Customer Reviews

Tracfone LG LG800G with 1200 Minutes and Triple Minutes for Life!! (Tracfone)

5 star:		(48)
4 star:		(21)
3 star:		(9)
2 star:		(3)
1 star:		(9)

 

 

I'm one of those people who really just wants a phone that I can use to call people. But,in this age of gadgets, I must admit that I like the extras. It's just easier to deal with, the touch screen that is. I like using a cell phone for my morning alarm also and found several of the ringtones very pleasing to awaken to(I set three morning alarms).

I was a little nervous about the triple minutes for life actually coming through. So when I activated the phone I asked the rep if he could tell. He said yes, spent a lot of time with his supervisor, said it was only double minutes and gave me a number to call to "get the triple minutes" since it's not a TracFone promo. When I called the number they said, as I thought, that it was in the phone and if I got 1200 minutes it was triple. I still didn't want to wait to find out that is was not the case, there's only a ninety day warranty and a 7 day return, so I purchased the $10, 30 minute deal online. Sure enough I got 90 minutes.

When I tried to add the 40 bonus minutes for July from the TracFone Saving Book I only receive 10 minutes. I called so they gave me 40 minutes. I ended up with a bonus of 50.

I probably should have mentioned first that this is an incredible deal: A double minutes for life card with a year of service and 800 minutes is the same price, $119, but without the phone! If you purchased a 450 and 120 minute deal you'd have 1140 minutes with the dmfl phone and that would cost you $120 plus tax, no phone.

I already have an MP3 player but I can put the same sdhc card in the phone and have my music. I have good camera, a DSLR, but sometimes it's overkill, this has a 2mp camera and video. The touch screen makes the calculator easy to use. The virtual QWERTY keyboard is great for texting, though I wish it was a little more responsive, and maybe I can do something about that in the touch calibration.

OK, I just realized the calculator can be switched to scientific with cos,sin,tan,log,etc; it shifts between radians and degrees. I work with algebra and trigonometry with kids so there's another plus.

I've only had it for a day. Maybe I'll change my mind or find things I don't like. But, for now I really like it.

UPDATE: I've had this phone for about six weeks and I like it even more as I become more dependent on the features. Still no problems with texting. Seemed at first that the touch was not responsive but I guess it was just me because now it's fine.I LIVE IN A RURAL AREA THAT USUALLY HAS NO CELL PHONE SERVICE. This phone has limited service but I can still use it at home in a pinch; we've learned to depend on the land lines and I use it mostly for when I travel. Yesterday I got a text with it under my pillow.

My daughter looked at some pictures I took with it and thought they were good. Great pics of rainbows and sunrise. Can't compare to a "real" camera but does the trick in a pinch.

I WAS USING IT FOR THE STOPWATCH WHILE POWER WALKING AND THREW IT IN A MUD PUDDLE; WATCHED THE BUBBLES COME UP, FISHED IT OUT, LET IT DRY AND IT STILL WORKS. FREAKED ME OUT.

I had already purchased two of these a few months before: one double minute direct from TracFone for $50 (20 minutes included), and one triple minutes for life from HSN (1200 minutes included) for $140. 1200 minutes is a tripled 400 minute/1 year card which sells for $99 at TracFone. So just subtract $99 from the price you pay for a TML w 1200 minutes to get what you paying for this fabulous little phone under this offer -- $10.

I bought two more LG 800G's just this week from this vendor because this is one of the best cell phones ever offered by TracFone. Now I have four LG 800G's -- one for myself, one for my wife, and one for each of my daughters. I also purchase a Motorola EX124G TML, but I sent it back to TracFone. In my opinion the LG 800G is a much better value.

These LG 800G's under this offer are all Software version 10d (S/W V10d) which is why they are discounted with triple minutes. What you get are new double-minute phones with a pin to convert to a triple minute for life with 1200 minutes.

TracFone is phasing into a later version LG 800G with software version 10e (S/W V10e). But you can only get the newer 10e version at Net10 - without triple minutes (in fact, not even double minutes.)

[EDIT 18 Dec 2011: All new phones now being shipped are versions S/WV10e]

Some early users of the V10d LG 800G's reported having text message issues. I never had any issues with text messages, but the real kicker is that if you do, TracFone will replace your version 10d with a newer version 10e for free - and your TML and all you minutes transfer -- You can't lose.

If you are new to the LG 800G, I suggest you frequent the Turk Forum for clues on how to use all the many features of this jewel, as the documentation that comes with the phone is very skimpy. Amazon doesn't allow hyperlinks, so I have inserted spaces in the link below -- to use the link copy it into your browser then remove the spaces before activating the link.

http : // s1 . zetaboards . com / Turk / index /

Another useful link is the LG 800G tutorial on StraightTalk (another sunsidiary of TracFone). Same deal on spaces:

http: // tracfone . deviceanywhere . com / straighttalk / home . seam ; jsessionid = C116E62C0C139531594C507DDD4EAE36 ? locale = en_US&deviceId = 718&cid = 287030

e

If you can't make the above links work (after taking out the spaces) then just do a Google search on "LG 800G Tutorial"

Ordered this assuming that it would work in the rather rural area where I live, and really liked the phone when I played with it prior to activation, esp. the touch-screen feature. But, upon trying to activate it online I got a message saying there was a problem with activation and that I had to call Tracfone.

Turns out, Tracfone said that the 800G won't work in my area and they sent me a replacement--unfortunately, an LG501G--which has those pesky very tiny little buttons which I was trying to avoid. However, at least I DID get the 1200 minutes, 1-year activation and am told that I will be getting the triple minutes for life, even with the new phone (haven't tested this by buying minutes, yet).

I'd encourage potential buyers to call Tracfone and make sure the LG800g will work in your area, but then, most folks do not live as far in the boonies as we do!

The LG501g is ok but will likely end up being given to my middle-schooler, who does not mind the tiny buttons; my search for a phone continues!

First let me say that this phone has proven to be much better than expected. I had, for years, used the Tracfone Motorola 376W and was, basically, content with it (although I preferred my earlier version...the 370 for sound quality...I got the 376 because it had Bluetooth). The reason I bought this phone was two-fold: 1) I wanted to upgrade the phone, primarily, because a new technological version was available and I love new toys; and 2) the cost of this phone was (here on Amazon, at least,...w/triple minutes and 1200 minutes to start) pretty much the same as just purchasing a year card (400 minutes) with dmfl (therefore, 800 minutes from Tracfone). Additionally, I found a 300 minute bonus code on-line so I got 1500 minutes total and a new phone for the price of 400-800 minutes!

This phone is, for the most part, fairly simple to use. To prevent any problems with downloads, I did upgrade the memory.

There was a problem at first: the battery wouldn't give a full charge...so I dealt w/ TF on their Facebook page and within 4 days had a new battery in my phone. The new battery is doing quite well. The phone has been on, in standby (and an occasional use on my part) for four days and the battery is still fully charged.

There were some things I didn't know how to do...again I went to the Facebook page...responses were, for the most part, immediate...including late at night and during the week-end. Frankly, they're easier to deal with on FB than on the phone.

I have done minimal texting (no one I know really does it...we prefer to speak to each other) but have not had any problems in sending or receiving. I have downloaded 2 browsers to the phone (Opera Mini and Bolt)and they have proven to be much better than the browser TF gives. I also have bookmarked FB on all 3 browsers and get in easily.

I wanted to verify the TMFL...since I purchased the phone via a seller here on Amazon...back to the FB page and they verified, in writing, that I had TMFL.

The sound quality is great. I wanted a loud ring tone...it took a while to figure it out and no one at TF knew how to make it louder. Finally, for a really loud tone, one you can even hear in its case in a briefcase or bag, choose the outdoor mode.

Now, if you're expecting an Iphone or a Blackberry or...this is not the phone for you...

But, if you want a phone that's contemporary, does, basically, everything that the others do but at a much lower price, then this is the phone for you. Although the proverb says "you get what you paid for"...I think I did much better than expected and, in the long run, I'm extremely happy.

Number was transferred from AT&T without any problem. Phone still works two months later. It will pay itself off in 3 months and I'll have plenty of minutes left over. The camera is pretty good for a features phone. The stop watch and alarm work fine. Texts cost only 0.3 minutes.

Wow, what a great deal this Tracfone is. Seller quickly shipped the phone and everything received was as advertised. I was able to activate the phone within 10 minutes. Instructions provided by the seller were perfect - just be sure to read the instructions that are taped to the outside of the Tracfone package. Problems with activation and phone setup by others are caused by not reading and following the instructions. Follow these instructions step by step and the process is simple. Step#1 - Plug the phone into the charger and activate the phone with the Tracfone Red Activation Card. I had to wait a few minutes for my phone to be activated and get my new phone number. Do not go on to step#2, adding airtime, until your phone is activated. Step#2 - You need to add airtime using the 15 digit PIN number that is in the instructions that were taped to the phone package. When I tried to add the 50 bonus minutes for Sept. from the TracFone Saving Book it wouldn't take it. After activation and adding my 1200 minutes I called Tracfone and they gave me 50 minutes when I gave them the code from the TracFone Saving Book. I ended up with a bonus of 50, so I got 1200+50+20 that came with the phone, for a total of 1270 minutes.

Wow, I got the LG800g with one year of service and 1200 minutes, all for $109. The price of the LG800g bought separately ($49), plus the cost of one year of service and only double minutes ($99) equals almost $150. So for only $109 you get the phone, one year of service, TRIPLE minutes for life, and a great phone. This is by far the best Tracfone ever offered, and I've had a lot of them over the years.

Picked up the 3X screen protectors, and picked up a newly offered gel case for the LG800g at E-v-o-l-u-c-e-l-l (take the dashes out and do a google search for it) for less than $10.

Service with this phone is the same as the Samsung I have on AT&T GSM network in my area, very good reception inside my home. Would highly recommend the phone bundle and the seller for providing such good service and instructions.

My mom is not into gadgets at all, but when she saw how fun my iPhone was, she wanted to trade-up her ancient candybar-style Nokia for something a little "cooler." Granted, she hardly uses her cell phone in the first place and thought an iPhone would be too much for her, so after quite a bit of research, I discovered that this LG 800G would be a nice "step up" for her, especially since she didn't want a 2-year-contract with one of the bigger mobile companies.

This 3rd party seller has one of the last batches of "Triple Minutes for Life" phones...I think Tracfone themselves is only offering "Double Minutes for Life", so this is a really great deal. Upon activation I tested the bonus feature by adding a 30-Minute card, and sure enough, the phone was credited with 90 minutes instead. Plus, the phone already comes with 1200 minutes and a year of activation. What an awesome deal!

Remember, this phone is NOT an iPhone by any stretch of the imagination, but it does a good job of mimicking one for the casual phone user just looking for an upgrade. It's not as touch-sensitive as an iPhone either, but my mom is fine with that, she's too busy playing music and watching videos of her grandchildren on it. (By the way, message if you want to know how to get high-quality videos on it. It involves a little bit of encoding software and a memory card, but it's worth it to get the most out of the phone!)

I was skeptical of the 1200 minutes & triple minutes for life. Got this phone. It did NOT come with any air time pin. I added minutes on my own, they did NOT triple. CAlled tracfone, they said the only authorized online seller of the triple minutes phone was HTC, not shopcelldeals or amazon. In addition, they said they would not provide 1200 minutes and it wasn't included with the phone. They said to call shopcelldeals.

Contacted them...first they do not have a phone number to contact them, which is odd. It appears to be a small one person shop.

Explained the issue to them, they kept insisting the minutes were with the phone, which they were not. To date, they haven't provided a resolution.

I wouldn't recommend paying this much for this phone, becuase the same thing is availabe through Target at $39.99 with double minutes for life. The only reason to pay this much would be for the 1200 minutes & triple minutes, howver, this phone doesn't come with either.

Very disappointed.

I have had tracfone service for about 10 years. I really like this phone. I bought

one for myself and then ordered another for my neice. I have had a couple of problems. One I get a lot of failed texts and two it sometimes shuts itself off that has only happened three times twice in airports and once at home and only when

sending texts

PROS: Easy to use, excellent reception, touch screen works great, easy text messaging, subtile ring tones right on the phone, pleasant alarm clock with an easy reset. Screen "locks" to keep your face from dialing (just touch to unlock.) Charge, with light use, lasts on standby for at least a week probably a day or two longer. Triple minutes. I've had it since October and it's been rock solid reliable.

CONS: Porting the number from the Tfone website didn't work this time around (has in past). Went to their Facebook page rather than face the rumored horror of calling them for assistance. It all worked out with number and minutes ported. More of a hiccup than a true CON.

TIPS: Use Facebook wall if TF website doesn't activate the phone. Buy gel skin cover (you'll want one), sim card and screen protector (if you want them from Amazon when you order so you just get everything at once. The screen protector sticky does not interfere with the touch ability of the screen. Buy the Year activation card w/ 400 minutes on Amazon (mine was $79). Search the web for bonus codes that give you additional minutes. Add the card to the phone via the TFone website (rather than the phone) so that you have a second chance if the code you enter is no longer valid. On the website you can just try another code.

REVIEW

Sure, I want an iPhone, but the truth of the matter is, I have no real use for most of it's features. I drive to work in 12 minutes so no watching tv or reading books on the train. I'm over forty so my eyes wouldn't like it if I tried. I don't have time to play games, or Facebook with friends, sort my phone contacts into lists and then teleconference with them. I actually have a job and this sadly eats up so much time I might otherwise use for these activities. If I start wanting to trade stocks from my phone, well, just shoot me now. What I wanted was a phone that was more useful, easier to use but without all the fancy stuff for which I secretly would love to have the time or the need, but do not. This phone is perfect.

What I needed to replace my old, still reliable clamshell LG was a phone that made it easy to text message, make calls with decent reception, store numbers and maybe take a picture on the fly if I happen to see Jim Morrison/Michael Jackson dressed as Elvis in the ladies restroom. (A girl can dream!) The LG800G does all these things easily and without a hiccup. So simply that you may not even need to read the directions, which is always a plus. I've been pleased with the ease of text messaging in particular, since the key/buttons on phones with slide out keyboards remind me of the keys on those early TI calculators. You know the ones where the number would register twice by mistake and make you start the whole problem over again?

I've had no problems with the touch screen, although a friend just bought an LG800 for her mother and the mother seemed to have difficulties with it. I'm not sure if it was the phone or not though, as the woman seems resistant to change. Still, she bought hers in a backwater K-mart and I ordered mine from the Tracfone website. There is touch calibration on the phone and everything has worked smoothly for me. I can text my niece so when she turns her phone on in front of her pals, there is a message waiting for her --apparently important these days-- and do it reliably and without fuss.

Those who say the phone is a slippery little dude are correct. Save yourself the trouble of having to wait and order one of the gel skins to cover the back when you buy the phone. Mine fit perfectly with a bit of shoe-horning and has much improved the bulk and hand feel of the phone. I also got a screen protector to fit and a 4Gig sim card in case I decide to store more data. The phone also takes (probably) grainy video and the storage seemed cheap and sensible to have. You never know when you'll need to film that tornato for the Weather Channel!

Since I had an existing Tracfone I wanted to port my number and the outstanding minutes to the new phone. When I made the initial switch from Virgin Mobile to Tfone I did this quite easily via the TF website. This time it was more difficult since the website seemed unresponsive. They launched a site re-design during the period I was trying to activate, and I suspect this was the problem. Luckily some wonderful soul in these reviews had mentioned Facebook and so I went that route rather than risk calling. It did work eventually but took several days, mostly due to the fact that I wasn't on my computer for an extended period, so I couldn't sinc with one of the service reps. Once I did I was activated in minutes and new minutes added tripled as promised. If you mostly text, say 10-15 messages a week, 1200 minutes will last you to the end of time. Don't know about web usage.

My experience with this phone and Tracfone as a company has been great. That being said, I've never had to call them. I like this phone a lot. If you want to have a "not-quite smarty phone," this could be it. Early versions of this phone seemed to have problems, which have been ironed out from what I can tell. Still, I might resist the temptation to pluck that dusty one off the rack in a dimly lit Radio Shack or shabby K-mart as it might be one of the older ones.