Samsung Convoy U640 Phone
Filed in Phone Cell on Feb.28, 2010
- Ruggedized clamshell phone meets military specifications for shock and dust resistance, vibration, and more
- Talk instantly to friends and colleagues using Verizon Wireless Push to Talk network; GPS-enabled for turn-by-turn directions; access V Cast Music (with Rhapsody) and Video services
- 2-megapixel camera/camcorder; Bluetooth stereo music; microSD memory expansion to 16 GB; access to personal email and instant messaging services
- Up to 5 hours of talk time, up to 537 hours (22+ days) of standby time
- What’s in the Box: handset, rechargeable battery, wall/USB charger, battery cover removal tool, quick start guide, user manual
Amazon.com Product Description
Built to military specifications to survive extreme shock, water and dust environments, the Samsung Convoy for Verizon Wireless is ideal for highly-mobile and active users who want access to Verizon’s always-on Push to Talk service. You’ll stay on course thanks to the VZ Navigator GPS turn-by-turn direction service, and be able to track employees and colleagues with the Verizon Wireless Field Force Manager service. And using the Verizon Wireless 3G EV-DO data network, you can download music via the V Cast Music with Rhapsody service and watch streaming video with the V CAST Video on Demand service. See more details on optional Verizon Wireless services below.
The Convoy’s high-quality st… More >>
February 28th, 2010 at 1:20 am
The phone itself is very good, it would easily get 4 stars from me and may be 5.
However, the software is simply horrible:
1. You cannot listen to music on either wired or bluetooth headset.
2. You can store files in the phone using WMP, but the player would not find them, you have to use the substandard VCAST software to simply copy your mp3s to the phone. The good thing is that there is no point to copy these files because you cannot play them through bluetooth device, see above.
3. You cannot read books form overdrive library regardless of the way (VCAST or WMP) you used to save them.
4. Voice commands are trying to be smart and do poor job at it. All I need a few commands to call numbers on my calling list and I do not mind to do some training help the phone to recognize the commands. Voice commands are trying to understand everybody from get go and fail more often than not – completely useless feature.
5. To disable voice commands you have to reset the phone.
6. Alarm clock has only 3 alarms and too few options for day: daily, sat, sun, weekdays.
Rating: 2 / 5
February 28th, 2010 at 2:26 am
Got the phone the other night. So far it is so easy to use. Little bit on the heavy side, but okay. Feels like a phone. The only thing is the Alarm.. No Snooze. No button on the side for calls coming in to silence. Nice grips on the side so the phone won’t slide or drop out your hand. Like it!
Rating: 5 / 5
February 28th, 2010 at 4:56 am
I know the younger crowd wants (and probably uses) every feature they can get in a cell phone. My primary – and usually only – use for a cell phone is as a phone. For this, the Convoy is great. The battery life is several times longer than my previous LG phone and the phone is rugged (I dropped it on a hard floor the first couple of weeks I had it – not a scratch and the caller was still on the line). Reception and sound quality are good. My only complaint is that the carrier has locked most of the internal storage and the two main providers of PIM software for phones – BitPIM and DataPilot – aren’t supporting the phone yet (despite what DataPilot says at this point). Contacts can be backed up and maintained via VZW’s Backup Assistant, but this this application is only designed for use with one phone at a time (and we have three in the family). Looking at the big picture, though, these are just irritants and not show-stoppers. I’m very happy with the phone for my purposes.
Rating: 4 / 5
February 28th, 2010 at 7:14 am
A pretty rugged phone for voice and occasional texting. Although packed with many additional “features”, most require extra $$$ to use. Don’t kid yourself into thinking this phone is a budget version of the iPhone or Blackberry – it’s a good basic phone, with some additional features scabbed on. Nothing more.
Performance is excellent in all voice-related categories. Good signal capture, great handset and speaker quality (plenty loud, too), acceptable Bluetooth performance, easy-to-read displays, and keypad buttons that a full-sized human can actually use!
So far the phone has held up well in the real world. Mine travels a lot, and is used on the job almost daily. I’d recommend an external case if ruggedness is a priority. It’s built pretty tough, but won’t survive many drops out of the box. I added a leather case, and expect this phone to handle reasonable abuse for quite a while.
Can’t comment on features like VCast, PTT, or Internet connectivity – I don’t use any of that. It’s a telephone, and it does that job very well. If I want to check e-mail, browse the ‘Net, or download tunes, I fire up the laptop – without incurring Verizon’s additional charges. Really folks, do you think a palm-sized cell phone will give you the performance of a decent PC? You get what you pay for…
Overall, the phone is pretty easy to use. You won’t need a manual to set up the basics. Good thing, since this phone doesn’t ship with a manual. Don’t know what they were thinking. You can download the manual online, which I would recommend.
My only real gripe is with Verizon’s system software – not the phone itself. I won’t list all the petty little annoyances, but the list is long. The menu options are severely limited as far as customizing to my liking – but your mileage may vary. Anyone who is used to Verizon’s software will understand what I’m talking about. Not a deal-breaker, but you’d think after all this time the company would have designed a more intuitive interface with better options. Too many hoops to jump through for everyday tasks – maybe a future software update will address this.
Battery life is phenominal, in my experience. No need for a car charger on a 3-day trip. Sweet. Best battery life of any phone I’ve ever used. The built-in camera is surprisingly good, even without a flash. Nice feature.
Some folks complain about the unit’s bulk, but this isn’t an issue for me. Even with an external case, the phone fits in the pocket of a work shirt. It’s a bit on the heavy side, due no doubt to the large battery. This, in my opinion, is a fair trade-off. If you want a little toy phone for yakking on the city streets, there are many other models to choose from.
If you need a phone that will send and receive calls under all conditions, this is a great choice. Seems to be solidly-built, so I expect several years of service. It’s not a swiss army knife – just a solid little phone that will be there when you need it.
Rating: 4 / 5
February 28th, 2010 at 8:20 am
I got this when I first came out ,and I am sure glad I did, Verizon is out of stock! Let me share with this phone does it all-tough, rugged, but modern and all the basics needed! Let me walk through this, in order of features I love!
1. Battery Life-Hate charging your phone daily? This is FOR YOU….. A CHARGE WITH FULL USE FOR FOUR DAYSSS! WOW! I use my phone SEVERAL HOURS DAILY, and text all the time, and this phone goes down ONE bar in four days! WOW! I love it …don’t even need a car charger!
2. ADJUSTABLE SIZE FONTS FOR TEXTING AND OTHER THINGS-for us middle aged and older folks , this is great! Can adjust size of fonts for texting, wow! Quick text enables you to simply push a button and send a pre-picked phrase (running late, call me asap, etc), and you can add your own phrases and delete at will!
3. GREAT SPEAKERPHONE. works well, loud, and great voice command and Bluetooth connection!
4. Tunes-who needs an iphone and pay tons of bucks a month? Download your own tunes!! MP 3 player
5. Military Spec-water, salt , fog, altitude, shock, dust, solar, cold resistant…..this phone is a manly phone, thick, but still fits in pocket well. Rubber side grips.
6. DON’T NEED TO OPEN FOR ACCESS-can text, read texts, and check voice mail without opening flip
(BTW, lots of folks complain you cant’ see the clock as it is not always on -I like that, saves battery, and you can push a button to get time if you want. You CAN leave clock always on but this will shorten battery life.
7. PTT Don’t use this feature, but is a nice one.
8. VZ Nav for directions, and automatic location finder to track kids or elderly and find location of phone (and them) on Verizon site.
THIS PHONE IS SUPER…..NOT FANCY, NOT BELLS AND WHISTLES< but solid, LONG battery life, and great Verizon service!
Rating: 5 / 5