Nokia 1100 > Reviews (52)

My employer has at last seen fit to issue me with a mobile phone. I asked for one years ago, as I often have to make site visits to isolated places, but was turned down. At last, a Health & Safety Review recommended that all lone workers be issued with a mobile phone or radio.

This is how I came to be excitedly ripping open the box to my new Nokia 1100, much to the envy of some of my colleagues who still have older, larger phones which were issued to them two or three years ago.

My first thought was how small, light and compact the phone appeared - brilliant as I've only a small handbag and even carrying that around gives me an annoying shoulder ache. How do men manage without handbags and why can't I? Why is womans workwear always designed with sewn up trouser and jacket pockets? Could this be a conspiracy between the clothing and the handbag manufactures?
==================
Size: 106mm x 46mm x 20mm
Weight: 86g
Anti-slip grips
========================

Anyway, not being one to spend hours pouring over the instructions, I turned the phone over and immeadiately determined where the SIM card should go and slotted it in. Next, in went the battery and then the charger lead. I plugged the whole thing into the wall socket for the recommended three hours - I did look at the instructions to check this out! A little battery symbol waves up and down the rather small grey screen to indicate that charging is taking place. Once this has vanished the battery is fully charged.
=================
Talk time: 2 - 41/2 hr
Standby: 100 - 400hr
Animated screensaver
Display colour: Black & White
=======================

Once charged I immeadiately set about testing the mobile by ringing my own desk phone, which unfortunately had been set on divert, much to the annoyance of everyone in the room as a chain of telephones began to ring one by one with me on the end of the line!
============================
Operating frequency: EGSM 900, GSM 1800
==================================

Having established that everything was working, I decided at this rather late stage, that it was time to check out the paper work to establish the features being offered by this pocket sized piece of modern technology.
=================
Good simple instruction book.
=======================

I was a little disappointed to find that I wasn't able to access the internet and a camera would have been useful to record my findings whilst out on site - but I suppose I shouldn't really push my luck. My phone was black but I could choose a diiferent coloured face, should I wish to waste my money - I don't.
===============================

EXTRAS AVAILABLE TO PURCHASE:

Interchangeable Fascia colours: blue, fuchsia, green, red, yellow, bright blue - £14.95 at www.kelkoo.co.uk

Compatible hands free kits: Headset HDC-5, Boom Headset HDB 5, Dual Headset HDD - 1.
Compatible Car Kit: Plug in HF car kit PPH 1.

Standard Headset HDC 5 - £8.95 at www.kelkoo.co.uk
Car kit PPH 1 - £24.95 at www.kelkoo.co.uk
=====================================

This could be a useful option for the fashion conscious or absented minded people likely to lose their phone amongst their desk clutter - or for, that matter, people with large overfull handbags who would like to spot their mobile in glowing green at the bottom of the dark depths.

Clicking on menu gives you a range of options. Perhaps one of the most fun and probably the first that most people head to is Tones. Here you can amuse yourself by trying out all the different rings - most of them not really that original. I stuck to a normal telephone ring as I think most of the little tune type ones are a bit naff. Here you can also alter the ring volume, sort out the tones for incoming calls and messages, set a warning tone and a vibrating alert.

The message functions are pretty much the same as for any mobile phone, but perhaps more unusual is the ability to set up a distribution list if you regularly send the same message to the same group of people - propably for work purposes only - and a template function which can be used in a similar way as a standard letter, where you would only want to make minor adjustments each time. You can also send and receive picture messages, set up voicemail, chat and send smileys.

Other common fuctions are the recording of missed calls, recording of call costs and the ability to use prepaid credit. You can set up a list of contacts, speed dial, copy, edit and delete messages, set the time and date to display in standby mode and use security settings and keypad lock.

My son was delighted to discover games on my phone which he now uses to remove the boredom involved in long car journeys. Two games are included as standard, Snake II and Space Impact. The first is quite challenging and enjoyable the second I really don't understand at all.

Extra useful features are a calculator, stopwatch, countdown timer, composer, screensaver and flashlight. The only one of these I've found a real use for is the tiny flashlight on the end of the phone which I use to find the keyhole for my car key at night.

If you purchase this phone, and feel so inclined, you can join Club Nokia at www.clubnokia.com. As a Club Nokia member you can receive regular newsletters and emails highlighting the latest developments in mobile phones. Should you have a problem you can use their careline or receive advice on warranties and service centres. For the real Nokia fans you can attend special events and receive details of local promotions.
=========
12 month warranty
===============

All in all I have found my Nokia to be reliable and sturdy. The size and weight are just as I like and the calls and reception are excellent and clear. The menu and functions are simple and straight forward and most can be figured out without the need for the instruction book. The buttons may prove fiddly for some but this is really only to be expected if you require a small phone. An excellent mobile for those just requiring the basics and well suited to the work environment.
===============================
Cost: £59.99
Purchase: www.dixons.co.uk, www.kelkoo.co.uk, electrical retailers and specialist mobile phone shops ie. Carphone Warehouse.
----------------------------------------​-------------------------