BLUE ANGEL Weaknesses.. too much ???

[Nazeroth]

I cannot stop my self for writing this...

I 'm the happy owner of a BA (XDA IIs) after:
smashing 2 IPAQs 2210 in less than a month
losing my Lumix FX7 digital camera (same month)
and go swiming with my cell phone on me...

I'm a heavy user of GPS while biking so you can guess the heavy duty and stress i put in my electronics... (150kms/h on a handle bar mount for example)

Looking for trips and stuff to get more form my BA I have been able to compile a series of apparent failures or deficiencys and I looked like a great idea to post them here in a list form...

so the list starts...

[Nazeroth]

*Some users report that the screen starts whistling after 1 month or so of use
*Bluethoot under performing (actually I never been able to use the headset)
*Wifi Under powered (some blame the antenna location for both BT and WIFI)
*When on the bike craddle camera and record buttons constantly pressed by craddle grip (creating eternal lag)
*Power button apparently dies easily
*No data extension, so no possibility to use CF backpack
*Aparently unstable device in overall (some users report daily resets)
*Over billing of GPRS due to crappy implementation
*Stylus fall off the handheld (already lost 1 and dropped the 2nd several times)
*lack of support from the manufacturer (almost al updates are cooked ROMS (kiss the cook))
*Lack of accesories
*hard to find accesories due to the millions of names under the same machine is commercialized

*2.5 mm headphone jack
*sub performant IR port (also on the side not in front)
*Short Battery life

[neil_swann80]

But you're still a happy owner?

[Michael_514]

I like my device overall.

The high-pitched sound eminating from my screen is annoying me, though.

However, in my mind, I truly do consider this device a beta device.

It's just not "tight" and "solid".

I am referring to the antenna. The loose stylus. The daily resets. The lack of support. The bluetooth problems everyone complains about.

To me, it sounds like this device is a work in progress.

Whistling screen aside, though, I do still like it more than other PPCs I've owned.

They are almost ALL beta devices!

[Nazeroth]

Well I must agree with Mike about the Beta thing...

I am actually regretting having bought that µGPS from Holux a year ago... It is when all started for me lol

Anyway never paid 800 euros to be a beta tester before... :roll:

And yes I am happy with my BA :D

[neil_swann80]

The only issue I've suffered from is teh sporatic "No Sound" issue when i make a call or receive one. Guess I've been lucky.

Before upgrading to rom 1.4 i pretty much had to hard reset daily, since upgrade (1 week ago) have only hard reset once, and only then as I was required to after installing a program!

[neil_swann80]

The only issue I've suffered from is teh sporatic "No Sound" issue when i make a call or receive one. Guess I've been lucky.

Before upgrading to rom 1.4 i pretty much had to hard reset daily, since upgrade (1 week ago) have only hard reset once, and only then as I was required to after installing a program!

[swamp2]

Here is my review after 6+ months. No problems on the build quality, mostly stability/software issues. This device is soooo beta....

http://forum.xda-developers.com/viewtopic.php?t=23880&highlight=

[robboy]

I original bought the BA as a cheap way to get gps.

I rarely use it for gps but couldn’t live with out it during day today use.

However im very unhappy with the build quality within a couple of days the casing started to get scratched. It feels really cheap and im hating the ugly nav button. The idea of selling it in a years time will be a no go as by then it will be beaten up.

I haven’t taken it back to o2 as im sure they will say its normal wear and tear and not due to shoddy hardware.

I might loose the item soon :wink: and hopefully the nice insurance peeps will replace it with a 2i

[hdubli]

Guys!!!
Looks like O2 has made differrent hardware alongwith the Asia ROM.I too use it on bike heavily....may not be at the speeds as mentioned above ,but 100 kms a day...about 1-2 hrs of GPRS, NO GPS, 3 Hrs of talk tme...with environmental condtions, most of them dusty, varying temperatures and other harsh conditions.But...here XDA 2s working fine....no such above complaints..

I like Blue Angle and I must admit thatn the hardware is excellent and is more stable than all of the HTC devices so far... :lol:

[Nazeroth]

I bought mine in Malaysia (extremelly expensive compared to what you find in Ebay this days)

I paid the equivalent to 850 euros for it !
only to discover that is the same device that goes 2nd hand in ebay for 300 !!!!! (The names thing !!!! ) how can you guess that a qteck 9090 is an XDA IIs, which also is a Blue Angel, which also is a PDA2K bla bla ....

[mike freegan]

Atop whistling screen, constant crashes, loose styolus and the no sound in call problem, my XDA2s has scratched the kyyboard through normal use. It must be too tight or something.

Definately a beta. I'm surprised this passed EC quality control.

[2 phat]

Im from the Philippines and I got my IIs a few weeks ago, Im a N9210 user for 4 years and I was thinking of getting a 9500, but the deciding factor was the stylus which the 9500 lacks since I was looking for a wifi Phone and the stylus was important for my use. so I opted for a IIs. THe main problem with my IIs now is the stability, as what many complain about!!!! the "no sound" problem is a real pain, but I still have hope for the IIs thanks to this site!!!

BTW i still have the old ROM version, Im afraid of upgrading coz I might have more problems than benefits.

[Nazeroth]

2 path...\

Most of the probs go away when u use the beast in corporate mode with latest rom upgrade....

[z_rudy]

Hello guys,
I have long heard of whistling screens but never really understood what its really about - until last night. I heard it! It is sooo damn annoying. If I send my BA to i-mate Dubai, do they replace it for free? What are the costs? Please, if anyone can answer ASAP because I have under 1 month of warranty.

Thanks a lot.

[arieltools]

c'mon, boys, help this mate... :roll:

Hello guys,
I have long heard of whistling screens but never really understood what its really about - until last night. I heard it! It is sooo damn annoying. If I send my BA to i-mate Dubai, do they replace it for free? What are the costs? Please, if anyone can answer ASAP because I have under 1 month of warranty.

Thanks a lot.

[borjok536]

I never experience this "whistling sound" at all.. Im happy with my BA. 'no sound" problem? I just upgraded to the latest Radio and CE rom.. I tried also the WM 5.0, butI decided to go back to SE..

[scudzilla]

I have had my 2s for a whole year now. I have never really experienced any problems with it. (Except for the scratches and lost stylus pens though). I've yet to experience software problems and the so-called whistling screen. I, too, have tried upgrading to wm5 but I did not like the changes. I'm running on '03 SE with my own cooked extrom. :lol:

I like my 2s overall.

[z_rudy]

I think I'll live with it :(
Thanks anyway...

[Trek55]

So if it's sooo bad what's good Pocket PC phone then, tell me, so I can decide...which to buy, I need a quad band, and one that is 100% perfect.

[TheDen]

*Some users report that the screen starts whistling after 1 month or so of use
- Havent ever heard it

*Bluethoot under performing (actually I never been able to use the headset)
- I noticed the BT power was quite low, where I held the phone made a huge difference.

*Wifi Under powered (some blame the antenna location for both BT and WIFI)
- Had no problem. I use WiFiFoFum and pick up signals quite some distance away.

*When on the bike craddle camera and record buttons constantly pressed by craddle grip (creating eternal lag)
- Camera button is in a silly spot. I have Battery Back Pro which has a program called Power Buttons, I can set it so the camera only starts when I hold the button for a set amount of time instead of it activating instantly.

*Power button apparently dies easily
- Had no trouble, mind you, I turn off the pda with an on screen button unless im just checking the time...

*No data extension, so no possibility to use CF backpack
- Dissapointing but I didnt need it.

*Aparently unstable device in overall (some users report daily resets)
- I found that if I muted the sound with Betaplayer, sometimes the phone remained muted. I have now unlinked betaplayer from the main volume control.

- I use quite a lot of programs. After I decide what packages I want, I hard reset the device and then install the desired programs. I keep the registry clean and usually peform a soft reset every few days. I run a few programs that arent designed for the OS im running Ver 4.21.1088 (Build 15045.2.6.0) so I expect some hassles. I also run emulators.

*Over billing of GPRS due to crappy implementation
- I have GPRS problems with vodafone, when they are (if ever!) sorted Ill see if my Blue Angel has a problem..

*Stylus fall off the handheld (already lost 1 and dropped the 2nd several times)
- I use a full sized pen with a built in stylus as well. Mine doesnt fall out. Its rarely upside down.

*lack of support from the manufacturer (almost al updates are cooked ROMS (kiss the cook)
- Found roms online, took a while to get the right one. The one I WANT is a LINUX one!

*Lack of accesories
- The GPS unit is too expensive as well.

*hard to find accesories due to the millions of names under the same machine is commercialized
- Thats what the nets for..

*2.5 mm headphone jack
- Sucky.

*sub performant IR port (also on the side not in front)
- I use BT, WIFI or the cradle.

*Short Battery life
- Eh? Not on mine. A friends XDA is craploads shorter. I get up to 5 days, depending on usage.


Most who have seen my unit (and have a pda) want to get something close to what I have. Id reccomend it.
I havent had any hassles with it really. I have always had pdas from the 1st ones on the market.
Had a newton, 2 cassiopeias, psion revo and 5mx, a sharp (cant remember the model), some other sharp palm ripoff and now the XDA IIs/Blue Angel.

[Gajet]

Got to say I was very unhappy with my BlueAngel. I was lucky to not get the whistling screen for 6 months, but when it finally arrived it was amazingly irritating.
The uniderectional sound bug was unbelievable that it appears unfixable by ROM updates. It was work roundable by either leaving BT constantly on or having BTTray not fire up at Startup and resetting the device after every BT use.
It needed resetting everyday anyway to stop slow-down or crashes, however still managed to crash on occaisions.
Good things about the BA, well I was able to sell it to recover part of the money I forked out on getting a Universal. Money well spent.

[xplode]

First of all i have just 2 bugs with my BA, the WIFI of course (crappy antenna) and that construction is made that the plastic part below the keyboard is scratched from sliding up and down

i have no problems with display, sound , and bluetooth

Blueangel is good device for the people that know how to use it, i have it for about a year and I am still hapy with it

[mobilecat]

I have had my mda3 for 15 months of an 18 months contract and it hasnt been to bad.

I had it replaced twice in the first few months as it completely died but the third one has been ok.

As a device I love its functionality but it isnt as stable as I would like. The only problem I have had is the occasional hard reset spontaniously.

MY bluetooth goes through stages of not working at all too.

I have a hunch that my power button may be dying too.

I am negotiating an upgrade to be finalised after two days. I have had tmobile problems with customer service and so they are doing there best to keep me. Hopefuly I will be able to get a variotwo for not too much as I already have a good contract deal on webnwalk pro _heres hoping.