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- 12-05-2003, 05:10 AM #1eggster2kGuest
I know its a bit of an old handset now, but I would like one as a
'good spec backup phone' and it looks quite neat. I have a few
questions though..
What is the general opinion of this handset?
Reliable, easy to use?
Good battery life?
Thanks all,
Chris
› See More: Ericsson T39M Opinions
- 12-05-2003, 06:17 AM #2Olaf PeussGuest
Re: Ericsson T39M Opinions
eggster2k wrote:
> I know its a bit of an old handset now,
.... and combines a lot of features and functions that are still to be
implemented in many other phones currently available from Nokia, Siemens,
Motorola, ...
> but I would like one as a
> 'good spec backup phone' and it looks quite neat.
It's an excellent phone. I've been using mine for 2.5 years now and have
never had a problem with it. If you can do without such gimmicks as colour
displays which are hard to read in normal daylight and built-in cameras that
take snapshots which resemble surrealistc paintings more than real
photographs, then the T39m might become your no. 1 choice.
> I have a few
> questions though..
>
> What is the general opinion of this handset?
> Reliable, easy to use?
> Good battery life?
As stated above: It's a nice little mobile for flip phone freaks. It offers
the following
Pros:
* triple band phone for GSM 900, 1800, 1900 networks
* superior materials and craftsmanship, solid metal frame, built to last
* small and light
* keys are small but well spaced
* good reception and speech quality
* good phonebook with 5 numbers + 1 e-mail address per contact, acceptable
organizer for tasks and appointments, both sync with Outlook 98 or better
(no competition for a real PDA though)
* extensive voice dial, voice control and "magic word" activation, so it
works exactly as you tell it to do :-)
* good battery life (I enjoy three to four days permanent on-time between
two charging cycles, with 1.5-2 hrs. of talktime, and I haven't noticed a
deterioration of the battery capacity since I bought the phone)
* BT, IrDA, HSCSD 28.8, GPRS 3+1
* perfectly illuminated and easy to read display
The above isn't to suggest that the T39m is perfect. It also has some flaws
which you should know. Here are the
Cons:
* sluggish texting (but I'm not a texter anyway, so that doesn't trouble me
very much)
* keys miss tactility (I find the Nokia 6310i much better in that respect)
and are tricky to read when backlit
* practically no SIM card management (only "copy phonebook to SIM" and "copy
SIM to phone book")
* small display
* permanent BT/IrDA reduces standby to a quarter of its original time. IrDA
can be limited to "10 min." though and BT switched to "Auto" mode, so that
shouldn't really be too much of an issue. I just wanted to mention it to
give you an unbiased picture.
* Quite a few T39m models built in Malaysia prior to week 50 of 2001 are
prone to the "no network" bug. Search Google for more details. My T39 was
built in Malaysia in week 31 of 2001 and has never let me down. I've just
substituted it with a vintage R520m (the T39m's "big brother", which comes
with a larger display, larger keys and an integrated hands free speaker).
The R520m might be an alternative if you find the T39m too risky to acquire
("no network" bug), or too expensive (even used ones still acheive good
sales prices at eBay).
HTH.
Kind regards,
Olaf
Use "reply to" address for e-mail, please.
- 12-05-2003, 06:51 AM #3Olaf PeussGuest
Re: Ericsson T39M Opinions
Olaf Peuss wrote:
[...]
Sorry for following up on myself but there are two more points I would like
to add:
* Reception can be improved by replacing the original aerial with an IAT-10
high-performance aerial (for the folks from "God's own country": "aerial" =
"antenna" ;-). It used to be available at many mobile accessory shops, and
of course, Ericsson service centres sold them as well. Since all models to
fit the IAT-10 were discontinued in 2001 at their latest, it might be tricky
to find a shop which still has at least one of them in stock. However, it's
definitely worth it as that aerial boosts signal reception quite
significantly over the original one, particularly on GSM 1800 and 1900
networks. Perhaps there are private users, e.g. on eBay, who are willing to
part with their IAT-10, or who sell their T39m/R520m with an IAT-10 already
mounted. Just keep your eyes open.
* The flashing LED that indicates whether the phone is on a network (it also
shows that the battery is low by flashing red, reception of a new text
message by flashing faster or an ongoing charging cycle by permanent light)
cannot be switched off, i.e. unless you turn off the phone, you have to live
with that. Or, if you're a DIY person and are going crazy with that flashing
light, you could stick a bit of black insulation tape on it, which won't
keep the LED from flashing but you won't see it anymore. Dark nail or car
paint could also do the job but it might chip off after a while. Just be
careful when you apply it, as a phone covered in paint might not be a
particularly nice thing to look at. ;-)
Kind regards,
Olaf
Use "reply to" address for e-mail, please.
- 12-05-2003, 06:56 AM #4>-@LuVbuG@-Guest
Re: Ericsson T39M Opinions
"Olaf Peuss" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> Olaf Peuss wrote:
> [...]
>
> Sorry for following up on myself but there are two more points I would
like
> to add:
>
> * Reception can be improved by replacing the original aerial with an
IAT-10
> high-performance aerial (for the folks from "God's own country": "aerial"
=
> "antenna" ;-). It used to be available at many mobile accessory shops, and
> of course, Ericsson service centres sold them as well. Since all models to
> fit the IAT-10 were discontinued in 2001 at their latest, it might be
tricky
> to find a shop which still has at least one of them in stock. However,
it's
> definitely worth it as that aerial boosts signal reception quite
> significantly over the original one, particularly on GSM 1800 and 1900
> networks. Perhaps there are private users, e.g. on eBay, who are willing
to
> part with their IAT-10, or who sell their T39m/R520m with an IAT-10
already
> mounted. Just keep your eyes open.
>
> * The flashing LED that indicates whether the phone is on a network (it
also
> shows that the battery is low by flashing red, reception of a new text
> message by flashing faster or an ongoing charging cycle by permanent
light)
> cannot be switched off, i.e. unless you turn off the phone, you have to
live
> with that. Or, if you're a DIY person and are going crazy with that
flashing
> light, you could stick a bit of black insulation tape on it, which won't
> keep the LED from flashing but you won't see it anymore. Dark nail or car
> paint could also do the job but it might chip off after a while. Just be
> careful when you apply it, as a phone covered in paint might not be a
> particularly nice thing to look at. ;-)
>
>
> Kind regards,
> Olaf
>
Good rundown of the T39!
I remember when I had mine - 2 replacements ("no network" and "70hr battery"
problems inclusive!). Also in the "Icecap Blue" colour (not girlie IMO!!).
I'm glad I stuck with it though, as this was the best handset I have ever
owned (still beats some of the newer handsets hands down). My biggest
mistake was selling it off and getting a N* 7210?? Yeah I know.......
I now have a T610 - and can't fault it......
Well done SE, best VFM vs. features compared to those N* handsets that
charge for the name as opposed to the specs!
--
Antz,
Part of the UKtm family.
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- 12-05-2003, 06:56 AM #5eggster2kGuest
Re: Ericsson T39M Opinions
Thanks Olaf for all of your helpful advice and info, :-)
The cons shouldn't be too much of a problem, I'll keep my eye out on
eBay for a T39M and have a look around and see if I can find a high
performance antenna.
Thanks again,
Chris
- 12-05-2003, 08:16 AM #6Michael PronayGuest
Re: Ericsson T39M Opinions
">-@LuVbuG@-<" <[email protected]> wrote:
> Well done SE, best VFM vs. features compared to those N*
> handsets that charge for the name as opposed to the specs!
I beg to differ, although slightly. Keyboard haptics and SMS
writing are far better with Nokia than with S///. So for for a
power-SMSing kid this might be an essential issue. (Persons
present excluded, of course.)
M.
- 12-05-2003, 08:29 AM #7Dan AltemyrGuest
Re: Ericsson T39M Opinions
"eggster2k" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news[email protected]...
> I know its a bit of an old handset now, but I would like one as a
> 'good spec backup phone' and it looks quite neat. I have a few
> questions though..
>
> What is the general opinion of this handset?
> Reliable, easy to use?
> Good battery life?
I have had mine for almost 3 years now, and I' very satisfied with it. I had
some problems with a dead microphone in the beginning, but it was fixed by a
warranty repair. I have also had the vibrator replaced and glued in place a
while ago, otherwise there has been no problems. I use the XTNDConnect
syncronizing software to sync calendar and address book with Outlook, which
is very convenient. Since it is a tri-band phone, I have been able to use it
both at home in Sweden and in the rest of Europe and in Canada without
problems. The battery still lasts up to one week. The only drawbacks are the
display and the keyboard, which both are quite small.
--
/Dan
__________________________________________
d a n (dot) a l t e m y r (at) t e l i a (dot) c o m
- 12-05-2003, 10:46 AM #8>-@LuVbuG@-Guest
Re: Ericsson T39M Opinions
"Michael Pronay" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> ">-@LuVbuG@-<" <[email protected]> wrote:
>
> > Well done SE, best VFM vs. features compared to those N*
> > handsets that charge for the name as opposed to the specs!
>
> I beg to differ, although slightly. Keyboard haptics and SMS
> writing are far better with Nokia than with S///. So for for a
> power-SMSing kid this might be an essential issue. (Persons
> present excluded, of course.)
>
> M.
Agreed - but as I don't fit into that category I aint that bothered!
Text entry has improved with newer firmware versions, but have you ever used
a Samsung? IMO this is worse!
--
Antz,
Part of the UKtm family.
---
This message is certified Virus Free.
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- 12-05-2003, 10:49 AM #9BagshawGuest
Re: Ericsson T39M Opinions
Reliable, good battery life mostly, unless when you overuse the infrared
modem. One thing, I find its bluetooth capabilities unpredictable. They
worked once with my desktop, but have never with my laptop, when it matters
(ie afloat!)
But yes, I have had one for a while, and recently bought another on ebay for
a friend, who is delighted with it as an onboard modem!
Cheers
Bagshaw
- 12-05-2003, 01:58 PM #10Olaf PeussGuest
Re: Ericsson T39M Opinions
eggster2k wrote:
> Thanks Olaf for all of your helpful advice and info, :-)
Not at all. I've just remembered another thing which is nice about the
T39/R520, and that's profile management. There are seven predefined profiles
such as "In Car", "Meeting", "Outdoor", "Headset" etc. First of all you can
change the profile settings (ring tones, vibrating, display font size - very
convenient for "In Car" use -, display illumination etc.). Moreover, you can
also define an automatic call divert to become active when you switch to
that respective profile. Activating the "Meeting" profile could not only
turn your phone silent but also divert all incoming calls to your mailbox or
any other number instantly, so your phone won't ring in the middle of a
presentation. :-) After the meeting, you switch back to the "Standard",
"Office" or "Home" profile and the call divert is automatically cancelled
(providing you have network coverage).
But that's not all: When using the built-in organizer, you can also define
automatic profile changes in connection with appointments, say, you enter a
meeting from 8:15 to 10:45 in your Outlook, synchronise with your phone and
in the phone, you define that in case of meetings, the "Meeting" profiles
comes on automatically and after the scheduled meeting time is up, it
switches back to "Standard." Thus, you can never forget to turn the phone
silent when you attend a meeting, and even better, it'll never slip through
a memory hole to turn it back to "Standard" afterwards. :-)
As I wrote in my first follow-up: This little mobile has a lot of features,
and quite a few of them are still unmatched by other manufacturers' current
models.
> The cons shouldn't be too much of a problem,
I thought so, otherwise I wouldn't have mentioned them. :-))
> I'll keep my eye out on
> eBay for a T39M and have a look around and see if I can find a high
> performance antenna.
Good luck. If you can get one without the "no network" bug, you'll probably
be very happy with it, i.e. if you're prepared to get used to Ericsson's
little idiosyncracies. ;-)
Kind regards,
Olaf
Use "reply to" address for e-mail, please.
- 12-06-2003, 04:38 AM #11dummyGuest
Re: Ericsson T39M Opinions
Bit of a ramble...
I have both a T39 and an R520, one for personal and the other
for business, they are so comparable that life is very easy, I can
sync both with my laptop to keep the address books / calendar
upto date, so no matter which phone I enter address/calendar on
it all gets propagated around.
I use xtndpc sync, and don't use M*soft office/outlook, but Lotus products,
the Organiser is just what I need. My travel itineraries go in it,
birthdays,
alarm calls to get up! I almost don't need my palm pilot now)
The 520 wins on screen space for wap browsing etc, and I have an Ericsson
HCA10 car kit which has an extra spacer so that the cradle takes either
phone
and takes about 5 seconds to put in/take out to adapt to the other phone.
I'll be changing this to a bluetooth handfree if Santa gets his proper
orders.
Voice dialling needs you to record the voice tag in the environment you
are most likely to call that number, I find that if I record it in my car it
doesn't always work when I am using a personal handsfree and vice versa.
(So for the typical people I call, I have two phone book entries with the
voice tags recorded with each type of kit)
My Wife's Nokia absolutely sucks at voice dialling , she has reverted to 1
digit dialing ;-)
in the car for her 9 most popular numbers, and that's with a pukka car132
kit)
The external aerial may look outdated, but I get reception all over the
planet
where people with inbuilt aerials don't show any signal or have a bad
connection.
With the flip open, the T39 is almost the same length as the R520, and
the R520 gives a bigger screen and buttons.
Bluetooth works very well, between phones / laptop and I sometimes do email
via bluetooth with my bluetooth PalmPilot, with the t39 or the 520, the
Palm's bigger
screen and faster text input really helps.
I suspect my next phone will combine a pda with a phone, so one of the P800
or P900 variants, or perhaps a Handspring 600 type (Quad band),
or even a Palm Tungsten W/GSM.
Rgds,
Tom, UK. Weary world traveller ;-)
- 12-06-2003, 05:26 AM #12eggster2kGuest
Re: Ericsson T39M Opinions
Thanks everyone for your helpful info, much appreciated. :-)
- 12-06-2003, 11:11 AM #13Michael PronayGuest
Re: Ericsson T39M Opinions
">-@LuVbuG@-<" <[email protected]> wrote:
>> I beg to differ, although slightly. Keyboard haptics and SMS
>> writing are far better with Nokia than with S///. So for for a
>> power-SMSing kid this might be an essential issue. (Persons
>> present excluded, of course.)
> Agreed - but as I don't fit into that category I aint that
> bothered!
Nor am I.
> Text entry has improved with newer firmware versions, but have
> you ever used a Samsung? IMO this is worse!
No, never.
M.
- 12-08-2003, 12:31 PM #14gopiGuest
Re: Ericsson T39M Opinions
"Olaf Peuss" <[email protected]> wrote in message news:<[email protected]>...
> eggster2k wrote:
<snip>
Excellent summary of the T39m.
I used mine until I got a P800 - I do software development. My GF
replaced her T28 with my T39 and she loves it. It is an excellent
_phone_. It provides _phone_ functionality, with a bit extra thrown
itn, but not much. It doesn't have extra crap thrown in that reduces
reliablity with little benefit.
> Cons:
> * sluggish texting (but I'm not a texter anyway, so that doesn't trouble me
> very much)
The built-in POP3 email client is _INCREDIBLY_ slow to use in my
experience. You think it's slow? No, it's slower than that. Really
slow. Painful. Rip your nails out slow. With couple kilobyte text only
emails, it would take well over a second to scroll down each line -
and the display isn't that big. The display size would be fine if it
didn't scroll so slowly. Other than that, I like the phone. I just
want to make sure you don't get caught out.
> * permanent BT/IrDA reduces standby to a quarter of its original time. IrDA
> can be limited to "10 min." though and BT switched to "Auto" mode, so that
> shouldn't really be too much of an issue. I just wanted to mention it to
> give you an unbiased picture.
You want the big battery. I forget the model number, and it's no
longer made. THere were three sizes of battery, normal/small, medium,
and LARGE. The big battery is very thick, but gives you 8 to 16 hours
of talk time, and nearly 30 days of standby. You can get weeks of
standby _with_ bluetooth turned on.
- 12-29-2003, 11:15 AM #15Emmanuel MARCHISETGuest
Re: Ericsson T39M Opinions
> * good reception and speech quality
My experience with t39m is average reception and good speech quality
but with a hiss in the background when used in a quiet place.
This a good phone that is still very competitive in today's market
(bluetooth, email client, perfect synchronization with PDA,...) but I
would recommend you to try it before buying one...
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