Sanyo's Pro-200 and Pro-700 Direct Connect handsets get official

Fresh out of the FCC's lair comes a new pair of QChat-enabled mobiles ready to launch on Sprint: Sanyo's Pro-200 and Pro-700. Unsurprisingly getting official at CTIA, the pair of Nextel Direct Connect devices can handle all the hot PTT action you could ask for, and while the Pro-200 (shown above) checks in with Bluetooth, messaging capabilities and mobile e-mail, the beefier brother (pictured after the jump) touts a ruggedized shell "certified to military standards for dust, shock and vibration." Curiously, the duo is only expected to go on sale in "limited markets" this month, with availability popping up elsewhere in due time; those eager to get their chirp on can plan on dropping $49.99 / $69.99 on contract, respectively.

[Thanks, Colton]

[Josh @ Apr 3rd 2008 3:10AM]

sexy monochrome display ;)

[happy_penguin @ Apr 3rd 2008 3:18AM]

I think the high points here seem to be that it's cheap, rugged and simple. Reminds me of my old StarTac. The low point, from what I've heard from people I know who use Sprint is that the network isn't very prolific. I suppose if the network works for you, it's probably a good phone. And it seems that this is a PHONE, nothing more. That can be a good thing. That's what I loved about my old StarTac. It worked well. I hope this phone works for those who buy it.

[Michel @ Apr 3rd 2008 4:27AM]

The black phone has "GPS" on it...hm

[Richy @ Apr 3rd 2008 4:42AM]

Wow. Where did these phones land from? 1997?

[tekdemon @ Apr 3rd 2008 6:22AM]

That's also when Direct Connect belongs.

Seriously, since most plans come with unlimited in-network minutes as it is, what exactly is the appeal of attempting to use your cell phone as a walkie talkie? Mostly this feature just brings back memories of rides home from school on the bus/subway with people yelling into their phones and letting the entire bus hear both sides of their conversation (since of course, the responses were also loudly audible in true walkie-talkie fashion).

Can someone explain how in the world this feature makes ANY sense at all!?

[tekdemon @ Apr 3rd 2008 6:27AM]

Hmm, so I went and read up on Direct Connect and apparently it actually does make sense for some people (namely, people who need to talk to a large group simultaneously for work reasons). But it seems pretty silly for most consumers.

[Brandon @ Apr 3rd 2008 8:43PM]

I was in Fl during Hurricane Ivan with my Nextel phone. The only way I could talk with my family back in Nebraska was to use the direct connect feature. When I tried to make a call on cell or land line phones all I got were busy tones or no dial tone at all.

[Moordryd @ Apr 3rd 2008 10:42AM]

Huh?! I thought Sanyo sold its cellphone branch!

[Freddie Wilhite @ Apr 3rd 2008 12:22PM]

Many people like to try and bash direct connect...it's b/c they don't understand the technology or the need for it. Here goes...Direct Connect is to IM as Phone calls are to email. In other words, why would you IM someone when you can just shoot them an email...emails and IMs are both FREE, so the unlimited minutes the phones have no longer really matter. However, many a times we prefer the immediacy that IMs provide. While the majority of DC users are not consumers, consumers could benefit from the technology tremendously. Speed is more and more becoming where the industry is going for data rates etc, why not reach out and communicate in a sub-second timeframe? DC affords you the ability to contact someone and receive an answer in less time than it would take to make a phone call...not to mention and entire group of people. Take your pic...use your old antiquated "phone-tree" method of contact (good luck in making sure the message is consistent to everyone) or hear it straight from the source in sub-seconds.

[Mark @ Apr 3rd 2008 1:32PM]

I have to use Nextel DC to keep contact with our employees, and dislike it - apart from the quickness, its about the same as a 1990s era phone call - scratchy audio, drop outs, and low voice quality are the order of the day. Plus if you don't get one part of the conversation, you have to wait until they're done and ask them to repeat.

Calling them on their cellphones is far easier and less time consuming than trying to hold a DC conversation.

[Freddie Wilhite @ Apr 3rd 2008 2:13PM]

DC is not for everybody, but it is a great tool for folks that require efficiency.

[theOtherGuy @ Apr 4th 2008 2:42PM]

Where is the camera? There is no camera in this phone!

[KahneFan @ May 28th 2008 10:21PM]

I agree, if you've never used Nextel, you probably don't understand it. Also, Nextel is made for, as their slogan used to say "Nextel... Done|", if you're conversation will not consist of more than 2-5 word answers, use the phone. If you're needing an answer from someone who is "wordy", call them. Or, if you need to give a lenghty question or answer yourself, use the phone. Personally, I'm in contruction and most of my builders give me dates for drops, or give me 2-5 word phrases to tell me something is missing/wrong. Nextel is perfect for this. It keeps you from having to waste time calling someone on the cell, and it also leaves out the awkward goodbye. Question. Answer. Done. Anything more, use the cell.

I agree with the IM/Text v email example. Not only that but, IM/Text v cell call. If you have a quick question, IM/Text comes in handy. If your conversation is to be lenghty, you will need a full phone call or email.

Also, where IS the camera on this one? Why would you build a phone w/o 1 these days? I would imagine it will be in a few months following this release(?).

[EFficient @ Jun 15th 2008 2:56AM]

This phone is the bomb!! With Sprint/ Nextels inexpensive data plan you can use this as a high speed modem for your laptop + Autonomous GPS, Durability, call screening (built in voicemail). It is going to be one of the best phones for inexpensive rugged efficency.