Motorola IMFree Handheld Instant Messenger Kit

• Up to seven handhelds can be used at the same time on a single base
• Supports up to 12 popular emoticons, up to six chat sessions simultaneously per handheld
• Built-in parental controls can limit who can send messages to the handheld and block certain chat invitations
• Works great on cable modems and DSL, and even works with dial up
• Included: IMfree unit with removable bezel, base with USB cable, NiMH rechargeable battery, plug in charger, CD ROM, user manual, one year limited warranty

I purchased a couple of these for my kids for Christmas, 2003. According to the tech specs, the transmission range for these things is 120 to 150 feet.

The units we received indicate 'out of range' when taken upstairs in our house, which is about 50 feet from the base unit.

I used Motorola's web support site and asked if it was possible that my units were defective. They sent me the URL to an FAQ, which told me that the working range for these things is 150 feet. Very frustrating. It seems they did not even read my question. To add insult to injury, their automated customer satisfaction followup email was emblazoned with the motto 'intelligence everywhere'. I beg to differ.

In summary, I do not recommend the IMfree.

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Other than its somewhat-cute looks, the IMFree handheld is a terrible product, because it doesn't work. This is a big disappointment to me as I'm usually a big fan of Motorola's products.

First of all, the charging takes forever, and the units seem to have trouble holding the charge. BTW, you get one base and one handheld unit in each package. Kinda weird since I haven't found a way to buy the handheld unit separately. So you over-pay each time and get this large package with things you don't need.

Second, wireless range is truly terrible. If you live in a loft you'll probably be ok, but for those of us who live in walled houses, the reception completely drops after just a few feet when you move to the otherside of a wall.

Third, the keyboard sucks, and the screen sucks even more. Keys are very hard to hit, and the screen is not viewable in most lighting conditions.

Fourth, the IM program sucks. There's a slight but noticeable delay in IM, and it doesn't always tell you when your buddies log off.

In short, this is an alpha product, and you shouldn't have to pay for your frustrations.

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We got both of our children, son 14 & daughter 10, one of these for christmas last year. My husband & both thought that for the small price we paid it might last a month & then fall apart, but to our surprise, almost a year later they are still working perfectly! They are worth every penny we paid for them & more. The kids can walk around the house & instant message with their friends. It is much easier than a laptop because of the small size which is about the size of a PDA. We downloaded the software & the base just plugs into one of our desktop computers; a very easy set up. They have the freedom to move around anywhere in our home & sometimes even manage to do chores while using the IMFree. I would say that if you have kids or teens that IM a lot, it would be a great gift, especially if you are trying to put off purchasing another computer. The IMFree would be a MUCH cheaper option.

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Dear Lord, first of all for the record this thing sucks. It takes over 16 hours to charge the battery. It took twice as long for me because the charger for mine was irregular and did not fit correctly so it would occasionaly stop charging all together. (Way to go Motorola)Second, after using it a grand total of 2 times it stopped working all together. It simply did not turn on. Even during those two times it was a poor substitute for a computer. The lighting is poor and frankly the black and gray graphics are crappy. I didn't expect this to be perfect but I did expect it to be functional. I was going to return it for a new one but after this experience I am going to get a refund instead. Also as teenager this device is marketed towards me. However if this is what Motorola thinks I and my peers want they are sorely mistaken. First of all, this handheld needs a backlight and color screen. Also it is extremely annoying that u have to have the computer on the whole time. I have DSL so the computer just sits there the whole time. I would not mind paying extra for these features.

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As for people who say the MX240a has terrible range, it must be interference with your area. I have an IMfree base station connected on top of an entertainment center (about a foot and a half away from the ceiling) in my basement, at about a foot away from the absolute front of my house. My room is at the back of my house, on the opposite side, upstairs. I can easily lay in bed and watch TV while talking on the MX240a. There is a tiny lag. TINY. I know this because I've left my AIM running on the PC downstairs and speakers on just to see when the sound cued downstairs, and compared it to when I got the message. Miniscule.

For those who say the keyboard sucks and screen sucks and all of this; try thinking of it compared to a phone. They keyboard on this thing is obviously designed so you're NOT typing traditional keyboarding style, but instead... thumb talk. Text messaging. This thing is a dream as compared to AIM's use of IM Forwarding to text messages on a cell phone. I'm an avid thumb typer with this, and I've had no problems.

The only thing missing is the use of a Timex Indiglo style backlight. That's absolutely it. Maybe a higher resolution LCD screen, but I see no purpose in having a full color backlit LCD screen, as this thing is to supplement for convenience, not replace your PC.

Although the common person to buy this is to get their teen off the computer, I bought it so I didn't have to sit in my basement studio, away from home theater, couches, bed, etc. to simply chat online without using a cell phone. May I stress, although aimed at, this product is NOT strictly for teenagers or preteens that you want off of the "family PC" ...it's for anyone who's tired of being stuck in the room with the PC just to talk online.

I paid approx. $45 for this thing at Circuit City, and it came with the base station. For a while (I haven't seen them since I bought this), they also sold the MX240a alone for about $15 less than the "starter kit"

I am very pleased, and could only ask for a simple backlight.