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| Brand: LG
Category: Wireless
List Price: $399.99
Buy New: $149.99
You Save: $250.00 (63%)
Rating:  39 reviews
Sales Rank: 3528
Color: Silver
Media: Wireless Phone
Shipping Weight (lbs): 0
Dimensions (in): 0 x 0 x 0
Model: LG-VX9700
UPC: 652810813877
ASIN: B001BZK5EE
Release Date: July 3, 2008
Shipping: Eligible for Super Saver Shipping
Promotion: Data not available Terms and Conditions
Availability: Usually ships in 24 hours
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| Customer Reviews:
 The Dare is Good But My First One Had Problems December 16, 2008
7 out of 8 found this review helpful
I bought a Dare and hated it for various reasons. First, the phone kept getting unlocked and making random calls - not cool. Then, it kept interrupting my mp3's to ask me for a voice command. God knows why, but I couldn't go ten minutes without getting the dreaded "Please say a voice command" message. It seemed like something with the headphone jack sensor was messed up - just a guess - but it seemed like jiggling the miniplug connector caused the voice command prompt.
In any case, that sucked. Also, the screen scratched easily, as I found out when I put it in the same pocket as my keys. The shortcut menus bugged me, too.
I took the phone back to Verizon, hoping to trade it in for a Chocolate or some phone that worked and had a decent mp3 player and VZ Navigator on it. The kid didn't want to give me a different phone due to the scratch on mine. He would agree to swap mine out for a new one, though, after trying a firmware flash to the same version I already had. The problems persisted post-flash so I got my replacement, which was a step in the right direction right away. Good Verizon customer service got me an un-scratched phone that I didn't entirely deserve to get for free, so that helped my attitude.
Then, I discovered the new phone didn't do the insane voice command thing, which was a big relief. It hasn't done that since I got a replacement, so my first one was just broken. I went out and got the Zagg InvisibleShield for my new Dare's delicate screen after determining that a Zagg is the strongest shield money can buy. They aren't cheap but my screen is now honestly un-scratchable. I have attacked it with my keys a bunch of times just to show off and it still looks new. I pressed as hard against the touchscreen as I thought I should without physically squishing the electronics inside and still, no scratches. The protector isn't perfect. You can see it, for one, and it seems to gather dust easily. Not to mention it costs $12 for half a gram of clear plastic. But I believe the Zagg is totally worth it for the amazing protection you get.
The unacceptable keypad lock failure has a work around, too. You can buy a $3 silicone wrap for the phone (available on Amazon) that covers the lock button with a slightly popped out button shaped silicone bulge. The effect is that the button is still accessible but it only activates with a sturdy push, not a mere pocket rub as before. That prevents embarrassing accidental booty calls. I tried a hard shell case for $9, too, and I really like it's style (dark red colored soft touch plastic) though its design might not be adequate to protect the keypad lock button during physical activity. I'll report back when it's warm enough to go outside again and test it out.
Lastly, the annoying user interface is less annoying now that I figured out how to use it. This was a case of non-intuitive software and a less than patient operator (me). The dual shortcut screens are a gimmick, but you can just use one or the other with whatever functions you want. It could be easier to figure out, but it's not too bad. I still can't find a way to shortcut to my text inbox, though, which seems like a strange oversight for them to make.
The phone still has annoying quirks, like a generally poor (but functional) mp3 player, a somewhat putzy touch interface, and some annoying menus. The important difference is that now I'm nitpicking instead of hating.
If I could change my stars (this is an edit) I'd go to four out of five. With better free software, a better mp3 player, and some easier method of locking the keys securely, I'd give it five. Other wish list items include some way of getting pictures to my PC without paying Verizon or hacking the phone (yeah right, Verizon makes you pay for that good service - they aren't doing it for free) and an FM tuner but you know what? I like the Dare now that i got it all figured out.
Flawed design, not very usable December 8, 2008
4 out of 7 found this review helpful
I don't dispute the fact that the LG Dare is packed with features. But given all the positive reviews here I thought I'd add my own $0.02 regarding simple usability.
Let's start with the basics: This phone is a rectangular box, which means it's not very convenient to hold in your hand. Plenty of phones have rounded, semi-circular shapes to better fit into the user's hand, but not this one. You actually get tired of holding it. It's not a small box, either.
Next, when the phone starts up, and you actually want to do something useful (like call or text someone), the icons for these two most important functions are tiny and located at the bottom of the screen. You have to hit exactly the right part of the screen to get started, which requires some concentration. They could have made these functions so much easier and quicker to access, the whole screen is basically wasted. Even on a cheap phone, the Contacts button is large and easy to access for making a call, you can get started immediately.
The QWERTY keyboard isn't very usable, the buttons are small so you end up making lots of errors, and also they take up most of the screen, the actual text area is like 1-2 lines. If you have a large text message, and you want to see what you've written, the scrolling doesn't work in the QWERTY mode, you have to switch to another view.
If you want to end a call, you have to click the right icon on the screen, you can't just press the End button (which in that mode asks if you want to Erase this contact). Or, another example: When I browse my Contacts, the icon for actually calling that person is a small one in the far-right corner, whereas actually clicking the Contact brings up the Information screen. If I click on a Contact, I want to either call them or text them; viewing their info is a secondary thing that I'm only rarely interested in!
My opinion is that the makers of this phone didn't accurately assess what functions would be the most frequently used ones. These are the functions that should be as easy to access as possible. If you need a fast, convenient, unobtrusive phone, this is not it. But if you want a feature-packed phone, with a great camera, music player, touch-screen, etc., and you don't mind the small usability flaws, this may be the phone for you.
 Extremely Low Text Message Capacity November 26, 2008
4 out of 7 found this review helpful
Great phone overall, I love the interface, the abundance of options, music, camera, etc... but LG & Verizon fail to mention a small - but extremely important - detail that is absolutely annoying if you text a lot. You can only have a total of @ 200 text messages saved to your phone (not including Sent msgs. or Drafts)!! It's completely insane because it ONLY allows you to save them to your phone's memory... I don't have any music or pics saved and still have tons of spare memory (@ 150Mb), but there is a pre-set limit of 200 msgs, so I'm constantly deleting old texts (Note: There is a feature that allows you to delete your entire Inbox, but I like saving some of my texts so I can remember who to get back to). I even added a 2Gb micro-disc thinking this would help, but there's no option to allow you to save them anywhere else (unlike the option to save pics, music, video on the memory card), arrrrgghhhh!! Anyways, this phone is great alternative to the iPhone (I personally refuse to go back to the crappy AT&T network), but I'm thinking I will change over to the new Blackberry Storm in the next few months.
 I detest Dare November 23, 2008
3 out of 12 found this review helpful
I bought the Dare because I wanted to save money and not buy the iPhone....the fat finger qwerty key pad and the non-intuitive keypad and lack of autocomplete no matter the setting much less the lack of touch-sensitivity settings make the dare the worst fake iPhone in the world...I tried to hold up confidence against those who bought the more expensive iPhone but got left in the technical dust when mine severly out-performed theirs on the most basic level. I got suckered-in to buy this and now I'm the fool!! Don't you be!!!!
 THE LG DARE, I LOVE IT November 22, 2008
13 out of 13 found this review helpful
I got so tired of the negative reviews with no basis in fact that I have addressed almost all "CON" issues by previous reviewers to bring you the real facts without being tainted by lack of intellect, common sense or lack of understanding on how the phone features work best. You will first see the "CON" followed by my "RESPONSE". I have made no changes in their negative reviews. They are quoted exactly as posted by them. Furthermore, I am not a tech, just an informed novice. I tried to address all of the 1 and 2 stars and some of the 3 stars. First, start with the online tutorial.
CON: The back buton is on the top left hand corner.
As a right hander , each time I press the back button , my thumb needs to travel all the way to the top left corner and the button is not with-in reach , inspite of my big palm.
This is putting lot of pressure on my thumb.
If you are really interested to buy this phone , please check the ergonomics before you do so.
RESPONSE: This is absurd. This reviewer can't even spell. Most of us are right handed. However, I hold my LG in my left hand and simply move my thumb to the top left corner and unlock it. It is very easy.
CON: The Dare is slow, it's touch screen is oversensitive you have to correct the . mark because you wanted an n but it keeps giving you a period mark. Give it some time and you to will be back to texting the old way instead of using the full keyboard.
RESPONSE: I have not found the Dare to the least bit slow and my previous phone was the LG VENUS a similar phone. I had some learning curve problems with the touch screen and went into Verizon where the tech quickly showed my how to use it correctly and I have had no touch screen problems since then. First of all I can't believe people still text message when Jot.com is available. But, if you do, I find the full keyboard very easy to use and user friendly. I am 6'1" and have big hands and it is still not an issue. It was like moving from a stick shift car to an automatic, just a little learning curve.
CON: unresponsive touch screen freeze ups and lock ups battery overheating phone would place calls on its own even when the screen was locked with that being said the lock feature was sketchy......
RESPONSE: I have never had this problem and never heard of anyone else having the problem. If I would have had the problem, I would have simply had Verizon replace it with a new one.
CON: this phone has a terrible screen. You can not read anything when outside or in direct sun. The connection ports are not well designed eitgher and you have to take the cover off everytime yo want to simply use your car charger.
RESPONSE: If this is an issue for you, for less than $5 you can buy a screen protector and it does away with the glare without loosing any of the screen's resolution.
CON: I bought it mainly for the 3.2 megapixel camera. That has been a major disappointment, mainly because it is so difficult to transfer photos to my computer. Verizon and some other companies make it difficult to transfer photos directly to your computer because they want you to use the avenues they have set up for you, such as emailing the photos, for which there is a charge. I have had to buy a Micro SanDisk chip for about [...]...... The location of the two buttons that turn the DARE on are located on the lower right of the front and on the upper left side, locations that result in the phone being turned on accidentally very frequently, and draining my battery......
RESPONSE: Absurd. I love the 3.2 megapixel camera and I simply took the Micro Disk from my previous phone and plugged into the Dare. And, of course, there is a charge for texting photos. Is it supposed to be free? Texting is not a free service. And, for $[...] at Best Buy you can buy a Micro Disk which I previously purchased for my LG VENUS. I have no problems transferring photos from my phone to my computer. If you really have justified issues, have Verizon replace the phone. Further, I find the placement of the lock/unlock buttons excellent. You also do not need to use the touch screen feature if you find it inconvenient. Simply push the unlock button twice. I have never had it unlock in my pocket. It seems to me it is fool proof.
CON: Reception sucks. No one is experiencing this, so I guess it's my location.
RESPONSE: I think the above person probably answered their main CON. I have never had a reception problem.
CON: when i compare the scroll and touch features to the ipod touch i have....
RESPONSE: The DARE also does not cost [...] or [...]. Would you expect an apple to compare to an orange?
THANK YOU
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