Quad-Band V195 $40 from T-Mobile with $25 airtime card

[SMS]

T-Mobile is having a promotion (on-line only, not in stores) of their
prepaid phones with $25 airtime cards included.

The Motorola V195, ($39.99) is a good basic quad-band phone to take
overseas to use with prepaid SIM cards. I bought one (unfortunately
prior to the $25 promotion) and I had it unlocked by an unlocking
service ($15).

I can't use T-Mobile where I live as the coverage is terrible, but it's
a good phone to use with other prepaid GSM services on AT&T's network,
i.e. 7-11 SpeakOut. I was using a very old Motorola P7389 GSM phone
which was problematic because prepaid providers in some countries send
out text messages with passwords, and that phone could not receive text
messages.

[Mike S.]

Post by SMS
T-Mobile is having a promotion (on-line only, not in stores) of their
prepaid phones with $25 airtime cards included.
The Motorola V195, ($39.99) is a good basic quad-band phone to take
overseas to use with prepaid SIM cards. I bought one (unfortunately
prior to the $25 promotion) and I had it unlocked by an unlocking
service ($15).
I can't use T-Mobile where I live as the coverage is terrible, but it's
a good phone to use with other prepaid GSM services on AT&T's network,
i.e. 7-11 SpeakOut. I was using a very old Motorola P7389 GSM phone
which was problematic because prepaid providers in some countries send
out text messages with passwords, and that phone could not receive text
messages.

Have seen some negative comments about this model's high SAR values.

[SMS]

Post by Mike S.

Post by SMS
T-Mobile is having a promotion (on-line only, not in stores) of their
prepaid phones with $25 airtime cards included.
The Motorola V195, ($39.99) is a good basic quad-band phone to take
overseas to use with prepaid SIM cards. I bought one (unfortunately
prior to the $25 promotion) and I had it unlocked by an unlocking
service ($15).
I can't use T-Mobile where I live as the coverage is terrible, but it's
a good phone to use with other prepaid GSM services on AT&T's network,
i.e. 7-11 SpeakOut. I was using a very old Motorola P7389 GSM phone
which was problematic because prepaid providers in some countries send
out text messages with passwords, and that phone could not receive text
messages.

Have seen some negative comments about this model's high SAR values.

Yes, it has the maximum allowable. Motorola GSM phones tend to have high
SAR ratings. If it was a phone I used a lot then I'd not get it, but
it's just for very occasional use when traveling to Europe and Asia.

Of course if you really care about exposure to radiation, use CDMA,
which has much less radiation. Especially with the new studies that _do_
show a link between cell phone use and brain cancer risk. Or use a wired
headset.

[Todd Allcock]

Post by SMS
Of course if you really care about exposure to radiation, use CDMA,
which has much less radiation.

Do you care to back that up, or is this another of your "unbiased" CDMA vs.
GSM comparisons?

If you actually bother to compare the SAR ratings between GSM and CDMA
phones of the same model, where's the "much less radiation?"

Pulling some Motorola SAR Values (they often make the same phone in both
CDMA and GSM, unlike, say, Nokia) from CNet:
http://reviews.cnet.com/4520-6620_7-6258775-4.html?tag=lnav ...

You'll see, for example, that the Moto Q9 has a 1.3 W/kg in CDMA vs 1.29 in
GSM, the Razr V9 is 0.52 GSM Vs. 0.71 CDMA, the V3 0.89 vs. 1.14, the Krzr
1.07 (G) vs. 1.03 (C). All pretty close. There are a few big differences
(the old V60 was only 0.42 in CDMA but 1.26 in GSM, yet the Sprint CDMA PTT
version was also 1.26, so I don't know what's up there.)

Even outside Motorola, similar models from other manufacturers seem to have
similar SARs.

Admittedly, while MOST of the "10 highest US models" list were GSM (7 of 10),
ALL of the 10 lowest SAR phones available in the US were GSM.

[SMS]

Post by Todd Allcock

Post by SMS
Of course if you really care about exposure to radiation, use CDMA,
which has much less radiation.

Do you care to back that up, or is this another of your "unbiased" CDMA vs.
GSM comparisons?

You can learn more about it at "http://www.mobicare.com/news.asp?idNews=4".

[Dennis Ferguson]

Post by SMS

Post by Todd Allcock

Post by SMS
Of course if you really care about exposure to radiation, use CDMA,
which has much less radiation.

Do you care to back that up, or is this another of your "unbiased" CDMA vs.
GSM comparisons?

You can learn more about it at "http://www.mobicare.com/news.asp?idNews=4".

I think I'd trust the actual SAR measurements more than that explanation
of why the SAR measurements should apparently be something else. It also
seems to be a bit confused about peak versus average power output, which
may be the reason why the SAR values in real life aren't like he thinks
they should be.

Dennis Ferguson

[Todd Allcock]

Post by SMS

Post by Todd Allcock
Do you care to back that up, or is this another of your "unbiased" CDMA vs.
GSM comparisons?

You can learn more about it at "http://www.mobicare.com/news.asp?idNews=4".

Yep- that clears it up- an unattributed, outdated page from an "under
construction" website, vs. the FCC mandated testing method SAR levels!

All your citation says about radiation is: "As far as radiation level
concerned, CDMA is the most harmless one among all existing technologies.
Of course, it transmits microwaves while on standby mode, like other
technologies do. However, CDMA technology checks 800 times per second its
transmission level. Therefore, radiation level is 10 times less than AMPS
and GSM. Smart, isn't it?"

Huh?

So if my digital car speedometer samples my speed 800 times per second I'm
going 10 times slower than if it doesn't?

Since CDMA trasmits continually at a lower output whereas GSM transmits in
bursts, albeit at higher power, I guess my dumb analog would be that GSM
is like having a series of X-Rays taken, vs. the continuous low-level
fallout of CDMA! ;-) At the end of the call, we've both absorbed the same
amount of radiation, hence the similar SAR values between GSM and CDMA
phones.

[B'ichela]

What is SAA? Does that mean the phone has a little more oomph
than their competition at getting a call through?

I read that wrong when repied (oops) I know what SAR is, but
my bad eyesight saw it as SAA. Does a higher SAR increase range
though? Still would like to know.

[B'ichela]

Post by SMS
Yes, it has the maximum allowable. Motorola GSM phones tend to have high
SAR ratings. If it was a phone I used a lot then I'd not get it, but
it's just for very occasional use when traveling to Europe and Asia.

What is SAA? Does that mean the phone has a little more oomph
than their competition at getting a call through?

Post by SMS
Of course if you really care about exposure to radiation, use CDMA,
which has much less radiation. Especially with the new studies that _do_
show a link between cell phone use and brain cancer risk. Or use a wired
headset.

Can you back that up with some websites from the American
Medical Association or the FDA?

[Bert Hyman]

Post by SMS
The Motorola V195, ($39.99) is a good basic quad-band phone to take
overseas to use with prepaid SIM cards. I bought one (unfortunately
prior to the $25 promotion) and I had it unlocked by an unlocking
service ($15).

T-Mobile will unlock their phones at no charge if you've been a
customer in good standing for 90 days, and for pre-paid customers,
have added time within the past 30 days.

[SMS]

Post by Bert Hyman

Post by SMS
The Motorola V195, ($39.99) is a good basic quad-band phone to take
overseas to use with prepaid SIM cards. I bought one (unfortunately
prior to the $25 promotion) and I had it unlocked by an unlocking
service ($15).

T-Mobile will unlock their phones at no charge if you've been a
customer in good standing for 90 days, and for pre-paid customers,
have added time within the past 30 days.

Yes, but I couldn't wait for 90 days unfortunately. Also, I probably
won't bother to even activate the T-Mobile service, as the T-Mobile
coverage in my ares is so bad that I can't use it in many areas. I can
stick my 7-11 SpeakOut SIM card into the phone, which makes it work on AT&T.

[Bert Hyman]

Post by SMS

Post by Bert Hyman

Post by SMS
The Motorola V195, ($39.99) is a good basic quad-band phone to take
overseas to use with prepaid SIM cards. I bought one (unfortunately
prior to the $25 promotion) and I had it unlocked by an unlocking
service ($15).

T-Mobile will unlock their phones at no charge if you've been a
customer in good standing for 90 days, and for pre-paid customers,
have added time within the past 30 days.

Yes, but I couldn't wait for 90 days unfortunately.

In your case, spending just $15 to get it unlocked makes sense.

For folks who might actually be T-Mobile customers, the information
could be useful.

[SMS]

Post by Bert Hyman
For folks who might actually be T-Mobile customers, the information
could be useful.

It was slightly amusing. The ad on craigslist had an address, which
turned out to be a doughnut shop in San Jose. The unlocker arrived with
a notebook computer, went in the back with the phone, and ten minutes
later came out with it unlocked. I tried three SIMs in it, 7-11 SpeakOut
(AT&T), MaxRoam (worldwide roaming card), and FarEastone (Taiwan) and
all worked.

[Gordon Huff]

Post by Bert Hyman

Post by SMS
The Motorola V195, ($39.99) is a good basic quad-band phone to take
overseas to use with prepaid SIM cards. I bought one (unfortunately
prior to the $25 promotion) and I had it unlocked by an unlocking
service ($15).

Okeh.

Post by Bert Hyman
T-Mobile will unlock their phones at no charge if you've been a
customer in good standing for 90 days, and for pre-paid customers,
have added time within the past 30 days.

A T-Mobile customer in good standing can do this for you. I put my SIM
in your phone and call customer service. In 90 days, I can do it again.
Regards

[B. Wright]

Post by Gordon Huff

Post by Bert Hyman
T-Mobile will unlock their phones at no charge if you've been a
customer in good standing for 90 days, and for pre-paid customers,
have added time within the past 30 days.

A T-Mobile customer in good standing can do this for you. I put my SIM
in your phone and call customer service. In 90 days, I can do it again.
Regards

Why even bother putting your SIM in? They don't check or even
care if the IMEI is active on that SIM/account. I have unlocked several
phones using friend's and families accounts and all they care about are the
90 day and credit within 30 days on that specific account. In the past
I had a few go through that were new accounts even or definitely under 90
days old, but, they seem to have become less flexible on that lately.

[Todd Allcock]

Post by Gordon Huff

Post by Bert Hyman
T-Mobile will unlock their phones at no charge if you've been a
customer in good standing for 90 days, and for pre-paid customers,
have added time within the past 30 days.

A T-Mobile customer in good standing can do this for you. I put my SIM
in your phone and call customer service. In 90 days, I can do it again.
Regards

Just an FYI- T-Mo now limits the number of unlock codes they'll issue
customers to two per year, IIRC. (Not a huge deal- it really only reduces
the the old yearly number by two since the "one every 90 days" maxes out to
four a year.)

[Rod]

Post by Todd Allcock
Just an FYI- T-Mo now limits the number of unlock codes they'll issue
customers to two per year, IIRC. (Not a huge deal- it really only reduces
the the old yearly number by two since the "one every 90 days" maxes out to
four a year.)

Todd,

Is that per account or two for each phone number on the account?

Rod

[Todd Allcock]

Post by Rod

Post by Todd Allcock
Just an FYI- T-Mo now limits the number of unlock codes they'll issue
customers to two per year, IIRC. (Not a huge deal- it really only reduces
the the old yearly number by two since the "one every 90 days" maxes

out

Post by Rod

Post by Todd Allcock
to
four a year.)

Todd,
Is that per account or two for each phone number on the account?

Good question... I didn't ask! They just "warned me" after I asked for my
last code.

[Rod]

Post by Todd Allcock

Post by Rod

Post by Todd Allcock
Just an FYI- T-Mo now limits the number of unlock codes they'll issue
customers to two per year, IIRC. (Not a huge deal- it really only

reduces

Post by Rod

Post by Todd Allcock
the the old yearly number by two since the "one every 90 days" maxes

out

Post by Rod

Post by Todd Allcock
to
four a year.)

Todd,
Is that per account or two for each phone number on the account?

Good question... I didn't ask! They just "warned me" after I asked for my
last code.

Probably (hopefully) per number, I have 4 lines on my account and I got
codes more than 4 times a year.

Rod