Due to my new employer, Boeing, I reluctantly have to change from my current provider, Cingular, and give up my SE T637, which I have grown quite fond of. My only option is Sprint, as they will work inside of the Everett, Wa., factory (related thread) and inside my house. Cingular can do nothing about this. Apparently, Verizon has an antenna or "mini-tower" installed somewhere in the factory complex and Sprint can roam for free. Verizon will not work at my home (I just tried my auntie's phone). I have been looking at Sprint's phones and, honestly, none of them really excite me. My tentative choices are: Samsung SPH-A760 (I like the speakerphone) LG VI-125 I don't know about Sanyo's phones - I have read too many times about poor voice quality (from the earpiece). I really want a full-duplex speakerphone and I would like to get Bluetooth but it looks like only the LG PM-325 fits that bill, and it only has a one-way speakerphone! Argh. What do you all think? Any advice or input? I will probably go with a 300-350 min. plan with free long-distance. I don't really travel out of the Pacific Northwest so maybe a local plan would be best. A camera phone would be nice, but not necessary. Will Sprint be adding any new (read: better) phones in the next month or two? Thanks!
I have one question: Are you sure Sprint works in your house? I'm asking this because Verizon America's Choice users can use Sprint's network for free in your area, along with USCC, and others in various areas of WA/OR. What phone does your aunt use? If you are going with Sprint and going to have to roam on Verizon at your work, be sure to add the $5 add on for Free and Clear America that let's you use 50% of your minutes on other networks(PCS2PCS minutes do not apply). Sorry I couldn't be of more help, Good luck with your decision(I hate change too ) ~Andy
Some of the newer less expensive Sanyos have better sounding earpieces. Just avoid the 8200 and the ones before that. I have my sights set on the upcoming 8300 which is an 8200 with better sound quality and a better keypad as well as some other enhancements.
I like the Samsung A760 and think it would work out good for you. Here in MS Sprint's coverage is quite good where they have coverage and with the F&CA plan I could use Alltel's network for FREE when I didn't have Sprint native service. That worked out pretty good for us....the only reason I went with Alltel is for their T2T service...which is great! Good Luck!
Andy, When I had a Sprint 3588/3589i (I forget which model #) a year ago for a trial it worked in my house and my yard. The equivalent VZW Nokia would only work when I reached the street. I was under the impression that Sprint users could roam for free with VZW, or the other way around. Are you saying that I need to specifically add F&C America to my Sprint plan? I ask because Sprint is the official corporate wireless contractor for Boeing (although VZW is trying hard to get some of that business). I think that the "mini-tower" on Boeing property was put up by Verizon. Both Sprint & Verizon give a 25% discount on plans but the phones appear to be full retail-priced. Sprint's Boeing Employee page BTW, my aunt's VZW phone is a Samsung but I don't know which model. I think it's a cameraphone.
You normally need to have an F&C America plan with Sprint or you could be charged roaming fees. However some plans in some areas (such as here in So. CA) have roaming included with no additions necessary.
D00d, 1. You're not roaming in Everett...and I doubt Marysville is either. 2. If you get a camera phone, remember that you will need a Camera Phone Exemption, which can be downloaded as a .pdf. It needs to be filled out with the ESN of the phone, listing the buildings you work in/travel to, and have your Manager sign off on it. You carry it with your badge and the phone is always subject to inspection to ensure you aren't taking happy snaps of something you shouldn't. In Renton, it's business as usual to approve the passes but you might want to check with your lead/manager about camera passes before you get one just in case. I can email you the .pdf if you want. It contains the policy doc and the form you need to fill out.
I wasn't sure about the roaming situation (Everett or Marysville) so thanks for the info. BTW, I already knew about the camera phone rules, but not about the specific exemption/form. I can probably find the form on the Boeing web but if not I'll PM you (my Boeing email is not yet active). Again, thank you. Do you work for Boeing in Renton? IAM (machinist's union) or SPEEA (engineer's & tech. worker's union, for other readers' info.)? Or salaried?
I will send the .pdf to my home addy and send to you tomm. This is my 4th time back at Boeing. First two were permanent party, the last two were contractor. I am Help Desk for BCA in Renton. The Boeing contract w/ Sprint is very nice.
I have been reading up on some of the phones that I may get. In no particular order, they are: Sanyo PM-8200 (Sanyo PM-8200 page) Samsung SPH-a760 (Samsung SPH-a760 page) The Sanyo seems to have the edge in features: call screening, 2 color displays, lighter weight, VGA camera. The Sanyo costs $180 with a 1-year plan while the Samsung is $120. The Sanyo MM-5600 is nice but I am NOT paying $330 for a phone (1-year plan). I miss Cingular (and Sony Ericsson) already!! :crying: What do you all think? My main "priority" is a speakerphone; a camera would be nice but probably seldom get used.
The 8200 has below average sound quality on the earpiece unless you keep the volume way down. I would test it out first to make sure you can live with that.
Sorry. Was the Sanyo 200. http://www1.sprintpcs.com/explore/P...USER<>ATR_cartState=group&bmUID=1114650537044 BTW, you've got mail RZ.
Whatever you do, don't get the Sanyo 8200, i'm using the Samsung MMA700, alot better in sound quality and holding on to reception compared to my Sanyo.
No the 8200 is not considered one of the newer ones. The upcoming 8300 will have the better earpiece and might be a good one.
