I did a list of downsides for each (only in relation to each other).
Downsides of Kaiser:
- relatively Big and heavy.
Downsides of Touch Cruise: (from more worse to less worse)
- No cheap version (like AT&T's TILT - $500 USD).
- Insensitive touch screen.
- Bad reception on Bluetooth.
- Mediocre build quality (loose volume control, etc.)
- No hardware keyboard (becomes a bigger problem if the touch screen is insensitive).
- Smaller xda community (might change in the future).
It seems like the choice should be easy, but I just don't know how easy it will be for me to live with a 200 gram brick in my pocket...
As a former kaiser and now a polaris owner, I can say:
The Polaris is cheaper than the kaiser
the touch screen works just fine (same as with the tilt)
community for polaris & kaiser is almost the same
the polaris has more & newer functionality (applies to original rom)
As a former kaiser and now a polaris owner, I can say:
The Polaris is cheaper than the kaiser
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
As I said, for the Kaiser there is the cheaper option of going with the AT&T TILT, which can be had NEW (with warranty) for $450-500 USD on ebay. The lowest price on ebay for which the Polaris can be bought is around $700 USD. That's a HUGE price difference, for two products which basically have similar functions and hardware.
the touch screen works just fine (same as with the tilt)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I've read just too many posts from people with the Polaris saying the touch screen is insensitive. Are you saying it's a non issue and both the touch screen sensitivity of the Polaris is not worse than the Kaiser ? (it's important for me to hear it from someone who came from the Kaiser).
Noam23 said:
I did a list of downsides for each (only in relation to each other).
Downsides of Kaiser:
- relatively Big and heavy.
Downsides of Touch Cruise: (from more worse to less worse)
- No cheap version (like AT&T's TILT - $500 USD).
- Insensitive touch screen.
- Bad reception on Bluetooth.
- Mediocre build quality (loose volume control, etc.)
- No hardware keyboard (becomes a bigger problem if the touch screen is insensitive).
- Smaller xda community (might change in the future).
It seems like the choice should be easy, but I just don't know how easy it will be for me to live with a 200 gram brick in my pocket...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I had a kaiser for 1 month or 2 also then sold it because I realized I didn't use the hardware keyboard as much as I thought I did.
When I took the cruise out of the box I thought it was a fake phone because it is lighter then the kaiser (obviously) and my s730, hell, even lighter then my Motorola v60 I think! lol
Here was my mini list
Kaiser:
More mechanical components mean greater chances of something physically breaking/wearing down. I drop kaiser on the city bus, I am screwed!
jog wheel works fine, but it's a little loose sometimes too, like the cruise volume slider (this thing is almost useless at the moment unless I can "work it in")
The hard keys on the front are great, but on a lot of kaisers, they are loose. I had two kaisers, and both hard key face plates were loose. had to send the first one back because depending on how much the plate had slid, i couldn't go up or down with the d pad.
I really liked the touch keypad that i installed on the kaiser, but the buttons were harder to press with thumb in corners or a long the side cuz of the groove where the screen meets the casing.
Kaiser is around the same size, but just a lot thicker obviously.
Thoughts on the cruise so far;
Volume slider sucks ass, have to use my nail to move it. Luckily whatever i am listening to i can either use that REALLY cool dial pad/jog wheel thing. I set hat more than I used the kaiser jog wheel. Or I use my headset.
The screen is flush with the sides and tops of the casing, so hitting buttons on the corners or sides are no problem, but if you have a case then it's the same as having a kaiser.
About the insensitive screen. I have to agree with you on that somewhat. With the kaiser, it looks like what's there is just the screen. But with the cruise, it looks like the screen is underneath another layer of something. This is how we have the flush face with the cruise, there is something else over the screen that the kaiser does not(i don't think at last) have. sometimes if you press hard enough (which you shouldn't have to do ) you can feel your thumb hit the "second screen" (the actual lcd), not the thing that we actually touch on top). It's hard to explain clearly
I have sensitives on very high using kaisertweak and playing with reg keys. I've got it pretty close to sensitivity of kaiser now. I do notice with cube i have to press a little hard to OPEN it, but not left or right or close it. kind of weird.
It's true about the communities, it is a little small right now, but also I think tytn i had abig following so it's natural tytn II would now also. but again, cruise and tytn ii are pretty much the same inside.
I bought my cruise for 699 Canadian, new.
The radio is really cool too (amazing, for such a high tech modern device, something as old school as an FM radio is what really impresses me.. lol)
Another gripe so far about cruise is that i dont know if its the rom i am using, or if its all roms, or if it's the extra layer over the screen, is that when I am typing out a message, with ANY keyboard, but ONLY in the messaging application, i get no feedback from the keys. Nothing highlights if i press it quickly. The letter appears, which is great, but i don't see any of the keys being highlighted unless i hold onto it longer. This could be the rom id downloaded, but i tried on 2 roms I think, and it might have even been like this on the original rom too, I can't remember. I am still trying to figure it out. But visual key feedback is very important to me. I didn't have that problem with the touch keyboard installed on the kaiser. I think I'll do some more testing on that tonight actually.
A few other things.. haha, on a roll.
With the Kaiser.. I noticed that the way I hold it with one had, my pointing finger woudl ALWAYS land on the damn camera lens because the lens is on the top half of the casing the back. Pretty annoying to obsessively clean that lens. With the cruise, the main camera is in the middle, and my finger does not touch it
I do admit the Kaiser is nicer to actually hold because of the rounder corners and it's thickness. If fits in the hand better.
The cruise has more of a rectangular/pointy shape. It takes a little getting use to but I didn't really notice the difference until today. Also, depends on how you hold it i guess.
Kaiser (i've never owned one, although I have a Hermes)too thick....looks dated (very shallow statement..I know)
Polaris..I've never had a problem with the touch screen...barring ofcourse when you try to select a different SIP from the taskbar.
The PocketCM keyboard is one the best touch software around...very intellegent...I was never a texter..but with this keyboard I very rarely have to backtrack my typing...and in general touch software is only going to get better.
besides IMVPO I dont like thick pullout keypads....
Just my 2 pence worth...
briggs81,
Thank you for your words.
From what you say I think I'll go with the TILT. I simply can't justify paying $200 USD more for the cruise. If they were both at the same price, I would have taken the cruise with its faults, but the price difference is the last straw.
In the following year I'm sure lots of great devices wil come out, including probably HTC devices with proper video drivers. We should always be ready to upgrade, and I don't feel the cruise is such a good investment at this time (if you're on a budget, that is).
Screen insensitive??? Lol, with the right tweak the screen is to sensitive haha...mine is quick and very alert for touches.
Yzord said:
Screen insensitive??? Lol, with the right tweak the screen is to sensitive haha...mine is quick and very alert for touches.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Maybe on your device, and in your opinion. No point in laughing.
Don't know about everyone else, but my screen is extremely sensitive, it has never missed a tap EVER. FYI, I roll w/o a screen protector (they ruin the look too much imo but I always keep the phone in its suede case when not in use). BTW, Kaiser is really a brick compared to the Polaris, and the polaris is pretty much a one handed phone for me whereas the Kaiser is definitely not, furthermore as far as looks there is really no competition. However, if you need the keyboard Kaiser is clearly the only choice. I emphasize need, bc you will most likely find that you get along just fine with the onscreen touch keyboard.
briggs81 said:
Maybe on your device, and in your opinion. No point in laughing.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No... this is true. There is not any touch-sensitivity problems with Polaris as it can easily (very easily) can be improved with some registry tweaks.
I own one of the first Touch Cruises (first one reported here in the Forum) and I also have a Kaiser for conducting an end-user custom ROM review. I am free to put my sim card in either device, but it always ends up in the Cruise. I have to force myself to keep the Kaiser active for any time over a few hours.
With the Kaiser custom ROM, I have all of the TouchFlo interface features as the Cruise. I have never perceived a problem with the screen sensitivity on the Cruise. To the contrary, I have more struggles with the Kaiser and most often, I find the landscape/portrait getting out of sync due to accidentally nudging the screen slider on then back off before the swap has time to apply. If you're bothered by the pointy corners on the Cruise, get the Orbit II but this is really only cosmetics. For me I have no issues with the volume slider on the Crusie. The scroll wheel is kind of free and easy, but for the limited number of times I've ever needed to use it, it works fine. I think you can tell which device I prefer. For me, even if it were $200-$250 less for the AT&T Tilt, I don't like it sitting side by side with the Cruise.
Indeed you can edit the registry setting for the sensitivity of the screen, although it is not needed (atleast for me).
I find it strange that you have to pay 200 dollars more for a cruise then a kaiser.
A kaiser here costs around 670 euro, the cruise costs about 500 euro
Also the pictures I am taking have far more better quality then on the kaiser.
Maybe my lense on the kaiser wasnt clean enough, i don't know.
But as said before here, the position of the camera is way better then on the kaiser. No more fears for dirty fingers on the lense
I switched from kaiser to touch cruise and until now i hadnt have one moment of regret
Damn it guys, you are making this decision harder for me
Regarding the screen of the touch cruise, how can you protect it if it's on the same plane with the sides of the device, I mean, how will the screen protector stay in one place and not move ?
I find it strange that you have to pay 200 dollars more for a cruise then a kaiser.
A kaiser here costs around 670 euro, the cruise costs about 500 euro
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That's because you don't have the AT&T TILT version of the Kaiser in europe.
Regarding the screen of the touch cruise, how can you protect it if it's on the same plane with the sides of the device, I mean, how will the screen protector stay in one place and not move ?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The TC comes with a screen protector which sticks to the screen via adhesive (I haven't put it on though as I'm careful with the phone and keep it in its oem suede/microfiber case when I'm not on the phone).
BTW, I was actually in a position to get the ATT Tilt for just $100 after rebates and discounts...I still chose the Touch Cruise as its ridiculously better looking and a lot more usable for me as the flush screen paired w/Touch Flo allows for one handed usage (one-handed usage is key for me, esp as I'm a former Smartphone user).
FYI: I did pick up another smartphone from ATT to sell on eBay so that I could in a way subsidize the cost of the Polaris.
on tuch cruise screen sensitivity for finger, not for stylus. so its easy for finger & hard for stylus.
The TC comes with a screen protector which sticks to the screen via adhesive (I haven't put it on though as I'm careful with the phone and keep it in its oem suede/microfiber case when I'm not on the phone).
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
But can't it still catch a scratch from the stylus ?, is the screen of the touch cruise less prone to scratches ? (like the Iphone)
Also, using adhesive will destroy the look of the phone, no ?, and how will you take it off if you want without leaving residue ?
on tuch cruise screen sensitivity is for finger, not for stylus. so its easy for finger & hard for stylus.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Really, it will be easier using a stylus with the Kaiser than with the Cuise ?, a lot of software is still for stylus only...
I have never found a need for using a screen protector on any of my devices. As they have been passed down through my teenage sons, they too have learned proper care and use of the screens. With the Cruise, I definitely don't like to prospect of having a 'sticker' on the face if it. Just learn how to properly care for and use your screen and it will last.
I have never found a need for using a screen protector on any of my devices. As they have been passed down through my teenage sons, they too have learned proper care and use of the screens. With the Cruise, I definitely don't like to prospect of having a 'sticker' on the face if it. Just learn how to properly care for and use your screen and it will last.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I intend to put the phone in my jean's pocket (without anything else) with the screen toward the leg.
Could this thing cause a problem ?
alipi2007 said:
on tuch cruise screen sensitivity for finger, not for stylus. so its easy for finger & hard for stylus.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I don't have this issue, its easy for me to use my finger just as it is easy to use the stylus. Both require very little pressure. I did use a Kaiser in a shop once, and it actually required a lot of pressure (prob due screen protector they had installed on it).
I intend to put the phone in my jean's pocket (without anything else) with the screen toward the leg.
Could this thing cause a problem ?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I wouldn't think so.... but I would still use the oem suede/microfiber sheath, as its extremely thin and doesn't add to the bulk of the device, but protects it from lint, and any inadverdent scratches just in case something happens to already be in your pocket.
But can't it still catch a scratch from the stylus ?, is the screen of the touch cruise less prone to scratches ? (like the Iphone)
Also, using adhesive will destroy the look of the phone, no ?, and how will you take it off if you want without leaving residue ?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The screen seems very resistant to scratches from the stylus and the stylus glides across the screen without any resistance. In fact, you got me curious and I applied a moderate amount of strength to the stylus just to see and its still smooth as silk without any scratching.
As far as the adhesive from the screen protector, my guess is that this is a non-issue. I don't use screen protectors as they tend to look kind of cheap, but I'd imagine if it did leave any residue behind, it could be cleaned up fairly easily.
Hi all,
I have been using the wm series smartphone for a while. namely trinity, orbit and now orbit2/cruise/polaris.
I would like to know whether fellow orbit 2 users are having the same problem with the screen as I have.
The angle is fine from everywhere else except from top down towards the phone. Everytime i have to adjust the screen so that i am looking at it from bottom up to get a good view of the screen. When looking from top down, I get discolored views darken pictures. Any degree of top down angle, and the screen goes discolored. I have encountered this problem with lighting or no lighting conditions in the enviroment. So it is really irritating when taking pictures. And especially when I am watching movies.
I would like to know if there is a software fix for this or is it a manufacturing fault.So I can send the phone back for an exchange before its too late.
Hope you experts out there have an answer to my question!
Thank you so much.
i sent 2 orbits back due to screen being naff. both occasions the screen wasn't fitted squarely in device, so appeared off-centre. in all my browsing before i sent these back i couldnt find any apps to adjust screen (like you'd get on a topend lcd monitor).
i also noticed that viewing images/videos in landscape mode the screen had a shimmer across it, really weird. plus, the first two screens had like an oily slick between the membrane and screen,, not impressed at all, bad build quality too with stellar and orbit 2.
good luck! i'd send it back, and be prepared to send your next one back too !
badaas said:
i sent 2 orbits back due to screen being naff. both occasions the screen wasn't fitted squarely in device, so appeared off-centre. in all my browsing before i sent these back i couldnt find any apps to adjust screen (like you'd get on a topend lcd monitor).
i also noticed that viewing images/videos in landscape mode the screen had a shimmer across it, really weird. plus, the first two screens had like an oily slick between the membrane and screen,, not impressed at all, bad build quality too with stellar and orbit 2.
good luck! i'd send it back, and be prepared to send your next one back too !
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yo, badass, that is some bad decision we have made buying the orbit 2. I wonder why hasnt more people complained about the screen problem orbit 2 has. Or is it just a batch problem where, the manufacturing ran out of lcd stock and changed to a sh*tty lcd we have here. So the case might be we are have a bad batch of orbit 2.
I really dunno what to do, really am disappointed. Loved this phone so much. Done so much upgrades, modding, ultimate launch, S2U2 and everything to make it work like a nice working phone like iphone.
BesidesTHe touchscreen is not reponsive i think is a common problem to all polaris and orbit 2 users, sigh. So much hacking to do just for it to work properly. They should have done the hacking before hand. Dunno what the people at HTC/O2 is doing.
Anyone else has a good suggestion ?
Regards.
I cant believe ive got to not knowing which phone I have?!!
I have an O2 XDA Orbit 2.
I always thought this was the Polaris, though mine looks nothing like the one on the forum image. What I do have (as per the forum images) is an Iolite.
Is the XDA Orbit 2 a touch cruise or a touch cruise 2?
Edit: Actually my phone says its a Polaris in the Device Info. Anyone know why the case is different?
The O2 Orbit 2 is a re-cased / re-badged Polaris with a 3M pixel autofocus camera.
IMO O2 always do a good job with the redesigns for the XDA range (case in point, the Ignito has a much nicer battery cover than the Diamond and the camera seems to be better, maybe because the lens cover glass is better as well??).
It looks like HTC have taken note of the Orbit 2's nicer case for the Iolite!!
The Iolite by all accounts doesn't have an autofocus camera?? WHAT WERE THEY THINKING??
I don't think the Iolite is available as an XDA Orbit so I guess you *do* have a re-cased (and better for it) Polaris.
I just bought an Orbit 2 S/H and IMO it's a better device than my crappy Ignito, although it has the same CPU with integrated GPS chip as the Ignito the antenna is obviously much better as I don't have the same GPS lag and acquisition problems as the Ignito on the Orbit 2!!
Oh, and I never got on well with TF3D so I'm glad to be back with the O2 today screen.
I'll miss the Ignito's camera tho' :'-(
Kim
Many Thanks for clearing that up for me. I thought i'd gone mad for a bit this morning!
My girlfriend has the Ignito.
We both think its awful, I much prefer my orbit 2. Her battery life is terrible, touch screen annoying, the 3d touch flo is a bit confusing and the screen started to play up in the pub last night. It seems to open programs on its own accord sometimes too.
I can vouch that the orbit 2 is well built. I left it on the bonnet of my van and went bombing down the lanes.... it flew off at about 50mph and survived with just a few scratches. Ive had it covered in paint, cement, sand and dropped it in a puddle and it still goes on like the day I bought it.
Can we get a screen shot of the O2 today screen?
sonus said:
Can we get a screen shot of the O2 today screen?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Which device do you want the today sreen from?
EDIT: Just to clarify: I went from O2 Orbit (Artemis) with WM5>O2 today plugin
to O2 Ignito (Diamond) with TF3D - The Ignito doesn't have the O2 today plugin by default so it's either TF3D or plain 'ole WM6.1
to O2 Orbit 2 (Polaris) which has WM6.1 and the O2 today plugin instead of the TF2D HTC home screen
rikpotts said:
Many Thanks for clearing that up for me. I thought i'd gone mad for a bit this morning!
I can vouch that the orbit 2 is well built. I left it on the bonnet of my van and went bombing down the lanes.... it flew off at about 50mph and survived with just a few scratches. Ive had it covered in paint, cement, sand and dropped it in a puddle and it still goes on like the day I bought it.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
ROFL: Typical self employed builder then?
Complete with posh phone and sandy pockets!
Its has to be the toughest job for a phone. The grit, water, getting crushed in pockets while lifting stuff and the temper tantrums (if you know what I mean) Thye xda orbit 2 is a workhorse!
cozzykim said:
Which device do you want the today sreen from?
EDIT: Just to clarify: I went from O2 Orbit (Artemis) with WM5>O2 today plugin
to O2 Ignito (Diamond) with TF3D - The Ignito doesn't have the O2 today plugin by default so it's either TF3D or plain 'ole WM6.1
to O2 Orbit 2 (Polaris) which has WM6.1 and the O2 today plugin instead of the TF2D HTC home screen
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The O2 Orbit 2's today screenshot would be much appreciated.
Orbit 2 with O2 today screen
Here ya go: