LG VX5400 - Best phone for calls

update 7/10/08
After considerable use, I am still very pleased with this phone and Verizon service. The basement of a shopping mall is an example. In a Radio Shack Store where I was assured I would probably not be able to make a call I had good calling quality. I did have a few problems if I tried to talk and wander around the store, but standing still worked fine. If AT&T gets "more boxes in more places" why am I perpetually asked "how are you making a call from here?" by my friends with that service? At least 1 box everywhere beats 4-5 boxes in high population areas. Best connectivity I have ever had, seen or heard of.
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If you are a person into playing songs, memory cards, etc. etc., read no further.

If you just want to make calls, hear the ring, see the screen, hear the other party, have them hear you, have a signal if at all possible and a long battery life, this is the phone for you. The camera is quite nice, but if I want photos I use my camera.

The LG VX5400 is a tri-mode phone. What this means is that it not only receives digital signals, but also receives analog signals. There are fewer and fewer analog towers, but they persist in many beach areas and in remote locations. Just last year we were at a beach location and I was the only one to have a signal with my old tri-mode phone the entire week. Even with all their disabling tricks that my children hate so much, I use Verizon because they have better coverage - by far.

Since I am primarily interested in using my phone as a phone (including connecting to my computer) I will review each phone use separately.

The phone:

No protruding antenna so it slips in and out of pocket or purse very nicely.

I am 71 years old. My hearing is not quite what it used to be. My eyes are fine but my wife's are not quite what they used to be either. To make a long story short, if you can hear, you will hear this phone ring and hear the person talking to you, even if a trailer truck is going by. If you can see, you will be able to read the numbers on the screen.

Reception - Since I have used many phones (as phones) I can safely say this has the best transmission - reception of any phone I have ever used and probably the best reception of any phone on the market. Before writing this review I tested on my two "guaranteed disconnect" locations last night. No disconnect, only a brief pause in reception, very brief. I was made aware of this since we have a grocery store in our remote mountain location where reception in the back is just not possible - at least until now. No problem. I could have been outside in the parking lot.

Talk time - long, very long.

Features:

Yes, this phone will do about everything you might want even if you do texting, music, up and down loads etc. Look up the list on Verizon wireless. As usual, Verizon has pretty well figured out how to charge you for them. The most important feature for me is connecting and this phone is the best I've ever had.

Voice commands:

This phone will recognize a long (very long) list of voice commands, something I use all the time. You need to speak a little slowly for the phone to recognize what you want. For example, to make a call:

CALL ROLAND MOBILE, or
CALL MARY WORK

I primarily use the voice commands for calling. It does seem to learn your voice with the passage of time and gets better. It can be a bit frustrating at first. My wife has the same phone now and was a bit frustrated since it pronounces every name correctly except mine, constantly calling BOB ROM or RON. She may have done something initially to cause this or it may be a flaw. However it does get the right number all the time.

Emergency calling:

One of my entries is the name "emergency". When you say CALL EMERGENCY it calls 911 AND turns on your GPS location. I tried it out to make sure it worked, but hung up quickly after part of the first ring. Too late. My GPS location was on and 911 immediately called me back. I did apologize and explain and the lady was very nice and understanding. But, know that it works.

Menus:

The menus are mostly intuitive and easy to use. The appropriate prompts seem to appear at the right time.