Ericsson R290 Satellite Phone
Submitted: Wednesday, Sep 08, 2004 at 16:57
ThreadID:
16137
Views:
10328
Replies:
7
FollowUps:
3
This Thread has been Archived
brownbox
First time "poster" from
Sydney.
I am planning to buy one of the R290 from *EI* at the $500+del deal.
1) Bit nervous about buying from the UK - any comments on *EI* or the phone
2) I understand they are Austel stamped - can somone who has bought one from *EI* confirm this. The stamp should be under the battery and should also have one of two numbers on it: N173 or N12878.
Ericsson tell me that if it doesn't have the valid Austel stamp then it is not covered under warrenty in Australia. *EI* maintains that their phones have an international warrenty.
I would really appreciate any
feedback
Many thanks
Adrian.
mob 0414 22 33 71
adrian@brownbox.com.au
Reply By: myfourby - Wednesday, Sep 08, 2004 at 17:11
Wednesday, Sep 08, 2004 at 17:11
I've heard only bad things about this phone - apparently they are badly made and break easily - battery life is appaling. There are quite a few around for sale- mainly from overseas - the phone is no longer made and dealers are trying to get rid of them as many have been returned under waranty.
This is what I found out when I researched them anyway. Unfortunately your only other realisitc option if you want to use Globalstar is to buy a Telit handset. I have one of these (550) and it is also not really up to scratch. Very easily damaged (arial and power connector plug break) and battery life is bad. Globalstars Satellite handsets really have a long way to go if they want to become more widely used - they are simply not designed for rugged outback Australia. I have not yet seen in person the new CDMA/Sat Telit handsets Globalstart have been advertising however I have seen pictures of them - and they look like a very similar construction to the 550.
Apparenly the Motorola Iridium handsets are much more robust - but the phone and network are both more expensive - guess you get what you pay for!
My 2 cents worth.
-Myfourby
AnswerID:
75681
Follow Up By: brownbox - Wednesday, Sep 08, 2004 at 17:31
Wednesday, Sep 08, 2004 at 17:31
Yeah i've read the same thing - iridium sounds like the way to go if you are a regular/heavy user - its just really expensive.
I only need one for occasional use over 11 weeks and then won't need it. I've done a bit of research (on buying & hiring) and buying the R290 + Globalstar +$35plan+connection fee and then resell phone for whatever seems pretty cost effective...as long as it works at all I suppose
Though i want it covered by warrenty - hence my question above.
ta adrian
FollowupID:
335479
Reply By: ginga - Wednesday, Sep 08, 2004 at 18:09
Wednesday, Sep 08, 2004 at 18:09
Hi brownbox
I've owned an R290 & tried to use it while travelling earlier this year. To answer your specific questions.
1.
mine also came from EI; no problems with delivery or 'newness' of what supplied.
2. can't confirm any of this & I have subsequently sold phone.
Generally however, I would NOT ever again connect anything with Globalstar! Their service & remote coverage is hopeless.
If coverage is important, & why else buy a satellite phone, go with Telstra.
AnswerID:
75686
Reply By: Phil P - Wednesday, Sep 08, 2004 at 20:20
Wednesday, Sep 08, 2004 at 20:20
Hi Adrian,
I've just returned from a 4 week outback trip (7,400klm), including a double
Simpson Desert crossing. My R290 worked fine. Battery life is average,my unit came with 2 batteries & car charger, so this was not a problem. My phone has the N173 sticker in the battery area. I did notice that sometimes there was no service (In Satellite mode) but it would come back after a minute or so. I could make and receive calls in very remote area's and even receive SMS messages.
I had no problems purchasing from *E1*, phone looks new to me !
Regards
Phil P
AnswerID:
75707
Reply By: Bob of KAOS - Thursday, Sep 09, 2004 at 07:30
Thursday, Sep 09, 2004 at 07:30
I bought one of these and was very pleased with it. The unit is quite robust, contrary to the remarks above (What did he do to it?). Yes, the battery life wasn't outstanding but I used it in the car so that wasn't a problem.
I had no problem with Globalstar reliability or coverage anywhere between SE NSW and the
Kimberley.
I sold the phone as I will not be needing it for a year. I had problems negotiating the transfer with Globalstar, they were very officious (but have you had to deal with Telstra?).
The R290 is no longer in production. The units being sold by EI are new replacement handsets that were produced as backups. There is nothing wrong with them.
I'd be happy to buy an R290 again, and would be happy with the Globalstar coverage.
Features that I would have liked on the phone would have been an incar handsfree kit, and remote antenna. But for $500 its a pretty good buy.
AnswerID:
75742