Any opinions on the Audiovox SMT 5600

Bronco

Bronco

Moderator
Joined
Feb 25, 2000
Messages
7,579
I'm switching over to Cingular's GSM service and I have a decision to make vis-a-vis a new cell phone. The standard choices are all available locally; black or silver Razr V3, Sony Ericsson, Treo, Blackberry, etc., etc. All, of course, have good points and bad.

I don't really have any burning desire for mobile email access, so I figure I can do without the size, weight, expense and somewhat cumbersome UI that come with the Treo and Blackberry. Still, a bit of enhanced multimedia and contact management capability would be cool.

In the course of my research I eventually happened upon the Audiovox SMT 5600. Honestly, Audiovox isn't really a name I've ever considered in the past. But the SMT 5600 caught my eye when I kept seeing it at the top of the online review lists. On paper, at least, its features seem to position it rather neatly between the basic and PDA type cell phones. Plus, it was introduced last year so the price has come down dramatically.

Anyway, we have a good number of savvy cell phone folks here, so I figured I'd throw this one out there and see what you all thought.

http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,1759,1674705,00.asp
 
got the new 2125 that replaced the 5600 as of this monday. same design, but more up to date software, faster, etc, AND EDGE for FASST internet. i have had a 5600 since the day it came out and i LOVE this damn phone!! i am going to trade up to the 2125 after i pay xmas bills. this phone kicks butt!!!
 
Well, that sure didn't take long. Thanks, vactor. :)

You know, now that you mention it, I did notice the strong physical similarities between the 5600 and the 2125. But what threw me is the fact that Cingular is listed as the manufacturer of the 2125. Now I see that HTC is actually the manufacturer.
 
BEWARE!

When I was down there in April, I witnessed my wifes aunt have nothing but problems with Cingular. Dropped calls, busy signals, and areas of no service. (This was in Anaheim) Every time she would call us, or we'd call her, we'd either get dropped, or hear static. if my wife, daughter or I called each other, we had no problems whatsoever. (We have U.S. Cellular on CDMA)

On the Audiovox, my daughter has one; not sure the number, but it is a very good phone, and I used an Audiovox CDM-4500 reviously and had no trouble.

YMMV.
 
I appreciate the heads up, Mike. Your aunt's problems are eerily reminscent of my experiences the first time I tried out the GSM network about 3 years ago. Back then I was with AT&T and it was right during the time when they were all but forcing their customers to switch from analog to digital technology. Coverage was lousy, calls were dropped constantly and, worst of all, the phones would lock onto any dead cell you would pass through and never reset themselves until you manually switched the phone off and on (usually four or six hours later after you'd finally started beginning to wonder why nobody had called you all day). Talk about being on the bleeding edge of technology, that sucked. I remember dancing a jig the day they announced the new number portability laws. In fact, most attribute AT&T's premature rollout of GSM service directly with the company's demise and eventual buyout by Cingular.

Fortunately, things have improved greatly in the last year. Not only has the merger of AT&T and Cingular created more seamless coverage, but some of the phones themselves are sporting more sensitive antennae. Reportedly, the 2125 which vactor recommends is a prime example of this trend. I've had a cheap Nokia loaner since I switched over last week, and so far so good. I'm keeping my fingers crossed though. ;)
 
I know it's not Cingular nor GSM, but I just switched from T-Mobile GSM with a Sidekick to Sprint with a new PCC 6700 which I am thus far very happy with. EVDO, the new high-speed data service for PCM cell phones which Sprint markets as "Powervision" rocks. It's like DSL in your hand. And if you want broadband, switch in the WiFi.

In fact, I'm posting from my cell phone right now.
 
Two quick followup questions for vactor:

How is the battery life on your 5600?

Were you able to find a car charger for it?

Thanks.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top