LG VX-2000 Cell Phone
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- Connectivity: USB
- Style: Candy Bar
- Network Type: CDMA 1900 CDMA 800 AMPS
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Many features, poorly executed.
Pros
Relatively cheap
Cons
You get what you pay for. Very poorly executed features
Recommended it?
No
The Bottom Line:
Many features, difficult to use, poor reception. Thank goodness for the ability to return to the vendor.
I was sold the LG VX2000 when my cellular provider could not find a replacement battery for my Kyocera QCP-3035. WHAT A MISTAKE !!!!!!
On the surface, the LG VX2000 looks like a winner - GPS enabled (for 911, where available), voice dial & memo, ability to record from calls, built in speakerphone, games, relatively generous display size, etc. After getting to know the phone, however, one readily sees its faults.
I compared this unit to a "last generation" Kyocera QCP-3035 with similar features (both CDMA units). The LG loses on virtually every important feature:
Usability - Voice dial is built into the LG. Unfortunately, it's usable only after wading through the root menu, then the voice menu to the voice dial section. Thus, one needs at least 3 key strokes (and a look at the phone itself) to use voice dial. This defeats the purpose of voice dial, forcing the user to look at the phone, rather than using the voice prompts alone. In many cases, this was actually slower than using a scroll directory of numbers.The Kyocera, as well as several PCS phones that I own allow voice dial directly from the talk button. This is infinitely more convenient as well as faster.
Security - The phone has the usual lockout options. Of interest, especially for a non-flip style phone, there is NO keylock. The phone's buttons are easily activated and the risk of inadvertent calls or other potentially costly functions (web browser, etc.) is quite high if the phone is not carefully carried. The available carrying case does not prevent accidental button activation. EVERY other phone I've used has a keyguard function and this represents a serious oversight.(Neither the rather poorly written owner's manual or technical support could find evidence of a keyguard function.)
Display - Relatively large, though smaller than the Kyocera comparison phone (which in total size is only fractionally larger than the LG).The basic display is a large digital clock with day & date, plus the usual signal, message, roam and battery indicators. It was easily readable under a wide range of lighting conditions.Of note, the phone numbers are in a fairly small font, in contrast to the fairly gigantic size of the Kyocera.
Usability - The logic (or lack therof) behind this phone's functions is disastrous. One needs to wade through multiple levels of menus for every function. Each change results in a return to the basic phone display and you must the restart the menu process. As noted above, the voice dial is very, Very, VERY poorly implemented. The key functions of the phone are very unintuitive. The central function "navigation" key has varying functions, depending on which of 4 directions it is toggled. The feel of this key is imprecise and on must return to the base display to start over. The numeric keys are reasonable in size with good feedback and can be easily pressed through the plastic-fronted carrying case (note that the case does not protect the fragile display, however).The speakerphone function requires a prolonged downward press of the navigation key and only works in the basic display and certain active talk functions. (The Kyocera, as well as a comparison PCS phone by Sanyo allow instantaneous switching between speaker and normal output with clealy marked dedicated buttons.) The speaker itself is fairly weak and has a notably lower output than the comparison units. Forget about using the speaker in all but the quietest environments. This again compromises one of the main "selling points" of the phone.
Also notable on the usability scale is the ability to attach accessories. The car & AC adapters are of the flat, "Motorola-like" type, plugging into the bottom of the phone. They must be precisely oriented and locked in place. They tended to intermittently bind on attempts to remove them. A removable rubber cover over the adapter socket will no doubt be readily lost.By comparison, the standard round "mini-plug" used on the Kyocera and others is much easier to use. There is an earphone jack on the top of the phone, opposite the antenna. It accepted a Jabra earphone without difficulty. It comes covered by a tiny, soft rubber plug which is difficult to remove, but quite easy to lose. An attached, flap-style cover would be much more secure. Of interest, neither the phone's display, AC adapter or automobile adapter give any indication of whether the phone is charging or when the charge is complete. (The Kyocera, as well as comparison Samsung, Sanyo and Motorola units possess this generally standard feature.) The standard battery itself is very small. The dealer indicated it's good for about one day of digital use per charge, though I cannot verify this at present.
Size-wise, this is a bit larger than many available flip-style phones, but is in the middle of the size range for a speakerphone unit.
Reception - Even if one were able to overlook the above noted shortcomings, the reception of this phone would doom it to failure. Over a 70 mile trip through both country and city , flat and hilly terrain, I found numerous losses of service or transmissions that were sufficiently garbled as to be useless. The comparison Kyocera has traveled the same route for over 2 years without problem. I would NOT rely on this phone in a hilly or fringe area.
Overall, this phone is a loser. It seems clear that the self-same individuals who were anxious to stuff as many features as possible into one unit never took the time to make them easily usable. The execution of the phone's menus is clumsy and non-intuitive. Accessory attachment is inconvenient and the construction of the adapter receptacle does not inspire confidence in long-term durability. Poor reception and a weak speakerphone round out a perfect "don't let it happen to me" package. Save your money and look elsewhere. (If you can still find a QCP-3035, you can get the same features in a much better executed package.) I've switched back to my trusty Kyocera and will never stray again (particularly as I've found replacement extended-life batteries for only $19.99 outside of my cellular provider).
On the surface, the LG VX2000 looks like a winner - GPS enabled (for 911, where available), voice dial & memo, ability to record from calls, built in speakerphone, games, relatively generous display size, etc. After getting to know the phone, however, one readily sees its faults.
I compared this unit to a "last generation" Kyocera QCP-3035 with similar features (both CDMA units). The LG loses on virtually every important feature:
Usability - Voice dial is built into the LG. Unfortunately, it's usable only after wading through the root menu, then the voice menu to the voice dial section. Thus, one needs at least 3 key strokes (and a look at the phone itself) to use voice dial. This defeats the purpose of voice dial, forcing the user to look at the phone, rather than using the voice prompts alone. In many cases, this was actually slower than using a scroll directory of numbers.The Kyocera, as well as several PCS phones that I own allow voice dial directly from the talk button. This is infinitely more convenient as well as faster.
Security - The phone has the usual lockout options. Of interest, especially for a non-flip style phone, there is NO keylock. The phone's buttons are easily activated and the risk of inadvertent calls or other potentially costly functions (web browser, etc.) is quite high if the phone is not carefully carried. The available carrying case does not prevent accidental button activation. EVERY other phone I've used has a keyguard function and this represents a serious oversight.(Neither the rather poorly written owner's manual or technical support could find evidence of a keyguard function.)
Display - Relatively large, though smaller than the Kyocera comparison phone (which in total size is only fractionally larger than the LG).The basic display is a large digital clock with day & date, plus the usual signal, message, roam and battery indicators. It was easily readable under a wide range of lighting conditions.Of note, the phone numbers are in a fairly small font, in contrast to the fairly gigantic size of the Kyocera.
Usability - The logic (or lack therof) behind this phone's functions is disastrous. One needs to wade through multiple levels of menus for every function. Each change results in a return to the basic phone display and you must the restart the menu process. As noted above, the voice dial is very, Very, VERY poorly implemented. The key functions of the phone are very unintuitive. The central function "navigation" key has varying functions, depending on which of 4 directions it is toggled. The feel of this key is imprecise and on must return to the base display to start over. The numeric keys are reasonable in size with good feedback and can be easily pressed through the plastic-fronted carrying case (note that the case does not protect the fragile display, however).The speakerphone function requires a prolonged downward press of the navigation key and only works in the basic display and certain active talk functions. (The Kyocera, as well as a comparison PCS phone by Sanyo allow instantaneous switching between speaker and normal output with clealy marked dedicated buttons.) The speaker itself is fairly weak and has a notably lower output than the comparison units. Forget about using the speaker in all but the quietest environments. This again compromises one of the main "selling points" of the phone.
Also notable on the usability scale is the ability to attach accessories. The car & AC adapters are of the flat, "Motorola-like" type, plugging into the bottom of the phone. They must be precisely oriented and locked in place. They tended to intermittently bind on attempts to remove them. A removable rubber cover over the adapter socket will no doubt be readily lost.By comparison, the standard round "mini-plug" used on the Kyocera and others is much easier to use. There is an earphone jack on the top of the phone, opposite the antenna. It accepted a Jabra earphone without difficulty. It comes covered by a tiny, soft rubber plug which is difficult to remove, but quite easy to lose. An attached, flap-style cover would be much more secure. Of interest, neither the phone's display, AC adapter or automobile adapter give any indication of whether the phone is charging or when the charge is complete. (The Kyocera, as well as comparison Samsung, Sanyo and Motorola units possess this generally standard feature.) The standard battery itself is very small. The dealer indicated it's good for about one day of digital use per charge, though I cannot verify this at present.
Size-wise, this is a bit larger than many available flip-style phones, but is in the middle of the size range for a speakerphone unit.
Reception - Even if one were able to overlook the above noted shortcomings, the reception of this phone would doom it to failure. Over a 70 mile trip through both country and city , flat and hilly terrain, I found numerous losses of service or transmissions that were sufficiently garbled as to be useless. The comparison Kyocera has traveled the same route for over 2 years without problem. I would NOT rely on this phone in a hilly or fringe area.
Overall, this phone is a loser. It seems clear that the self-same individuals who were anxious to stuff as many features as possible into one unit never took the time to make them easily usable. The execution of the phone's menus is clumsy and non-intuitive. Accessory attachment is inconvenient and the construction of the adapter receptacle does not inspire confidence in long-term durability. Poor reception and a weak speakerphone round out a perfect "don't let it happen to me" package. Save your money and look elsewhere. (If you can still find a QCP-3035, you can get the same features in a much better executed package.) I've switched back to my trusty Kyocera and will never stray again (particularly as I've found replacement extended-life batteries for only $19.99 outside of my cellular provider).
