Signing new 2yr contract, what phone should I get?

[mofocrew]

Hey, I'm signing a new 2 year contract this weekend. What phone should I get?

I'm not willing to spend more than $70 (preferably less). I also have an employee discount of about 15% from my work. I think this applies to phones, but I know it applies to plans, and 25% on accessories

Here is what I like in phones (in some sembelance of an order)
Skinny
Small
lots of numbers (500+)
ability to backup phonebook on computer
ability to hook up to a computer for internet (is this possible anymore?)
high res camera
bluetooth
hackable for extra features
rugged (I generally don't like LG phones)

What stores are having sales? Should I go to a VZW store or a circuit city, or where?

I mainly text message, and call people. Having a color screen isn't even nesecary.

Thank you for your help,

- mofo

[Kenstee]

Suggest you go to a VZW store and check out the phones. It's really the only way to do it right. Skinny AND small AND having the features you want are tough criteria. Also, if you are signing a new two-year contract you are eligable for their new every two program which gives you $100 towards a new phone. So, many of their phones will be free or almost free for you. Also, subtracting LG out leaves you with many less alternatives. In fact, the LG Chocolate and 8300 may be good ones for you to consider.

Most phones are hackable which will enable you to restore much of the functionality VZ has disabled.

[nKrypteD1]

Originally Posted by Kenstee

Suggest you go to a VZW store and check out the phones. It's really the only way to do it right. Skinny AND small AND having the features you want are tough criteria. Also, if you are signing a new two-year contract you are eligable for their new every two program which gives you $100 towards a new phone. So, many of their phones will be free or almost free for you. Also, subtracting LG out leaves you with many less alternatives. In fact, the LG Chocolate and 8300 may be good ones for you to consider.

Most phones are hackable which will enable you to restore much of the functionality VZ has disabled.

I haven't heard many good things about the chocolate candybar phone. Moto slvr would be good but yeah Verizon doesn't have it, consider the razr the high rez camera means you need to look at a media razr

[mofocrew]

Thank you for the advice, I don't need all of the features by any regards. But the more on the list that I get in my price range the better.

Are any of the bluetooth phones hackable so I can use bluetooth to connect to my laptop?

Thanks again,

- mofocrew

[mofocrew]

Thank you for all of the advice guys!

I've looked online at the vzw site, the corporate discount site, and bestbuy, are there other places I should look?

If I get a phone with bluetooth, I really want to be able to connect it to my laptop with bluetooth (if I have to hack it to do this, that is ok) so I can backup my phone #s and photos (if the phone has a camera)

Here are the phones I have seen in my price range:

Verizon B2E store:
LG VX8300 - 39.99 (reg. 69.99)
V3m - 69.99
Motorolla V325 -39.99
nokia - 2128i - $0
Samsung A950 - 49.99
Samsung A930 - $69.99

Bestbuy:
Nokia 6236i - $0
Razor V3m $59.99 (on backorder)

Normal Verizonwireless.com:
Verizon 180 - free
PN-215 - free
PN-210 - free
LG VX5200 - $29.99
Samsung SCH-A870 - 29.99
LG VX3300 - 29.99
Nokia 2128i - 29.99
LG VX3450 - 29.99
CDM - 8945 - 49.99
Samsung SCH-a930 - 49.99
LG VX 5300 - 49.99
Nokia 6215i - 49.99
LG VX4650 -69.99
Motorolla V325 - 69.99
LG VX 8300 - 69.99

[Scrumhalf]

Check out Costco prices - I've heard they are pretty good. Also take a look at Amazon - I don't know too much about how competitive they are with Verizon, but I have got some really good rebates from them for Cingular/ATTWS/T-Mobile.

Originally Posted by mofocrew

Thank you for the advice, I don't need all of the features by any regards. But the more on the list that I get in my price range the better.

Are any of the bluetooth phones hackable so I can use bluetooth to connect to my laptop?

Thanks again,

- mofocrew

If you get a phone from VZW, you will have to do some SEEM'ing to turn on some of the functions that they have turned off.

If you get a Motorola phone, I would advise you to get the software called Motorola Phone Tools (MPT), preferably with BONUS CD. This will allow you to use bluetooth or cable on your PC and laptop. You also get cables with this this software.

You can get MPT pretty durn cheap on e-bay or amazon. Just do a search on the Internet.

Do not get the Music Essentials Kit from VZW. Very, very, very few people have actually go it to work.

[mofocrew]

Originally Posted by rwsrichard

If you get a phone from VZW, you will have to do some SEEM'ing to turn on some of the functions that they have turned off.

If you get a Motorola phone, I would advise you to get the software called Motorola Phone Tools (MPT), preferably with BONUS CD. This will allow you to use bluetooth or cable on your PC and laptop. You also get cables with this this software.

You can get MPT pretty durn cheap on e-bay or amazon. Just do a search on the Internet.

Do not get the Music Essentials Kit from VZW. Very, very, very few people have actually go it to work.

Thank you guys for soo much advice! Someone recommended the Nokia 6256i is there somewhere that I can get it new besides ebay?

I appreciate all of your help. What do you have to do to get the V3m to be fully bluetooth enabled? What is SEEMing?

Thank you all,

- mofo

Originally Posted by mofocrew

Thank you guys for soo much advice! Someone recommended the Nokia 6256i is there somewhere that I can get it new besides ebay?

I appreciate all of your help. What do you have to do to get the V3m to be fully bluetooth enabled? What is SEEMing?

Thank you all,

- mofo

To SEEM the phone you have go in to the phones software at the machine language level and turn on/off 'bits'. This will allow you to turn on/off the functions, ie. OBEX file transfer, so you can transfer files via bluetooth or cable from your PC to the phone and vice-a-versa.

This requires three items. 1.) the Motorola Driver for the phone; 2.) Motorola Software Update or MSU and 3.) P2K seem editor. All hese items are free off of the Internet. Oh almost forgot, you will need the list of available SEEMS and instructions on how to SEEM the phone.

All these are available on this forum. You can find everything in the RAZR thread.

[mofocrew]

Originally Posted by rwsrichard

To SEEM the phone you have go in to the phones software at the machine language level and turn on/off 'bits'. This will allow you to turn on/off the functions, ie. OBEX file transfer, so you can transfer files via bluetooth or cable from your PC to the phone and vice-a-versa.

This requires three items. 1.) the Motorola Driver for the phone; 2.) Motorola Software Update or MSU and 3.) P2K seem editor. All hese items are free off of the Internet. Oh almost forgot, you will need the list of available SEEMS and instructions on how to SEEM the phone.

All these are available on this forum. You can find everything in the RAZR thread.

Thanks for the info!
Can anyone get VZ Navigator for free somehow?

[mofocrew]

Another question:
I used to have a samsung and could connect to the internet on my laptop by tethering my cellphone to it at 1x and it only cost my minutes. If I can get a phone to do this that would be super sweet!!!!! I was told (repeatedly) that this is no longer possible with VZW, is that true?

Thank you,

- Mofo

Originally Posted by mofocrew

Another question:
I used to have a samsung and could connect to the internet on my laptop by tethering my cellphone to it at 1x and it only cost my minutes. If I can get a phone to do this that would be super sweet!!!!! I was told (repeatedly) that this is no longer possible with VZW, is that true?

Thank you,

- Mofo

There is a SEEM that you can turn on for 1x functions, if you get VZW.

[mofocrew]

Originally Posted by rwsrichard

There is a SEEM that you can turn on for 1x functions, if you get VZW.

Thank you for your help
Is the same true of the 8300 or the v325?

Originally Posted by mofocrew

Thank you for your help
Is the same true of the 8300 or the v325?

I am sorry, but I cannot answer that question. I have not tried to SEEM the 8300 and I do not have a v325.

The only SEEM's that I have been able to find are for the RAZR.

[mofocrew]

Originally Posted by rwsrichard

I am sorry, but I cannot answer that question. I have not tried to SEEM the 8300 and I do not have a v325.

The only SEEM's that I have been able to find are for the RAZR.

I'm sorry Richard, I meant can you get 1x internet on the other phones?

- mofo

Originally Posted by mofocrew

I'm sorry Richard, I meant can you get 1x internet on the other phones?

- mofo

The 8300 and 8500 both shows both EV and 1x. The tech at VZW said they will automatically work on one or the other.

[mofocrew]

Originally Posted by rwsrichard

The 8300 and 8500 both shows both EV and 1x. The tech at VZW said they will automatically work on one or the other.

Will I be able to force it to 1x so I don't have to buy a data plan?

Originally Posted by mofocrew

Will I be able to force it to 1x so I don't have to buy a data plan?

Sorry but I cannot answer that. You might want to take the question to the LG thread.

[foreverLaur]

I've heard a lot of people complaining the that Razr breaks easily. I've got the LG VX8300 and it is perfect.

perfect reception & service
tons of features.

it basically has everything you want, it just isn't the super tiny like the razr. but it isn't huge and it's relatively attractive.

it's very easy to use. the camera is really nice. you can hack into it and make it an MP3 player as well. i've got about a hundred songs on here and i store all my pictures on here. i transfer some from my digital camera and i just uploaded the pictures from my phone -- great quality! the speakers are super loud too.

there is also more storage on this phone then i will ever use. you can store 5 numbers per entry as well as two e-mail addresses, a picture, a ringtone, and a txt tone for each person.

i really haven't heard any complaints about the phone.

i'm in love with it, as are the 32 people i know that have it, personally.

[Kenstee]

Originally Posted by foreverLaur

I've heard a lot of people complaining the that Razr breaks easily. I've got the LG VX8300 and it is perfect.

it basically has everything you want, it just isn't the super tiny like the razr. but it isn't huge and it's relatively attractive.

it's very easy to use. the camera is really nice. you can hack into it and make it an MP3 player as well. i've got about a hundred songs on here and i store all my pictures on here. i transfer some from my digital camera and i just uploaded the pictures from my phone -- great quality! the speakers are super loud too.

there is also more storage on this phone then i will ever use. you can store 5 numbers per entry as well as two e-mail addresses, a picture, a ringtone, and a txt tone for each person.

i really haven't heard any complaints about the phone.

i'm in love with it, as are the 32 people i know that have it, personally.

Personally, I think it is a rather large brick. Ugly and heavy. But that's me. Best to take all you hear here with a grain or two of salt go to a VZ store and check them out in person.

[foreverLaur]

everyone that i've known w/ a razr has broken it. if you press on the front too hard you'll bust the inside screen. i always keep my phone in my back pocket -- can't do that with a razr you'll break it in a hurry!

[mofocrew]

I ended up getting a great deal on a V3m

Circuit City had the phone for $100 with a $50 mail in rebate, and $50 mail in gift card. I got them to price match a bestbuy ad for $50, and then I could still use both rebates!

Here is the down side:
I F*$&'n hate the phone!
The good part is it has a camera, and is thin as hell.

The down side is the camera is jerky, the battery life is low, the phone is slow when you try to search contacts (can't keep up with the typing so you press keys more than you need, and go by the letter you're trying to get), no flash on the camera, horribly annoying and bad interface, doesn't display the local time during a call, counter-intuitive menus (for alarm, etc.)

I'd like to change phones (it has been 10 days) and get something else. Ideally a phone, with flash, that is skinny, I can listen to music on.

Someone recommended the Nokia 6256i flip phone. I can't find it in stores, where should I go to buy this one?

What are some other options, it seems like they all have that damn interface. I'm thinking about the Samsung a930 too.

Thanks for your advice and opinoons.

- mofo

Originally Posted by mofocrew

I ended up getting a great deal on a V3m

Circuit City had the phone for $100 with a $50 mail in rebate, and $50 mail in gift card. I got them to price match a bestbuy ad for $50, and then I could still use both rebates!

Here is the down side:
I F*$&'n hate the phone!
The good part is it has a camera, and is thin as hell.

The down side is the camera is jerky, the battery life is low, the phone is slow when you try to search contacts (can't keep up with the typing so you press keys more than you need, and go by the letter you're trying to get), no flash on the camera, horribly annoying and bad interface, doesn't display the local time during a call, counter-intuitive menus (for alarm, etc.)

I'd like to change phones (it has been 10 days) and get something else. Ideally a phone, with flash, that is skinny, I can listen to music on.

Someone recommended the Nokia 6256i flip phone. I can't find it in stores, where should I go to buy this one?

What are some other options, it seems like they all have that damn interface. I'm thinking about the Samsung a930 too.

Thanks for your advice and opinoons.

- mofo

I have the LGVX8100. It has everything that you are looking for, has a flash and take