I-Mate SP3 or SP3i

[Guest Kenny-Craig]

I am going to purchase a new Smartphone, do get the i-mate SP3 or the SP3i, I have read about issues with the SP3i keypad and joystick but these may be minor problems on limited hardware versions. I dont want a device the size if the JAM however good it is and I have a lot of Smartphone applications that will not work on the Pocket PC variant anyway so to save going through shed loads of hardware I reckon either of the two SP3 versions will be fine. There is very little cost difference between the two models so thats not a factor I am too fussed about either so if I said choose one which one would you choose?

Edited February 21, 2005 by Kenny-Craig

[Guest domo]

I purchased the SP3i in November 2004. I had and still have the keypad & joystick problems. My SP3i has already been back to imate to fix the joystick problem…took about a 1-month turnaround. After the device was returned to me in mid January I now have the keypad problem and am presently waiting on a response from imate support to an email detailing same…4-5 days now and no reply. The keypad problem refers to the 2 main action keys which when not working renders the device pretty much useless.

Other than all the above…this is my first windows smartphone and I like the size/functionality. However…apart from my present problem…I do find the keypad generally difficult to use…. i.e.…the numeric keypad is not nearly as ergonomic/responsive as say Nokia keypads. With what I know now, and in hindsight I should have probably gone with the SP3, as I believe these do not suffer the ills I have mentioned.

Hopefully imate will sort out my keypad issue soon. :lol:

[Guest domo]

I purchased the SP3i in November 2004. I had and still have the keypad & joystick problems. My SP3i has already been back to imate to fix the joystick problem…took about a 1-month turnaround. After the device was returned to me in mid January I now have the keypad problem and am presently waiting on a response from imate support to an email detailing same…4-5 days now and no reply. The keypad problem refers to the 2 main action keys which when not working renders the device pretty much useless.

Other than all the above…this is my first windows smartphone and I like the size/functionality. However…apart from my present problem…I do find the keypad generally difficult to use…. i.e.…the numeric keypad is not nearly as ergonomic/responsive as say Nokia keypads. With what I know now, and in hindsight I should have probably gone with the SP3, as I believe these do not suffer the ills I have mentioned.

Hopefully imate will sort out my keypad issue soon. :lol:

[Guest Kenny-Craig]

Thanks for the info,

I think its going to be the SP3 because I can't be farting around with getting the phone fixed if the hardware fails.

One SP3 please :lol:

[Guest philgriffiths]

Its worth noting that a lot of people don't like the rocker on the SP3, some find it difficult to use, others say it has broken. I can't comment personally as i dont own either phone.... yet

I plan to buy an SP3i in a couple of days mainly becuase i just prefer the look of it. you have to remember that from a hardware point of view they are pretty much the same phone

[Guest pharma79]

HI,I own a SP3 ( no i )

philgriffiths , if you plan to buy SP3i i suggest that you wait until there is a fix ( IF EVER ) for joystick / FKey bug of sp3i .

Im registered in club imate and see many - almost all - people are affected by this bug .

About SP3 , its rocker is something that at least i , never seen on any phone before , and in first sight is somewhat different feel , but when you get to use to it , it will be no problem - and ever more comfortable for menu/ document surfing ; and it has proved to be much reliable by now .

[Guest McHale]

I've been watching the forums on the iMate site and there are a LOT of "ME TO" posts about the joystick and soft buttons no longer working on the SP3i after about 3 weeks. iMate hasn't responded to a single one.

I wouldn't touch an iMate SP3i unless it were free. There have been NO complaints about the SP3 yet.

-Mc

[Guest philgriffiths]

To be honest i hadn't really taken a close look for problems with the SP3i as i have only very recently begun to seriously consider one. Could someone link to these IMate threads regarding the phone issues?

One complaint i have for the SP3 is i don't like the look of the rocker. Another improtant one for me (yes its vain i know) is that becuase you can get this phone for free on Orange now too many people have them and i like to have phones that are a bit more unusual. But thats just image concious old me

(PS: just noticed I've been elevated to the status of DieHard. Yay me!)

[Guest McHale]

here's the link to the SP3i forum: http://www.clubimate.com/forums/tt.asp?forumid=33

the main joystick complaint thread: http://www.clubimate.com/forums/tm.asp?m=8236

there are others as well as soft button threads...

"This is now the second device I have had with the same problem...cannot use joystick to navigate down.

It came on gradually with the first one, but the second one happened in the space of a couple of hours.

You have a real issue with this device and I would consider posting information about it or pulling the device all together until you fix it. "

"I have my SP3i for a few days now and it has also problems with the joystick.

Moving right and down is not easily possible. Up and left is possible without any problems."

"Well, my joystick popped off in my pants pocket and when I put it back now does not work at all. Fantastic. Anyone having any luck returning their phone? "

"I am also having major problems with the joystick and am returning my phone for another. I love the phone, but if it happens again I will never by another imate product EVER again. It's not like we are going to the local store and picking one up. It is actually taking effort to find a vendor and then use a phone not actually offered by my carrier. Like I said, I love the phone and want it to work in the worst way, but I have a short return window with the vendor and I can't feel abandoned by imate. It is obviously a problem that MUST BE ADDRESSED!!!!!"

"i have joystick problems too. right and down.

please i-mate do or say something about it "

"hi all,

just got the phone over a week ago (last friday) in america from expansys.

the joystick problem is happening to me!! after a week!

but for me, its hard to do up and right.... they really shouldn't have a nub joystick....

PLEASE HELP US"

"same problem here. Down and right doesn't work barely at all anymore. I tried the paper trick and even used compressed air to get it "clean." No change. I don't believe that is the problem.

I purchased mine from eXpansys as well and it's been 2 weeks since I bought and they told me they can't (won't) help me and I'm on my own with iMate.

Now what?"

"why any imate support answer this critical post??? "

"I would imagine that if they publicly answer, every smartphone site will jump on it in a second and Bye Bye iMate sales.

Since iMate won't help me and eXpansys won't help me, I'll never buy another iMate product again. That's for sure.

-K"

"Hello from Germany.....

the problems you are talk about are the same i have. Right an down are not ok. This problems is very hard ive you are using same applications. Ive you shut down your smartphone and after them turn Power on its all right.

Greetings TOM"

"I also have the same problem (with right and down) and i am starting to HATE my phone because of it .

I MATE PLEASE provide a Solution for the problem"

"I'm having the same problems with the phone as well. Down has been difficult since I got the phone, but two days ago both the joystick and the soft button keys totally stopped responding. Same as others, I can't even unlock the thing. I contact i-Mate support ([email protected]) and they referred me back to Expansys. Of course, Expansys has the 2-week window, so if i-Mate doesn't respond favorably to my email reply, I plan to report this as theft to my credit card provider and let them recover the sale price from Expansys/i-Mate/whomever.

For those that have already punted this device, are there any positive recommendations for replacements? I've had very good luck with Sony Ericcson, but they don't do a Windows Smartphone... "

"If its any consolation to you I am having the same problem…originally the joystick stopped working…sent it back to imate…they repaired….worked for about 3 weeks and now the softkeys don’t work….cant unlock it…etc……

I have contacted [email protected] a day or 2 ago…no response yet….

Would like to know how you get on…… "

hope this helps... There are other threads...

-Mc

[Guest Kenny-Craig]

here's the link to the SP3i forum: http://www.clubimate.com/forums/tt.asp?forumid=33

the main joystick complaint thread: http://www.clubimate.com/forums/tm.asp?m=8236

there are others as well as soft button threads...

"This is now the second device I have had with the same problem...cannot use joystick to navigate down.

It came on gradually with the first one, but the second one happened in the space of a couple of hours.

You have a real issue with this device and I would consider posting information about it or pulling the device all together until you fix it. "

"I have my SP3i for a few days now and it has also problems with the joystick.

Moving right and down is not easily possible. Up and left is possible without any problems."

"Well, my joystick popped off in my pants pocket and when I put it back now does not work at all. Fantastic. Anyone having any luck returning their phone? "

"I am also having major problems with the joystick and am returning my phone for another. I love the phone, but if it happens again I will never by another imate product EVER again. It's not like we are going to the local store and picking one up. It is actually taking effort to find a vendor and then use a phone not actually offered by my carrier. Like I said, I love the phone and want it to work in the worst way, but I have a short return window with the vendor and I can't feel abandoned by imate. It is obviously a problem that MUST BE ADDRESSED!!!!!"

"i have joystick problems too. right and down.

please i-mate do or say something about it "

"hi all,

just got the phone over a week ago (last friday) in america from expansys.

the joystick problem is happening to me!! after a week!     

but for me, its hard to do up and right.... they really shouldn't have a nub joystick....

PLEASE HELP US"

"same problem here. Down and right doesn't work barely at all anymore. I tried the paper trick and even used compressed air to get it "clean." No change. I don't believe that is the problem.

I purchased mine from eXpansys as well and it's been 2 weeks since I bought and they told me they can't (won't) help me and I'm on my own with iMate.

Now what?"

"why any imate support answer this critical post??? "

"I would imagine that if they publicly answer, every smartphone site will jump on it in a second and Bye Bye iMate sales.

Since iMate won't help me and eXpansys won't help me, I'll never buy another iMate product again. That's for sure.

-K"

"Hello from Germany.....

the problems you are talk about are the same i have. Right an down are not ok. This problems is very hard ive you are using same applications. Ive you shut down your smartphone and after them turn Power on its all right.

Greetings TOM"

"I also have the same problem (with right and down) and i am starting to HATE my phone because of it .

I MATE PLEASE provide a Solution for the problem"

"I'm having the same problems with the phone as well. Down has been difficult since I got the phone, but two days ago both the joystick and the soft button keys totally stopped responding. Same as others, I can't even unlock the thing. I contact i-Mate support ([email protected]) and they referred me back to Expansys. Of course, Expansys has the 2-week window, so if i-Mate doesn't respond favorably to my email reply, I plan to report this as theft to my credit card provider and let them recover the sale price from Expansys/i-Mate/whomever.

For those that have already punted this device, are there any positive recommendations for replacements? I've had very good luck with Sony Ericcson, but they don't do a Windows Smartphone... "

"If its any consolation to you I am having the same problem…originally the joystick stopped working…sent it back to imate…they repaired….worked for about 3 weeks and now the softkeys don’t work….cant unlock it…etc……

I have contacted [email protected] a day or 2 ago…no response yet….

Would like to know how you get on…… "

hope this helps...  There are other threads...

-Mc

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

That's a big help with my decision, I think the SP3i, nice as it is, will be too much of a liability to risk.

[Guest McHale]

yah, if you don't need the 850 MHz (and you don't unless you plan on being in the US a *LOT*), I'd go with the tried and true hardware of the SP3. I live less than an hour away from eXpasys USA so I was considering picking one up while I wait for something new to come out.

The SP3 is a good device and there are a lot of users on here with it (or the c500 or Audiovox) and everyone seems very happy with it.

iMate has *YET* to comment about the joystick issue. :lol:

-Mc

[Guest Kenny-Craig]

yah, if you don't need the 850 MHz (and you don't unless you plan on being in the US a *LOT*), I'd go with the tried and true hardware of the SP3.  I live less than an hour away from eXpasys USA so I was considering picking one up while I wait for something new to come out. 

The SP3 is a good device and there are a lot of users on here with it (or the c500 or Audiovox) and everyone seems very happy with it.

iMate has *YET* to comment about the joystick issue.  :lol:

-Mc

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Before I spend 300 notes on an SP3 I want to see if I can unlock and re-flash a PAYG C500 from Orange. If this is possible then so much the better as it will cost me less than £200 instead of £300

[Guest McHale]

yup. Florin can unlock that (I'm pretty sure). Then I suppose you can just download the latest c500 FW and slap that on it. That's a good idea!

-Mc

[Guest Kenny-Craig]

yup.  Florin can unlock that (I'm pretty sure).  Then I suppose you can just download the latest c500 FW and slap that on it.  That's a good idea!

-Mc

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Can I flash it "yes you can"

I now have an unlocked, unbranded Orange free C500 / SP3 with the lastest i-mate firmware, running Vodafone with MMS / GPRS and internet working as sweet as a nut for £140 including the £20 unlocking.

Bargain

[Guest McHale]

holy crap. That's awesome! Congrats and at least nod a "thanks" to iMate for the FW upgarde. :lol:

-Mc

[Guest Kenny-Craig]

holy crap.  That's awesome!  Congrats and at least nod a "thanks" to iMate for the FW upgarde.  :lol:

-Mc

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Yeah thats the truth, plenty of other manufacturers don't release any firmware at all. I cant believe Orange don't know how easy it is to unlock and unbrand this handset and I was surprised at the £120 PAYG price because plenty of phones are near or over that and they can't do half of what the C500 does. It will be interesting to see how it compares to my current main phone the MPX220.

[Guest philgriffiths]

Where did you pick it up for £120?

[Guest Kenny-Craig]

Where did you pick it up for £120?

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Orange high street retailer.

[Guest pharma79]

Hi Kenny-Craig , I havent flashed my SP3 yet , but i heard complains about not being able to install other-brand ROMs (ie c500 ) roms because the rom installer program gives a " Wrong vendor id " error .

Did you encounter this or not?

[Guest Kenny-Craig]

Hi Kenny-Craig , I havent flashed my SP3 yet , but i heard  complains about not being able to install other-brand ROMs (ie c500 ) roms because the rom installer program gives a " Wrong vendor id " error .

Did you encounter this or not?

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

I did get the 'wrong vendor id' error message when I flashed (or tried to anyway) the SP3 factory build on to the C500 before I SIM unlocked it. Once I had applied the Florin unlock to the C500 I was able to flash the SP3 ROM without any issues.

Edited February 25, 2005 by Kenny-Craig

[Guest Kenny-Craig]

Just a footnote on the SP3 SP3i question, I decided the 3i was too much of a risk as I dont have time to be sending phones back and forth for repairs so I went for the SP3 (C500 originally) and a bloke I work with decided to go one better and get the SP3i. Well so far so good with the SP3 but the SP3i after less than a week of use has developed a problem with the joystick.

Lucky escape for me I reckon.

[Guest hooperman]

I have had an SP3i since Christmas and have found it to be an excellent phone! I have not had a problem with it and would recommend to anyone. After my MPX200, this phone is very quick and responsive and looks great too. Nice and rare also - people tend to ask questions about it.

[Guest pharma79]

I did get the 'wrong vendor id' error message when I flashed (or tried to anyway) the SP3 factory build on to the C500 before I SIM unlocked it. Once I had applied the Florin unlock to the C500 I was able to flash the SP3 ROM without any issues.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

thanks for rep :D

By the way SP3 rules !