How To Stop Earpiece Ticking On LG Dare VX9700
When I first signed with Verizon Wireless back in August, I went with the LG Dare – a brand new touch-screen phone that promised to be a competitor to AT&T’s iPhone. I loved the device, but quickly returned it due to the incessant ticking noise that I heard in the earpiece during phone calls. Some speculated that it was the proximity sensor that turned off the screen when the phone was placed to the ear. Whatever the cause, it drove me crazy and I was unwilling to risk getting stuck with a phone that I couldn’t use as a, well, phone.
Flash forward a few months and I read online that the ticking problem was fixed with a firmware update. I purchased another LG Dare off of eBay and activated it upon arrival. I was pleasantly surprised to see that the firmware on this particular phone had already been updated and the ticking was indeed gone! The nice part was that I didn’t have to go and spend 45 minutes in the Verizon store while the employees flashed it for me.
For the rest of you who are hearing that awful ticking sound during phone calls – just take it to your nearest Verizon store and ask them to upgrade you to software version VX970V05.
Brian, would you say generally you’ve had a good experience with the Dare? I’m scheduled for a new phone with Verizon in February (and desperately need one!) and I really want something with a QWERTY keyboard. I gave up my blackberry this year and I miss the convenience of that – and been thinking about the Dare. I’ve been worried about the reliability of the touch-screen though. I’d appreciate hearing your opinion.
@ Mike,
I’ve only had this one for a week, but so far I love it! The touchscreen takes a little getting used to, especially when scrolling, but was pretty easy after a day or two.
Voice quality is excellent, battery life seems very good. I love the qwerty keyboard, but it could be difficult for someone with large fingers. Love the interface on the phone and all the ways that it can be customized. I’m not sure that I’d ever want to go back to a phone that doesn’t have some kind of touch interaction.
I haven’t used a Blackberry, so have no way of providing a comparison for you. However, I’m sure you’re aware of the Blackberry Storm that just came out for Verizon. It also has a touchscreen.
Hope this helps!
I am most likely switching from AT&T to Verizon when my contract is up in January. I hear that the coverage is better (fewer dropped calls, better clarity, etc). I thought I would poll some friends who have Verizon and see what they think. How would you rate it overall? Have you ever used AT&T (for comparison’s sake)?
I think I am going to go with the enV 2! It has a side-opening full keyboard with its own screen (FYI, Mike).
@ Ashley: I’m a recent convert to VZW after years with Cingular/AT&T. The coverage is sooooo much better with Verizon. I can actually use my phone inside the metal building where I work, where getting a signal with AT&T was impossible.
The enV2 looks really cute! There are also other phones that feature qwerty keyboards like the LG Voyager and the Samsung Glyde.
Ashley, I’ve been with Verzion for several years now (maybe 6) and I’m absolutely satisfied with the service. I can’t remember the last time a call dropped (well, it did the other day but that was my phone because it’s dying!) and I find the customer service to be helpful. Hate the pricing, but every wireless company is a ripoff if you ask me. ;-) My partner does a lot of travel between southern NJ where we live and the DC area, and he often spends the drive yapping with people and never hits a dead zone.
My partner has the enV2 and he LOVES it. I’m kind of taken with the touch-screen on the Dare and Voyager though. Turns out the Dare doesn’t have the keyboard I want – or if it does I’m some kind of dolt that couldn’t find it when I looked at the phone in the store the other day. :-)
@ Mike: The Dare does have a virtual qwerty keyboard. When composing a text message, simply rotate the phone sideways and a keyboard will “magically appear”! I use it all the time.
Here’s what it looks like.
Ooo, see now THAT is what I didn’t figure out at the store (see dolt comment above ;-)). LOL.
I’m going to have to go back and check that out.
ok, now I’m really excited about switching!! ugh is it January yet??? I hate wireless contracts.
@ Mike: Don’t feel bad. I’ve had this thing for over a week and I’m still discovering some new feature almost every day!
@ Ashley: January will be here before you know it. I hate contracts, too, but VZW does give you a 30 day trial period so that you can make sure that you are going to get good service and a dependable device. Port your number to another carrier before that deadline and you won’t pay for usage either!
(I know I’m starting to sound like a VZW employee…) :)
I dropped my Verizon dare phone and now it will not work. I’ve tried taking the battery out and putting it back but it still doesn’t respond and the screen is lines. does anyone know how to fix htis. I have insurance but I do not want to pay $50 to get another one.
@ Erin: Take it into the store and tell them it stopped working. You don’t have to explain about the drop. They should replace it with a refurb. The phone is under warranty by the manufacturer for 1 year and Verizon wants you to be able to use that phone (to run up data charges and the like). :)