First Impressions

[photoeditor]

No comments on this yet? Really surprised, so I'll kickoff, as I checked one out at a Verizon store in downtown Chicago.

I'd possibly have bought one if a) the store had been empowered to give me a better retention deal for giving up unlimited and b) the phone had been less prone to fingermarks on the display.

Super bright display, like I've only seen before on iPhones
Very comfortable in the hand, smaller than Samsung's S3 through S5 even without protective cases, about the size of an iPhone with a protective case.
Fast and slick, as it ought to be with a quad-core.
Useful widgets that betray the phone's outdoors bias.
Covers for USB and 3.5mm jacks must be closed for the phone's waterproofness to work. A good thing it supports wireless charging and Bluetooth.

The fingermarks situation was bad. I've not seen grease like this on a cell phone display since the original Droid. I'm hoping someone at the store had really greasy hands, or it was a defective sample. It would be ironic to have to buy a screen protector for this phone for something as mundane as bodily fluids.

Hopefully other people who've seen or bought the phone can chime in. It's on special through this Sunday August 17, $50 off.

 

[jfever311]

I've handled the phone in store, and I think it's easily the best ruggedized smartphone out there. The only reason I did not walk out with one is I am waiting for some of the techy guys around here to find a root exploit for this phone. As soon as that happens, I'll get the phone.

 

[brock029]

I bought it last Friday and it's a great phone for the most part. Fingerprints aren't too bad... Not any worse then my commando 4g was. Loaded with a decent amount of boat ware so once I have time I'm going to try if anything i can root it.

I ended up returning the first one I bought and swapped it out for another one yesterday. I was having some strange problems with it. Randomly it would give me the slow charging message even though I was using the charger it came with. Maybe 40% of my calls people said they couldn't understand anything I was saying. The microphone on the first one picked up background noise bad. I live maybe a mile and a half from a train crossing. I was standing on my front porch talking to a friend and he asked if I was standing right at the train tracks... From my house you can hardly hear the train horn. The second phone doesn't seem to pickup background noise as bad but still randomly gives me the slow charging message.

The phone is quick and multitasks pretty good. The programmable button is awesome I've got it set to open up my construction calculator app. The rear camera takes pretty good pictures in light and dark. The front camera doesn't do good in low light and sometimes doesn't pick up any light at all. Works when the screen is wet and I can use it while wearing leather gloves. So far I'm pretty happy with it and the speaker is extremely loud. I can hear my phone ringing while driving a skid steer loader so that is a huge plus. Now only time will tell how tough it is. My commando lasted me 13 months before it started having problems. I do concrete and having a rugged phone is great but having a rugged phone with decent hardware specs is even better.

 

[jfever311]

If you already have Developer options enabled, you should try sideloading the FM Radio apk and seeing if it works. Just because FM radio is not listed doesn't necessarily mean it does not have a receiver. Verizon is famous for doing this.

 

[brock029]

If you already have Developer options enabled, you should try sideloading the FM Radio apk and seeing if it works. Just because FM radio is not listed doesn't necessarily mean it does not have a receiver. Verizon is famous for doing this.

Which FM radio apk are you talking about?

 

[jfever311]

Which FM radio apk are you talking about?

This one......


.

 

[chassum]

I'd like to hear about 4G and wifi reception.

 

[brock029]

I'd like to hear about 4G and wifi reception.

WiFi reception is good, a little better then my commando 4g and on par with my wife's lg g2. 4g reception has been fine however just cell reception in general when we go to the lake a little ways out of town there is no more Verizon service for the rest of the drive, however my brigadier will completely lose service 5-10 minutes (probably around 5-10 miles) before my wife's g2 does. So I'm assuming cell reception is a little weak but hasn't really been an issue.

 

[Jim1348]

I have read that all Verizon smartphones are unlocked now. However, I read a post on a forum stating that the Kyocera Brigadier would work on AT&T And T-Mobile, but just for talking and texting. It said that Verizon has locked out the data from AT&T and T-Mobile. Is there a workaround for this? http://androidforums.com/kyocera-brigadier/

 

[zedwards]

I'm enjoying this phone. Definitely like the ruggedness as I don't like cases, but am not super gentle with my phones. I am wondering if it's going to get updated. It's a bit buggy...getting forced closed apps and the whitebalance sucks for the camera. But nothing that is bad. Haven't had any issues with the mic/headset. Will update with more info as I remember.

 

[bestaudioguy]

I'm enjoying this phone. Definitely like the ruggedness as I don't like cases, but am not super gentle with my phones. I am wondering if it's going to get updated. It's a bit buggy...getting forced closed apps and the whitebalance sucks for the camera. But nothing that is bad. Haven't had any issues with the mic/headset. Will update with more info as I remember.

Needs a firmware update to correct the camera. Sucks no matter which camera app I choose.

 

[zedwards]

Needs a firmware update to correct the camera. Sucks no matter which camera app I choose.

Yeah it sure could use a firmware update. Not sure when if ever they'll post one. Seems like the least popular phone in the world. But I am loving the indestructibility of it.