Best verizon phones for 2006 Prius?

Only problem is that I don't see the i730 on Verizon Wireless' web page.

 

It's under the PDA/Smartphone section.

Here's the link:

http://estore.vzwshop.com/overview/wireles...sssync/devices/

 

Thanks! Hmm, unfortunately, it's running software that's a major version behind since Windows Mobile 5.0 is out now and it's WAY out of my price range.

 

There's a likelihood that there will be a WM5 upgrade available. But latest is not necessarily best if you are running programs that have not yet been upgraded to run under WM5.

 

I have 2005 Prius and a Verizon VX6700, which is a Window Mobile 5.0 Pocket PC phone. They pair and I can make and receive calls, but that is about it.

The phone book will transfer one contact at a time; but, Windows Mobile 5.0 insists on formatting the phone numbers into "(999) 999-9999" form. This formatted version is then sent to and accepted by the Prius, which cannot handle it. (The numbers display as "||||||||||||||".) To get around this I am using my laptop's bluetooth to transfer contacts to the Prius's phone book.

Because of the formatting problem, I am convinced that no Windows Mobile 5.0-based device will ever transfer a working phone book to the Prius.

Besides the phone book problem, the signal strenth meter and caller ID do not seem to work. Since they work for other devices (like my daughter's RAZR) I am hoping a future VX6700 firmware upgrade will fix these problems.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(savingtheearth @ Mar 2 2006, 11:17 PM) [snapback]219424[/snapback]</div>

I have owned a 2006 Prius for just 1.5 weeks (Package 7) and I'm ready to start using Bluetooth. I have a non-Bluetooth Verizon phone and I would like to get a newer model with Bluetooth capabilities that works well with the Prius.

It seems that some people have trouble loading their phone book onto the Prius. According to How to Transfer Your Cellphone Phone Book to Your Prius, it can be done. Does this work with any Verizon Bluetooth phone? The webpage doesn't mention any limitations.

I talked with the local Verizon salesman yesterday who said I don't need to load my phone book onto the Prius because it won't buy me anything. Is that true? He recommended the LG VX8100. Will I be able to load my phone book using this phone? What additional capabilities does that provide? As you might be able to tell, I'm not convinced that he knew what he was talking about.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Zampano @ Apr 6 2006, 02:06 PM) [snapback]235883[/snapback]</div>

I have '06 Prius package 7 and I have Vierzon Samsung 950 and Razr phones (wife's). Both of them work fine. You know that you can register more than one phone, right? Razr shows battery meter and signal strength on MFD. Samsung 950 does not. All phone calls come through Bluethooth beautifully. My wife and I can't believe that we lived without Bluetooth in cars for so long. I guess ignorance is/was bliss.

Regarding the phone book transfer, it is disabled by Verizon, not by Prius or Toyota. Why, who know. I am pretty sure that there are ways to do it, but I would not. You want to program speed dial in case you need to call someone while driving/moving and this is the only choice you have.

Regarding the Samsung phones, Razr has very short battery life. Samsung has voice cut in-and-out problem that is very very annoying. You might want to try LG as suggested. If you don't mind short battery life, I think Razr is a very good choice. Good luck.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(jsf @ Mar 13 2006, 07:06 AM) [snapback]224185[/snapback]</div>

There's a hacked verison, but there won't be a official release. Such things are very rare, as simply adding it to the next version will allow them to force customer to buy the new device.

 

Paco, were you ever able to fix these 2 problems? I'm thinking of buying this phone & want to know if the probs are beatable. I also have a Mac which doesn't have Bluetooth capability.

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(paco-shalom @ Mar 9 2006, 02:48 PM) [snapback]222898[/snapback]</div>

 

Just thought I'd vouch for the Blackberry 7130e, love the phone and the car work great together.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(SparkyJ @ Apr 10 2006, 11:58 AM) [snapback]237609[/snapback]</div>

Paco-Shalom & I exchanged a few more times using PMs - thought people might be interested in his answers.

Great, thanks for the info.

One more question.

Verizon's data sheets for the phone show certain functions listed as "n/a" - like battery meter, singal strength meter, and roaming meter. Which makes me think they won't work. Do you get displays on your Prius' screen for these items?

You can see the data sheet at http://dts.vzw.com/pdf/Nokia_carkit_6256i.pdf

I actually played around with this phone at a Best Buy today, and I was really shocked at how bad the interface was, compared to the LG VX 8100. Even though I'm angry at Verizon for crippling my phone, I figure the interface will get much more use than the data push functions, so I went with the LG VX 8100.

 

i have just purchased verizons LG VX 8100 just five days ago.nice phone paired easily w/my 05 prius w nav.i ve read thru this site but still have one question.should i be able to access the one touch numbers i put in while im driving.when the car starts moving they disappear.is there a workaround.very informative threads here about the nav issues.thanks for the help.

 

I wound up getting the LG VX 8100 and I spent a few hours today researching how to hack the phone so you can move ringtones, music, and pictures between your phone and computer (mine's a Mac) without having to pay Verizon's stupid fees. I haven't tried it myself yet (just ordered the USB data cable tonight, but you can also do it through Bluetooth if your computer is so equipped) but I'm pretty sure it will work. The source of my information was:

http://www.howardforums.com/showthread.php...76&page=1&pp=15

Keep in mind that the thread started in July 2005, so a lot of the earlier posts may refer to things that Verizon changed later on with their software updates.

 

LG 8100 is great, but I still can't transer the phone book!