...although you'll have to rent it to a sick tune of $3 a day.

So that means they're the first(?) to try to charge a $30/month fee for something everyone else (Other GPS) does for free.

Oh, and don't set this one on fire.

$3 isn't so bad if its on a per use basis. Verizon has that option for the VZ navigator...only pay on the days you use it. How often do you need directions?

Looks like my A717... Which I am selling. The volume on it sucks ass.

I'd rather rent Garmin's GPS than pay a monthly fee and use it only once.

@Geisrud: I'm not sure where you live where months are only 10 days long, but does this mean that you get 30% more vacation time, since it accrues faster? Or 30% less, since months are only 1/3 the normal length? Please respond, I'm looking to move!

Sweet, magnesium. So when your really in a bind, you can make some shavings of the case and use them to start a fire. Does it come with a flint and steel?

@jcraig: you need a little iron oxide for that reaction as well though. macgyver would be proud.

Well the phone is definetly beautiful.
Now the 3G powered by sprint o.O Didnt know helio had any affilitation with sprint.
*feels like a dumbass* I guess if you use the GPS once you can use it the whole day. Thats pretty reasonable. Its a good price because you can just write down directions for future use.........

Too bad HELIO's customer service and ordering system is atrocious.

I've been waiting for a refund from them for equipment I never received (they acknowlege this and acknowlege receiving the returned-to-sender package) since June.

I love my Ocean and this phone looks nice but the bullshit I'm still going through with them means I won't be dealing with HELIO in the future.

Good work Sky.

You spend millions on effective partnerships and developing cool, innovative, functional devices then screw yourselves out of otherwise happy customers by neglecting the basics.

"It's also the only Helio handset to have Garmin turn-by-turn GPS software on it, "

its an option on the Ocean as well as of today it looks like.

I was worried when there were whispers about a new phone that it would be an Ocean2.0 . this looks like a kickin' device, and i'm glad to see my baby not growing out of date.

I'm finding Samsung is probably the king of budget phones. I bought my u520 from smalltel for $50 and finding a phone with as many features as this one has (in this price range) is damn near impossible. I don't know about HELIO, they release some pretty phones, but I don't know a single soul who uses them so I'll have to do some research on their service.

As for the GPS fee, the option to use it on a need basis instead of a monthly fee is fine by me. I don't quite understand the monthly fee, unless you're someone who is blind or can't read.

@O-Z:
I'm assuming that the folks who get fine customer support are just less vocal, but when my Ocean's screen orientation started going nuts (I'm pretty sure it started after I stupidly set it down on top of a huge speaker at a rave), the CS folks sent me a replacement Ocean in just a few days after their troubleshooting didn't fix the problem. Simple as that.

I know that I can't be the only Helio customer who hasn't had a problem with customer service!

And on another note, are Samsung and Pantech the only two manufacturers left who make devices for Helio? I know that VK Mobile is outta the picture, but what other Korean manufacturers make devices for SK Telecom?

The Gps is free. it comes with all helios. the Garmin turn by turn service is 3 dollars per use/day.

you can always use google maps with integrated gps for directions, for free. you just have to manually press a button when you want the next direction.

with garmin I assume it automatically tracks your location as your driving and gives you turn by turn directions.. via speaker phone mode, perhaps?

this device feels great in your pocket..

i can tell you that usually customer service is great, that's something that Helio prides itself on. Every once in a while we run into someone who isn't good, and they get reported. If this happens to you, do the same!

Disclaimer: I work for Helio, but this really just gives me even more insight into this subject.

@norfizzle:

Of the 5 or 6 different people I've dealt with trying to my money refunded, 4 of them were polite and generally helpful.

Unfortunately, all of that is negated by the fact that nothing is happening.

HELIO got the package back on 6/19. I waited patiently for 2 weeks for my refund then called back and was told that everything was taken care of and I would have my money in 2 weeks.

I waited patiently for another two weeks then called back.

This time the person told me that nothing had been done and my refund hadn't even been submitted much less approved. After 57 minutes on the phone my refund was submitted.

I waited 2 weeks then called back. I was told the refund had been submitted on 7/14 and I would see it in 2 weeks.

I waited 2 MORE weeks and called back. This time I dealt with some bitch who acted like I was being an asshole for politely asking the exact same questions that every other CSR had been able to answer.

I was forwarded to someone else who understood what I was talking about but told me that refunds can take up to 59 days and I should call back after that.

So, by the time mid-September rolls and I might actually get a new answer from someone and HELIO will have sat on over $300 of my money for 4 MONTHS!

When I bought my Ocean I was a skeptic of all the complaints I saw but I am now a believer.

@MinceyFresh:

I doubt your phone problem has anything to do with the rave. My Ocean does the exact same thing and it has been babied since the day I got it. For me, the screen wackiness and lock-ups coincide with the option for each new app like the Exchange integrator. A few days and a power down seems to set things right.

Wow, well unfortunately there's not much i can say about that. I certainly hope that your issue gets resolved quickly. I work retail, not corporate, so i couldn't give you any more info than what you already know.

just checked back on this post btw.