Panasonic EB-TX320 Cell Phone
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- Design: Mobile
- Style: Candy Bar
- Network Type: TDMA AMPS 850
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Panasonic Versio EB-TX320: "Yep? I can hear you now!!"
Pros
Excellent reception; loaded with features.
Cons
Somewhat "clunky" menu system
Recommended it?
Yes
The Bottom Line:
Consistently demonstrates superior performance, reliability, durability, and usefulness.
SKA-RUN-N-CH!!
That sickening sound on a cold February day last winter marks the beginning of the end for my one of my most trusted and oft-used electronic friends? my Nokia 5160 cell phone.
I am busily painting the living room of a customer when my Nokia rings. Where the &*$#@ is it??!!? As the phone continues chirping with growing urgency, my size 12 clodhopper comes down on a small hard object that?s hidden under a drop cloth. Coincidental with that sickening "scrunch" of cracked plastic, my faithful Nokia stops ringing. A bad sign? a very bad sign indeed?
For the next two months, I am able to salvage at least a modicum of use out of my damaged Nokia. The case is cracked at the base, and the battery won't stay securely attached, but the phone does work... kinda-sorta. However, its ability to function reliably in a business setting seems severely hampered. Finally, in mid-April, I take it to A T & T Wireless to see if it can be fixed?
It turns out to be a classic "good news/bad news" situation. The good news: the phone can be fixed. The bad news: it?s gonna cost me about a hundred bucks, and the phone will have to be sent back to Nokia. I?ll be without it for 6 - 8 weeks.
Not a good scenario! Oh, well? maybe buying a new phone is a cheaper alternative. Hmmm? I guess not!! Most of the cell phones in our local A T & T Wireless showroom are in the $100 to $150 price range. I guess buying a new phone is out of the question?
?Then I spy this little red phone sitting in a display case all by itself. A very tiny, slim, and stylish little phone. Made by Panasonic. Called a Versio (pronounced "verz EYE oh") EB-TX320. Price tag: $49.99. Not too bad... not too bad at all!!
I ask the sales clerk about it. She tells me the phone is brand new on the market, but that initial reports are very positive. I decide to take one? red, of course, just like the one in the display case.
I?m happy to report that, in the four weeks I?ve owned my Versio, I?ve been consistently pleased with its performance. It?s proven itself the equal of my Nokia 5160 in many ways, and even surpasses it in a few performance categories.
WHAT I LIKE BEST ABOUT THE PANASONIC VERSIO EB-TX320?
* EXCELLENT TRASMISSION AND RECEPTION! As I said in my review of the Nokia 5160, "All the great features in the world ain?t gonna help you a bit if a cell phone doesn?t adequately perform its most basic function: providing clear, crisp, and reliable communications." On this score, the Panasonic Versio EB-TX320 actually outshines my old Nokia. As good as my Nokia was, there were several "dead" spots in my local calling area? my house (as luck would have it) being one of them. My new Panasonic Versio EB-TX320 seems better capable of providing completely static- and fade-free transmission and reception in the vicinity of my house and in other problem areas.
* SMALL AND LIGHTWEIGHT: The Panasonic Versio EB-TX320 is about the same size, but only half the weight of the Nokia 5160. It checks in at 5 inches long from antenna tip to base; 1 inch thick; and 1? inches wide. It weighs only three ounces.Like most cell phones, it will tuck very nicely wherever you want it? even your shirt pocket!
* EXCELLENT DESIGN: As I said at the top of my review, the Panasonic Versio EB-TX320 is a sleek and stylish little number that is bound to catch the eye. But the phone?s excellent design goes beyond just lookin? good. This is a feature-packed little gem. The digital display and numeric keypad are simple in design, and very user-friendly. The digital display is large, taking up about one-third of the phone?s face. The display is fairly easy to read, although the letters and numbers aren?t quite as large as the Nokia's. The Panasonic Versio EB-TX320 features a backlight that you can adjust to one of several colors: amber, yellow, green, blue, and red among them. I find yellow to be easiest on my eyes. Letters and numbers are easy to read even in low light.
The phone?s keypad is very well laid out. The keys are small and black, with white letters and numbers that are surprisingly easy to read. The keys have a solid tactile feel to them, and are set far enough apart from each other to reduce the chances of mashing more than one at a time.
The keypad is very simple to use, but perhaps not quite as intuitive as the Nokia's. One problem right from the "git-go:" whereintheheck is the "Power On/Off" button?! Pressing the key with the little red phone icon turns the phone both on and off... but you won't know that until you read the owner's manual. That particular button should be more clearly labeled...
In addition to the standard alpha-numeric keypad, you?ll find a "send" (green phone icon) and "receive" (red phone icon... yes, it's the same key that turns the phone on and off) button, and special keys for menu access; text and voice mail message access; and phone book access. A large round key located directly under the display allows you to scroll through the menu and phone book in one of four directions.
The Panasonic Versio EB-TX320 is well constructed, although it lacks a bit of the Nokia 5160?s sturdy "feel." Although it seem light by comparison to the Nokia, the Versio seems built well enough to withstand the rough-and-tumble of the house painting business.
* EASY TO SET UP: Simply take it out of the box, snap on the battery pack, and fully charge the lithium-ion battery (that takes about six hours). Once that?s done, the phone is ready to use...assuming, of course, you?re subscribed to a wireless calling plan.
GOOD BATTERY LIFE: The rechargeable lithium-ion battery is excellent. As I write this, I am able to go about three days with the phone constantly on, sending or receiving an average of six calls a day, before it?s necessary for me to recharge the battery. This falls right in line with the 140 minute talk time/200 minute standby time manufacturer?s specification.
* EXCELLENT ASSORTMENT OF FEATURES AND FUNCTIONS: The Panasonic Versio EB-TX320 is definitely a full-featured cell phone! It?s fully capable of Call Waiting, Call Forwarding, Voice and Text Messaging, and Caller ID, when those features are a part of your wireless calling plan. Also included (not as part of a service agreement) are last number redial, automatic redial, and automatic answer.
Here are some of the phone?s built-in features (that are not subject to a calling plan) that I?m sure you?ll find as useful as I have:
* Phone book: Phone numbers can be dialed either from the phone book, or by entering them directly from the keypad. One excellent feature: each phone book entry allows you to put a contact?s home phone, business phone, cell phone and other number. So, while the phone book is limited to 100 entries, it?s possible to list 4 phone numbers for each entry.
* Built in speakerphone: Pressing the "#/Sp/Quiet" key for about eight seconds automatically activates the phone?s built in speakerphone. It provides surprisingly clear, crisp, and easy to hear audio for both callers.
* Programmable "Super Dial" keys: You can program all nine numeric keys on the keypad with any telephone number you'd like. If you wish, you can set up key 9 to dial Emergency 911...an especially outstanding feature!
* Calling log: Lists your most recent calls, and the time used for each of them. Also included: a set of timers which logs the number of minutes you?ve used since you last reset the timers. A non-resettable lifetime usage timer is also included.
* Digital Clock and programmable alarms: A fully adjustable, very accurate alarm clock. You can set the display to show time (in either 12- or 24-hour mode) and date (in either American or European date format). You can set up to 10 alarms to go off either as a scheduled one-time alarm or as a daily alarm. You can set the alarm tones loud enough to just about wake the dead, if you desire. One annoying feature: If you have more than one alarm set, and you miss it, the first alarm will go off and shut itself off, but any subsequent alarms won?t go off? and the phone doesn?t revert automatically to standby. If you miss your alarm, you have to manually shut off any subsequent alarms you may have set.
* Tone selection: You may select from among 6 "general rings" and 10 preset melodies as your phone?s ringer.
* Built-in vibration alert: Included with the Panasonic Versio EB-TX320 (at no extra charge) is a built in vibration alert. You can set it either to come on along with an audible ring, or with the ringer muted. Setting the phone for "Quiet Mode" automatically mutes the phone?s ringer and activates the vibration alert.
* Security: Select voice encryption to guard against eavesdropping; and prevent unauthorized use of your phone by restricting outgoing AND incoming calls!
* Key Lock: When selected, this forces the phone to ignore unintentional key presses. It's an essential feature when you have your phone in your pocket, purse, briefcase, or bag.
* Lots of optional accessories: The Panasonic Versio EB-TX320 comes with a few accessories, including a basic "hands-free" earphone/microphone set; battery recharger and two interchangeable face plates. Other accessories are readily available (at extra cost, of course!): Battery recharger for use in car, SUV, or truck (uses cigar lighter); face plate with flip-down dust cover (I bought this one? and I love it); and a belt clip.
CONCLUSION:
During the month I've owned my Panasonic Versio EB-TX320, I?ve been very impressed with it. It has consistently demonstrated superior performance, reliability, durability, and usefulness. Every one of this little red phone?s myriad of features works flawlessly.
In fact, I like my little red Panasonic Versio EB-TX320 so much that I plan to continue using it... even after I get my Nokia 5160 back from the repair shop.
That sickening sound on a cold February day last winter marks the beginning of the end for my one of my most trusted and oft-used electronic friends? my Nokia 5160 cell phone.
I am busily painting the living room of a customer when my Nokia rings. Where the &*$#@ is it??!!? As the phone continues chirping with growing urgency, my size 12 clodhopper comes down on a small hard object that?s hidden under a drop cloth. Coincidental with that sickening "scrunch" of cracked plastic, my faithful Nokia stops ringing. A bad sign? a very bad sign indeed?
For the next two months, I am able to salvage at least a modicum of use out of my damaged Nokia. The case is cracked at the base, and the battery won't stay securely attached, but the phone does work... kinda-sorta. However, its ability to function reliably in a business setting seems severely hampered. Finally, in mid-April, I take it to A T & T Wireless to see if it can be fixed?
It turns out to be a classic "good news/bad news" situation. The good news: the phone can be fixed. The bad news: it?s gonna cost me about a hundred bucks, and the phone will have to be sent back to Nokia. I?ll be without it for 6 - 8 weeks.
Not a good scenario! Oh, well? maybe buying a new phone is a cheaper alternative. Hmmm? I guess not!! Most of the cell phones in our local A T & T Wireless showroom are in the $100 to $150 price range. I guess buying a new phone is out of the question?
?Then I spy this little red phone sitting in a display case all by itself. A very tiny, slim, and stylish little phone. Made by Panasonic. Called a Versio (pronounced "verz EYE oh") EB-TX320. Price tag: $49.99. Not too bad... not too bad at all!!
I ask the sales clerk about it. She tells me the phone is brand new on the market, but that initial reports are very positive. I decide to take one? red, of course, just like the one in the display case.
I?m happy to report that, in the four weeks I?ve owned my Versio, I?ve been consistently pleased with its performance. It?s proven itself the equal of my Nokia 5160 in many ways, and even surpasses it in a few performance categories.
WHAT I LIKE BEST ABOUT THE PANASONIC VERSIO EB-TX320?
* EXCELLENT TRASMISSION AND RECEPTION! As I said in my review of the Nokia 5160, "All the great features in the world ain?t gonna help you a bit if a cell phone doesn?t adequately perform its most basic function: providing clear, crisp, and reliable communications." On this score, the Panasonic Versio EB-TX320 actually outshines my old Nokia. As good as my Nokia was, there were several "dead" spots in my local calling area? my house (as luck would have it) being one of them. My new Panasonic Versio EB-TX320 seems better capable of providing completely static- and fade-free transmission and reception in the vicinity of my house and in other problem areas.
* SMALL AND LIGHTWEIGHT: The Panasonic Versio EB-TX320 is about the same size, but only half the weight of the Nokia 5160. It checks in at 5 inches long from antenna tip to base; 1 inch thick; and 1? inches wide. It weighs only three ounces.Like most cell phones, it will tuck very nicely wherever you want it? even your shirt pocket!
* EXCELLENT DESIGN: As I said at the top of my review, the Panasonic Versio EB-TX320 is a sleek and stylish little number that is bound to catch the eye. But the phone?s excellent design goes beyond just lookin? good. This is a feature-packed little gem. The digital display and numeric keypad are simple in design, and very user-friendly. The digital display is large, taking up about one-third of the phone?s face. The display is fairly easy to read, although the letters and numbers aren?t quite as large as the Nokia's. The Panasonic Versio EB-TX320 features a backlight that you can adjust to one of several colors: amber, yellow, green, blue, and red among them. I find yellow to be easiest on my eyes. Letters and numbers are easy to read even in low light.
The phone?s keypad is very well laid out. The keys are small and black, with white letters and numbers that are surprisingly easy to read. The keys have a solid tactile feel to them, and are set far enough apart from each other to reduce the chances of mashing more than one at a time.
The keypad is very simple to use, but perhaps not quite as intuitive as the Nokia's. One problem right from the "git-go:" whereintheheck is the "Power On/Off" button?! Pressing the key with the little red phone icon turns the phone both on and off... but you won't know that until you read the owner's manual. That particular button should be more clearly labeled...
In addition to the standard alpha-numeric keypad, you?ll find a "send" (green phone icon) and "receive" (red phone icon... yes, it's the same key that turns the phone on and off) button, and special keys for menu access; text and voice mail message access; and phone book access. A large round key located directly under the display allows you to scroll through the menu and phone book in one of four directions.
The Panasonic Versio EB-TX320 is well constructed, although it lacks a bit of the Nokia 5160?s sturdy "feel." Although it seem light by comparison to the Nokia, the Versio seems built well enough to withstand the rough-and-tumble of the house painting business.
* EASY TO SET UP: Simply take it out of the box, snap on the battery pack, and fully charge the lithium-ion battery (that takes about six hours). Once that?s done, the phone is ready to use...assuming, of course, you?re subscribed to a wireless calling plan.
GOOD BATTERY LIFE: The rechargeable lithium-ion battery is excellent. As I write this, I am able to go about three days with the phone constantly on, sending or receiving an average of six calls a day, before it?s necessary for me to recharge the battery. This falls right in line with the 140 minute talk time/200 minute standby time manufacturer?s specification.
* EXCELLENT ASSORTMENT OF FEATURES AND FUNCTIONS: The Panasonic Versio EB-TX320 is definitely a full-featured cell phone! It?s fully capable of Call Waiting, Call Forwarding, Voice and Text Messaging, and Caller ID, when those features are a part of your wireless calling plan. Also included (not as part of a service agreement) are last number redial, automatic redial, and automatic answer.
Here are some of the phone?s built-in features (that are not subject to a calling plan) that I?m sure you?ll find as useful as I have:
* Phone book: Phone numbers can be dialed either from the phone book, or by entering them directly from the keypad. One excellent feature: each phone book entry allows you to put a contact?s home phone, business phone, cell phone and other number. So, while the phone book is limited to 100 entries, it?s possible to list 4 phone numbers for each entry.
* Built in speakerphone: Pressing the "#/Sp/Quiet" key for about eight seconds automatically activates the phone?s built in speakerphone. It provides surprisingly clear, crisp, and easy to hear audio for both callers.
* Programmable "Super Dial" keys: You can program all nine numeric keys on the keypad with any telephone number you'd like. If you wish, you can set up key 9 to dial Emergency 911...an especially outstanding feature!
* Calling log: Lists your most recent calls, and the time used for each of them. Also included: a set of timers which logs the number of minutes you?ve used since you last reset the timers. A non-resettable lifetime usage timer is also included.
* Digital Clock and programmable alarms: A fully adjustable, very accurate alarm clock. You can set the display to show time (in either 12- or 24-hour mode) and date (in either American or European date format). You can set up to 10 alarms to go off either as a scheduled one-time alarm or as a daily alarm. You can set the alarm tones loud enough to just about wake the dead, if you desire. One annoying feature: If you have more than one alarm set, and you miss it, the first alarm will go off and shut itself off, but any subsequent alarms won?t go off? and the phone doesn?t revert automatically to standby. If you miss your alarm, you have to manually shut off any subsequent alarms you may have set.
* Tone selection: You may select from among 6 "general rings" and 10 preset melodies as your phone?s ringer.
* Built-in vibration alert: Included with the Panasonic Versio EB-TX320 (at no extra charge) is a built in vibration alert. You can set it either to come on along with an audible ring, or with the ringer muted. Setting the phone for "Quiet Mode" automatically mutes the phone?s ringer and activates the vibration alert.
* Security: Select voice encryption to guard against eavesdropping; and prevent unauthorized use of your phone by restricting outgoing AND incoming calls!
* Key Lock: When selected, this forces the phone to ignore unintentional key presses. It's an essential feature when you have your phone in your pocket, purse, briefcase, or bag.
* Lots of optional accessories: The Panasonic Versio EB-TX320 comes with a few accessories, including a basic "hands-free" earphone/microphone set; battery recharger and two interchangeable face plates. Other accessories are readily available (at extra cost, of course!): Battery recharger for use in car, SUV, or truck (uses cigar lighter); face plate with flip-down dust cover (I bought this one? and I love it); and a belt clip.
CONCLUSION:
During the month I've owned my Panasonic Versio EB-TX320, I?ve been very impressed with it. It has consistently demonstrated superior performance, reliability, durability, and usefulness. Every one of this little red phone?s myriad of features works flawlessly.
In fact, I like my little red Panasonic Versio EB-TX320 so much that I plan to continue using it... even after I get my Nokia 5160 back from the repair shop.
