Guest usdiver Posted January 21, 2006 Report Posted January 21, 2006 I think I may have posted something similar in the wrong section which could be why I've gotten no response. Just got a c600 off ebay and waiting for it to come in. The more I read the more I wonder what have I done. I loved my c500, except the rocker switch. I like the feel of the c600, but since I run on o2 AND orange, I can't bother putting o2 settings in it, plus the orange unlimited rate is great...o2 can't beat it. I do like the idea of WM5 but really wish there was an orange backup and restore... The I-mate SP5M, though a bit pricier, I like the looks of as well. The media player button setup doesn't bother me and the fact that you can download settings from the imate site would be nice....plus the phone is already unlocked. So here's the question, are there any bugs on the imate like there is on the c600? Is orange going to come up and sort out an updated rom any time to take care of these issues that are annoying everyone? After all, It's not been out long. Should I ditch the c600, and stick it back on ebay unused and new or should I give it a shot and hope that I will be happy with the decision made? Another thing to consider is the fact that there are several c600's on ebay and NOT that many SP5M's...why? Are the i mates harder to get and more sought after? Well, if I do stick with the c600 and don't like it, maybe when I get ready for the sp5m they will be a bit cheaper anyway. Just my thoughts. Guess I just need a little nudge in the right direction as the whole thing has me kinda down at the moment...only because I don't like wasting money and I don't want to regret what I have done. Thanks all.
Guest MitchellO Posted January 21, 2006 Report Posted January 21, 2006 The imates would be more sought after for the reasons you stated. They are unlocked, have the media buttons, and would have support even if you aren't with orange. The SP5m would also be more popular because it has WiFi. Many people buying it would want the WiFi. Are they similar prices?
Guest Tech Posted January 21, 2006 Report Posted January 21, 2006 imate sp5m - trust me, i love it ;)
Guest usdiver Posted January 21, 2006 Report Posted January 21, 2006 I recently put a bid on a sp5m for 230 and it went for 236, had I gone up to 240 I would have got it. However, shortly after, I landed a c600 for just under 200. Don't know what to do now, you guys got me wanting the i mate. I should have no problem getting my money back though by sticking it back on ebay????
Guest Tech Posted January 21, 2006 Report Posted January 21, 2006 probably cheaper on a contract - the phone would be free and choose a tariff! ;)
Guest usdiver Posted January 21, 2006 Report Posted January 21, 2006 only thing is though I refuse to go on contract, plus have an orange pay go sim and an o2 one.... :?:
Guest Systemicity Posted January 21, 2006 Report Posted January 21, 2006 Personally, I would not go for the SP5m, again. Dont get me wrong, its a great device, it has fantastic GPRS, WM5, QVGA res, and of course, WiFi. However, having had the original SPV, and now both the SP5m (actually the Qtec 8300 - its the same device) and the M2000, the sheer number of issues Ive had with the Sp5m is doing my head in. I am a very experienced user of these devices, and so I expect them to have certain characteristics. But the SP5m, its not what people are saying it is. It is NOT revolutionary in any way at all. In fact, once you gotten past the only half-a-dozen games that can play well on a QVGA res screen and the low sound volumn, and the internet explorer which is both superfast over WiFi, and frustrating by having only a fraction of the screen on view (1 column or about the left 25% of the screen, then the next 25% below that, and so on...), you begin to wonder why you bothered to spend the extra £200 on this as compared to a standard phone! However, I can say as someone that also has a M2000 (which is a hekk of a lot bigger than the Sp5m) that THAT is a good device (so long as you dont mind holding something that fills your palm against your ear). For me, I will never go back to trying to surf the net on a tiny screen, and the games and movies are so much better on a bigger screen too. I suppose its down to 'whatever boils your spuds' :exclaim: but just be sure that you dont have the impression that the SP5m doesnt have any faults, cos it does!!
Guest usdiver Posted January 22, 2006 Report Posted January 22, 2006 Thanks systemicity for your thoughts...but I can't cope with the larger devices (big screen is nice, but big device next to ear not nice) and I don't mind small screens as I'm used to them....however, I DO like to have the full screen view and don't like lots of bugs. Low sound volume bothers me too, but I'm really trying to weigh the pros and cons of both the sp5m and the spv c600 and go with the better one of the 2. Wifi is not an issue for me, but I want to be able to do surf the net and userfriendliness is very important and from what I've heard I mate offer much better support than Orange. Orange and o2 are the only networks I would go with and that's on pay as you go so the flexibility idea is nice too. I'm still looking for signs, if anyone has one to show, but I'm leaning towards the sp5m...only because I've read about so many complaints and issues on the c600, but haven't found that many gripes and moans for the sp5m..AND the sp5m is already unlocked.
Guest MitchellO Posted January 22, 2006 Report Posted January 22, 2006 I recently put a bid on a sp5m for 230 and it went for 236, had I gone up to 240 I would have got it. However, shortly after, I landed a c600 for just under 200. Don't know what to do now, you guys got me wanting the i mate. I should have no problem getting my money back though by sticking it back on ebay???? <{POST_SNAPBACK}> Don't feel too bad. The person who won likely would have had a bid higher than 240, and you would have lost anyway. You can definately resell on eBay. I bought an original imate Smartphone once to play with. I bought it for AU$80, and sold it a month later for AU$160 ;)
Guest MitchellO Posted January 22, 2006 Report Posted January 22, 2006 Personally, I would not go for the SP5m, again. Dont get me wrong, its a great device, it has fantastic GPRS, WM5, QVGA res, and of course, WiFi. However, having had the original SPV, and now both the SP5m (actually the Qtec 8300 - its the same device) and the M2000, the sheer number of issues Ive had with the Sp5m is doing my head in. I am a very experienced user of these devices, and so I expect them to have certain characteristics. But the SP5m, its not what people are saying it is. It is NOT revolutionary in any way at all. In fact, once you gotten past the only half-a-dozen games that can play well on a QVGA res screen and the low sound volumn, and the internet explorer which is both superfast over WiFi, and frustrating by having only a fraction of the screen on view (1 column or about the left 25% of the screen, then the next 25% below that, and so on...), you begin to wonder why you bothered to spend the extra £200 on this as compared to a standard phone! However, I can say as someone that also has a M2000 (which is a hekk of a lot bigger than the Sp5m) that THAT is a good device (so long as you dont mind holding something that fills your palm against your ear). For me, I will never go back to trying to surf the net on a tiny screen, and the games and movies are so much better on a bigger screen too. I suppose its down to 'whatever boils your spuds' :exclaim: but just be sure that you dont have the impression that the SP5m doesnt have any faults, cos it does!! <{POST_SNAPBACK}> I actually find surfing better on my SP5 better than I did on the KJAM. I think its faster, and the higher screen density just simply looks gorgeous. I don't really have any problems with most websites. I visit engadget and it is ok. Its not great, but ok. A great alternative to PIE for standard PC webpages is Opera Mini. It uses a proxy which reformats the page for the small screen, and it does as incredible job of it too. This is engadget using Opera Mini (not Opera Smartphone edition): Its not revolutionary, but for the WM Smartphone its evolutionary. It includes a higher res screen, support for Wifi and (though a hopefully soon to be released update) support for Push Email services. But the SP5m, its not what people are saying it is. This I just don't understand. If somebody says that they like the device, and that its great, why do you think that its untrue? Personally I think this is a GREAT device. Its great for mobile web surfing (just as good as a QVGA Pocket PC Phone), plays music well, videos look great. You haven't even said what your problems with the device are! I had an XDA II Mini, then a KJAM before the SP5 and I am very happy I switched to the smartphone. Its great!
Guest usdiver Posted January 22, 2006 Report Posted January 22, 2006 So far the imate sounds good. Does anybody else have any moans or gripes about the c600, pros, cons..... or about the imate? Thanks everyone. Out of curiosity, If I put the c600 on ebay that I just got... it will still be new, unused, and I might even throw in the unlock from imei, what do you think I'll get for it, and do you think it will go fast if I list it in the 3 day mark?
Guest MitchellO Posted January 24, 2006 Report Posted January 24, 2006 I haven't found any cons with the SP5 yet. Its great!
Guest usdiver Posted January 25, 2006 Report Posted January 25, 2006 if no one can come up with any cons on the sp5m, that's the one I'll go with.... Thanks to all who've had something to say here. Out of curiosity, Is the Qtek 8300 the exact same as the imate, or is one slightly better than the other? Thanks again. Steve PS: I noticed something about tweaks for the sp5m on an earlier post. Do I need to wonder about this as I am familiar with smart phones, but have no clue when it comes to tweaking.
Guest MitchellO Posted January 25, 2006 Report Posted January 25, 2006 if no one can come up with any cons on the sp5m, that's the one I'll go with.... Thanks to all who've had something to say here. Out of curiosity, Is the Qtek 8300 the exact same as the imate, or is one slightly better than the other? Thanks again. Steve PS: I noticed something about tweaks for the sp5m on an earlier post. Do I need to wonder about this as I am familiar with smart phones, but have no clue when it comes to tweaking. <{POST_SNAPBACK}> All that is different is the ROM. If you can get one or the other cheaper I would go for the cheaper one.
Guest usdiver Posted January 26, 2006 Report Posted January 26, 2006 (edited) The qtek is only a little cheaper but not that much....so I don't actually know which is better. :roll:.....likewise, I don't know which one offers more support either as far as the company itself goes: ie: rom updates, cust support, user friendliness. I plan to have this phone for at least 2 years plus. 8) Edited January 26, 2006 by usdiver
Guest MitchellO Posted January 26, 2006 Report Posted January 26, 2006 I called imate support once and they sucked. o2 was much better. Wouldn't have a clue about Qtek.
Guest usdiver Posted January 27, 2006 Report Posted January 27, 2006 I'm actually on o2, but like orange support better. As far as the sp5m, I've just bought one, lets hope it's a good one and doesn't have all the issues I've read about. I think the c600 has it's share too.... it's just the type of issue and where you look to find it...??? So far, the things I've asked i-mate about they've responded quickly and told me what I needed to know.
Guest usdiver Posted February 5, 2006 Report Posted February 5, 2006 NEW UPDATE: I now have the sp5m....can anyone fill me in on the opera? which one should I be using or which can I use? How much better is it than standard? ....Only thing I'm having to get used to is the key size...(tiny little things, big hands) cool phone though. Also, anyone know which ROM update I need?
Recommended Posts
Please sign in to comment
You will be able to leave a comment after signing in
Sign In Now