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Pharos PTL600 GPS Phone (Unlocked) | 
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| Brand: Pharos
Category: Wireless
List Price: $799.99
Buy New: $589.99
You Save: $210.00 (26%)
New (2) from $589.99
Rating:  5 reviews
Sales Rank: 13876
Color: Black
Media: Wireless Phone Accessory
Shipping Weight (lbs): 0.4
Dimensions (in): 4.4 x 2.4 x 0.9
MPN: PharosPTL600
Model: PTL600
UPC: 818948002266
EAN: 0818948002266
ASIN: B000TSSF7S
Release Date: July 18, 2007
Shipping: Eligible for Super Saver Shipping
Availability: Usually ships in 24 hours
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| Features:
| • | Unlocked quad band GSM/GPRS/EDGE cell phone with wireless LAN connectivity (802.11b/g) | | • | 2+ megapixel digital camera | | • | Award-winning GPS software with maps of the U.S. and Canada included and location-based services | | • | You can also use the built-in WiFi to access Pharos Smart Traffic, a real-time traffic information service, or Smart Finder, a web-based point of interest | | • | Note: This phone does not come with service or a SIM card |
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| Editorial Reviews:
Product Description
Carry the world and navigate it too while you stay in touch and organized with the power of Windows Mobile with this quad-band GSM cell-phone that delivers that extra performance you've been yearning for. Pharos GPS Phone 600 integrates GPS, phone, WiFi, Bluetooth, Windows Mobile Office, Live Search, digital camera, FM radio, Photo Viewer, MP3 and video player; it offers Guidance, Productivity, and more. It's complete with maps and points-of-interest for USA and Canada. This all-in-one phone is one of the most versatile and full featured mobile devices. The GPS Phone 600 makes it easy to find your destination with turn-by-turn spoken instructions and vivid graphics. Now with a GSM/GPRS/EDGE phone built in, you can stay in touch while navigating to that important destination. The GPS Phone 600 is an unlocked world phone that is compatible with most GSM carriers. Simply insert your existing SIM card into the GPS Phone 600 to begin enjoying its many features. An included windshield mount makes this perfect for use as a car GPS device. With WiFi and Bluetooth built in, you can access e-mail, real-time traffic, the Internet and much more. All of these features come built in on a slim, sleek, Windows Mobile Smartphone to help keep you organized and up to speed. Quad band GSM 850/900/1800/1900 MHz GPRS / EDGE Class 10 Unlocked for use on any GSM network Up to 5 hours talk time, 160 hours standby per battery charge Latest version of Windows Mobile Windows Media Player Built-in FM Tuner 2 megapixel digital camera/camcorder with flash; up to 1600 x 1200 resolution Microsoft Word, Excel and PowerPoint, Outlook Contacts, Calendar and Tasks; Internet Explorer and Email are part of Windows Mobile suite of productivity, communication, and entertainment services USB synch to computer Display - 2.8' transmissive TFT LCD touch-screen; QVGA 240 x 320, 16bit / 65,536 colors Expansion - MicroSD expans
Amazon.com Product Description
With the Pharos GPS Phone 600, you get all the features of a cellular phone and PDA with integrated GPS for easy navigation from appointment to appointment. It's powered by the Windows Mobile 6.0 operating system, providing seamless synchronization with Outlook's emails, contacts, calendar and tasks. Sync complete emails, open attachments, enter contact details or even add calendar appointments on the move. Other features include Wi-Fi networking (802.11b/g), a 2-megapixel camera (with GPS location stamping capability), Wi-Fi networking (802.11b/g), Bluetooth for handsfree communication, digital audio player, quad-band GSM connectivity for global roaming, and up to 5 hours of talk time. 
This special package includes the Pharos 600 GPS phone, Pharos GPS navigation software, and a2 GB SD card with the US maps. | This special bonus package bundles the Pharos 600 with Pharos GPS navigation software (a $99.95 value)--which provides voice guidance as well as real-time traffic, gas price, weather, movie information--and a2 GB SD card preloaded with maps of the United States and Canada. You also get a free three-month subscription to Pharos Smart Navigator Web-based location services, and a free trial subscription to WorldMate Professional Edition travel services (includes flight schedules, global weather forecasts, currency exchange rate service, world clocks, and many other useful features for frequent fliers and business travelers). This unlocked cell phone can be used with a GSM network service provider and it provides quad-band connectivity (850/900/1800/1900 MHz). It does not come with a SIM card, and it requires that you provide a SIM card for usage with your selected service provider. This phone comes with a one-year warranty from a third party provider. Phone Features
The sleek GPS-enabled Pharos 600 smartphone provides comprehensive navigation in real-time via preloaded maps of the US and the Pharos Ostia navigation software (included in this special bundle). Pharos' award-winning Ostia Smart Navigator includes detailed street-level map coverage for the USA and Canada. It offers real-time GPS tracking, point A-to-point B routing, automatic voice-guided driving directions, turn-by-turn visual and text directions, automatic re-route, address, intersection, and points of interest location search, multi-stop routing, and more. You also get a free trial subscription to Pharos' web-based Smart Navigator services. The included Microsoft Windows Mobile 6.0 Smartphone software with Direct Push technology gives you instant access to your emails, calendar, and contacts at anytime. That means wherever and whenever, you'll be connected. A single main screen summarizes all the important information you need to make it through the day. Here you'll get message notification, upcoming appointments, dialing functions, tasks, and more all in one spot. Staying productive on the road is made possible by the Microsoft Office Mobile suite, which includes Word Mobile, Excel Mobile, and PowerPoint Mobile. Meanwhile, the File Explorer application makes it easy to browse the files. It also supports Windows Media playback right out of the box. With Windows Media Player, you can play streaming and downloaded video and audio content in a variety of formats. You can also keep favorite tunes loaded on a memory card and listen to your music wherever you roam. The Pharos 600 has a 2.8-inch touchscreen with a 240 x 320-pixel resolution and 65K color depth. At the top of the phone's face are laser-etched buttons for accessing the Home screen as well as the GPS application, while the bottom offers standard five-way navigational rocker, send/end keys, and two soft keys. The very bottom of the phone includes a slot for MicroSD memory cards and a USB port, and a 2.5mm audio jack is located on the left side of the phone. 
You get a full-screen QWERTY keyboard for text messaging. | The phone can store a virtually unlimited amount of contacts (bound only by available memory), and you can store multiple phone numbers, email and IM addresses, notes, and more for each entry. It also offers a speakerphone, vibrate mode, voice commands, and an EZDial function for easier contact search and dialing. Other features include: - Full screen keyboard for text messaging
- SiRFstar III GPS receiver with 20 channels and WASS
- Samsung SC32442 400 MHz processor
- 128 MB ROM, 64 MB RAM
- 54g Wi-Fi networking (802.11b/g) for connecting to home/corporate networks and hotspots while on the go
- Bluetooth 2.0 connectivity with profiles for communication headsets, handsfree kits, dial-up networking, and file transfer
- 2-megapixel camera with flash, white balance settings, and five resolution choices
- GPS location stamping capability for future "navigation by image" function
- Video recording capabilities
- Tri-band FM radio and voice recorder
- Bonus EZdial and Spb Mobile Shell for one-hand operations, world clock, and global weather forecast
Vital Statistics
The Pharos 600 weighs 5.2 ounces and measures 4.4 x 2.3 x 0.6 inches. Its 1530 mAh lithium-ion battery is rated at up to 5 hours of talk time (15 hours of PDA use), and up to 160 hours of digital standby time. It runs on the 850/900/1800/1900 MHz GSM/GPRS/EDGE frequencies. Powered by Windows Mobile 6
Windows Mobile 6 adds power to your mobile office with up-to-date e-mail delivery and automatic synchronization of Outlook calendars. |  
Edit Word documents and Excel spreadsheets on your phone, just as you would on your desktop/laptop PC. |
Microsoft's Windows Mobile 6 updates the Windows Mobile 5 platform with a number of handy features that make searching through email, editing Microsoft Office documents, and staying on top of your most important communications even easier. Emails can now be viewed in their original rich HTML format and now offer the ability to visit embedded links. It also includes Windows Live for Windows Mobile, which provides a full set of Windows Live services, such as the Windows Live Messenger IM application, which now enables you to chat with more than one person at one time or send a file. With Windows Mobile 6, your phone will finally be able to emulate the power and features of your PC's Microsoft Office suite. You'll be able to neatly view, navigate and edit Word documents and Excel spreadsheets in their original formatting--without affecting tables, images or text--as well as view PowerPoint presentations. - Microsoft Office Word Mobile features include spell-check, Find and Replace commands, bulleted lists, text formatting, and support for tables for the first time.
- With Excel Mobile, you're not just confined to editing charts: with the new Chart Wizard you can create charts quickly and easily.
- PowerPoint Mobile allows you to view the full presentation, rehearse timings, check the order and any live links you may have in your presentation. You can then email comments back to the team or communicate via MSN Messenger for an immediate response.
- After creating or editing a Word document or Excel spreadsheet, you can synchronize it with your PC and it will automatically be converted to the PC version.
All Windows Mobile 6 powered devices include Direct Push Technology for up-to-date e-mail delivery and automatic synchronization of Outlook calendars, tasks and contacts through Microsoft Exchange Server. It also offers a set of important device security and management features that include the capability to remotely wipe all data from a device should it be lost or stolen, helping ensure that confidential information remains that way.
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| Customer Reviews:
 Pretty good... April 26, 2008
On the plus side, it's a very handy replacement for a PDA and a phone. The nav software works reasonably well in the northeast even with some quirks in the programming as noted by other posters. Windows Office documents transfer quite well to desktop, and full screen (touch) keyboard is easy to use even for someone with big fingers. Camera works quite well - for a phone camera (I won't be replacing my dSLR with it any time soon!). Unit is compact and manageable and screen is *very* easy to read, even in full daylight. Battery life quite good, except if you try and use GPS, phone, etc., simultaneously.
On the negative side, the biggest problem is that the phone is not very loud. I find it very hard to hear in a car with window open, unlike my Motorola phone (have not tried bluetooth headset). I also was not expecting the lack of tactile feedback from on-screen 'keys' to be so awkward. (Entering phone numbers, for example, is not possible without looking at the phone. People considering an iPhone should keep this in mind...). Finally, nav software routed me some very strange ways on occasion, insisting I take a road parallel to the one I was on.
 Memory is inadequate..........and customer service is worse! April 20, 2008
The PTL 600 is the biggest mistake that I have ever made in consumer electronic purchases! While the GPS locks very fast, I find the Ostia maps to be outdated and lacking in detail. If I would have taken every turn that this unit suggested, I probably wouldn't be here to write a review. Even though the maps are poor, they still take up most of the memory on this device. Unless you like to carry around extra microSD cards in your pocket, be prepared to be disappointed. Also, I've had a lot of problems trying to charge the phone with the flimsy USB/charge cable included (the AC power adapter works fine). Finally, the customer service is the worst that I've ever seen. I sent my phone to them on an RMA for problems with the display in March (after hours of hold music and unreturned email), and I still haven't received it back. If you are comparing devices in this price range, you might want to take a look at the HP iPAQ Travel Companion (rx5910/5915)- I'm going to. If your still interested in Pharos, watch for cheap used handhelds. Mine is still under warranty, and I hope to sell it soon (if I ever get it back!)
Missing features and irresponsive customer service April 1, 2008
2 out of 3 found this review helpful
I have been their customer for a while ( I should say almost 5 years). But since then their customer service has become hopeless. Recently I purchased this phone and found out some features that are standard to Windows Mobile is missing. I have sent them several e-mails for support and yet no response. Not even a single automated mail stating that they received it and assigned a case or doing something about it. They have just gone down hill.
Regarding the product, it's fairly ok with many features. But the processor is slow. I have to reboot it atleast once a day. If you have the phone , wife and gps on , most time it hangs. Some phone features that are standard to Windows Mobile will be missing because these guys reprogrammed the ROM I guess. For e.g auto answer and setting # of rings etc. Not worth the price.
 Great little device December 13, 2007
6 out of 6 found this review helpful
I read all the reviews of the Pharos 600 and bought it anyway. I'm glad I didn't listen to the people who disliked it. The Ostia navigation software, contrary to a review I read elsewhere, is easy and intuitive to operate. I programmed in a house address and followed the prompts while driving, and it got me there perfectly. I was early for my meeting, so I kept driving, and Ostia kept calculating new routes to get me back there!
The phone sounds crisp and clear, and it's easy to use. The only thing I'm reserving judgment on is the camera, since I haven't fully tested it yet. The images I've taken so far don't impress me, but as I said I haven't mastered all its settings.
It connects to the nearest WiFi for internet access, and even displays the week's weather forecast on the home screen. I downloaded Google Maps, and when using the GPS it can show the satellite image with traffic report overlays.
My goal was to have one compact device to carry around, especially on trips, that had a phone, camera, internet, basic computing (MS Word), and GPS all in one, so my briefcase wouldn't be cluttered with crap and all the power cords and adapters necessary. The Pharos 600 does it.
Useless in Houston October 5, 2007
7 out of 8 found this review helpful
Very disappointing. I had hoped for a full-featured Windows smartphone plus a substitute for an in-dash car GPS. I got neither.
First, the good parts. Nice feel, small form factor. Crisp screen. The windshield mount worked well, and the belt clip is nice. Deserves at least a star for that.
However, the small form factor kills ease of use, as the 1.25" X 2.75" screen is far smaller than an in-dash car GPS. Many important features require tapping tiny icons or pull-down menus - not linked to buttons - and you have to pull the Pharos out of its carrier to get at the stylus.
It is difficult to add waypoints to force it to take a certain route on the way. The manual barely covers this. I guess I'm spoiled by google maps, the Ostia zoom-in/out requires 5-6 diagonal strokes to get to city level and street names don't show. While moving the map with finger or stylus I often accidentally zoomed in to some part of the city I couldn't recognize and had to start over. It appears the designers thought of this and put in a Power User feature to display the entire route, but that menu item was always grayed out for me. Only alternative is to check the route in turn-by-turn text form.
And check it you must. In Houston we have these feeder roads that run alongside the interstate. The GPS often thinks you're on the feeder when you're on the interstate and vice-versa, and gives bogus instructions accordingly. More than once I was told to exit - travelled along the feeder road through a light - and then back on the same interstate! If you didn't spot this before departure, it's too late when you're driving to try to zoom out and see where your GPS is sending you.
The area I live in also has some new roads and exits since 2003 which aren't on the map - a minor annoyance when you know more than the map, which squeaks and squawks in protest until you come into an area its familiar with again. POIs out of date and incomplete, and Live Update takes too long to load to be useful here. Also, if you forget to turn off the GPS after arrival you might not have enough battery to make it through the day.
As a PDA the Pharos 600 is unstable and memory-starved. I think that comes from it being an ETEN 500 repackaged by Pharos with GPS stuck on, and they tried to squeeze all the maps into memory. Getting MS Active Sync to work was an agonizing troubleshoot - I'm not sure that is all Pharos' fault, though their technical assistance was zero help - unreachable after 5.30pm and don't return calls. The website is for marketing with one screen of FAQs masquerading as support. True, I do have 6500 contacts but I never had a problem with the Palm, which synced in minutes, not overnight.
I've never really played with any of the other features like email or internet, if it can't do rock-solid contacts it's worthless to me. In fact, right now it's locked up again and even a hard reset isn't bringing it around. If I can get Tech Support to pick up the phone I'm reluctantly returning this - what a potentially nice device.
My advice: skip the Pharos. Spend slightly more for an in-dash GPS for the car, and a Palm for contacts. And spend more time with the kids, rather than listening to hold music.
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