I've been a loyal BB user for a while now. I had a RIM 957 for 2 1/2 years before I got a 7280 in Dec 2003 and have been happily using it until...now!

I get jealaous seeing co-workers with their 7290s and now the 7100g. I want to hear from those of you who have been loyal Blueberries (7210,7230,7280)...and upgraded to the 7290? Was it worth it?

If I upgrade to the 7290 I'd have to pay $400 which id on't feel is worth it.

I'm also interested in the 7100g but I am cautious about the keypad since I am a heavy email user...but I may be able to adapt.

What are people's experiences going from 7280 to 7100??

I'm not sure if $400 is worth a new Berry unless it's really worth it.

Looking forward to feedback.

Well for one thing the BB 7290 currently does not have OS 4.0. They are still at OS 3.8.

I have no idea when they will switch over. Also the 7290 is thicker than the 7280 so if you have cases or holsters for the 7280,they will not work with the 7290.

The keypad on the 7100 is very usable after the first day. It was driving me nuts at first but that night I was doing some email and realized I wasn't even thinking about it anymore.

I'm also using a 7290 though I just got it today. I think I like the speakerphone option on the 7100 and will miss it, but the bluetooth handsfree is working great.

I will say that the 7100 will require recharging every day. It is hard to see outside. I don't go outside that much, or if I am it isn't to read email.

If you're happy with what you have, why not stick it out for a while and see what else comes along? The only thing you'd be gaining is a brighter display and Bluetooth - and if you haven't used Bluetooth before, you don't know any better and wont miss it!

I couldn't use a blackberry full time unless it had bluetooth; but I've been using Bluetooth for a few years and am totally spoiled now.

Just got a 7100G today...loving it. The form factor is fantastic and the high rez bright screen makes my 7280 screen look like it's monochrome 8)

I'm a huge BT user...all my last phones in the past 3 years have had BT starting with a T68i...

I probably hold a phone to my ear 20% of the time...the other 80% I use a BT headset.

Just so you know, Rogers released OS 4.0 on 7290 on Feb 14th.

Also, it is important to note the indoor versus outdoor performance of the screens. Choose your BlackBerry accordingly depending on where you use the BlackBerry the most. Personally, I like the 7250/7290 screens the best as they are a great compromise on indoor versus outdoor readability. The 7100 series has the best screens, but you sacrifice the ability to use the BlackBerry without a backlight.

Indoor Only (bright backlight but not good outdoors)
7100 Series

Indoor and Outdoor (bright backlight)
7520, 7250, 7290, 7730, 7780

Outdoor (dim backlight)
7230, 7280, 7510

Strange mark...I used my 7100g outside today in NYC where it's very sunny and I can see the screen just fine 8)

Also don't forget that the 7100 series has a higher res..making reading email, surfing web, images 100x better!!

240x260!!

It's certainly possible that the 7100g has a better screen than the 7100t -- However, you may have noticed that it is harder to see the 7100g screen than your old 7230 screen, at least. (7230 poor indoor visibility, but excellent outdoor visibility, due to highly-reflective screen)

There were dozens of complaints about poor visibility on the 7100t outdoors -- i.e. not easy to see in direct sunlight. Did you have the backlight turned on or turned off when you used the 7100g outdoors?

Anyone else who has compared a 7100g screen with a 7100t screen, for outdoor visibility?

Mark,

You mentioned that Rogers has released 4.0. What effect does that have on 4.0 for the AT&T 7290 BB?

thanks,

Frank

The screen works great on the G! Maybe they improved the readability in sunlight?

How does the 7100g versus 7230 compare when staring at the screen with the backlight turned off? Are you able to turn off the backlight on your 7100g?

If so, how good does the 7100g screen look when the backlight is turned off?

You can't turn off the backlight on the 7100g. You can make it very dim but you can't turn it all the way off.

I compared it with the 7280 and it's night and day...literally.

You are right that the 7200 reflective screens look fantastic in direct light but what I'm saying is the 7100G at least IMHO doesn't do too bad at all for relying on a backlight.

It's entirely possible...my old SE T616 was terrible in direct sunlight but my Nokia 6230 screen is 100% readable...both use backlights and screens are somewhat similar.

Maybe if someone who has access to an early 7100t can compare it to the 7100g...my guess is RIM may have made changes given all the complaints...

It's happened before with other cell phone companies..

That could be an improvement in 7100g screens compared to 7100t screens, or maybe it's just standards are different. Time will tell when more users upgrade from a 7230/7280 to a 7100g, and they compare the indoor usability versus outdoor usability.

Or someone actually comparing a 7100g versus a 7100t. It may be that they both use the same screen, but that they use a different plastic screen cover that improves outdoor visibility.

Hi, I know that the 7100v is only an european model, but the visibility outdoors of the 7100v is simple inexistant!!. Today, after three days of accomodation from my previous 7230 experience, to the 7100v keyboard I have walked outiside with the flamant 7100v... sunny spanish morning... I can't see NOTHING with the light setting at maximum (100). Now, muy 7230 is again with me... a shame, because I like a lot the navigation interface on the 7100v, but it's imposible to see it outdoors. I hope that Vodafone Spain will carry soon the 7290 model...

Saludos,
Rafa