StarTrek or Tornado - which is the better device?

[pna]

After some advice. I am slowly getting through the suite of products. Was a proud owner of a Wizard, currently using a Tornado, but am very interested in the StarTrek.

Can anyone offer some advice on the difference between the 2 products and what people recommend. I'm tempted to change to go for the smaller flip style set up as my only problem with PDA Phone devices has always been the size.

Any advice much appreciated.

[Churchill]

I personally LOVE the Flip phone

[roma]

Owning both I do believe the Tornado is the better device, but I think the Qtek 8500 aka HTC StrTrk is way more sexy.

My personal pro's and cons:

- 8500 lighter then the Tornado, it's also thinner so easier to take with you.
- 8500 clamshell design protects the display.
- 8500 keyboard is way easier to use with one hand, Tornado's keys are very small and close to each other, to small and close for one hand use (without dropping the phone).
- 8500 is black.
- 8500 is cheaper.
- 8500 supports A2DP profile, but....

- 8500 has lousy sound quality since it play's soundfiles at the lowest sound quality. The 200Mhz CPU can hardly handle the A2DP profile as it is built in the 8500, that's why the factory setting is set to play at the lowest sound quality. One needs to (security-) unlock the phone to alter registry settings and to make the 8500 play at a higher quality. To get these files to play at a higher quality without clipping, you need to overclock the processor with OmapClock to at least 240Mhz.
So... the Tornado is the better MP3 player. There is a world of difference here!! I'm sure A2DP profile will be available for the Tornado in the next ROM update, untill then you can use the Tornado A2DP patch someone made to get your Bluetooth Stereo Profile. It works better then the built in A2DP profile in the 8500...

- Tornado has WiFi.
- Tornado has much better battery life, there's a difference in day's here.
- Tornado has slightly better sound quality during phone calls.
- Tornado has a standard mini-USB connector for connection to your PC.
- Tornado has a standard 2.5mm jack for your headset.
- Tornado uses Mini-SD (2GB capacity soon 4GB capacity) instead of the 8500's Micro-SD (1GB capacity soon 2GB capacity).

So a few points to consider. I must say I use the 8500 more than the Tornado due to it's lesser weight and more sexy looks. But if you intend to listen to music a lot with your phone, go for the Tornado. WiFi is a strong consideration too. If both points are of no importance to you, you might want to keep some money in your pocket and go for the slim and black (or pink if you want) 8500.

Good luck with deciding ;)

[Churchill]

roma!

I totaly agree, you could not put it beter.

I also having 3 devices prefer the 8500 since the clamshel design is really, really handy (even if it only for a reason that you do not need to lock the keys after you use the phone aslip it in the pocket, and then unlock them first before use)

And the 8500 is Sooooooooo Sexy....

I also find it more comfortable to talk to since when you talk with it it forms like a cradle around your fase..

[pna]

Many thanks Guys for your help....really appreciate it.

Really fancy the startrek. Only concerns now will be whether I can cope with the weaker battery (although I could get a spare), and how the startrek would deal with Tomtom mobile - although I'm still having trouble getting that to work with my Tornado (despite calling my external GPS receiver 'GPS').

Anyway, thanks again...PNA

[Churchill]

QTEK 8500 works perfect with TOMTOM Mobile 5 by me. I use it on a daily basis. I did have to get the latest version though form t-mobile site I beleive version 5.20

Also I had to application unlock the phone, which is a simple registry tweak. MAKE SURE you do the reg tweak first before you install TomTom since if you do that after you shall need to activate TT5 again since the device ID changes. Very weird, and I had the problem. It took me two weeks to get throught to TT support what exactly happend.

[roma]

Same here, no problem with TomTom Mobile 5.20. Also application/security unlocked the phone before installing TTM5. Use is every day. Since yesterday have me a Brodit passive holder with a car charger for the 8500 so battery life is good enough for me. Battery life is shorter then the Tornado but hasn't got me in any trouble so far.

[Churchill]

yea, I also can say that with normal use it lasts about two days, although I do turn it off at night. I love the smartphone feature to be able to switch the phone off. Because in my MDA Vario and PRO I have to turn the flight mode on in order to be off line.

If I get the choise it would definitely be the startrek. Very very handy and confortable to use. I have not got a tornado, but always had a phone with the keys in front and hated it always. Now the fact that it is a clamshel design it is great.