vB Easy Archive - Which Blackberry is right for me?

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Which Blackberry is right for me?
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Posted by: lgreenberg

I haven't owned a Blackberry since I owned the 950 back in 2000 or so.

Lately I've been having some serious issues with my Cingular Treo 650 and have been considering making the jump to Blackberry. I've been using a Verizon LG VX9800 but it's just not the same.

I find I'm using my device for mostly phone, e-mail and IM. I'm guessing by the Blackberry's feature set that it would work well for my needs.

Now Cingular in my area has both the 7100g and the 7290 in stock and available now but that's it. The 8700c is sold out and it seems everytime they get a few in they are gone real fast. I came across one 8700c in stock today from a dealer but he wanted $500.

So my question is this. Would it be a mistake to go with either the 7100g or the 7290 instead of the 8700c? I do like the fact that the 8700c has Edge so should I wait it out for the 8700c to be more readily available?

I could also stick with Verizon and go with their 7130e but I'd prefer to stay with Cingular and be SIM based.

I'm going to be paying full retail for whatever I choose so is there somewhere I can get a 8700c right now (on line I guess?)

Any thoughts are greatly appreciated.

Posted by: bryanharig

I would stick with the 8700c and EDGE. I just saw several go for $450 - $500 new in box on ebay. Considering cingular's full price is $450 + tax thats not bad.

Posted by: martin_j001

Wirelessly posted (Blackberry 7520.|: Mozilla/4.0 (compatible; MSIE 6.0; Windows NT 5.0) BlackBerry7100i/4.1.0 Profile/MIDP-2.0 Configuration/CLDC-1.1 VendorID/103)

Get L, glad to see you're thinking of joining us!! If the device having EDGE is an important factor, then the 8700 is your only choice, and a very nice looking one at that. However, check out some threads here and at blackberryforums.com regarding the screen issues (dust getting inside the screen) to see if that problem is prevalent enough to sway your decision (I haven't followed it that closely, but I do see several threads on it). Also, consider the device size when using it as a phone. The full size bb's are more cumbersome to use as a phone than the 71xx series are. I do find using the 7100i as a phone much easier than I did the 7520/7510. The 7290 is one of the superior devices that you hardly ever hear people having issues with, its been a very strong performer since it came out. Either way you go, I think you'll find the Treo issues behind you soon. Good luck in your decision!

Posted by: Marc997GT3

I love my VZW 7250 and the serivce is great I would stay away from the 7130, as far as the 8700 seems it has the first intro issues everything always has then again some people are having no issues seems hit or miss

Posted by: Avironeur

I am currently demo-ing a 7130e and a 8700c. I have used a 7290 for a year and a half and currently have a T-Mobile 7105t as my main line so I will go ahead and go through the pros and cons of each one -- I won't get into opinions regarding the carrier each one is on since that would taint my review.

The 7290 was an excellent unit but it has miserable and I mean miserable earpiece volume....I could not hear anyone and my callers complained constantly of background and wind noise equating to poor noise cancellation.

The 7105t is great but like the 7290 the noise cancellation is poor and the data speeds are GPRS and slow as molasses.

The 8700c is great but again, noise cancellation is only moderately better than that found in the above two models. Additionally the build quality leaves much to be desired (side panels have small gaps allowing dust to enter) and the keypad has craptastic feedback BUT browsing on this thing is a dream.

The 7130e on VZW so far wins my prize for fastest browsing, best keys, and sheer ease of use. The sound quality is fantastic and I am a long term GSM user so I was surprised since I am used to CDMA providing robotic crappy sound. The browsing experience is excellent and I personally, being a pro at t9, find SureType to be far more easy for fast input that the qwerty keypads on Treos and traditional Blackberries.

This one would be a keeper were it not for two things: VZW's assinine texting plans (may or may not be an issue for you but for me it is) and the relatively short battery life vis-a-vis GSM Blackberries.

If you are used to CDMA battery life however you may not have any issues as people on blackberryforums.com report that the 7130e has stellar battery life for a CDMA handset.

Hope this helps and should you have any device specific questions feel free to ask me.

Posted by: lgreenberg

I appreciate the comments.

I think I'm even more confused now than I was before.

Earpiece volume is an important factor for me. I can't stand a phone that isn't loud enough in the ear. I find this is the case with most phones I've owned. Volume Care solves this with the Treo and it's a dream. The LG VX9800 has one of the loudest ear pieces I've used. I often find I have to turn down the ear piece volume. Something I almost never do with other phones.

I have read about the dust issues with the 8700c and am a little turned off by it.

The issue I have with Verizon is cost. I just feel they nickle and dime you for everything (text messaging as mentioned.)

It sounds like I should either go with the 8700c and just deal with the possible dust issue or the 7130e and deal with the more expensive plan.

This way I'll have eithe Edge or EVDO. I can't stand slow browsing.

It would help if I could find a 8700c in stock to at least look at.

Posted by: dasupaman23

Well I was using the Treo 650 before I got my 7100g, and I must say I am glad I did. It doesn't have nearly as many features but is a very reliable phone. My gf also has the 7290 and she has been very happy with it. The one reason I went with the 7100g instead of the 7290 is for the smaller form factor. I like that it fits in my hand more like a phone would. With the 7290, I seem to be using two hand more to type and operate it. I think both are good choices, if EDGE is really a must then I would get the 8700 but otherwise go with the 7290 or 7100.

Posted by: lgreenberg

It's not that Edge is a must but isn't the web browsing experience MUCH better on a device with Edge?

I just don't like the idea of being frustrated waiting for pages to load.

I do like the idea of the smaller form factor of the 7100g. This is why I'm wondering if I shouldn't just suck it up and go with the EVDO version.

Posted by: jase88

Considering where you're coming from (Treo), the 7130e or 8700 would be your best choices for a comparable screen.

Posted by: Mr Pink57

Quote:

Originally Posted by lgreenberg

It's not that Edge is a must but isn't the web browsing experience MUCH better on a device with Edge?

I just don't like the idea of being frustrated waiting for pages to load.

I do like the idea of the smaller form factor of the 7100g. This is why I'm wondering if I shouldn't just suck it up and go with the EVDO version.

Everything seems to be faster with EDGE i.e. downloading attachments and getting your emails must faster to. EDGE effects more then just the browser on the BB.

pink

Posted by: Avironeur

EVDO and EDGE are simply a world apart --- if you want to save a little bit of cash I would go the Chachingular route but Verizon's entry into this competetion is worthy of at the very least an honourable mention.

Posted by: lgreenberg

So if take money our of the mix which device should I choose?

Posted by: martin_j001

^^ I'd pick based on the form factor then, Suretype with more phone like appearance, vs large screen with full qwerty.... And of course which ever provider has better coverage in your area as well....

Posted by: Avironeur

I personally like the 7130e better since I cannot stand dust or poor build quality on phones but if you are not worried about that and can deal with some dust under the screen, the 8700c is a beautiful device.

Posted by: briareus

YMMV but I haven't had any dust issues with my 8700c. There might be some dust under the screen but if I have to strain and squint and really search to find it (and still not find any) then there's nothing to worry about in my book. The screen does scratch since it's not recessed so get a screen protector ahead of time.

The 7290 is an excellent device but if you're going to do any web browsing then go with the 8700. The keypad is going to be a personal preference issue. I can't stand SureType myself. The 8700's keypad isn't as easy to use as the 7290's but it really just takes some getting used to unless your fingers are just really fat.

The 8700 doesn't feel as solid as the 7290 to me but it's not a deal-breaker in my book. Then again I haven't dropped my 8700 yet. As solid as the 7290's are they can be broken and they definitely aren't as sturdy as the older 6230's. In any case, any model will likely be sturdier than a Treo.

Price is really close on both so I wouldn't recommend the 7290 from that perspective.

As far as the earpiece is concerned, I've never had problems with either the 7290 or the 8700 but I tend to use them with my Plantronics Voyager 510 headset. Earpiece volume is going to be a subjective matter as well since not everyone's hearing is the same. There are a number of complaints regarding the 7290. A lot of people who have complained seem to think that the 8700 is an improvement in that regard.

You can definitely find the 8700 online or order through Cingular. They gave my FedEx overnight shipping for free but I think I ordered via their business sales group. Big YMMV there.

Any model will be a step up IMO. Just put the device you choose through it's paces before you burn up the return period!

Posted by: lgreenberg

I just returned home with a brand new 8700c.

However, I can't get it going. Cingular is telling me there is a level one outage in PA.

I looked at the 7130 but it just felt cheap to me. Plus I didn't care for the keyboard at all.

Posted by: lgreenberg

What B.S.

I kept getting the "data connection refused" error and edge is lower case letters. The Cingular tech. assured my there was a major outage in PA.

Funny, because my wife's Cingular Blackberry was working fine.

All I did was go into Advanced Options and enter the TCP settings manually (there was nothing there.)

APN: wap.cingular
Username: WAP@CINGULARGPRS.COM
Password: CINGULAR1

Turned it off and on and wouldn't you know it, it started working right away.

Looks like I'm in business. Didn't have the internent icon or personal e-mail icon before but no I do.

Once again the average consumer proves to know more than the paid tech. professional.

So what, if any, apps do I need to load.

I know I need Verichat.

Posted by: martin_j001

Verichat is a good one, I've never had issues with it (contrary to other chat apps). Also check out PocketDay (a today screen app for blackberry, with built in weather, stocks and RSS reader-- www.crossriversystems.com ).

Posted by: Mr Pink57

Some apps I use:

BBReply (can add "reply-to" on email)
BBCorrector (spellcheck)
Berry411 (never dial 411 again)
BB Messenger (a must have)

Go to http://blackberrytools.sourceforge.net/OverTheAir/ for bbreply and bbcorrector

Go to http://www.thebogles.com/berry411.jad for Berry411

Go to http://mobile.blackberry.com for bb messenger and I think its in extra's there for the OTA of it.

pink

Posted by: Seattle18

Quote:

Originally Posted by lgreenberg

I just returned home with a brand new 8700c.

However, I can't get it going. Cingular is telling me there is a level one outage in PA.

I looked at the 7130 but it just felt cheap to me. Plus I didn't care for the keyboard at all.

GREENBERG! You are joining the BB ranks! Good to hear it. I recently posted a long thread about my switch from the PPC world, maybe you saw it. http://www.howardforums.com/showthread.php?t=787024 Anyway, I really think you will be very happy with the 8700c. I love it. Like I say in the farewell post, it just works, and works well. And for someone like me who needs reliable email, IM, and a solid RF phone signal, with EDGE, it is almost perfect. I will be very interested to hear your comments after a few days of tooling around with it. (BTW, get over to www.blackberryforums.com ASAP!)

Posted by: lgreenberg

I've finally got the thing set up after several calls back and forth to Cingular. It took them a few tries to provison me correctly. I kept getting the "data connection refused" error. And then I got the "tunnel" error when trying to use Verichat.

In anycase all seems to be well now. Tomorrow will be my first full day with it. I need to figure out how to get Mp3 ringtones on the thing next I guess.

I addedd Berry411, Mini Safe, Verichat, BB Messenger, Disco Bowling and Card Games Pack One.

Here's a question.... I'm using the Web Client. I have IMAP mail. It seems if Outlook is opened on my PC and new mail is downloaded to it the messages never make it to the Blackberry Web Client and therefore never make it to my Blackberry. Is this the way it's suposed to be? I guess it makes sense as it cuts down on dupes.

Posted by: Seattle18

www.blackberryforums.com

Posted by: lgreenberg

Yep, been on there all night reading.

Posted by: RDSChicago

Hey Mr. Pink,

Can you explain the applications you suggested in greater detail? Is there one good comprehensive central source listing all of the apps available? I have the 7100t. Thanks in advance.

Posted by: lgreenberg

Check the general forum at www.blackberryforums.com

There is a sticky thread there with a list of "essential" software.

Posted by: Avironeur

Wirelessly posted (BlackBerry8700/4.1.0 Profile/MIDP-2.0 Configuration/CLDC-1.1 VendorID/102)

Yes the email situation you described is how it is supposed to function. Additionally if you have your delte function set to delete on mailbox and server your deleted messages on the Blackberry will never make it to the computer or will show up in your outlook delete folder.

Posted by: Mr Pink57

Quote:

Originally Posted by RDSChicago

Hey Mr. Pink,

Can you explain the applications you suggested in greater detail? Is there one good comprehensive central source listing all of the apps available? I have the 7100t. Thanks in advance.

Just let me know which ones you want a description of, those are softwares I have found over at BBForums and thru Google also.

And to Greenberg on the IMAP email... Yes this is how it is going to happen since I assume you are/cannot forward your IMAP account. It is being pulled thru webclient much like it is being pulled into your BB, so if one gets it first. I suggest forwarding almost all of your email address' it makes life easier and plus it delivers MUCH faster then pulling (I am sure you have read this at bbforums).

Also let us know how the eztalker is doing with the 8700c, if you still have the headset.

pink

Posted by: lgreenberg

Pink?

Are you suggesting I forward my IMAP account to the Blackberry e-mail address?

Would I be able to retreive mail from the Blackberry e-mail address through Outlook (is it POP3) or only through the web client?

I'm not sure what's really happening though. Today I left Outlook open when I went out and messages which were in my Inbox (in Outlook) when I returned were shown on my Blackberry too.

I guess I'm confused.

P.S. I sold the eztalker. Sorry.

Posted by: Mr Pink57

Quote:

Originally Posted by lgreenberg

Pink?

Are you suggesting I forward my IMAP account to the Blackberry e-mail address?

Would I be able to retreive mail from the Blackberry e-mail address through Outlook (is it POP3) or only through the web client?

I'm not sure what's really happening though. Today I left Outlook open when I went out and messages which were in my Inbox (in Outlook) when I returned were shown on my Blackberry too.

I guess I'm confused.

P.S. I sold the eztalker. Sorry.

That is exactly what I am suggesting if you can, forward your IMAP account to your BB email address. The best part of forwarding it will be you will always get the email regardless if outlook gets it or not.

And no you would not be able to forward your BB email address (never thought of that really although an interesting thought), however you can set up a BCC in your webclient for all outgoing email.

Why did you sell it?

pink

Posted by: lgreenberg

So if I forward my mail to the Web Client then I'll never get it in Outlook? The web client becomes my sole way of retreiving mail on a PC? I'm not sure I like that. I noticed today for example that some Hofo links in e-mails I was reading on the web client weren't even hyper-linked.

I sold it because it didn't do the caller ID function with the phone I had at the time (Treo 650.)

Posted by: Mr Pink57

I also use outlook to retrieve my email on a daily basis. However it is pulled direcly from the email account, and I also set up a forward directly to my Blackberry to allow a foward and a pull from Outlook at the same time.

An example would be my GMail account, I forward to xxxx@nextel.blackberry.net, while I also enable POP support and then pull it thru my Outlook.

Feel free to pin me Greenberg if you have any issues with this.

pink

Posted by: lgreenberg

I'm good to go now thanks to Mr. Pink.

Posted by: Seattle18

Quote:

Originally Posted by lgreenberg

So if I forward my mail to the Web Client then I'll never get it in Outlook? The web client becomes my sole way of retreiving mail on a PC? I'm not sure I like that. I noticed today for example that some Hofo links in e-mails I was reading on the web client weren't even hyper-linked.

This is incorrect - have you gotten it straigntened out yet? Forward to your BB for instant push to the BB, then set up outlook to POP pull from your server - then you have instant push on the BB AND POP retrieval in Outlook - got it?

Posted by: lgreenberg

What I've done is this:

1. Fowarded my two Verizon POP3 mail accounts to my Gmail account.
2. Made my Gmail account POP3.
3. Set my Gmail account to send a copy of every incoming message to my BB e-mail address.
4. Configured my Outlook for POP3 Gmail retreival.

Now I get a copy of every e-mail on my Blackberry as well as one via Outlook. The only problem I have with this is I'm essentially having to read/delete every message twice. Once on the Blackberry and once in Outlook.

I'd like it so that when I delete a message on the Blackberry its deleted from both the web client and Outlook (the server) but I guess that's not possible without BES.

I had to go the extra step of using Gmail because the forwarding option with Verizon forwards the original message not a copy.

Posted by: noni

Quote:

Originally Posted by lgreenberg

What I've done is this:

1. Fowarded my two Verizon POP3 mail accounts to my Gmail account.
2. Made my Gmail account POP3.
3. Set my Gmail account to send a copy of every incoming message to my BB e-mail address.
4. Configured my Outlook for POP3 Gmail retreival.

Now I get a copy of every e-mail on my Blackberry as well as one via Outlook. The only problem I have with this is I'm essentially having to read/delete every message twice. Once on the Blackberry and once in Outlook.

I'd like it so that when I delete a message on the Blackberry its deleted from both the web client and Outlook (the server) but I guess that's not possible without BES.

I had to go the extra step of using Gmail because the forwarding option with Verizon forwards the original message not a copy.

If you have tmobile you want to mess around with yahoo mail since they have wireless reconciation with their new BIS. You will have to pay for pop3 like 20 bucks a year. I am not sure if it will delete on both your outlook and web client, BUT when you delete from your BB handheld you are given the option to delete on handheld only, handheld and mailbox (e.g. yahoo web client), or cancel. When I hit delete on handheld and mailbox it will delete the copy from my BB and my yahoo account automatically. I am not sure if outlooks pop client will allow a rule to allow the pop3 server to win on all conflicts or not, but it may be worth a try. I don't use outlook (hate microsoft) or I would give it a try myself.

Posted by: lgreenberg

I have Cingular not T-Mobile.

Posted by: briareus

Quote:

Originally Posted by lgreenberg

I'd like it so that when I delete a message on the Blackberry its deleted from both the web client and Outlook (the server) but I guess that's not possible without BES.

That is correct, BES is required to ensure that email is deleted in both locations. The exception being, as mentioned, using Yahoo with T-Mobile's BIS.

Posted by: TMPhoneberry

Quote:

Originally Posted by lgreenberg

I have Cingular not T-Mobile.

Hey Greenberg nice to see you joining the blackberry club. I think BlackberryForums is a great place to start.

- To get free themes, ringtones, software, games go to mobile.blackberry.com.
- Also if you haven't already get the Blackberry messenger.
- RIM's own messenger for Yahoo should be out soon for Cingular. Its already there for Nextel. Until then you have Webmessenger, IM+, and Verichat.
- Also if you like to use to view and edit attachments and documents try Repligo and eOffice.

Posted by: lgreenberg

Thanks for the tips TM.

I just downloaded the Wave theme from mobile.blackberry.com

Yeah, I've got BB Messenger, works good so far.

I've also installed Verichat. I only use AIM.

eOffice is expensive!

Posted by: Mr Pink57

Quote:

Originally Posted by lgreenberg

Thanks for the tips TM.

I just downloaded the Wave theme from mobile.blackberry.com

Yeah, I've got BB Messenger, works good so far.

I've also installed Verichat. I only use AIM.

eOffice is expensive!

if you are just going to use AIM and you are not a heavy user of it I suggest Ramble since its free. just go to http://wireless.sra.com/ramble in your bb browser.

pink

Posted by: lgreenberg

I'll give it a try Pink.

Although I think Verichat allows me to transfer my Palm subscription to a new platform. Since I've already paid for Verichat and am used to it I might just stay with it.

Posted by: Mr Pink57

Quote:

Originally Posted by lgreenberg

I'll give it a try Pink.

Although I think Verichat allows me to transfer my Palm subscription to a new platform. Since I've already paid for Verichat and am used to it I might just stay with it.

If that's the case then that's a good deal, and some great info for the people who are switching platforms.

pink

Posted by: lgreenberg

I know for a fact they used to offer it. You could transfer whatever time you had remaining on your subscription to the new platform. Of course now I don't see any mention of it on their web site and I'm wondering if they pulled it.

I've e-mailed their support group and will post the response when I get it.

Posted by: TMPhoneberry

Quote:

Originally Posted by lgreenberg

The new BIS upgrade should have wireless reconcilation atleast for yahoo mail. It already there for Tmobile. So cingular should have this pretty soon. Then you shouldn't have this problem.

Posted by: Seattle18

Quote:

Originally Posted by lgreenberg

I really like the Wave theme, especially when you change the home screen image to the orbital.jpg one already in the pictures section. Try it out.

Posted by: lgreenberg

I heard back from Verichat very quickly.

What they did was provide with a promotional code discount. I guess it's like they prorated what's left on my subscription.

That works for me.