CDMA Diamond D-Pad: Working as expected?

[doughamm]

I expected on my new Diamond to be able to press directly on the raised circular ring around the center button for left/right/up/down. While it works for 3 directions, it doesn't work well at all for Right. Instead I found that I have to click in the blank area between the center button, back, and hang-up buttons to get Right to register consistently.

This wouldn't bug me if it the intuitive press-on-the-ring method didn't work in the other 3 directions!

So I went to my Telus store tonight to swap the unit out. They were sold out; shouldn't have been a surprise, except the inept sales guy earlier in the day claimed they had one that they'd reserve for me...should have known better than to believe it. But I did try one of the other salespeople's Diamonds, and his was even worse...it wasn't just inconsistent - clicking the right side of the ring didn't work at all. He just assumed pressing in the area between the buttons was the correct way.

And now I'm starting to second-guess myself...maybe that IS the right way, but I just can't see why they'd design it that way! But to have two act the same way...

So while I'm waiting for more stock to arrive, please let me know whether you're experiencing similar behavior, and if so from which side of the D-pad. Thanks!

[Mr. X]

i too am having the exact same issue. Telus Diamond with Telus stock software.

but thinking about it. my HTC S640 did this at first too until i worked the buttons in after a few days. im going to ride mine out and ill report back if it changes.

[theclerk74]

I think I saw on a Youtube review of the GSM version that the correct way to use the D-Pad was to press outside the circle. Kind of like how you described pressing the the right side.

[Mr. X]

Originally Posted by theclerk74

I think I saw on a Youtube review of the GSM version that the correct way to use the D-Pad was to press outside the circle. Kind of like how you described pressing the the right side.

the ring is meant to be pressed you can tell there is a button under there by the feel. if it wasn't it would be solid. wouldn't click

[dj_mysha]

Ha, I've had my Diamond for over 2 weeks now and I've only noticed this issue having read your post. Shows you how much I use the d-pad, right?
Yup. Up, down, and left all work either pressed right on the ring or just outside. Right only works if pressed just outside the ring. Weird.
Like I said, i never use the d-pad, so I'm not really worried about it.
Myke...

[tobeychris]

I think it's more of a sensor placement issue. If i press on the flat black space in any direction, it always works. If i press on the ring, it only works as you say. I believe the ring is only for scrolling, but Telus has disabled this, it has been enabled in the ROMs though.

[clockcycle]

Weird question, you guys try using it with the other hand? Perhaps you're all right handed and by using the right hand you actually press the outer edges up down left but don't get enough of the right edge to have the same effect?

I rarely use my dpads because of the issue with the apache's failing eventually by leaving the phone face down or excessive use. (this has never happened to any of my moguls tho)

-CC

[Mr. X]

Originally Posted by clockcycle

Weird question, you guys try using it with the other hand? Perhaps you're all right handed and by using the right hand you actually press the outer edges up down left but don't get enough of the right edge to have the same effect?

I rarely use my dpads because of the issue with the apache's failing eventually by leaving the phone face down or excessive use. (this has never happened to any of my moguls tho)

-CC

im right handed and its my right d-pad button that u have to click about 4 times before it does anything. so this debunks your theory

[doughamm]

Here are my two theories:

1) Bad batch of componentry or builds;

2) The Sony PSP originally shipped with one of the fire buttons intentionally gimped, because to fit everything in the case they had to offset the contact point by a bit. So one button never worked consistently like the others. They eventually undid this hokey workaround for a bad design. I wonder if the CDMA Touch had to undergo a similar hack job to fit everything in, and there's something different about the area under and beside the right D-Pad which results in this behavior.

I've got a 30-day return policy and Winnipeg is sold out of Diamonds anyway, so I'll try again in a couple of weeks to see if another one acts the same. I'm glad the Diamond is selling so well - it's a great phone!

-Doug