LG VX-6100
VX-6100 Signal Fluctuation
Picked up a 6100 under NE2 last Thursday and have noticed that the signal indicator fluctuates quite a bit (esp. compared to the old V60). It will usually stay from 3 - 5 but sometimes it will go from 5 down to 1 and then back up to 4 or 5 bars. It never seems to lose service or go to analog. (I'm in the Central NJ area, and coverage has usually been excellent.)
There seems to be no rhyme or reason to it. As an example, the phone will be showing 5 bars on the outer display. I'll open it and find it at 0-1 bars and then it will jump back up to 5. Sometimes it appears to be related to orientation of the antenna, sometimes not.
When I put it into field test mode, the RX power never seems to vary more than a couple of dB during these wil...
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There seems to be no rhyme or reason to it. As an example, the phone will be showing 5 bars on the outer display. I'll open it and find it at 0-1 bars and then it will jump back up to 5. Sometimes it appears to be related to orientation of the antenna, sometimes not.
When I put it into field test mode, the RX power never seems to vary more than a couple of dB during these wil...
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don't waste your time in trying out another 6100. it'll do the same exact thing. i had the same experience and i did try a second 6100 that did the same exact thing but in my case, aside from the fluctuations, it was going to Analog and no signal constantly. i returned it and got the v265.
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this may be a dumb question, but do people utilize *228 to update the roaming capabilities of the phone? just curious.
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tahbasco said:
this may be a dumb question, but do people utilize *228 to update the roaming capabilities of the phone? just curious.
The phone is only 4 days old so the PRL is fresh, but I did the *228 update. I'm beginning to think its just another in a long line of buggy Verizon handsets which is why I think its futile to just exchange it.
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I update mine, its the highlight of my day, I do the PRL, then let the phone reboot, then I do the programming, before I do it, I write down the versions of the PRL and the Software, and regularly the PRL updates, every so often the software updates. Despite it all, I rarely have any problems, and I live in central NJ too, and commute to Exit 171 on the parkway.
If there are any dead spots on verizon, Trust me I would know. I have seen my VX6000 go from full bars, to 1 bar, to no signal, and I havent even moved. Cell phones and carriers are not perfect, SPrint had lots of dead spots along the NJ Parkway, and Verizon doesnt.
However in parts of BellMeade I know there is no service with verizon at all.
As time goes on, more towers will be b...
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If there are any dead spots on verizon, Trust me I would know. I have seen my VX6000 go from full bars, to 1 bar, to no signal, and I havent even moved. Cell phones and carriers are not perfect, SPrint had lots of dead spots along the NJ Parkway, and Verizon doesnt.
However in parts of BellMeade I know there is no service with verizon at all.
As time goes on, more towers will be b...
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Its funny, I see some of the same fluctuation from my V60i, but not to the extent of the 6100. The LG has never gone to analog or to no service. Looking at the field test screen, its holding the signal, but the bars are all over the place. Does the 265 fluctuate a lot for you?
Compared to the LG screen, the Motorola screen is pretty nasty, but it is all about the RF. I could care less about the camera. The 265 might be a good option - I have several chargers, mobile phone tools, and data cables from the V60 that would work with the 265.
I just get so damn tired of these problematic "highly tested" Verizon handsets. Who are they kidding?
Compared to the LG screen, the Motorola screen is pretty nasty, but it is all about the RF. I could care less about the camera. The 265 might be a good option - I have several chargers, mobile phone tools, and data cables from the V60 that would work with the 265.
I just get so damn tired of these problematic "highly tested" Verizon handsets. Who are they kidding?
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jagolden said:...
Picked up a 6100 under NE2 last Thursday and have noticed that the signal indicator fluctuates quite a bit (esp. compared to the old V60). It will usually stay from 3 - 5 but sometimes it will go from 5 down to 1 and then back up to 4 or 5 bars. It never seems to lose service or go to analog. (I'm in the Central NJ area, and coverage has usually been excellent.)
There seems to be no rhyme or reason to it. As an example, the phone will be showing 5 bars on the outer display. I'll open it and find it at 0-1 bars and then it will jump back up to 5. Sometimes it appears to be related to orientation of the antenna, sometimes not.
When I put it into field test mode, the RX power never seems to vary more t
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kenstee said:
A question. Aside from the cosmetics of the fluctuating bars of service you really don't seem to have any complaints. The RX power as measured by your field test appears to be stable despite the fluctuations. So, just what is the problem then?
I don't consider the service bars to be a cosmetic accessory. They are as important as the battery meter which is why they appear on both displays on most clamshell phones. Given the fluctuations, it seems that something is flaky with the RF on this phone. That casts a lot of doubt on any of the field test screen data related to RF. Besides, you shouldn't need to go into a test screen to see if you have a signal.
The point of the original post is to ...
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if you search the forums here and other ones on the next such as howardforums.com, you'll see that this is a common thing with the vx6100. also, since it does this constant fluctuations,i notice the battery life being bad as a result. it's like this thing is constantly looking for a signal even if it's stationary in 1 place.
overall, with the documented bugs + this signal fluctuations issue, it's enough for me to look elsewhere. as for patches/updates, hmm.. maybe in a years time, LG will fix it when enough people cry about it to VZW. Until it actually comes out, I wouldn't take their word for it that there is a fix. If they really wanted to sell a lot of these phones during the holidays, they would have fixed it already so they could sell...
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overall, with the documented bugs + this signal fluctuations issue, it's enough for me to look elsewhere. as for patches/updates, hmm.. maybe in a years time, LG will fix it when enough people cry about it to VZW. Until it actually comes out, I wouldn't take their word for it that there is a fix. If they really wanted to sell a lot of these phones during the holidays, they would have fixed it already so they could sell...
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boy, you're really a die hard vx6100 fan, kentsee. you're the only one i read here that just loves this phone and can't seem to find any problems nor faults with it. i've read the same issues and postings from different forums on the net and seems like a lot of people are experiencing different issues with the VX6100. I wish a VZW employee can tell us how many of these phones actually gets returned compared to other ones like the moto v265 or even the samsung a670... that way, that would give us an idea if most people are really hating or lovin this phone...
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mobileguru said:Well... I'm also a member of the VX6100 fan-club 😉 Unfortunately the volume bug was personally intolerable, and forced me to return it during my 15 day trial. I went back to my trusty VX6K for now... I plan to wait until LG updates the software and I'll definitely purchase the phone again once they're shipped with the new software version.
boy, you're really a die hard vx6100 fan, kentsee. you're the only one i read here that just loves this phone and can't seem to find any problems nor faults with it. I've read the same issues and postings from different forums on the net and seems like a lot of people are experiencing different issues with the VX6100. ...
The volume bug was really...
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If you want to experience "extreme signal fluctuations" take the phone into a digitally flaky area where the phone can find an analog signal. If the digital signal is flaky enough or intermittent, the phone will transition to the analog signal but the second you attempt to make an analog call, the phone will revert back to the week digital signal and dump your call 4 out of five times. I'm no expert but this seems to render the benefit of having a "tri-mode" phone rather useless.
Also, am I the only person having 6100s with low battery charging problems?
Also, am I the only person having 6100s with low battery charging problems?
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I hope you have gotten on the phone to LG and Verizon to complain. To date, I have called both multiple times and both say they have zero reports of battery charging issues with the 6100.
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LGs number = 1-800-793-8896
If you get everyone you know that has a 6100 with problems (sounds like everybody) to call also, they can't keep saying they don't have a problem.
Be sure to mention the battery charging issue. I mean, once the "battery low" warning beep has been heard, plugging the phone in to charge won't stop the phone from shutting off and the call quality drops to unusable prior to shutting off. If you have not yet experienced this, you will. Both of my 6100s have the same problems.
Good luck
If you get everyone you know that has a 6100 with problems (sounds like everybody) to call also, they can't keep saying they don't have a problem.
Be sure to mention the battery charging issue. I mean, once the "battery low" warning beep has been heard, plugging the phone in to charge won't stop the phone from shutting off and the call quality drops to unusable prior to shutting off. If you have not yet experienced this, you will. Both of my 6100s have the same problems.
Good luck
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I just got off the phone with LG. They did admit to the volume bug and said the firmware addressing this is due out at the end of the month. As far as the fluctuation in signals bars, they feel its a network issue.
I'm on the phone with Verizon now. They say its an equipment issue (SUPRISE!) but are now working with an equipment tech. Believe me, I can tell where this is heading and I'm not getting into a series of VX-6100 swaps...
I'm on the phone with Verizon now. They say its an equipment issue (SUPRISE!) but are now working with an equipment tech. Believe me, I can tell where this is heading and I'm not getting into a series of VX-6100 swaps...
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Been there done that. Hopefully you'll have better luck than I. Gone through 4 phones in as many months.
The volume fix is supposedly in the works but the battery issue is non-existent as far as they are concerned. Please let me know how you come out on the signal issue. I suspect it will end with: "go to your local store to have the phone checked or replaced".
The volume fix is supposedly in the works but the battery issue is non-existent as far as they are concerned. Please let me know how you come out on the signal issue. I suspect it will end with: "go to your local store to have the phone checked or replaced".
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I just got off the phone with Verizon. They have no record of a widespread problem with the signal issues, so as you suspected, it did in fact end with "go to your local store to have the phone checked or replaced".
After reviewing my options with the tech, I think what I may do is to return the equipment and revert back to my month to month status and wait until things settle down with the 6100. This is what the VZW rep suggested, also. (He's having issues with his KX-2 and said he should have returned it at the first sign of trouble.)
I also may investigate our coporate sponsored plans with Cingular.
After reviewing my options with the tech, I think what I may do is to return the equipment and revert back to my month to month status and wait until things settle down with the 6100. This is what the VZW rep suggested, also. (He's having issues with his KX-2 and said he should have returned it at the first sign of trouble.)
I also may investigate our coporate sponsored plans with Cingular.
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Thanks for the update. Oh well...wish I had stayed with my 4500s.
Please post here what you find out about Cingular. GSM is a totally different animal from what I have heard and it may have problems of its own in rural areas.
Please post here what you find out about Cingular. GSM is a totally different animal from what I have heard and it may have problems of its own in rural areas.
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This is for anyone who's thinking about switching to Cingular/ATT. You can take it for what it's worth, but here's my experience with Cingular, Verizon, Nextel & Sprint in Kansas City, MO & everywhere else you can think of. I travel a lot for work but have VZW for personal use & Nextel for work.
I was a VZW customer on the single rate plan for almost 10 years & decided to switch to Cingular in April because my co-worker told me how great it was. He's on the gait plan (where you can pick up analog signal if digital is not available, but the plan is no longer available) & their rollover min. sounds great. However, their phone selection for gait plan is horrible, one is a Nokia 6340i & I forgot what the other was. The Nokia humms when you ar...
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I was a VZW customer on the single rate plan for almost 10 years & decided to switch to Cingular in April because my co-worker told me how great it was. He's on the gait plan (where you can pick up analog signal if digital is not available, but the plan is no longer available) & their rollover min. sounds great. However, their phone selection for gait plan is horrible, one is a Nokia 6340i & I forgot what the other was. The Nokia humms when you ar...
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The battery life is actually quite good on my phone, probably because when my signal dips, it doesn't go to analog. My gripes with the phone are erratic RF performance and the volume bug. Granted - I've not had the chance to really use it a lot in true fringe areas such as in northwestern NJ but the performance so far does not inspire confidence.
As much as I like the features and screen, RF and audio are pretty basic performance areas for a phone. Since my old handseet is dead, I'll have take another look at the Motorola V265. The Moto screen is nasty compared to the LG, and the phone looks kind of cheap, but it apparently has a lot better RF than the 6100.
I'm sure that the 6100's issues can be addressed in a software update, but the...
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As much as I like the features and screen, RF and audio are pretty basic performance areas for a phone. Since my old handseet is dead, I'll have take another look at the Motorola V265. The Moto screen is nasty compared to the LG, and the phone looks kind of cheap, but it apparently has a lot better RF than the 6100.
I'm sure that the 6100's issues can be addressed in a software update, but the...
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I have a few days left on the 15 day return policy, but the LG hasn't given me any problems big enough to return it. The volume bug is alive and well, but it only lasts 1-2 seconds so it doesn't bother me too much. Out of the 10 or so days I've had it, I've experienced good call quality and only 1 dropped call. The battery life is good compared to my T720. Instead of lasting less than a day, I've been able to go 2.5 days with 100+ minutes of talking, camera and speakerphone use. Sounds like I'm satisfied right? I'm just worried that as soon as the 15 days are up, it'll start acting retarded and drop calls all the time.
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There are people here that report they don't have the volume bug, fluctuating signals, dropped calls, etc. I know I'm not imagining things and assume they are just not being LG apologists, so I wonder if all of this is related to network issues (overcapacity or issues of how the phone interacts with the network)? My old Motorola started going from 3 - 5 bars at my house in the last couple of months (but never going to - 5 bars as the LG does). Is the LG just more sensitive to network issues?
I'm in NJ and there is another guy that had problems in DC at the airport. Is this a NE thing?
I'm in NJ and there is another guy that had problems in DC at the airport. Is this a NE thing?
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Last I heard was that LG's method of checking the signal is more frequent than motorola. So even though motorola shows a signal strength more consistent and higher, that may be because they check for signals at a different interval. LG checks more frequent so you should expect some fluctuation - although this fluctuates I have not lost or notice any degredation in my phone calls with this phone. By the way - the volume bug does exist and LG admitted it. a patch is being worked on. VZW recommended logging on and send an email about the bug to ensure the patch gets released quicker.
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I don't buy it. The LG signal display may update more frequently, but a faster measurement rate should not affect the measurement. It should not result in extreme (0 - 5 bars) fluctuations unless the actual signal is fluctuating that much. (I can see a variation of 1 - 2 bars, but not what I experienced with that phone.) Besides, when I put the 6100 in field test mode next to a Motorola in field test mode, the Rx power readings change at the pretty much the same rate. As LG said to me, it may be receiving at adequate signal power, put there is evidently a problem in the software that controls how the phone interacts with the network. Mine went back, but I'll grab it again after things are worked out. I'm just glad VZW tests their phones so ...
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jagolden said:Same here... it will be an excellent handset once the software quirks are corrected.
Mine went back, but I'll grab it again after things are worked out...
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I have noticed that I have a low signal here in Northern NJ, but no major swings. Had the volume bug, but just got my three phones updated with the new software and the volume bug is gone. This is a great phone!
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