Nokia E5 - opinions please

[Rik]

It's phone upgrade time for me, and I'm looking at moving away from my traditional 'small' Nokia, eg 6301 or 6330, to something a bit more substantial. For those that don't know, I suffer from a condition called benign essential tremors, the symptoms are a bit like Parkinson's, but it's not fatal.

For me, the primary symptoms are shaky hands and 'stuttery' fingers, so texting on a standard multipress keypad is hell - lots of double-hits etc.

I don't particularly want a full smartphone, I just can't see me using it, so my wish list is tactile QWERTY keyboard (I can't use touch screens, too much stutter), good network 'grip' and good call quality.

Would the E5 do it, or should I be looking at something else?

Thanks.

[Glenn]

I haven't seen or used one, another option maybe a Blackberry Curve or Bold?

[Steve]

Or perhaps a basic Blackberry 8520??

[pctech]

Looks quite a sturdy phone but as Glenn said

[Rik]

Would you guys rate the Blackberry above a Nokia?

[pctech]

Never used one so can't comment but as they are popular with those who cant be parted from all forms of electronic communication they must be ok.

[Glenn]

Simon may be the best person to offer advice, he has used a lot of phones.

[Rik]

Never used one so can't comment but as they are popular with those who cant be parted from all forms of electronic communication they must be ok.

I can be parted - surgically.

[Rik]

Simon may be the best person to offer advice, he has used a lot of phones.

As many as I've had DR orders.

[Ray]

 

[Simon]

The BlackBerry Bold would certainly tick the boxes re the keyboard requirements, Rik, and, of course, you would be getting the best email and messaging services available on any phone, as well as a great organiser (calendar / tasks), with Outlook sync, and easy upgrading / backing up, via BlackBerry Desktop Manager.   I never had a problem with call quality on mine, but I am in a good coverage area for O2.

You might, however, also consider the HTC Desire Z, as you would have the benefit of the slide out keyboard. 

[Gary]

Justina loves her Blackberry, the Nokias are good phones but I would go for a blackberry, the E5 has been said to have a poor screen in reviews.

[Rik]

Thanks, guys. 

[Steve]

But what do you call a Blackberry on Orange?

[Glenn]

A smoothie

[Rik]

[Glenn]

 

[Steve]

 

[Lance]

I would look for a phone with slide out keyboard - the keys are bigger with more spacing inbetween.

[Rik]

Thanks, Lance. I've ruled both the E5 and Blackberries out as the key size to wobbly thumb ratio was completely wrong. Touch screens are also out, so I think a slide out is the only way left to go. Any particular suggestions?

[Glenn]

Desire Z, maybe? http://www.engadget.com/2010/09/15/htc-desire-z-is-the-qwerty-slider-your-androids-been-waiting-fo/

[Rik]

Looks good. Unfortunately, not available from Orange. I'll have to go hunting.

[Gary]

Or http://maemo.nokia.com/n900/ does not do picture messaging as its email based rather than phone based, but is a very good handset. You could pick up a sim free handset cheaply second hand maybe

[Rik]

I wouldn't miss picture messaging Gary.

Dumb question. Orange, afaik, have always customised their phones' software. Does using a 'bog standard' phone cause any issues in that situation?

[Gary]

I wouldn't miss picture messaging Gary.

Dumb question. Orange, afaik, have always customised their phones' software. Does using a 'bog standard' phone cause any issues in that situation?

No you just put your sim card in and use as is Rik, in many ways you end up with a cleaner handset. I used sim free handsets when on Orange and O2 quite happily. Its like having windows installed without the rubbish from Acer, best analogy.

[Rik]

Thanks, Gary. 

[Gary]

No problem Rik, the phone will automatically pick the settings up and off you go 

[Rik]

 

[Gary]

If you want a Blackbery with a normal keypad they do the Blackberry pearl 3G 9105, Rik.  http://shop.orange.co.uk/mobile-phones/blackberry-pearl-9105

[Rik]

I tried it, Gary. Big trembling thumbs and small keys.

[Gary]

I tried it, Gary. Big trembling thumbs and small keys.

I use my index finger on my touch screen its faster than two thumbs as I drop things. If you want just a phone that calls, texts nothing flash they do make them now with big buttons, not sure of the feature set.

[Rik]

I want to go back to the days of the bricks, Gary.

[Gary]

I want to go back to the days of the bricks, Gary.

You can still get the Nokia 3510i Rik, they had big buttons http://www.amazon.co.uk/Nokia-3510i-Blue-SIM-Free/dp/B00013Q1IQ/ref=sr_1_fkmr0_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1287999320&sr=8-1-fkmr0 I know what you mean about Bricks they were simple and worked 

[Rik]

I'd quite like to get a 6301(?), Gary. The old 'standard' business phone.

[Gary]

I'd quite like to get a 6301(?), Gary. The old 'standard' business phone.

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Nokia-6310i-Mobile-Phone-Silver/dp/B00009XLNH/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1287999756&sr=8-1 one of these?

[Rik]

That's the one. It was a rock-solid phone.

[Gary]

That's the one. It was a rock-solid phone.

By the looks of it you can still get them, Rik  I remembered because I used to have one, I liked mine a lot mine went on for years.

[Rik]

Shame they're serial and not USB.

[Gary]

Shame they're serial and not USB.

True but tbh they are quite simple and most things stay on the sim card on those phones it was the time when a phone was a phone and did not really need a pc linked to it.  I would just get an orange pay and go sim and back all my contacts onto that as a just in case.

[DorsetBoy]

This one has big buttons Rik http://www.maplin.co.uk/Module.aspx?ModuleNo=222271 

[Rik]

True but tbh they are quite simple and most things stay on the sim card on those phones it was the time when a phone was a phone and did not really need a pc linked to it.  I would just get an orange pay and go sim and back all my contacts onto that as a just in case.

Well I'm now on a SIM-only contract with Orange and have two handsets to fall back on.

[Rik]

This one has big buttons Rik http://www.maplin.co.uk/Module.aspx?ModuleNo=222271 

It does, but Maplin's price is a bit steep - you can pick them up for ~£40.

[Simon]

I wonder if it would be worth switching to a SIM only contract, Rik, and buying an unlocked phone of your choice  This is the O2 version, but Orange may do one of their own, if you don't want to switch networks.

As Steve said, the HTC Desire Z may suit your needs, or, if you're not worried about having the latest model and OS, then I believe the HTC Touch Pro II had a very good reputation, and could probably be picked up quite cheaply on eBay.

[Rik]

I wonder if it would be worth switching to a SIM only contract, Rik

I have.

and buying an unlocked phone of your choice  This is the O2 version, but Orange may do one of their own, if you don't want to switch networks.

Orange don't do that model, unfortunately. I need to find a SIM-free retailer who will let me try one out.

[Gary]

Yoghurt pots and string works well  

[Rik]

I'm old fashioned, Gary, I still use tin cans.

[Gary]

I have.

Orange don't do that model, unfortunately. I need to find a SIM-free retailer who will let me try one out.

You have the seven day online return, Rik. Try to find one from Amazon, Ebuyer etc (never expansy's) or even Mobilefun if you do not like it, send it back. You could nip into an O2 shop and see if they have anything similar to try or god forbid a CPW (shudders) although never buy off them.

[Gary]

I'm old fashioned, Gary, I still use tin cans.

[Simon]

I have.

Orange don't do that model, unfortunately. I need to find a SIM-free retailer who will let me try one out.

Which model?

[Gary]

Which model?

Heidi Klum 

[Rik]

Which model?

Desire Z. They only have the Desire, no keyboard - apparently.

[Gary]

Desire Z. They only have the Desire, no keyboard - apparently.

http://www.amazon.co.uk/HTC-Desire-Free-Mobile-Phone/dp/B003ZDP5YU price is about right sim free, and you can return with Amazon easy

[Rik]

Thanks, Gary - you're right, it is a doddle to return with Amazon.

[Steve]

I suppose this is a silly suggestion an iPhone with a bluetooth keyboard

[Rik]

Possibly not, Steve, but it would be getting a bit cumbersome to lug around.

[Glenn]

http://www.qwertyphones.co.uk/

[Rik]

Thanks. 

[Lance]

then I believe the HTC Touch Pro II had a very good reputation, and could probably be picked up quite cheaply on eBay.

My work mobile. Its got a fantastic keyboard but that is where the goodness stops. Running Windows Mobile 6.5 its dreadfully slow - I really can't exagerate quite how slow this thing is.

[Rik]

One to avoid then.

[pctech]

A colleague had an XDA Mini S for a while (WM 5 I think) and had no end of problems with it crashing and had a dodgy screen.

It made him defect to 3 until the iPhone came out when he went back to O2.

[Rik]

Bring back the PDA, I say, only it has to be Palm.

[Glenn]

http://top10.com/mobilephones/news/2010/10/palm_pre_2_gets_its_first_official_commercial/

[Rik]

I looked, Glenn, but I think I'd have the same keypad problem.

[Glenn]

So do I, looking at the video

[Rik]

Shame, it looks nice otherwise.

[Simon]

Desire Z it is, then. 

[Rik]

It's looking that way, if I go for anything. I need a retailer who will let me try one now...

[Glenn]

Or get Simon to buy one, then send it up for you to test. 

[Rik]

Great idea, Glenn. Really, all I have to do is ask for first refusal when he ships it on.

[Glenn]

lol

[pctech]

I'm going to pop into the O2 shop on Friday to see what they have on offer.

[Simon]