5340 ... Cool!

[MitelInMyBlood]

I think they got it close to right this time.
Nice handset!!!
Cool PC Companion programming utility
Nice backlit display
Lots of buttons!

3 pages x 16 programmable buttons/keys per page - that's 48 line keys, if you're counting.

Only thing I would add is 3 more pages of buttons/keys.

Only =GIG= I could find was the "Superkey" is notably missing. That belongs in the top array and we shouldn't have to burn one of our buttons to have it. Universal LOGOS also take some getting used to.

All in all, nice job guys!

The 5330, by contrast, has little appeal. No backlight and only slightly cheaper than the 5340. Nice handset tho and the PC Companion software too. Still IMO the 5340 is going to outsell the 5330 by 100 to 1. Help me understand, why no backlight???????????????

 

[TheMitelGuy]

If the 5330 was backlit, your 100:1 ratio would be 1:100, trust me. I admit it, these the most amazing phones ever.

 

[MitelInMyBlood]

So why even make it (the 5330) then? Granted, the backlight is not a requirement, that is until you see it. Having seen both, the money difference even at full MLP, to me would be worth it.

But there again, you're speaking to someone who in 2001 in one single order bought 50 cases (12 ea) of the 4150 which required a separate wall wart for the backlight, but was full duplex with it. Now it's M/D and all you can buy is the 4025. Even case-lot sales are no longer offered.

People are strange. They want a top end phone but then complain because it comes at a premium. Case-lot pricing I thought was a great way to reduce that premium (provided dealers passed it on). Go figure.

I thought one of the most popular phones Mitel ever shipped was the SS4DN. DTMF pads didn't have a good service life much past a couple years, but at least you could open them up and fix them. Seemed like it wasn't around long before it was M/D'd. That one was sorely missed for quite a while.

I wasn't happy with the decision to M/D the 5220 either. Never understood that decision, still don't. Didn't like the handset but otherwise loved the phone. How many 5212 and 5224s have I bought? Zero. (dislike the handset AND the phone). Can't please everyone I guess.

In an open to the floor session several years ago I stood up, introduced myself to Don Smith and asked him (in a room full of customers in Las Vegas) if the person who designed the 5220 handset was still in his employ and if so, why? I thought Don took the jab well when he replied that not every product design decision has been a good one.

I can just hear you now.... "Oh YOU'RE the idiot that did that!!

 

[TheMitelGuy]

Well I agree with you. The 5220d was the best design ever, minus the handset. Mitel screwed that one up, but based on RFP-requirements the 5220d was dropped for the 12 and 24 button phones (5212 and 5224). That was a marketing decision.

As for the 5235, look for the screen to go colour in Q2 of 2007. The set was high end, now middel of the road, and will once again become the high-end. I have admit, I still like the 5240, but no one listens to me.

As for Mr. Smith, nice guy. He will always listen to you, and take the ideas home with him for the team to hear. Don likes the open honest guys. If you guys get a chance to meet up with him at convensions, go up and shake his hand - he likes to talk to customers and dealers.

 

[MitelInMyBlood]

I sincerely hope that the "new" 5235 will use the "new" handset from the 5330/5340. It's still not the big comfortable handset everyone loved from the 4000 series TDM phones, but it's a grand improvement over what users have been complaining about.

I have a 5140 on my desk, which of course has the big 4000 series handset. It also says "March Networks" on the escutcheon

As much in love with that big monster as I am, I will happily give it up for a 5340.

So when are we going to be able to have customizable ring tones? "The competition" has had that from day one and we've had several inquiries.

 

[TheMitelGuy]

All phones will be shipping with the "new" handset in September for sure (including 5235, 5212 and 5224).

I like the 5235 the best. Wish the display and display keys were bigger.

Customizable rings tones, yes, I believe it is being evalutated, but is not a high priority. There are bigger things on the table and with only 5% of resources dedicated to hardware, you can see where it's at.

 

[MitelInMyBlood]

I have the 5235 here on my desk at home. Certainly don't need a night light with it in the room.

Agreed, the display is a little busy and use of a stylus is perceived by some as a handicap. Most male users dislike it because of the tendancy to fat-finger the buttons. In contrast the women like it because lof longer fingrenails they don't need the stylus. Hard to please everyone.