German Rugged All Terrain Phone (Siemens M65)

Name: thenumnum

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Product:	Siemens M65
Date:	24/10/04 (5562 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Rugged, Robust, Built To Last

Disadvantages: Buttons, Mooing Vibration, No Bluetooth

These days the mobile phone is seen as a bit of a fashion accessory or status symbol. However, there is something important that a mobile phone should do, and it should do it when you absolutely positively need it to do it: it should make and receive calls without problem.

I am sure there are many people out there who, like me, possess butter fingers and a high accident-prone streak. My trusted Siemens S55 (see my review on this site) had taken one heck of a bashing from being dropped, stepped on, accidentally spilt on etc. I was very impressed with its build quality (my friends Nokias had evaporated by now!) but I needed a new phone, and during the usual 'upgrade' process I opted for yet another Siemens based on this German build demonstration. I picked the Siemens M65 - a Super Tuff Mobile designed for life!

Its designed specifically for an Outdoor lifestyle. Its Splash proof, Shock proof, and definitely looks rugged as heck (I've uploaded some pics below). Its not a flash phone, its designed squarely for people who need a phone to work through a non-office work/home environment - builders, sportsmen, outdoorsy types, or like me, those with butter fingers!

I've had it for a few weeks now, and this review is based on its performance over that time.

Size:
The M65 is just a tad bigger than the S55, and as such fits nicely into the hand. It just about reaches a nice distance from the ear to mouth, so ensures a pretty decent voice level on calls. There is something to note about the protective covers though, they don't lend themselves to easily fit into slim trousers - but then again, this is a rugged phone for busy rugged lives. Its nicely sized, a tad bigger than the k700i for reference. (109x49x19 - 104grams)

Screen:
Most screen technology today is the real drain on batter life of mobile phones. The M65 is no different. Its a very good quality 65k colour screen at a MASSIVE 132x176 pixels. Its big!

Buttons:
Once again, the worst part of the phone. Siemens seems to like creating the smallest buttons and placing them near the bottom of the phone, so that you have to hold the phone a tad oddly in order to press them all properly. Plus, the M65 buttons are shaped like pyramids, so that trying to press them off-the-centre means your thumb can slip a little to the adjacent button!

SMS:
Finally the M65 lives up to a Nokia like speed for texting. Its amazingly responsive, and the T9 implementation is fantastic. Its very good (if you can stand the buttons that is!) I found that the best approach is to text two handed, holding the phone in both hands and using both thumbs.

GPRS:
Siemens lost some ground to SonyEricsson in the GPRS implementation scope in my opinion. From being market leaders, they are now 2nd placed. That said, GPRS on the M65 is reliable and useful. Would have preferred a more powerful email client to use on the move.

irDA:
There is no Bluetooth on this model (A dreadful flaw considering how bluetooth headsets are so useful in the outdoors world!). Only irDa exists on the M65, but thankfully its implemented well. It would have been better to also offer it a '10 min only' option like on SonyEricsson phones.

Software:
A new Siemens menu, and a rather good one at that. There is a nifty 'Display Lights' option to flicker two side lights at various speeds/flashes for different activities. Very good indeed.

Battery:
Its not bad at all, for a phone with a huge screen. I think you should use the Energy Saving screensaver, and then you can get about 3 days standby when using the phone for about 1 or 2 hours a day. Not bad considering the K700i needs charging every day!

Handsfree:
Again, a great built in option, with good implementation. Its not an ideal replacement for a bluetooth headset, but its OK for when driving.

Other good things:
The build quality is fantastic. You build up the handset from the pieces in the box, and learn that it has a nice rubber seal, a great click-n-lock case, a frame that slides over the phone and holds things together. I've been a bit experimental, dropping it, throwing it (yep) and putting it on the table in the pub (oh yes). Its survived without a single glitch.

Bad things:
Buttons (again!), the awful Vibrating sound (its like a cow mooing), and the lack of bluetooth.

Verdict:
If you are a builder, construction worker, sportsperson, butter fingered person, then the M65 is a very robust, rugged, extremely well built mobile that will last through your life and daily activities, and most importantly work when you need it to. If you do not fit those categories, then you should check out the new SonyEricsson phones.

Summary: