any other providers have GPS as good as verizon

In all actuality, the GPS part of the phones (and sprint is just as accurate if not better than verizon) is crap, the reason it's so accurate is because it's network assisted. If you really need a good GPS device off the beaten track, I'd look into some of the mainstream solutions such as Garmin. Best of luck.

 

Verizon is great, but the second you go onto an extended network with VZW navigator, it drops dead because it can't load routes and maps because VZW is too cheap to have data roaming agreements with USCC and Alltel. I had a terrible time with the program a year or two back when I was in Lynchburg, VA (This is the case here in Virginia, I don't know if it's different elsewhere)

Sprint is your best bet for navigation... can anyone else chime in here?

 

I don't know about Sprint, but last summer when I used Verizon's VZ Navigator both here in PA., and NJ., I never had a problem with the navigation feature dropping off. Sometimes it would pause and then reload the directions, but that's it....I don't know if any of those areas that I traveled in were in the extended area or not. My brother just went on a business trip to VA. and reported that the VZ Navigator worked the whole time, and that if he didn't have that he would have gotten lost more than a few times.

 

well here in Peru, IN we are on extended network (USCC) and it doesnt work, which really sucks cause if it did I would probably pay for it!

 

I'm sure it works great in PA and NJ, but the moment you drop off the native verizon signal the program is useless. The other day I was able to use the sprint navigation program while roaming on SID's 309 (uscc) and 502 (vzw)... .again it all goes back to whether your provider has data roaming agreements. So overall, I would say that Sprint is better...

 

I don't know who has better coverage, but Verizon does not always have data roaming arrangements with their roaming partners. As an example, until recently I was not able to send/receive MMS or browse the web on my Verizon phone when I was on USCC, who is their only roaming partner in this area. So VZ Navigator would not work in those circumstances.

 

Hey there!
The problem with Verizon data roaming is not the fact that they don't have Data roaming agreements in place. Actually, Verizon has data roaming agreements with many carriers, including ALLTEL, U.S. Cellular, Bluegrass Cellular, just to name a few. The problem is that Verizon still does not allow data while roaming with a normal phone (even if it's an EVDO phone). Data roaming is only allowed with Air Cards and PDA/Smartphones where one pays for an actual data plan (I guess they don't consider the $5 Mobile Web or even the VZW Navigator fee enough to all you to data roam). Yes, this is another area where Verizon needs to get on the ball, because you should be able to use data, including VZW Navigator, MMS, and other things while data roaming, just like you can with any other wireless carrier.

Andy

P.S. Does your phone actually Data roam on U.S. Cellular? I'd like to know more about that.

 

Sprint allows more roaming than Verizon and, including roaming, Sprint has the largest voice calling (and I believe Data) coverage area out of any carrier in the United States. Sprint has at least one roaming partner in each geographic area, even if they natively cover that area.
The fact that Sprint may be a better data option, as someone mentioned above, is that they allow Data roaming, even on normal phones ,whereas Verizon does not (yet).

 

As mentioned by others, it's because Sprint has data roaming and even allows in-market roaming. With Sprint, the user can control when and where s/he roams. With VZW, roaming is restricted or rather controlled by "The Network," and they certainly don't have data roaming. I know revenue is important and these carriers are not charities, but VZW really needs to loosen up before their customers become more educated and begin voting with their wallets.

 

You are mistaken: Verizon does have Data roaming agreements, just like Sprint does.
The problem is that Verizon does not allow Data roaming on normal, or even EVDO phones. They only allow it on PDA/Data devices and Data cards.

That is the difference.

 

It depends on what you consider "Most Reliable." In your case, Verizon is not most reliable, but Verizon's Most Reliable Claim is not based on the VZW Navigator.

 

Reliability to me, is the ability make and receive calls every where I go. And thankfully with Verizon, I can.

Network Reliability Studies

 

You VZW cheerleaders are absolutely adorable! I love when they pull out the network reliability 'stats' ... :lmao:

 

But you do have to admit that facts speak louder than opinions when you have them of course.

 

Trust me when I say that Verizon has their butt covered when it comes to that. Read the fine print- it will tell you that VZW Navigator does not work while off the Verizon network. It's up to YOU to research something before committing to it, as well as to trying it before you are "locked" into your agreement, hence Verizon gives you the best return policy in the industry.

Like I said earlier, the term "Most Reliable" depends on how you look at the facts. For you, to make your case, you look at VZW Navigator and because, in your opinion, it's a rip off and false marketing this invalidates Verizon's "Most Reliable" Claim. You can call me whatever you want, but you are wrong, since Verizon's Claim (and, again, research will help you) is NOT based on the VZW Navigator.

Your Analog argument is kinda weak in some respects, as Analog really wasn't all that great, even for voice.

 

Well on your statement about promoting something that is not always true. I have nothing against them but At&t says they have unlimited texting in some of their commercials. Well that would make someone think that it was to anyone in fact it is only for the at&t network when most of this was going on I think they have an unlimited to anyone now could be wrong. Also that is the problem with most people they are to lazy and stubborn to look into somthing it is like everything has to be perfect and given to them on a golden plate.
Those tests were also performed with data if you didnt notice. I am not being a VZW cheerleader but I am taking a side and this is the side I will take when it comes to this thread. Also if people do get in a fringe area and think that a cell phone is going to be a swiss army knife and tell them how to get some where then they are stupid . Buy a paper map. Common Sense

 

I don't use data on VZW and certainly don't use a PDA (data prices are too high and usage is restricted), so I must admit this I didn't know. I assumed (wrongly) that because I cannot data roam on my "regular" phone, then it wasn't allowed at all. That said, the fact that it is restricted to PDA devices and data cards and most certainly controlled by "The Network" is also a problem. Add to this, I am not even sure VZNavigator is available on these devices, so (given the original topic) it is a moot point that you can data roam using a PDA device or a data card.

...actually, at&t does have unlimited messaging to everyone. They have the same $30 unlimited messaging for families and $20 for individuals as VZW. I must also add that at&t unlimited messaging plan is much better than VZW, because unlike VZW, which bundles it into a plan and thus makes it contractual, the unlimited messaging with at&t is a feature (an add-on). You can get rid of it anytime and not have to worry about extending your contract.

 

I know that didnt you read my post closely when I said this didnt used to be the case but I thought it was now??

 

I lied to you Andy. I thought I was able to send a MMS to it while on Extended. I just tried it this morning to verify, and it came up as an error message of something like "message cannot be downloaded". So I guess the answer is "NO". Sorry

 

That's what I thought.
From the grapevine, there is talk that, at some point, Data roaming will be enabled on normal handsets, but who knows when and if that will happen. Luckily, I don't go into "Extended" Areas very frequently with my phone, so I don't really care, but if I stayed in an "Extended" Area for longer periods of time, I would be really bugged if I couldn't even send/receive MMS.

 

Sorry. I misread it. It happens...

 

Your right it does.

 

i live in an extended network area so it really sucks... the only reason that we went with verizon is because of an employee discount and the fact that everyone we know has verizon! don't get me wrong i am completely happy with verizon and have been impressed with their service it is just frustrating to have to drive 15 min to download a ringtone or a picture message.... the only thing that works here that is data at all is text messaging! even with the lack of data and the fact that i am constantly roaming they run circles around my previous provider (centennial wireless) which had the worst customer service that i have ever experienced!

 

Hahaha... I think you are talking about the Motorola V710 and the issue with bluetooth. I remember getting something in the mail about a settlement... I ignored it because I had already left Verizon at that point. For the record, I'm pretty sure the V710 was the worst phone I ever had. I will never have another Motorola phone. Ever.