Primary Contacts. Now when you go into Contacts on your phone you will see each contact name only listed once. To view all the alternate phone number for a contact all you have to do is move the rocker button left or right - works great!
I am still checking out the other features on the phone, and will be investigating if there is a way sync up with my Outlook contacts and calendar. I will update this review soon, but I did not want to wait to clear up these misconceptions.
- 30 replies to this review
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ye i got a problem and its about da mp3 player, i bought da transflash card and i put some of my songs on it, but wen i go to sounds only some of the songs show on the menu not all of the ones i put in so got any answers??
and getting them as ringtones is a bummer too so dats another problem -
Hi!, I am going to get this Phone on Monday, and i would like to know before time how do you disable the EVDO? Thanks in advanced.
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I finally learned how to alter the way my contacts are displayed. How about using the phone as a modem?
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Can't figure out your unlock code? VZW sets it as the last 4 of your phone number. This happens every time you activate.
I found this out after doing a google search for "e815 Lock Application" and clicking on the first link for howardforums.com
Howardforums.com is a very useful site! -
I would like to lock my phone as you have mentioned in your review, but I don't know my Unlock Code!!! I have never set an unlock code on my phone, and no i didn't buy it used.
Any thoughts? -
This tip works for my T720 and probably any newer Motorola phone - haven't tried it on old Startac.
NOT in any manual that I found. If you upload phonebook, your DB must have seperate entries for each number/email. The phone OS combines the names but they are still in seperate mail boxes.
Also, you don't have to enter the name to add a number or email for that name. Just select that name, view, edit, up arrow (to MORE), select, and add what you want. Be sure to select a different symbol.
Bill -
Basically, the manual sucks since it lacks these details.
This procedure works for my T720 also and I imagine for a lot of other Mototola phones, but I never found such in the manual.
To be clear, what you SEE when you hit the l/r rocker is the symbol change next to the name.
Each entry is still stored in a seperate bin but the OS combines like names. IE, when you upload a phonebook you need seperate entries in the DB.
Also, to add a # or email, - no need to enter the name again, just select the person, view, edit, up arrow, select (more), and enter what you need
I ordered my E815 from Alltel today - thanks -
I just wanted to comment on your very helpful post. I read tons of basic phone reviews at many different websites but after viewing in detail the reviews here at Cnet for the Motorola E815 I purchased it just 2 days ago. After reading about some of the cons people pointed out and which you addressed solutions for they really seemed to stay on my mind while I was phone shopping.
Your advice stressed to me the need to fully read one's instruction booklet to be able to use ALL of the E815's capabilities quickly and effectively. So far this seems like a really great phone. I plan on putting up my own review, but I did have one question for you. I can't seem to figure out if this phone allows you to display your complete list of speed dial numbers. I've already entered quite a few and I'm not sure if I'll be able to remember them all. Seems a bit of a hassle to view every single contact entry to see what its speed dial # is. Thanks in advance if you do reply. Trish -
On the E815, flip open cellphone, and depress the menu button then the * button. This will lock the phone including the side buttons on the outside.
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The outside ring volume selector was my number one complaint about this phone. I don't know how many times I've accidentally shut off my ringer and not known. I even returned my wife's phone (different model) because it was even more sensitive to this issue. To add insult to injury, the people at the Verizon store had no clue how to do this.
Now I have a question. I have the added memory card, and a vast midi colletion, but I cannot figure out how to add them as ringtones. I can play them just fine through the phone, but it won't let me use them as ringtones. I've tried putting them in different folders on the memory card, but nothing works. I can save pictures to the card, and it will allow me to use them as wall paper. Any clues???
BTW, if it prompts you for an unlock code, and you have no idea what it is...try using the last 4 digits of your phone number. I believe this is the default code your phone comes with. -
since motorola disabled the Bluetooth file transfer, what is the best way to transfer photos to and from my PC to my E-815? I'm new at this advanced phone stuff, it's my first camera phone.
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I am glad to see that there are some educated people that actually use the phone and read the manual before they write a positive or negative review. Most of the negative reviews on this product or other products are done within the first week of use. Thanks for a great review.
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Thanks so much; you solved my 2 problems with this phone!
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I've recently gone with a motorola E815. I'm partial this manufacturer because my experience has been that most of their cellphones have better than average reception (been using several Motorolas and other manufacturers since the late 80's). Quality communication is a combination of your network provider and the product you're using. The manufacturer, attractive price on this model and your positive review was instrumental in my decision. You didn't steer me wrong.
Extra features aren't a big draw either but I'll take advantage of them if they're thrown in. Ergonomics is very important to me and I like this phone.
thanks TrueFacts -
Not sure about compatibility.
Thanks. -
Not sure about compatibility.
Thanks. -
Mobile Phone tools by BVRP works wonderfully. Mobile Action also has software that works.
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Mobile Phone tools by BVRP works wonderfully. Mobile Action also has software that works.
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That tip to lock the side button has made my life alot simpler.
Great Tip and simply a great phone. -
Too many folks think they can review after 4 or 5 days of ownership. TrueFacts knows what "review" means. Looking forward to his findings on the Outlook sync issue.
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The information on setting the contacts to view primary contacts works on the Motorola V220 and it really cleans up the contact list. Thanks for taking the time to understand your phone and sharing the results!
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This is very confusing. I'm on Verizon and re-newing my contract. However, after reading the pros and cons on both (E815&8100)phones I am more confused than ever. Any suggestions? I presently have a LG6100. I just need a good speaker phone and bluetooh and possibly good camera. HELP
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Thanks for the tips. I have a Motorola V600 and the Lock Application tips was helpful. I'm looking to change to Verizon and this was one phone I was looking at.
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I love this new E815 phone. It's loaded with features, and afer learning how to use them all (especially with TrueFacts' help), it's definately a worthy buy.
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OMG I couldn't figure out why my ringer was turning itself off. Thank you thank you thank you. The morons at Verizon couldn't tell me a thing, except they would be happy to update my software if I had 40 minutes to kill. Whatever!
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I just received mine last night and I am having issues trying to figure out how to use the MP3 player portion? Any advice?
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thanks for the review...it really helped me to decided on the 815.
One questions...does anyone know if this phone links up with the calendar in Lotus Notes?
Thanks in advance -
Don't know if TrueFacts will see this but...
Thank you ! You have fixed the only thing that annoyed me about this phone - the way that contacts were displayed - now they are listed by Primary and it GREAT !
Thanks again ! -
It will not sync via Bluetooth. You must use a data cable to get that to work. Verizon sells for like $45 or you can find it cheaper elsewhere.
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Everybody is saying it's weak.. how weak is weak? If I've got it in my pocket, will I feel it?
Also, does it vibrate & ring at the same time? I hate phones that make you only pick one, or phones that the "vibrate + ring" option actually means vibrate for a few moments, THEN ring. (My old LG 4400 was like that, and I'd constantly miss calls because if it wasn't on me, by the time I actually heard the ring it was too late).
Thanks a ton for clearing up the thing about the phone book!
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