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Didn't realized how good this phone was till. . .
- Thread starter FaroeseViking
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- motorola triumph
thangfish
Android Expert
Mine used to take 2 min to get a cold lock.
Since I cleared agps data it got much better.
My last test, on a cold start (hadn't used GPS in days and started it up at a new random location, it took 40 sec. A warm start gets a lock in less than 5 sec.
Now I'm sure other phones do better (a Rezound for example) but it really is in no way inconvenient.
Honestly, I don't use the GPS all that much. But when I do, I'm usually turning on the GPS from the off power position, and yes, I agree with the above poster. It takes about 40 seconds to get a signal. And as long as I don't turn off the GPS power, whenever I need the GPS again, it's right there in seconds.
In fact, you reminded me. As I was looking for houses for my friend, I used the GPS on the Triumph to find and get directions from house to house. So yes, GPS works well for me, too.
Oh, and one more reason I never left stock is because I use the HDMI on at least a weekly basis: loading it up and watching movies at friend's homes; connecting it to motel TVs for a bigger internet and streaming screen; playing games on my 26" LCD; showing off pics and videos I shot on a larger screen.
I waited a long time for this phone to come out with everything I wanted on it. And it has indeed performed flawlessly since day one. I'm extremely happy with my purchase, especially at $25 a month.
Nah I tried over 7 andriod keyboards for more then a day with each one.... its the phone.
piper_
Well-Known Member
That's the way I see it.
I am another one who is very happy with this phone, it works and works well.
I drive a large car (18-22 wheeler/semi) and use GPS for 10 or more hours a day and it works great, locks fast ... the rest I won't comment on because it's all been said before ... especially that every phone out there has problems ...
Rolo42
Android Enthusiast
My wife and I have had this phone for 1 month so far. It does seem like there were issues in earlier production that don't exist now.
- Price $220 on Amazon
- Camera is fine; focus may be a tad slow but its a phone with a camera, not a camera with a phone
- GPS isn't any slower than an actual GPS device, indoors or outside (< min)
- SwiftKey X does work better than stock KB (and a couple more we've tried), works fine (I use speech input usually anyway)
- I can't comment on gamepad-esque games since I haven't played any (I have a PC for real gaming)
A friend has a RAZR MAXX, which is, I'd say, in the top 3 phones performance-wise. Would we like one (or any other top-end phone)? Sure, but not for the $160+/mo. for two years (on Sprint anyway, more on Verizon with data usage caps). That dwarfs the $220 Triumph cost.
Even if both Triumphs were to completely break after a year as the prognosticator says and VM left me SOL, I'd have only spent ~$1360 for the year and not have any contract. With Sprint, I would have spent ~$2150 and would have another ~$1950 to go for another year or pay a cancellation fee. Would I have to buy a replacement anyway (not at a discount since my contract isn't up, so add $400-650) if I didn't buy their warranty/insurance? I don't know but I would expect to get jerked around by Sprint because that's been my experience for years.
Bottom line: I could buy six Triumphs before exceeding Sprint's cost with zero replacements.
If my Triumph were to go Tango Uniform in a year, that's just a catalyst to upgrade to a better phone (will there be something better in a year? probably), newer OS, and/or better service provider.
Its not the best and its far from the worst, so I don't see what there is to complain about in general.
- Price $220 on Amazon
- Camera is fine; focus may be a tad slow but its a phone with a camera, not a camera with a phone
- GPS isn't any slower than an actual GPS device, indoors or outside (< min)
- SwiftKey X does work better than stock KB (and a couple more we've tried), works fine (I use speech input usually anyway)
- I can't comment on gamepad-esque games since I haven't played any (I have a PC for real gaming)
A friend has a RAZR MAXX, which is, I'd say, in the top 3 phones performance-wise. Would we like one (or any other top-end phone)? Sure, but not for the $160+/mo. for two years (on Sprint anyway, more on Verizon with data usage caps). That dwarfs the $220 Triumph cost.
Even if both Triumphs were to completely break after a year as the prognosticator says and VM left me SOL, I'd have only spent ~$1360 for the year and not have any contract. With Sprint, I would have spent ~$2150 and would have another ~$1950 to go for another year or pay a cancellation fee. Would I have to buy a replacement anyway (not at a discount since my contract isn't up, so add $400-650) if I didn't buy their warranty/insurance? I don't know but I would expect to get jerked around by Sprint because that's been my experience for years.
Bottom line: I could buy six Triumphs before exceeding Sprint's cost with zero replacements.
If my Triumph were to go Tango Uniform in a year, that's just a catalyst to upgrade to a better phone (will there be something better in a year? probably), newer OS, and/or better service provider.
Its not the best and its far from the worst, so I don't see what there is to complain about in general.
thangfish
Android Expert
You know, in hindsight, I suppose he was just trolling... And I bit.
Hook Line and Sinker, as they say.
stef7
Android Expert
Per my previous comment with some perspective, with the new phone I see 22sats in my location and achieve almost instantaneous locks. Downloads are so fast from the Market, they often complete before my finger is off the back-button.
The MT is one heck of a device, but it is not supported properly, and the Sprint network is (at least where I'm located) highly variable and coverage is not nearly as good as it should be. I could put up with the network problems, but not the phone support problems. Big error, VMUSA/Sprint.
Yes, I am paying more per month ($70 vs. $25), and yes it is a contract phone (LG Spectrum w/GingerBread, ICS supposidly on the way for those hypo-glycemic) with Verizon, but I paid $19.99 for the phone a week ago through AmazonWireless, and now they are selling for $.01 (there are others selling for practically nada). 4G data before throttle. 450talk minutes vs 300 with VMUSA. No SMS, but then I'm using Whatsapp.
The MT is fine for my son, but for me, the differential in price is so well worth it because of the reliability and speed of the service if nothing else... And I've used the MT for a considerable length of time, and this phone is it's superior in almost every way.
The MT is one heck of a device, but it is not supported properly, and the Sprint network is (at least where I'm located) highly variable and coverage is not nearly as good as it should be. I could put up with the network problems, but not the phone support problems. Big error, VMUSA/Sprint.
Yes, I am paying more per month ($70 vs. $25), and yes it is a contract phone (LG Spectrum w/GingerBread, ICS supposidly on the way for those hypo-glycemic) with Verizon, but I paid $19.99 for the phone a week ago through AmazonWireless, and now they are selling for $.01 (there are others selling for practically nada). 4G data before throttle. 450talk minutes vs 300 with VMUSA. No SMS, but then I'm using Whatsapp.
The MT is fine for my son, but for me, the differential in price is so well worth it because of the reliability and speed of the service if nothing else... And I've used the MT for a considerable length of time, and this phone is it's superior in almost every way.
lou61166
Android Enthusiast
I also made the switch to Verizon,and yes it costs more a month,the experience with the HTC Rezound and 4G is so worth it,i felt even at paying VM 40.00 a month was not worth,the dial-up 3G speeds and outdated android phones.maybe if VM would allow other devices on there network i might have stayed,congrats on finding out the basic theory,you get what you pay for.
stef7
Android Expert
exactly. in the end, VMUSA and the MT were a promising, but ultimately a false economy concept.
Rolo42
Android Enthusiast
Impossible. There are only 31 GPS satellites total; even if you were on ISS, about half would be obstructed to you.
Either the software is bugged or it is counting other sensors in the satellite count (towers, WiFi).
Re: you get what you pay for. Generally but there's a context. "You can't please all the people all the time."
In my case (and I'm sure I'm not alone), I don't need/want what Sprint, for example, offers and they only offer one plan for smartphones and tack on extra fees on top of that. I don't need 1500 minutes/mo plus nights/weekend minutes, whatever (I might almost use 1500 mins/year). I don't need 4G (I have WiFi most of the time). I don't need truly unlimited data since, again, I mostly have WiFi and I'm OK with being throttled at 2.5GB because I doubt I'll ever reach that (and it is still unlimited, where Verizon would cut me off completely). Therefore, I neither need nor want to spend $160/mo for two phones when I can get what I want for $76 and put the other $84/mo. towards what I want (like a couple of Keplers coming out this or next month).
It would be poor economics to spend money on services not used/wanted. It's no different than any other technical solution: you define the clients' needs/wants first and then present a solution that fits.
In my case (and I'm sure I'm not alone), I don't need/want what Sprint, for example, offers and they only offer one plan for smartphones and tack on extra fees on top of that. I don't need 1500 minutes/mo plus nights/weekend minutes, whatever (I might almost use 1500 mins/year). I don't need 4G (I have WiFi most of the time). I don't need truly unlimited data since, again, I mostly have WiFi and I'm OK with being throttled at 2.5GB because I doubt I'll ever reach that (and it is still unlimited, where Verizon would cut me off completely). Therefore, I neither need nor want to spend $160/mo for two phones when I can get what I want for $76 and put the other $84/mo. towards what I want (like a couple of Keplers coming out this or next month).
It would be poor economics to spend money on services not used/wanted. It's no different than any other technical solution: you define the clients' needs/wants first and then present a solution that fits.
Would you explain that in more detail to the confused Android newbie who also doesn't know a lot about the finer points of GPS, please?
In my case, neither of us use much talk time, and according to Onavo I've only used 5% of my 2.5GB at halfway through my billing month, so the plan I have is quite adequate to my needs at this point, and $80/month ($35/month for the Beyond Talk plan X 2 phones, $5/month for device insurance X 2 phones) is a lot more affordable than whatever AT&T, Sprint, etc., would want (their Web sites are VERY hard to find a straight answer on when it comes to pricing). DH and I agree that we don't want to deal with the hassles of contract plans, and we've been with VM for years now and been quite content. I did have to exchange one defective device (DH had no trouble at all with his, purchased a day later at the same store), but stuff happens, and nothing involving human beings will be perfect.
I had thought the data usage included WiFi, but I may well be mistaken.
My only real grumble is that VM's website does not work well with either Firefox or Chrome, so I wind up using Safari for that site (I refuse to use IE for anything more than downloading a better browser).
stef7
Android Expert
Well, that's true, the SW that is reporting how many is GPS Fix and GPS Test, and of course, both report more than are actually visible (I think the theoretical max would be 12 or so depending on time of day for any one location... the min would hopefully be 4 or so). And yes, I realize, it's the number that are "used" to establish the fix that is important.
I stand corrected.
Your other points are sound. No argument, except if you were one of the people banging your head against the VMUSA/Sprint and Motorola wall and getting no where for 8months.
You stick with the phone as their network degrades. Maybe you'll get an update, and maybe you won't. But at some point, the unreliability of their network, even if you have WiFi and use that predominately will get to most users. Even if they root to side step some of the glaring phone issues.
I did my best. Regards...
piper_
Well-Known Member
One thing I really love is when people boast about 4G, I say bulldong, no such thing, well, not with cell phones (yet).
I don't think half the people here really know's what 4G is or about.
LTE, WiMax, UMB, etc are not compliant to the specifications set forth by the 4G standard. 3.9G is what it really is or Pre-4G.
To be able to qualify as a 4G technology, speeds of up to 100Mbps must be reached for a moving user and 1Gbps for a stationary user. So far, these speeds are only reachable with wired LANs.
3G is a mix of circuit and packet switching network while 4G is only a packet switching network.
4G is a joke and a ripoff, your major telcos know it, most humans don't.
some good links within the past 2 years on the subject, google for a lot more
The Dirty Secret of Today's 4G: It's Not 4G
5 Ways Your Telecom Company is Screwing You | Cracked.com
I don't think half the people here really know's what 4G is or about.
LTE, WiMax, UMB, etc are not compliant to the specifications set forth by the 4G standard. 3.9G is what it really is or Pre-4G.
To be able to qualify as a 4G technology, speeds of up to 100Mbps must be reached for a moving user and 1Gbps for a stationary user. So far, these speeds are only reachable with wired LANs.
3G is a mix of circuit and packet switching network while 4G is only a packet switching network.
4G is a joke and a ripoff, your major telcos know it, most humans don't.
some good links within the past 2 years on the subject, google for a lot more
The Dirty Secret of Today's 4G: It's Not 4G
5 Ways Your Telecom Company is Screwing You | Cracked.com
tcross8361
Well-Known Member
I really didn't realize how good this phone was till I seen it kick boost mobiles LG Marque's butt on quadrant standard. The Marque couldn't even beat the Nexus S. HowardForums: Your Mobile Phone Community & Resource - Boost Mobile LG Marquee review This was suppose to be the mother of all pre-paid phones.
marc12868
Android Expert
Lol it's funny that you think quadrant tells you anything. It quite literally tells you nothing or at least barely anything about a phone.
tcross8361
Well-Known Member
Funny because many reputable sites that review phones, like Droid guy use it. Why what do you recommend?
lou61166
Android Enthusiast
Funny seeing VM is without a doubt the slowest 3G network of any.,i do not see how 4G LTE users getting 30 MBPS down and 10 or 11 up,are getting ripped off,seeing VM and Sprint you can hardly reach 1and 1,and that is in the middle of the night.so just keep trying to convince yourself that VM's service and phones are a steal.all for 25 a month.
tcross8361
Well-Known Member
It is a steal because everything I want to do, I can do. I don't need a $90 a month bill and I don't need 30 MB down to do what I've got to do.
marc12868
Android Expert
Actually watching reviews and reading what people have to say. The only benchmarks that will tell you anything are FPS benchmarks like nenamark, nenamark 2, and neocore, but even then they aren't necessarily all that accurate, but that's the best you're gonna get with out actually testing the phone yourself. And the only reason reviewer show the quadrant scores is because if they didn't people would throw a b!tch fit. Also I believe phonedog does them even though they don't really care they tell you take it with a grain of salt... My current phone scores either around and sometimes under what other people score on the MT even though I have a 1.2 GHz dualcore phone. And even with the same/ under scores I can run any game a hell of a lot better. I'm not saying that benchmarks are totally bad, but people who really on them really shouldn't. Look around google and read about benchmarks in the phone market if you want to learn more. This post isn't meant to be offensive and I'm sorry if people take offense to it, but it's more of an informative post. I used to think benchmarks were awesome, but after reading about benchmarks and such and actually realizing they really don't tell much I stopped relying on them. It's much better to just watch video reviews (not really paying attention to the benchmarks) and seeing how it functions as well as finding forums about the phone and see what people who use it day in and day out say.
TL;DR Benchmarks aren't that accurate, reviewers show them otherwise there would be an uprise, watch lots of video reviews/ browse the phones forum. But don't trust benchmarks
thangfish
Android Expert
I think it's funny that you think that.
piper_
Well-Known Member
+1
Besides, I download my porn just fine on vm's network, just because you can get it what, 3 seconds faster, it ain't worth the very extra $$$ per month. It's a no brainer.
Rolo42
Android Enthusiast
...on the phone or computer? It works fine on my PC's FF11. FF didn't work on my phone (hung, FCs).
I can't speak for anywhere else but the network here has been flawless; Google talk voice and Voxer work flawlessly in real-time with both endpoints 3G and with less latency than a landline. It is the same Sprint network I left (albeit, a lower priority traffic, I assume).
re: 4G. No, it doesn't meet the ITU's specs for 4G but it isn't a rip-off either. 300M/75M is still far better than 3.1M/1M--a whole generation better I'd say (assuming it works as designed).
On my Vista laptop. FF or Chrome both suffer from that stupid gray box at the bottom of VM's page overlapping links to the point that I can't get anything done. Does work on Safari.
As for my phone's browsing, I'm currently using Opera Mobile.