GSM StarTAC
Overview
This section deals with the StarTAC range of phones.
The StarTAC phones are Motorola's premier products in the marketplace. Sharing a similar physical design and range of accessories, they utilise the latest advances in technology to create a phone which is one of the lightest and smallest in the cellular market place, without compromising the product in terms of phone features.
There are a few models available in the GSM StarTAC range, allowing us to provide a model to suit most consumers:
The StarTAC 85 (transceiver) was the first StarTAC launched, with a full range of accessories (StarTAC VIP package). The package changed over the first 6-10 months of the product life, resulting in the 100, 90 and 85 packages. It was followed by the grey StarTAC 70, which offered the StarTAC form factor, but in a de-featured (and hence cheaper) model than the 85. The 75 was released in a limited number of countries, offering a middle-of-the-range version of the StarTAC, and shortly after came the black StarTAC 70. In May 95, the StartAC 130 will be launched, offering a smaller design (similar to the older ETACS StarTAC), and some newer features and accessories. There are also two limited edition StarTACS - the StarTAC Lite, and the StarTAC 70 Special Edition (sold with a wood-effect casing, in extremely limited numbers).
The various StarTAC ranges are all fairly similar: some have vibracall, some don't; some are available in black, some in black or grey; and so on. The notes in this section deal with all models, unless otherwise noted. Those comments within the pages for a particular model obviously only apply to that model.
Accessories
Battery Compatibility
All the StarTAC batteries are interchangeable - the only differences are in the battery housing and texture (eg grey vs black, 85/70/75 texture vs 130 texture, 'StarTAC' label vs 'Motorola' label.
New StarTACs and chargers will NOT charge non-Motorola batteries - the phone will display 'Invalid Battery' instead.
Chargers and Charging
The charging sequence is the same, whether the desktop charger, travel charger, or CLA is being used. The main battery is charged first, so that the user has the lightest battery charged ASAP. Then it will charge the auxilliary battery if fitted. Similarly, the StarTAC will discharge the auxilliary battery first, so that the bulkiest battery is used first, leaving the smallest one still charged.
Data Cord
The data cord for the GSM StarTAC is part number SKN4821.
Headsets
There is no Motorola headset available for the StarTAC 70/75/85. The reason for this is that these models of StarTAC cannot support the power required for a headset. However, the StarTAC 130 (and probably later versions) will support a headset, and this should be available at launch, or soon afterwards.
Invalid Battery
This message appears in the display if the customer attempts to charge a non-Motorola battery on more recent phones (since April/May 1998, or phones that have been repaired/exchanged since then and have the more recent software in them).
Manual
There is a misprint in the Italian StarTAC 70 manual which says that the StarTAC 70 has Vibracall. This is not the case.
Miscellaneous Glossary
Closed User Group
There were a few StarTACs shipped with the closed user group accessible via the menus; this is a result of incorrect programming. Closed User Group is a function that is in development at the moment, and is a network-dependent feature. It is therefore useless at the moment.
Invalid Battery
This message appears in the display if the customer attempts to charge a non-Motorola battery on more recent phones (since April/May 1998, or phones that have been repaired/exchanged since then and have the more recent software in them).
Status Indicator
At the top of the StarTAC transceiver is an LED which indicates the current status of the StarTAC. It will change colour according the the phones current status (green = in service, red = no service, orange = roaming).
Models and Packages
StarTAC 70 Package
Package Type 70 Standard
Transceiver Type 70 - SWF
70 Cosmo - SWF3121AA
Batteries Main Standard 500 NiMH (Grey or black)
Chargers SPN4278 Travel
SYN4656 UK Adaptor
SYN4655 Euro Adaptor
Carry Cases None
Availability All countries supported by the call centre
StarTAC 75 Package
Package Type 75
Transceiver Type 75
SWF2542 (Italy and Holland)
Batteries SNN4905 Main Standard 500 NiMH Charcoal
Chargers SPN4278 Travel
SYN4656 UK Adaptor
SYN4655 Euro Adaptor
Carry Cases None
Availability Holland, Italy
Please note that it is also being sold in Belgium, but not through official channels. All 75s sold in Belgium are grey imports.
StarTAC 85 Package
Please note:
The 'standard' StarTAC 85 package has gone through a number of different variations in it's lifetime. For example, at first it shipped with the original 85 transceiver and an LSQ6 battery. Then, the quality of the LSQ6 batteries was not good enough to meet our standards, so we shipped the 85s with LSQ8 batteries. Later, we reverted back to LSQ6 batteries once the standard had improved. In the second quarter of 1998 we re-designed the board inside the 85. Each of these changes resulted in a different package number; the transceiver board change also resulted in change in the transceiver part number. As such., there really is no single 'standard 85 package', and you should refer to the package listing for further details.
See the relevant bulletins (at the top of the page) for details of the LSQ6 changeover and the redesign of the StarTAC transceiver board.
Package Type 85, 85R (refresh), or 85 Cosmo
Transceiver Type S5776xxx has a number of different variations in transceivers and accessories.
Batteries
Chargers
Carry Cases
Dimensions 100.0cc, 98.3 x 57.3 x 23.0 (with Main Standard 500 LiIon battery)
109.4cc, 98.3 x 57.3 x 27.6 (with Main XCap 900 LiIon battery)
Weight 110.0g (with Main Standard 500 LiIon battery)
126.5g (with Main XCap 900 LiIon battery)
Availability All countries supported by the call centre
StarTAC 90 Package
Package Type 90
Transceiver Type 85
Batteries SNN4667 Main Standard 500 LiIon Black
SNN4867 Aux 900 LiIon Black
Chargers SPN4278 Travel
SYN4656 UK Adaptor
SYN4655 Euro Adaptor
Carry Cases SYN5378 Aux Holster
Dimensions 100.0cc, 98.3 x 57.3 x 23.0 (with Main Standard 500 LiIon battery)
109.4cc, 98.3 x 57.3 x 27.6 (with Main XCap 900 LiIon battery)
140.0cc, 99.9 x 57.3 x 40.7 (with Main Standard 500 LiIon and Aux 900 LiIon batteries)
149.4cc, 99.9 x 57.3 x 45.3 (with Main XCap 900 LiIon and Aux 900 LiIon batteries)
Weight 110.0g (with Main Standard 500 LiIon battery)
126.5g (with Main XCap 900 LiIon battery)
164.5g (with Main Standard 500 LiIon and Aux 900 LiIon batteries)
181.0g (with Main XCap 900 LiIon and Aux 900 LiIon batteries)
Availability Originally this was available in all countries supported by the call centre, however, it was rapidly replaced by the 85 package, and is no longer available.
StarTAC 100 Package (Available in Italy through TIM)
Package Type 100 - 6407DBH (old pack No is S7689ABH)
Transceiver Type 85 - SWF2176D
Batteries SNN5081 Main Extra Capacity 900 mAh LiIon Battery
SNN5081 Main Extra Capacity 900 mAh LiIon Battery
SNN4867 Slim Auxiliary 900mAh LiIon battery
Chargers SPN4539 Desktop
SPN4278 Travel
SYN4655 Euro Adaptor
Carry Cases SYN5378 Aux Holster
Dimensions 100.0cc, 98.3 x 57.3 x 23.0 (with Main Standard 500 LiIon battery)
109.4cc, 98.3 x 57.3 x 27.6 (with Main XCap 900 LiIon battery)
140.0cc, 99.9 x 57.3 x 40.7 (with Main Standard 500 LiIon and Aux 900 LiIon batteries)
149.4cc, 99.9 x 57.3 x 45.3 (with Main XCap 900 LiIon and Aux 900 LiIon batteries)
Weight 110.0g (with Main Standard 500 LiIon battery)
126.5g (with Main XCap 900 LiIon battery)
164.5g (with Main Standard 500 LiIon and Aux 900 LiIon batteries)
181.0g (with Main XCap 900 LiIon and Aux 900 LiIon batteries)
Availability Originally this package was available in all countries, but was rapidly replaced by the 90 and 85 packages. However, it is still currently available in Italy
StarTAC VIP Package
Package Type VIP
Transceiver Type 85
Batteries SNN4667 Main Standard 500 LiIon Black
SNN4668 Main XCap 900 LiIon Black
SNN4867 Aux 900 LiIon Black
Chargers SPN4235 Desktop
SPN4278 Travel
SYN4656 UK Adaptor
SYN4655 Euro Adaptor
Carry Cases SYN5378 Aux Holster
or
SYN4653 Slim Holster
Dimensions 100.0cc, 98.3 x 57.3 x 23.0 (with Main Standard 500 LiIon battery)
109.4cc, 98.3 x 57.3 x 27.6 (with Main XCap 900 LiIon battery)
140.0cc, 99.9 x 57.3 x 40.7 (with Main Standard 500 LiIon and Aux 900 LiIon batteries)
149.4cc, 99.9 x 57.3 x 45.3 (with Main XCap 900 LiIon and Aux 900 LiIon batteries)
Weight 110.0g (with Main Standard 500 LiIon battery)
126.5g (with Main XCap 900 LiIon battery)
164.5g (with Main Standard 500 LiIon and Aux 900 LiIon batteries)
181.0g (with Main XCap 900 LiIon and Aux 900 LiIon batteries)
Availability Originally, all countries supported by the call centre (now no longer availabl)
StarTAC Lite Package
Package Type Lite
Transceiver Type Lite
Batteries SNN5128
SNN5051 Main Standard 500 LiIon Black
Chargers SPN4278 Travel
SYN4655 Euro Adaptor
Carry Cases None
Part Number S7235Axx
Availability Originally all countries, but it was a limited production run - no longer available
StarTAC 110
Some magazines have mentioned the 110 in passing, mentioning the colour screen. The only comments that should be made about the 110 are as follows: Motorola in the UK will not be launching a StarTAC 110, but will be introducing new models this year (such as the StarTAC 130). Their details and launch dates are still to be announced. Full details will be made in the press nearer to their launch time.