Sep 24, 2001 11:32 AM
2144 Views
Ok, I admit I was going to be a hold out. I did not want a cell phone. Well, as fate would have it a car wreck changed my mind. We got rear-ended on Thursday. No phone, no way to get help except to be at the mercy of the passerby’s.
I decided then and there that I was going to Park Place Sales on Friday and get a cell phone. I had several choices in front of me and not knowing exactly what I was looking for I chose my phone solely based on the calling plan. I needed one that was pre-paid so I have no unknown charges or surprises at the end of the month on my credit card statement. I was handed the AudioVox MVX 502 model in the box. I had no clue what to do next except open the box. Simple huh?
Price was a factor for me. I needed something affordable and something simple. Pre-paid was my first choice. This phone fit the bill. The price was $59.96 for the phone and $20 worth of calling time. The calling rates for our area are 35 cents local and 50 long distance. Maybe a bit high but liveable in a pinch.
As I looked at this little black phone that now was going to be my lifeline to the world I must confess I had my doubts. The only experience I had ever had with a cell phone was a big one in a bag that really fit nowhere in the car or truck and had cords everywhere! I wanted to see how this little piece of modern marvel was going to do the trick for me.
I was impressed right off the bat by the face of the phone if you will. It has full screen readout for you to see the number you are and the number you are calling. The face has big numbers that are black on a green background and it is very clear.
Another feature is that is seems to be able to pull a signal from almost anywhere. The Audio Vox MVX502 may be small but it has a serious reach. I called from Shreveport to my house about an hour away and it had no problem getting through. I did find that the sound was not so good though as I got farther away. The person I called could hear me fine but I was having trouble hearing them. I am not sure if this is just me being new to the cell phone or if it is actually the phone. We will see as time goes on.
The phone has a weight of about 2 pounds. Not too heavy to weigh down my purse. The phone is slender in design and is about an inch wide at the base tapering off to about ¾ of an inch at the top. It is about 2.5 inches in width. The buttons are white but color coded for send (in green for go) and end (in red for stop) which is kind of neat to me. The power button is also red, as is the number one button. The antenna is flimsy to me. It reaches out about three inches from the phone when extended. You must be careful when pushing it back down into the phone or it will bend. It is all plastic.
What I am disappointed in is the amount of talk time or active time as I was told. When I purchased the phone it was fully charged. I was told you could leave it one all day and it would hold a full charge. I was told it would also hold the full charge for three or four days. This has proven to be untrue. This is how it actually worked for me on Saturday.
I turned the phone on at about 8:30 am when I got in the truck and headed to Shreveport. I got to Bossier City and called home to let them know I had made it almost to where I needed to be. The signal was clear and we heard each other very well. I then called my best friend to let her know I would be home in about 3 hours to get her kids. Her mother had passed away this am about 4 am or so and we were scrambling to get the kids with either me or to leave them at the house. She heard me fine but I could not hear her to well. I turned the phone off after an hour and a half of being on and two phone calls. I went to my meeting and during my meeting I had the phone off. My meting lasted about an hour. I left the building and turned the phone on. I called my husband to let him know I was headed out and was there anything I need to pick up before I got home. He said no and our conversation was very clear. I called my best friend and could barely hear her. She only lives three miles from my home so it was not much more distance for the signal to travel. She said she could hear me but I could hardly hear her. Ok out I go towards the house.
I stopped at Burger King to get something to eat and headed out. I made it about 30 miles down the road and needed to get gas. I was already 20 minutes behind schedule from having to wait at BK. I needed gas. I got my gas and tried to call the house. Ok, now the new cell phone I have is beeping at me and flashing that the battery is low. Ok what gives? I have made 4 phone calls, had the phone active a total of 3 hours tops and it is giving out on me. Not what I was told and least of all what I expected. I got home and was not happy. I got the charger when I got home and charged the phone. To the phones credit it did not take but about 15 minutes to charge. I got a “full battery” line on the readout so it was very simple to understand.
Based on the calling rate of 50 cents a minute for long distance and the balance right now of $15 I talked a total of 10 minutes. I had the phone active for a total of about 4 hours.
Right now the only thing that has impressed me is the ease of use of the phone and its size. It is convenient, fits in my purse or can fit in a pocket without much trouble. It is not bound by cords and cannot get tangled on the gearshift or in the steering wheel.
I have not yet decided if this phone can live up to the reputation I was lead to believe it had. Time will tell and I will update this review in a week or so. I hope to have good news to report but I am doubtful.
