The Kyocera Echo and Me

[milominderbinde]

The Echo has a floating articulated hinge. Ask an Engineer why you don't see many of those in use.

At some point everything that moves, stops. Plastic hinges eventually break. How many times a day will that hinge be stressed? 20? 50?

The $7 a month insurance for a floating articulated hinge is a bargain.

 

[Bujin#IM]

The Echo has a floating articulated hinge. Ask an Engineer why you don't see many of those in use.

At some point everything that moves, stops. Plastic hinges eventually break. How many times a day will that hinge be stressed? 20? 50?

Unless I'm mistaken, the hinge isn't plastic, but some sort of copper thing.

The $7 a month insurance for a floating articulated hinge is a bargain.

Considering that you can bring the phone to a repair center and they'll repair or replace it for $35, the insurance doesn't actually seem like a good deal.

 

[milominderbinde]

Unless I'm mistaken, the hinge isn't plastic, but some sort of copper thing.

Considering that you can bring the phone to a repair center and they'll repair or replace it for $35, the insurance doesn't actually seem like a good deal.

A copper hinge would not survive a day. I think it is a covering. A hardened plastic will survive better.

People are not always careful about closing their phones and do not always gently push straight down the slider axis. It is pushing off center that stresses the plastic sideways. Plastic can give a little and will survive better than most materials.

You may want to double check how warranty repairs differ from insurance replacements. If it really was $35 to replace any phone, there would be no need for insurance on any phone.

 

[Bujin#IM]

A copper hinge would not survive a day. I think it is a covering. A hardened plastic will survive better.

People are not always careful about closing their phones and do not always gently push straight down the slider axis. It is pushing off center that stresses the plastic sideways. Plastic can give a little and will survive better than most materials.

From Kyocera Communications, Inc.: "Featuring two high-resolution 3.5-inch WVGA touchscreen displays connected by a durable, patent-pending Super Copper Alloy "pivot hinge," ...."

So it's not plastic. And having played with it for quite awhile, I think it feels much more sturdy than, for example, the G2 hinge.

You may want to double check how warranty repairs differ from insurance replacements. If it really was $35 to replace any phone, there would be no need for insurance on any phone.

In Store Repair Solutions

Certainly insurance would cover issues that the $35 repair wouldn't; however, a broken hinge would certainly be covered. And for those of us who exchange phones every year, the fact that the manufacturer's warranty is good for a year makes the $7 not worth it.

 

[milominderbinde]

...Certainly insurance would cover issues that the $35 repair wouldn't; however, a broken hinge would certainly be covered. And for those of us who exchange phones every year, the fact that the manufacturer's warranty is good for a year makes the $7 not worth it.

I see. So if you can make it at least 5 months before the hinge fails, in your case you are better off to not have the insurance. You are Premium Gold so in 12 months you will get a different phone anyway?

 

[mohepfin]

I see. So if you can make it at least 5 months before the hinge fails, in your case you are better off to not have the insurance. You are Premium Gold so in 12 months you will get a different phone anyway?

Could you be more negative towards the Echo in all of your posts?

Yes, it has a cool hinge that I could probably break if I wanted to. Yes, new android phones come out all the time. What's your point?

 

[milominderbinde]

Could you be more negative towards the Echo in all of your posts?

Yes, it has a cool hinge that I could probably break if I wanted to. Yes, new android phones come out all the time. What's your point?

At some point, they may be in a hurry and end up twisting the hinge sideways as they try to close it. I don't think anyone will break their Kyocera's on purpose.

I feel very positive about the choices that are coming to Sprint: Echo, EVO 3D, Nexus 4G, and the expected Atrix 4G and Galaxy 2.

I do the comparison charts because I want people to be informed about their choices.

You are one of the lucky few left who will be able to upgrade again in a year. For most, this decision will be with them until 2013.

Sprint has a new smartphone season every year. This year Sprint is setting a record with five new $200 phones.

I am suggesting that everyone go try out the Echo, EVO 3D, Nexus 4G, Atrix 4G and Galaxy 2, and get whatever one they feel will be best for them for the next two years. While you are at it, check out the Thunderbolt and other new phones as well.

It is amazing that Sprint will have five new $200 phones to try out this year. Have fun!

 

[Brain_ReCall]

The Echo has a floating articulated hinge. Ask an Engineer why you don't see many of those in use.

You can ask, and the answer would be "it depends." The final result is a combination of the concept, design, and implementation. You're only on the concept of a floating articulated hinge. The design would include the final layout as well as materials. The implementation would include manufacturing procedures and quality control.
The easier the concept, the easier the design, and as a result the easier the implementation.
However, a difficult concept does not at all imply a failure in the final product.

At some point, they may be in a hurry and end up twisting the hinge sideways as they try to close it.

I'm starting to suspect you haven't looked at the Echo's design all that much, given this comment and the confusion on materials.
The articulating arms are connected together across the base hinge. We know the material is "metal", whatever "Super Copper Alloy" may be (marketing terms are fun and that could mean something as simple as brass but doubtful). I have to get a feel for this in the store (also, something I doubt you have done), but I highly doubt anyone would be able to twist it in a hurry...

Despite the arms not floating, I still believe the floating name does still hold. Mainly because of the upper hinge. as the top panel and slide forward or backward to lock itself in. This is likely a limited one-axis float, probably with long pins in tracks on the top panel to limit off-axis movement. Again, I'll hold judgement until I get a much closer look and feel.

But do not imply that since I'm arguing against you that I am arguing for the Echo. I think the concept is great, but all dependent on the final implementation. Since the concept is difficult, reaching a good final implementation would be many times so.

Still, I want to get a good long look and feel before I pass my judgement onto others.

 

[Bujin#IM]

I see. So if you can make it at least 5 months before the hinge fails, in your case you are better off to not have the insurance.

The idea that people won't "make it at least 5 months" is a bit of a hyperbole. As has already been pointed out, it's not plastic as you assumed. The general response from reviewers is that the hinge is well built, and that the phone is better than initially expected.

I've never understood why people get so personally offended by phones that they don't like. Not everyone's needs are the same, and (as you stated above) Sprint has some good alternative choices, so everyone can be happy.

Personally, I think the pocketability of a phone with the screen real estate of a tablet, is a phenomenal goal to have. And, while not perfect, Kyocera should be recognized for taking the initial steps of what can only be improved upon. And I'm willing to support that work with my wallet.

You are Premium Gold so in 12 months you will get a different phone anyway?

Sure. I'm a compulsive phone shopper, so the fact that my last two phones each lasted a year is pretty amazing.

 

[mohepfin]

This is day three for me with my Echo, and it would say its one of the best phones I have owned.

 

[jackyg]

Can anyone help me my little brothers phone is locked because of "too many pattern attempts" i have search all over and cant find how to unlock it can someone help :-\

 

[Castorshells]

Try removing battery and then turning it back on.

Other than that you would prob have to take it to sprint. To my knowledge there is no button combo to get a hard reset or to get to recovery. Stock images need to be flashed again.

I not sure what else to do.
Sent from my Xoom