Customer Reviews

Audiovox CDM8900 Phone (Verizon Wireless)

5 star:		(3)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(4)

 

 

it works for almost exactly one year, but then it completely falls apart. i don't abuse it, yet it's still extremely unreliable, not to mention obnoxious.

the camera quality is poor, it randomly turns itself on and off.
i actually feel bitter toward this phone when i have to use it, haha.

my brother and i each got this phone at roughly the same time, and both our phones died almost exactly a year later...within 2 weeks of each other

The first 10 months I had this phone, it was great. Then one day the software just looked up. The local repair center sent it in to Audiovox for repair and it came back unrepairable due to physical damage??? What, this phone was never dropped or abused in any way...and it was a software issue....Customer service was clueless when I called in. They told me they know nothing about technical issues, even though I called into the warranty center, and that I was not allowed to speak to a technician. VERY POOR SERVICE for a VERY POOR PHONE!!! DONT BUY THIS PHONE!

It seems that most phone makers are so busy adding features (camera phone, fancy lights and ringers) that some important gaffs (IMHO) are made with the design.

The CDM8900's outside LCD is perfect example of this. While it seems obvious to me, it apparently wasn't to Audiovox, that the outside LCD should ALWAYS show the caller's ID when the phone is ringing. The 8900 toggles every 5 seconds between the caller ID and a "Verizon Wireless" banner. According to VZW, that toggling is supposed to show if you are roaming or not. Fine, but does it have to happen during an incoming call?!?!

Another 8900 goof: Speed dial #1 is hard-coded to your cell phone voice mail. You can't modify speed dial #1 so that it auto-dials your account password. Something my old Motorola did.

I would love to see a return of ergnonmic/common sense design in cell phones: Buttons that are easy to dial by touch, easier to see the displays in bad light, and easier to use when driving(like the Speed dial #1).

On the plus side, aside from a squeaky hinge for the flip, it's a sturdy phone with good volume and reception.

I purchased this phone almost two years ago. Within the first week of having it I noticed that some calls were not being logged in my 'recent calls' folder. Weird. So I had it replaced...but the same thing happened with the new phone. At the time I didn't really care and had no interest trying to research a better phone. This was probably a foreshadowing of just how "blah" this phone has been.

Problems:
The phone doesn't really allow you to customize much in terms of menus, banners, colors.

The Verizon banner is ALWAYS there, even when the phone is ringing (highly irritating if you have to wait 3-4 seconds to see who is calling).

The external blue lights on the side of the phone have a tendency to either flash WAY too much or flash not at all when receiving a call or a text message (at night if I put my phone on silent the flashing blue lights will wake me up because it is as bright as lights from the street flashing onto my walls). Sometimes if I miss a call at night the lights will flash all night long, wearing out my battery. Other times it won't flash at all when I've received a text, which I don't notice until hours later.

The phone also has a tendency to turn itself on and off randomly.

It takes far too long for the phone to power up when you've push the power on button, and when I try to turn it on after I plug in the charger I have to hold down the power on button for at least 10 seconds or else it simply turns "on" to the charging screen, which isn't really on, but simply a wallpaper while the phone charges.

Also, in the past 6 months, my former background of flowers disappears and is merely a white screen when I charge my phone. But as soon as the charger is unplugged it goes right back to the background.

Overall...this phone is a piece of crap. It you don't mind basic features and can put up with mediocrity, definitely purchase this phone. I've put up with for now because it serves it's purpose and verizon reception is pretty good.

If you are only having a phone for one year then this phone is a pretty good choice, but if you expect to have it over a year, then you're screwed. My phone was working just fine and then bam! it decides that it does not want to charge. i buy a new charger, doesn't work. I go to the verizon store and since my warranty was up(convenient) i had to pay $50 for a phone that still won't charge. To this day i have had the same phone changed twice and the problem keeps happening. Then my sister's phone has a screen that shows absolutely nothing!!! no caller id no text messaging. all you can do is answer it not knowing who it is and you can't access any of the features. pretty lame. My brother has difficulty typing now on his phone because the buttons have gotten stuck. Overall, i think this phone is a lemon. i don't recommend it if you want a long term phone.

K. E. Espejo asked to buy a product manual from someone; here's a link for the CDM89000's 'homepage' and there is a link there that takes you to the manual in PDF format:

[...]

I've had this phone for just about a year and I LOVE it! The earpiece volume is LOUD, it maintains a signal in some tough terrain (Western PA), and it is pretty sturdy, having survived several drops.

Two gripes: The speakerphone could be louder, but works wonderfully in most situations. And the camera, well, the product is first and foremost a phone, so really, enough said, eh?

I would definitely recommend this phone.

I never had a problem with this phone. Some people might not like it becuase you can't play pacman on it or something, but to actually talk to other people, it is a great phone. Clear sounding, good battery charge, and it is lightweight and comfortable to hold. I only used the camera to create a screensaver, etc. and to have a a few snaps of family to carry around. The blue keypad and silver finish is clean and modern. The blue lights on the phone were useful when the ringer is off or vibrate.

I got a razr with my contract renewal, and altough its a newer phone and has bluetooth, if had a choice to buy the razr or keep the CDM, I probably would have kept it. I actually find the razr less comfortable to hold, almost like holding a remote control, and you have to place the speaker perfectly over your ear.

At the time (almost 2 years ago) this phone seemed like it had alot of good features, but the bad far outweighs the good. The camera and screen are next to worthless, you can never make out the pictures, calls are often dropped, verizon has disabled many features - like they do with all of their phones. Counting the days until my contract ends...

This phone is amazing. it has plenty of features in it. I am very happy that I bought this phone. If you want to get a new phone, then look no further. This is also a great gift for kids. i really recommend this phone to you all.

Phone works great but manual's missing. Have to navigate all buttons on my own. Can somebody sell or give me a copy of the CDM-8900 Manual or User's Guide, please? Thanks.