Gear

Terry,

I'm just wondering how you and others find the speed of the Nokia in terms of its OS and going through different menus and running different applications et cetera? Does it ever hang or freeze?

I've found reading this thread very interesting but surprised that people are recommending the Nokias.

I have a Nokia N70 that I've had since the beginning of 2006. Its only my second mobile phone ever.

The biggest issue I have with it is that its as slow as a slug. Going through the menus takes a long time, adding extra menu ie. 1GB makes it go even slower. Viewing photos in the Gallery is all but impossible and crashes the phone. I have to turn off and back on which takes a couple of minutes. The keypad is all worn and I can no longer read the numbers or letters.

Having said all that it is a pretty solid and robust phone built to last. It was cutting edge when I got it but now its like a brick and people think I am old school.

I notice in the specs for the Nokia 5800 that the processor is only 400 or so mhz and I'm thinking that may be a problem for me when I have stuff on it as it will become slow like my N70.

What mapping software do you use with your Nokia for outdoors and also for the road and how reliable is it compared with dedicated outdoor activities unit like from Garmin?

I'm looking for something with a bigger screen but am wondering whether it is best to get a touch screen or with a dedicated keypad e.g. like Blackberry Bold 9700?

I've looked at the latest devices from HTC, Blackberry, Apples and a bunch of others and apart from a bigger screen and good battery life what I am looking for the most after the N70 is a fast processor and good memory so I don't have a slow slug of a device even two or three years down the line. HTC have been interesting me a lot except for the fact their latest stuff is running windows mobile.

I'm wondering whether its best to just buy a cheap phone and get a dedicated outdoors gps and netbook/tablet instead for internet on the go? New mobile phones you're having to pay £35 or £40 a month for 18, 24+ months.

The latest devices cost £400 to £500 to buy outright and more if you pay monthly on contract when you work it out. Why do I want to spend that much when I can buy a cheap phone and a netbook instead or dedicated gps unit?

The other thing that disappoints me about the N70 is it wont allow me access to streaming video, music etc over mobile web using opera browser. I have also always had great difficulty in getting my N70 connected with my pc whether by bluetooth or usb, often crashes my computer when I do get it working. I think the Nokia software is dreadful just like the Samsung software I used on my previous phone.

If everyone in here is saying the 5800 is good value and a step in the right direction for Nokia I accept that, but I've still got a big question mark over how fast the thing is going through the menus and whether it will be obsolete very soon only having 400/500mhz cpu when latest devices have over 1Ghz snapdraqgons etc?

I need a new phone but still not decided which to get. When I do get it though I'll probably buy outright and want to make the right choice, for something that will last, has good battery life and is fast. 

John

twiglegs.

Where do you go to download new maps for your 5800 and how much do they cost?

I have the Nokia N900 very good phone with GPS, hi res screen 800 x 480 pixels, wifi, 5 mp camera, real qwerty keyboard. Its a very good phone and will give the iphone 3Gs a run for it's money. However for on the hill I have the Nokia 5800 with utm data installed, a simple program which gives you a grid reference. Also have Nokia maps installed and works very well in the car as sat nav which is free. I would not use the 5800 for mapping as the screen is average at best. You can get spare batteries from £5, both phones use the same battery. The 5800 starts from £15 a month with Vodafone, so if you need a new phone and want simply GPS this is a good deal.

Has anyone got any experience of the Nokia N97 mini? I am due a new phone next month and it's a toss up between the 5800 and the N97 mini.

Thanks.

Just been on the new phone hunt - ended up with a 5800 as every person i spoke to in the shops said "don't get an N series Nokia"

Love the 5800 so far

Hi Gary P,  Was interested in your comments on the Nokia N900, as I am thinking of upgrading from my brick, and at present it is a toss up between the N900 and the iphone.

 How do you find view ranger on the 900 or do you use your 5800 for this.  Also, does the 900 do turn by turn navigation for driving with.  Apart from the mapping are these smartphones good for use on the hill in terms of being robust enough to take the odd knock or get damp in a pocket?

 Every review I read of the 900 says that the camera is a good one, but can it replace a dedicated camera for print quality photos?  Most phone cameras are fine for sending photos or looking at on a tiny screen, but the quality is rubbish otherwise.

twiglegs wrote (see)

My mate uses the iphone, he can't work out how to upload gpx files to it

There's an app for that!

Twiglegs the N900 does all of the above and more for a lot less than the price of an iphone3g.

Chris,

Have at look at this site Maemo. The phone has the best hardware out now, but the software is still in the development stage. It runs os maemo 5 which is a open source based on Linux. I don't use either phone at present for pre loaded digital mapping, however the screen on the N900 is very clear and bright and will cope with this. You can view web pages in full screen just like you do on a pc, so Google map etc run very well when you have network coverage. On the N5800 I use Utm data which is free to get a grid reference if I need it. I have always used paper maps (now printed from pc) and compass and I'm not going to stop this to use a phone / gps to map read from. The battery life of these phones is quite limited and you will be lucky to get 8 hours from either phone will the gps and screen on full time.

Vodafone are having problems stocking this phone, several shops have even seen it yet.

twiglegs wrote (see)

Tim. wrote (see)

twiglegs wrote (see)

My mate uses the iphone, he can't work out how to upload gpx files to it

There's an app for that!

I bet there is, what is it though and how much does it cost. ?

All inbuilt on the nokia's of course, well drag and drop anyway.

(sigh)

sarcasm is wasted in 'ere

OK, many thanks for the suggestions and debate.

BUT

I borrowed my son's Nokia touchscreen phone [5800?] yesterday, had it in a waterproof bag in my fleece pocket and slipped on ice, falling onto that side.  Yup, the screen not so much broke as flew out of the phone.

Which teaches me two lessons.  Firstly, keep the damn thing in my rucksack and not in my pocket.  Secondly- I'm afraid I'm still not entirely convinced on the robustness thing.  Versatility, features, fun to use; sure.  But rock hard- not quite.

Maybe I'm becoming a Luddite in my advancing maturity.

twiglegs wrote (see)

I'd agree, the 5800 needs to be treated carefully out on the hill but doesn't just about any phone. ?

Thanks Gary.  I was planning on using the mapping for route planning only as well as those 'where the hell am I moments'.

 Battery life sounds weak, but not surprising considering all the bells and whistles it has to support.

 Nice pics Twiglegs, and thanks.  Camera phones must be better than I thought.  Or certainly better than the pathetic one on my Nokia 6300.

I bought this one at play.com for £3.99:

battery

Seems to be pretty good, not as long lasting as a Nokia battery, but a fraction of the price.  Good for a backup battery.

Agree - I've been touting!  Have two, both equal to the original.