Panasonic EB-TX320 Cell Phone
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- Design: Mobile
- Style: Candy Bar
- Network Type: TDMA AMPS 850
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An Entry Level Phone At Best
Pros
Lightweight, Easy access to "Quiet" Mode
Cons
Feels Cheap/Sounds Cheap, Display Hard To Read, Lack of Features, Hard-To-Find-Accessories
Recommended it?
No
The Bottom Line:
Thumbs Down (I hope the Panasonic engineers read this review and learn from it)
After spending two weeks with my new Versio phone, I am sorely disappointed, and am seriously considering dishing this off to one of my kids and buying a real phone (dang, if only I hadn't spent 3 hours inputting all my phonebook numbers already.)
Anyway, as a bit of background, I lost my beloved company-supplied phone (a Nokia 3360) on a wild cab ride through San Fransisco and it was recently replaced with what I was told was a "great new phone".
First Impressions:
My first impression of the phone was that it was light, but maybe TOO light. It feels very cheap and flimsy. In addition, not one person that has called me said I sounded clear on the other end.
The Box:
The kit came with a much-needed instruction book, an extra ugly red faceplate (which I immediately pitched) and a home charger (which takes a ridiculous 10 hours to fully charge the battery.)
The Display:
The first thing I noticed about the changeable color display, is that the words and symbols are nearly impossible to make out unless the phone is held 4 inches or less away. Having recently been to the eye doctor, I knew it wasn't just me.
While the phone is ringing, you are definitely not able to tell at a glance who is calling. The display must be held close and studied for clues. In addition, the signal strength indicator is WAY to small, and jammed up in the corner of the display.
Using the Phone:
The one thing that strikes me over and over as I use this phone, is that the Panasonic engineers obviously have never tried anyone else's phones, to see how much easier it can be (and should be) to use a cell phone:
First, The basic calling features are extremely limited. For example, you can enter multiple phone numbers for one person, but when the phone rings, it doesn't say what phone they are calling from (work, home, cell, etc.) It only displays that person's name.
Second, When using the dedicated button to check for cell voice mail messages, the number it dials must be programmed in initially. After this initial programming, it cannot be modified (to add additional pauses and prompts, etc.)
Third, When using the one touch speed dials, there is no indication that you've held the button down long enough to initiate the call. If you have the phone to your ear, the loud and annoying "beeeeeeep" continues long after the call begins to go through.
Fourth, There is no quick access menu for creating specific ring settings, such as Normal, Ring Once, etc. However, one of the few redeeming features this phone does have, is the one-touch quiet mode on and off.
Fifth, In order to scroll through the phonebook easily, you must enter a first AND last name for each spot. Otherwise, when trying to locate the name later, the phonebook will scroll alphabetically by First Name and then start over at "A" and scroll alphabetically through by Last Name. Grrrrrr.
Accessories (or lack thereof)
Just for grins, try and find any accessories for this phone by walking into the various electronics stores (Best Buy, Circuit City, etc.) They are nowhere to be found. The only place I've been able to locate them is online (with the shipping charge being more than the cost of the accessory.)
Overall Impressions:
If I had actually paid money for this phone, instead of having it issued by my company, I would have returned it the day after I bought it. Although I have other Panasonic electronics and admire the brand overall, they have a LONG way to go to be competitive in cell phone features, sound quality and ease of use.
Anyway, as a bit of background, I lost my beloved company-supplied phone (a Nokia 3360) on a wild cab ride through San Fransisco and it was recently replaced with what I was told was a "great new phone".
First Impressions:
My first impression of the phone was that it was light, but maybe TOO light. It feels very cheap and flimsy. In addition, not one person that has called me said I sounded clear on the other end.
The Box:
The kit came with a much-needed instruction book, an extra ugly red faceplate (which I immediately pitched) and a home charger (which takes a ridiculous 10 hours to fully charge the battery.)
The Display:
The first thing I noticed about the changeable color display, is that the words and symbols are nearly impossible to make out unless the phone is held 4 inches or less away. Having recently been to the eye doctor, I knew it wasn't just me.
While the phone is ringing, you are definitely not able to tell at a glance who is calling. The display must be held close and studied for clues. In addition, the signal strength indicator is WAY to small, and jammed up in the corner of the display.
Using the Phone:
The one thing that strikes me over and over as I use this phone, is that the Panasonic engineers obviously have never tried anyone else's phones, to see how much easier it can be (and should be) to use a cell phone:
First, The basic calling features are extremely limited. For example, you can enter multiple phone numbers for one person, but when the phone rings, it doesn't say what phone they are calling from (work, home, cell, etc.) It only displays that person's name.
Second, When using the dedicated button to check for cell voice mail messages, the number it dials must be programmed in initially. After this initial programming, it cannot be modified (to add additional pauses and prompts, etc.)
Third, When using the one touch speed dials, there is no indication that you've held the button down long enough to initiate the call. If you have the phone to your ear, the loud and annoying "beeeeeeep" continues long after the call begins to go through.
Fourth, There is no quick access menu for creating specific ring settings, such as Normal, Ring Once, etc. However, one of the few redeeming features this phone does have, is the one-touch quiet mode on and off.
Fifth, In order to scroll through the phonebook easily, you must enter a first AND last name for each spot. Otherwise, when trying to locate the name later, the phonebook will scroll alphabetically by First Name and then start over at "A" and scroll alphabetically through by Last Name. Grrrrrr.
Accessories (or lack thereof)
Just for grins, try and find any accessories for this phone by walking into the various electronics stores (Best Buy, Circuit City, etc.) They are nowhere to be found. The only place I've been able to locate them is online (with the shipping charge being more than the cost of the accessory.)
Overall Impressions:
If I had actually paid money for this phone, instead of having it issued by my company, I would have returned it the day after I bought it. Although I have other Panasonic electronics and admire the brand overall, they have a LONG way to go to be competitive in cell phone features, sound quality and ease of use.
