Should I Risk A Samsung Phone Or Play Safe?

[Lisa 66]

First, I have trawled the site and read EVERYTHING on phones/compatibility posted but would really appreicate your advices.

I have had my 250 SE-L since 2006 at which time I bought a Sony Ericsson 750i phone, as advised by my dealer.

The initial pairing and connectivity every day have worked perfectly.

However, I need to upgrade my phone and really like the Samsung Tocca Ultra.

My Lexus dealer says "the Samsung should be fine"

I'm worried as if anything doesn't work well I will be gutted as I will be tied in to my new contract for 2 years.

Should I play safe and get a Sony Ericcson 902.

All contacts etc are already in the car's memory, so I would just like some reassurance from someone who might understand my dilemma.

Thanks in advance.

[redz_UK]

if you go to a local store that you can park outside of then can you not try it out and see how it works?

im sure there will be a carphone warehouse near you that would let you try it out..

[Parthiban]

As redz says, if you go to one of the larger carphone warehouse stores in a retail park or something, I'm sure they'd be happy to come out to the car and try it out.......

Either way you could always get the phone and then return it under the 14 day return policy if it didn't work properly. Technically as far as calls go you shouldn't have any problems, the only area where problems could occur is with downloading the phone book.

[redz_UK]

As redz says, if you go to one of the larger carphone warehouse stores in a retail park or something, I'm sure they'd be happy to come out to the car and try it out.......

Either way you could always get the phone and then return it under the 14 day return policy if it didn't work properly. Technically as far as calls go you shouldn't have any problems, the only area where problems could occur is with downloading the phone book.

most networks dont offer the 14 days return policy anymore but if you buy online or over the phone you have 7 days under the distance selling regulations..

Sony Ericcsons always seem to offer the best compatability with other manufacturers devices.. prob because ericsson developed BT technology!

[Lisa 66]

Thanks for your suggestions. I'm tied into Vodafone really as from experience only provider with decent signal in the area so haven't got the nerve to ask a Carphone warehouse guy to assist knowing full well I wouldn't buy from them. Like the idea of on-line buying but a little risky and quite a lot of hassle.

I am veering back towards the safety of a SE but feel it's such a shame. I envisage having a Lexus for ever, wonder if this means that I'll have Sony Ericcsons forever too! It would be great to hear if anyone has taken a risk and it's worked out fine.

[paul cross]

hey i can tell you the samsung works fine in the car. my old 1s have always worked in the demos at work. but only downside is most samsung dont have auto connect. so you have to accept it everytime :(. unlike nokia they connect up with out accepting it. dont know what sony ericcsons are like. hope this helps alittle bit

[Parthiban]

I didn't realise networks have stopped the 14 day return, but as you're with Vodafone you'll be safe, I just upgraded my phone with them and they told me I have 14 days to return if I'm not happy...........

Best option then is probably to buy direct with Vodafone over the phone, and then return if you're not happy, but I'm almost 100% confident that you will not have any problems with the making/receiving calls side of things - it's only the phonebook sync that can cause problems but as long as you hang on to your old SE handset you could always use that one to update the phonebook whenever necessary.

[Lisa 66]

Like the idea of buying by phone from Vodafone to make it easier to return should I need to.

I was ready "to go for it" and try out the Samsung but Paul's helpful comment is a bit worrying.

I have a feeling that auto-connect each time I get in and out of my car (generally around 10 times a day) could be quiet a pain.

For info Sony Ericcson's connection is automatic.

On reflection everything is so easy maybe I should keep my battered phone, which has a camera that doesn't work!

All your comments are really helpful, thanks.

[Rory]

Phone retailers LOVE their commission, they should let you try a handset before you buy it, or just get another sonyericsson...

[paul cross]

lisa if you like the samsung tocca. have a look at the nokia 5800 music phone. :). really good if you was looking at a full touch screen

[braindead]

Every Samsung phone I've had has been a piece of unreliable junk.....but they do look nice. Depends if you want a piece of jewellery or a communications device I guess ;)

The Sony I have now works great with my GS450h but I had two fail on me in the first month of ownership so I'm not overly impressed with Sony either.

The only phones I've every had that are reliable have been Nokias.

Malc

[Anup]

I have to agreee as above...samsung are usually terrible in terms of using them! But i do like the look of the tocca ultra edition...maybe just good advertising?!

I would say don't be reluctant to go to carphone warehouse to get one of them to come and try it out in your car, I mean even if you go in and say to them you won't be buying it today but just want to try it im sure they would give it a go...

alternatively, you could go to a highstreet vodafone store and ask to try it with the car??

if you do get the phone, do let us know how it is!

[Lisa 66]

Thanks all. I've decided that I'm not going to risk the Samsung (like the comment about being a jewelry accessory) unless I can find a local mobile store that I can park outside (not too many of those around!).

I've also taken on board your comments about the reliability of the Nokia (and suggestion of 5800) but as I want the phone primarily for conversations and camera the Nokia 5800 doesn't fit the bill as primarily a music phone. I have also read that it even in this day and age it doesn't display caller names only numbers! Hands free in the car I find that feature (which I thought was standard) as absolutely essential.

I will let you know what I end up with, even if I play safe. Thanks.

[Roger Bill]

I'll soon have to choose a new phone and my old Sony has also been good for Bluetooth connectivity although it could be better in terms of acquiring a signal in weak spots. Therefore, like Lisa66 I'm tempted to take the "low-risk" option and get another Sony. From the list of alternatives currently contained in http://www.lexus.co.uk/Images/Compatilbili...m585-792063.pdf the K770i looks good for what I need in a phone. However, as my pocket PC is also showing signs of coming to the end of it's life, the HTC Touch Diamond 2 is an alternative I'm considering although this is too new to have been tested by Lexus and I have heard mixed reports from people with earlier HTC phones. Has anyone here tried using an HTC phone in a Lexus?

FYI: The USA Lexus site: http://lexusbluetooth.letstalk.com/product...=1&model=IS provides some useful info, although the phones sold into the USA market often don't have direct equivalents here in the UK.

[Parthiban]

Interesting that only a few have full support, and the Tocco is one of them............so I'm sure the Tocco Ultra should be fine as well as I don't think the OS has changed a lot has it?

@Roger: My dad's using an HTC Touch at the mo in his Prius, but haven't bothered to pair it up yet........I'll have a go and let you know whether it works ok :)

[kam05]

I have a SE C902- Its a great phone.

[adjust8r]

I use a Nokia E51. It works perfectly with the MM Bluetooth.

[Lisa 66]

And I just think I'm there and then you post new info for me!

Thank you to all the posters since my last comment, but it is Roger Bill who has "thrown me" now.

I had searched high and low for the latest approved phone list and given up getting such old outdated info.

I had rec'd great reports for the SE902 and was going to change tomorrow but NOW I read the Samsung Tocco is compatible without manually autoconnecting!

Dilemmas, dilemmas. Will update with whichever I bring home.

[M0nty]

I know what you mean; it's difficult to make a decision when there are so many sources of compatibility information and when that info differs between them.

Happily I can tell you that I have a Tocco (the previous model) and it works well with my IS 250's MM console.

[Lisa 66]

Well, the outcome is "to live a little". Thank you for your comments. Without the reassurance from others I would have no doubt that I would not have taken the risk of non-compatibility and stuck with a SE or Nokia. The Lexus lists are good but a little behind. And when you're on contract a mistake for 18 months would be very frustrating to get it wrong.

But anyway, the great news is I have a Samsung Tocco Ultra which seems to work very well so far (it paired instantly). I took the advice of drawing up outside the phone shop and I have to say Vodafone were brilliant and I tested theirs.

Thanks all again and I hope for the next person searching some 2008/2009 phones this thread will be of help.

[Parthiban]

Good news, glad it all worked out for you :)

Btw, what's the tocco ultra like?

[Lisa 66]

I am so impressed with it (so far) but then then it wouldn't be difficult to impress me with a phone. I've had my 750i for such a long time.

As importantly, my husband likes my choice and has started playing with the camera which is quite whizzy. He has a Blackberry Bold 9000 from work so doesn't get to try other phones out. I'm really impressed with the deal I got too, and as I have the VMI (I think its called) so I will using it for

e-mails/facebook etc without worrying about the cost (as now inclusive into my contract). The set up wizard looks pretty simple. First I have that lovely task of standardising set ups ie some on my SIM card haved separate names for more than two contact details etc. I want to ensure the contacts are identical as possible.

[lexulator]

hey i can tell you the samsung works fine in the car. my old 1s have always worked in the demos at work. but only downside is most samsung dont have auto connect. so you have to accept it everytime :(. unlike nokia they connect up with out accepting it. dont know what sony ericcsons are like. hope this helps alittle bit

I don't know about the Tocco Ultra, but i have an original Tocco and it auto-connects fine (you need to set a Bluetooth configuration setting on the phone to do this) in my IS250. And it's been very reliable.

[Rillo]

I never had any problems with Samsung 800 and Lexus Bluetooth

[kns]

First, I have trawled the site and read EVERYTHING on phones/compatibility posted but would really appreicate your advices.

I have had my 250 SE-L since 2006 at which time I bought a Sony Ericsson 750i phone, as advised by my dealer.

The initial pairing and connectivity every day have worked perfectly.

However, I need to upgrade my phone and really like the Samsung Tocca Ultra.

My Lexus dealer says "the Samsung should be fine"

I'm worried as if anything doesn't work well I will be gutted as I will be tied in to my new contract for 2 years.

Should I play safe and get a Sony Ericcson 902.

All contacts etc are already in the car's memory, so I would just like some reassurance from someone who might understand my dilemma.

Thanks in advance.

I use the Samsung Tocco without problems, although I have forgotten how to transfer the Address book, so I assigned the address book already in the car from the old phone to the new one.

Regards

Keith