Customer Reviews

LG VX8100 V CAST and Music Capable Phone (for Verizon Wireless) CDMA

5 star:		(39)
4 star:		(23)
3 star:		(11)
2 star:		(9)
1 star:		(13)

 

 

I've been partial to LG phones for a few years, so I was biased towards this phone to begin with, but its features have exceeded my expectations. This was not an out of the box phone, but a project that takes a bit of time, patience, and a few accessories to get it configured and setup just right.

Firstly, the music mp3 player works great, with clear extrenal speakers and a headphone/ microphone jack. It uses a 4 part, not 3 part 2.5mm mini-plug, so this restricts the headphones or adapters you can use with it. I bought the Jabra C220 stereo earbuds, and they work nicely. I also bought two 512 Mb Sandisk mini SD cards to hold music, though I heard the 1 Gb mini SD card also works fine. Make sure you buy mini SD instead of regular SD cards. To load the mp3s on the card from my computer, I bought a USB card reader that reads SD cards. The first time you put in a mini SD card, the phone puts three folders on the card, one for sounds, one for pictures, and one for mp3s. The phone's mp3 player is somewhat buried, but you can create a shortcut to it: OK button -> right toggle 2 times -> OK button -> down toggle 2 times -> OK button -> 0 -> hit CLR button twice
Now, when you hit the down toggle button, the mp3 player comes right up.

Secondly, I knew the video and music player capabilities would take extra battery power, so I went ahead and bought the extended life battery, and it's been a great investment, lasting well through heavy usage. Be aware the battery is larger and makes the phone a little bulkier.

You can synchronize and download your phone book, wallpaper, Outlook Calendar and ringtones with the free program BitPim and a n LG VX8100 data cable you can buy on eBay or elsewhere that connects via USB to your computer.

I also picked up the Bluetooth Logitech wireless headset, and it works great, but I prefer using the built-in speakerphone on my lap while driving.

This phone has all sorts of interesting possible tweaks for those so inclined to tinkering-- at your own risk.

The bottom line is that this is the cell phone with the functionality I've always wanted, phone + extended battery + mini SD cards + card reader + Jabra headphones + BitPim + data cable.

The only warnings: find documentation online, not from Verizon; slim and petite this phone is not; and don't expect everything ready to roll directly out of the box.

Excellent phone on all fronts. I bought it with the intention of leveraging all features including mp3s and full customization without a connection kit or extra service fee. I've gotten it to do everything I wanted. To get all the features I'd say you need to be a bit tech savy. But even basic users will enjoy the phone.

Standard stuff is excellent - reception, interface, contacts, calendar, talk and standby time, very nice/bright lcd, etc. Also feels much more solid than the 815e.

I use bluetooth and opensource pc software to exchange images, and ringers(mp3s). Very easy once learned. I'm a bit techy.

I load mp3s (renamed to .mid and <~15 chars) to a miniSD card - very nice player. Stereo speakers work very well. Although cant close lid. Great to listen to audio books or lectures. Does play videos/movies but has to be converted by software, big hassle but its an option.

Camera: Very good phone cam - I also have a 7mp canon sd500 camera (awesome camera!) so it doesn't compare. I save pix/video to miniSD card.

Speakerphone: ok, but very handy when needed.

EV-DO: broadband internet - via bluetooth - very nice - simple and fast, I connected at ~110k on XP laptop. I use it as a backup net connection but not really needed as there are so many ways to connect to the net. Can be a bit tricky to set up on laptop. Not documented. Does cost $15 per month extra (not bad though).

Cons:
1) Can be a bit difficult to hear other person in ear.
2) Some features are hidden - must find settings to enable.
3) Manual is lame for advanced users.

Overall its a very personalizable phone. With some google searching and about 2 or 3 hours you can get it to do lots of stuff not mentioned in the book or in the store. Worth it for the mp3 player with miniSD card.

My new VX8100 is an upgrade from VX6000's so I skipped a few models while holding out for bluetooth support. I didn't expect the EV-DO, but it is quite a bonus. If you subscribe to those wifi hotspot networks, you can save your money and take your own hotspot with you. Using bluetooth, I don't even take the phone out of my pocket to get my laptop or pda onto the Internet. I use Verizon's National Access (formerly Express Network) which is about 50kbps even in rural areas. The list of metro areas supporting EV-DO is growing fast, and that will get you something like 500kbps even way out into the burbs for the metro areas fortunate enough to have it already.. If you are considering use of your wireless phone to provide Internet access, that appears to be one area where Verizon has an edge over the other major providers, and this phone is broadband ready.

Voice communication is also impressive. I had to get used to the old VX6000's frequency response when I first got them. What those, I would often press it to my ear to hear what somebody was saying, but if the person on the other end uttered the right syllable at the right pitch there was this resonant frequency that would send a sharp pain in the ear and down my spine. (No, King Arthur, it isn't the knights who say NEIGHK but maybe something like that.) The VX8100 seems to have the spectrum smoothed out a bit.

Voice command of the VX8100 also works well, although I've not used any other phone with voice command features so I've got nothing to compare it with. Using my bluetooth headset (two year old Jabra model) and without taking the phone out of my pocket, I seem to be able to call anyone, check my voice mail, etc., and there is no need to record voice-dial names onto the contacts as the VX6000 required. So far, it has done a great job at guessing how to pronounce the names just by the spelling, and to recognize them when I say them. I haven't given that a thorough workout, but I'm impressed so far.

Buying it right when it hit the stores was a risk. I usually would rather read a few of these reviews before buying, and wait until a firmware update or two has gone out just to see how the hold up. So I guess it was my turn to test the water. After one week of a variety of tests and a lot of airtime, I have found it to be more than I expected in some areas, and have found no reason to be disappointed. If you are a Verizon customer and up for a 2-year update, check the verizonwireless website and see what price you can get. Do that first so you can tell them you saw it for xxx, otherwise you get the price with a bag of items that you're better off buying somewhere else. And most worth of mention, you may want to avoid the hands-free headset they provide with that package deal because you may want to consider a Bluetooth headset. You can finally go wireless without the wires!

I've had this phone for a little while now thanks to my "free every two upgrade" and I love it. I've almost always had flip phones just because of the durability they usually offer. Out of all the phones I've had this is the most user friendly phone I have ever seen. If you know how to press the power button the phone will teach you the rest.

I wasn't very impressed with the camera and video functions. It's useable but not a substitute for a digital camera as they lead you to believe. I have not had any of the crashing problems that the rest of the users have had. Maybe I'm just lucky.

For me the biggest plus to this phone was its reception. I live in two places that make reception hell. My first site is a concrete apartment building on top of a parking garage. With my old phone I struggled to get 1 bar. Now I have a full signal all the time. The second site is 15-20 minutes from the nearest real city with plenty of hills and trees in the way. Previously, I had no hope of service but now I can actually carry on a conversation and have 1-2 sevice bars.

Verizon has definitely improved their product once again. I would highly recommend this phone. I can't wait to see what they have available two years from now when I get my next free upgrade.

I was between this phone and the Motorola e815. I was in the store playing with the two phones, and I decided on this. I'm more than happy with the decision. OK, enough history, my review:

Pros:
-The menu is very familar. Not saying that the Motorola was bad, just this didn't take getting used to. If you've ever had an LG or Samsung (like myself) than the menu will be second nature.
-The phone itself has a solid feel to it. I have a VERY bad habit of dropping cell phones, and I trust this one will stand up to quite a few big drops.
-Comes with IM software with AIM on it. It costs text messages, but I have plenty of those to burn up, and seeing as how I text more than I talk, this was pretty important feature. It's nice to beable to do the whole AIM thing, through you're phone.
-The speakers are incredible. Although I have no intention of using the MP3 player, I plan on loading this thing with ring tones, and I know they are going to sound amazing on this thing.
-The speaker phone is great. Because of the speakers, it's no problem at all to hear the party you're talking to.
-The MiniSD slot is great if you do intend on using the MP3 player. I do however question the battery life when using it. Granted, I'm only assuming, but I don't see how that wouldn't drain the battery something fierce.
-Camera is 1.3mp. Not something you're going to want to take important pictures with, but it's excellent for those moments when you don't have the digital camera on you, and something cool just needs to be captured.
-The bluetooth's range is pretty impressive. I can walk around my house (within reason) and leave the phone in my room, and make calls with just the ear piece. I would guess this also relies on the ear piece though.
-I had a Samsung a670 before this, and the Mobile Web was crap on it. Maybe it's just ignorance, but I find this phone's internet very fast.
-Although it's stupid and ultimately useless, it's fun being able to read text messages on the outside window. Also, the "disco" light on the outside that flashes when you get a call/text, its cool. Some hate it, I like it.

and now, the cons:
-The Bluetooth is crippled, and I know I sound like a broken record at this point with all the other reviews saying this, but it is a pain. It would be nice to get ring tones and not have to pay $2 a piece for them. Although, this is nothing that the right software can't fix.
-While you can hear the party you're talking to find with the speaker phone, you have to hold the phone relativly close to you're face when talking. Which makes me think, why not just go the extra 4 inches, and hold it to you ear. Whatever.
-It doesn't bother me, but in a world of nano iPods and Razr cell phones, I can see how people could be taken back by the size and "bulk" of the phone. The speakers make the phone look a little heavy at the hinge.

So if you're looking for a phone with a decent camera, speaker phone, bluetooth, and just things to impress people with, this is a great choice.

First off, the phone looks and feels great. I love how you can read your text messages without ever opening the phone. The MP3 player is awesome once you get the version 4 firmware update. To avoid paying for the expensive ringtones, you can buy a $7 USB cable off ebay and transfer MP3s from your PC. Ringer volume is nice and loud and MP3s sound great coming out of these speakers. The screens look great, nice colors and clarity. You can set the phone up to ring and vibrate and the same time which I love b/c sometimes when I have the phone in my pocket in a loud environment, I can't hear it. The video recorder is a fun feature though the quality is what you would expect on a cell phone.

Some negatives...the speakerphone is nice and loud, but everyone says I sound distorted and they have trouble understanding me. Also, the earpiece volume doesn't get loud enough. I have a hard time hearing people in louder enviornments. The camera does not perfrom well in low light or at nighttime. The battery life is not the greatest, but I always put mine on the home charger when I go to bed at night anyway, so I'm not sure how long it would really last.

So in conclusion...

PROS
- looks and feels great
- miniSD card slot
- great MP3 player
- excellent speakers, nice and loud
- strong vibrate feature
- beautiful screen displays
- Bluetooth enabled
- read text messages without opening phone
- good signal

CONS
- speakerphone sucks for other person
- camera is subpar
- earpiece volume not loud enough

For the record, I am very happy with this phone and highly recommend it to others.

Ok I have had about five LG phones and no problems with any. I know Motorola is the Big Dog and all the sheep flock to it but the LG VX8100 is perfect. First off you dont need a mp3 player since this phone has that covered. You can go into the secret menu and enable mp3 without going to verizon. Save your money and dont buy the vcast essintials cd unless you plan on buying music from them. They say you have to use Windows Media Player and thats fine but you can stay with iTunes player as long as you rip your cds into mp3 format. I have the one gig card and can hold about twenty cds at 192kb. I take the card and place it into my computers sd reader and right click and send songs to the sd that way and you dont need usb for that and also can move pics from the card or video to my computer by clicking on my computer and the icon for the sd card. They make a 2 gig but 1 is plenty for me. You can set it up so when you press and hold play on outside of phone it brings up the mp3 player. The earbuds arent the best but I can hear the music while mowing the yard. Also takes good pictures but you sometimes have to add to brightness. You have tip calculater and calander and all that stuff. I like the bluetooth since I can push one button on my ear piece and check messages and call people without opening the phone. Also you dont have to record peoples names since the phone goes by the directory. You push the button and the womans voice says "please say a comand" and you say call someone " please say a name " pizza hut "did you say pizza hut" yes "calling" and thats it. Mp3 player is grate and the 15 second videos are ok also but if you buy for camera only then buy a camera or video cam but if you want to take pictures, video, mp3 player and bluetooth then this is your phone. A bit heave and little thicker but have to make room for sd card I guess. Limited and sucky Wallpaper and Sounds and Ringers. Come on LG you can do better although the phone rocks so kudos and you are forgiven. Also Verizon Wireless is great. I was with them for seven years and whent to Suncom with two year contract and with 16 months to go ended the contract with penalty but hey if your mom or dad call and you can here them then that dont cut it. Back with Verizon to stay although they need to work on customer appreciation but hey when your the best I guess thats how it is although they tried to work with me to keep me but Sunom alot cheaper, guess thays why there cheaper and Im back with Verizon.

Hope my review helped and maybe you will like it to.

First off, I do not use my phone to its full capability since I am not "tech savvy", so I don't know how well the bluetooth, mp3 player, V Cast, EV-DO, etc. perform. I have used the camera, and it's easy to use and works well. The size, shape, weight, and overall design and layout (i.e. buttons) of the phone is all great. Back to size, one reviewer commented on the bulkiness of the phone; I often carry a small hobo bag that features a small cell phone pocket, and the phone fits fine in there. Also, if you have big hands, I'm not sure you'd appreciate the fit of the phone in your hand or the contours of the buttons. If you haven't done so already, venture into a Verizon store and test the phone's fit to your hand.

The reception through the ear hole is occasionally not ideal, but it's infrequent, and I can easily adjust the volume to the level I want by pressing a button on the side of the phone. The phone manual provided by Verizon is incomplete & crap. Sounds like you need to get the manual from a different source. Oh, the speaker phone is handy, which took me forever to find, as it doesn't seem to be listed in that crap manual. If anyone else is as non "tech savvy" as I, you activate the speaker phone by pressing & holding down the CLR button.

My husband's got the Motorola E815, so if you're also looking at the Motorola E815, you should know that the E815 seems to get better reception through the ear, and that the design and userability is less "elegant" than the LG VX8100. The E815 is possibly more targeted to someone who's more appreciative of functionality and less concerned with aesthetics. The E815 seems a little sturdier and less likely to suffer cosmetically if you're rough with your phone.

That's my 2 cents.

This phone has many nice features - like the dual LCD screen displays, a nice front MP3 player with front plate control (supposing Verizon did not disable it), loud speaker phone, solid assembly, blue tooth (also disabled greatly by Verizon which disallows you doing file transfers).

The biggest problems I experienced with the phone is the lack of the software for you to transfer the phone numbers, customize your ringtones, internet access (if you want to use mobile office kit to access internet, a very weak battery (daily charge is needed), the user interface is also not as intuitive as Motorola 710/720, the font size enlargement only goes half way (only the phone numbers you dial will be enlarged. As a phone for regular use, I find it is light, bright, EV features allowing to access internet/news are great.

But to get the phone numbers backup,you have to sign up with Verizon to pay $2/month is really not that appealing. The ring tones customization costs you $2 up per ringtone - I believe you can customize your previous LG phones without these charges.
You can get around with the ringtones customization, customized wallpaper through some popular software on the web. However, going throgh this hassle is not something for everyone.

Until Verizon makes the phone fully functional by providing all the software, I think that this phone is only worth a 3.0 rating.

This is a great cellphone. Before this one I had an LG VX4400 and I loved it. These are the good things about this one:

(1. Very intuitive user interface. The physical buttons as well as the software.

(2. Battery efficient (lights turn off totally after a min or so, turn off partially in a few secs).

(3. Videocamera/picture quality are very good.

(4. Very nice look and feel.

(5. Upgrade of software with features such as textboxes for searching, entering addresses is very nice.

I haven't used the features like bluetooth and vcast.


Cons:

. The volume seems to trouble me a bit. Even after being on the highest level, it sometimes isn't loud enough.

. Could use more pre-installed ringtones.

Verdict: BUY IT.