I wonder if anyone can provide me with reccomendations as to which Balckberry is "best" - 7130e, 8700c or 7250
Your feedback is much appreciated.

Angus

My 2 cents
Having used both the 8700 and 7200 I'd have to say I wont go back to the 7200 series. The 8700 offers a superb screen, fast performance and, if you're into it, polyphonic ringtones. I'm a qwerty fan, so having the full qwerty vs suretype would certainly be deciding factor for me as far as 8700 vs 7100. Hope this helps a little. Also, I don't know for sure, but I don't think the 7200 phones are edge/evdo capable but I could be wrong in that regard. I'm sure if so someone here will help correct me.

I'ma gonna put my vote in for the 8700, I really do like it. I know there is a "cheap feeling" to it, but it totally makes up for it when it comes to the performance. I got the 7100i for my uncle, it is similar with the 7130e, I didn't have anything against it, but thought the suretype was pointless for me, but perfect for my uncle, he wants something more compact

The 7200 is indeed EVDO capable..atleast the verizon 72XX's are. I personally would choose the 7130 or the 8700. The suretype was hard to learn at first but once I got used to it I had no problems at all with it. and like said above if you are into it the 8700 and the 7130 both support voice ringtones.

What carrier do you use? Which one works best where you live, travel and work?

Answer that BEFORE you pick a BlackBerry.

If you want to use Cingular or T-Mobile, they don't sell the 7130e or 7250. If you want to use Verizon, they don't sell the 8700.

Choose the carrier first.

Since I travel internationally, I can't use Verizon, and I think the T-Mobile 8700g is the best BlackBerry I've ever used. It doesn't "feel cheap" to me.

I have used the 7100 series with tmobile and nextel and now using the 7250 with Verizon. I do like the full qwerty board better. I'm not sure about the 8700 but if you're a frequent web surfer or you instant message a lot. You should go for the 8700 or the 7250.

I'm sure the 8700 will come out on top with most users and that's where I put my vote as well.

Roger that. Love my 8700c.

You can see that mymitsu is burning his old 7290.

Better believe it!

I would go with the 7130e or 8700c depending on what carrier you have and what works better in your area.

I would think you'd want to choose your carrier first based on coverage in your area, and then choose the phone. You might regret choosing your carrier based on a specific phone available. With a range like 7130e, 8700c, or 7250, I would narrow the carrier first.

I think the network is more important than the device. I've never had any good experiences with any of the GSM carriers.

Verizon has good voice quality, lightning fast EVDO (faster than EDGE), and the 7250 is built like a tank.

That's what I'd do.

Oh wait. I DID!

Wirelessly posted (Thumpers 8700c: BlackBerry8700/4.1.0 Profile/MIDP-2.0 Configuration/CLDC-1.1 VendorID/102)

I think I agree with those who said pick the carrier first. I was a 7250 user with Sprint, dissatisfied with their slowness to embrace new blackberry technology with the rest of the industry. In retrospect I made my decision the wrong way. I wanted an 8700 for the speed and screen. I didn't think about the network, and moved over to Cingular.

The problem with this choice was that the majority of my usage is voice and BES email. Unfortunately for Cingular, their voice quality is just not as good as Sprint. Of course, BES is BES, it's great with each of them.

For me, the bottom line is network first. If I were looking now Cingular would lag behind. Next would be style - 71xx versus qwerty, qwerty wins every time. Then comes phone. Based on my carrier experience, I would probably choose the 7250 with Sprint. The 8700 certainly is a better phone, but not available on CDMA (bummer). Plus, the major difference between 87xx and 72xx is the screen and speed, which is less of an issue than I've made it out to be before.

Either way, good luck with your decision.

As mentioned above, the network is your first decision to make. Having said that, I'd go with a 7250.

RIM, IMO, made the wrong changes with the 8700-series.

They made the screen flush with the rest of the device (rather than recessed). Bad move, as you now need a screen protector.

The keyboard is not as wide on the 8700, and they toyed with the "feel" of the keys....you can't beat the keyboard on a 7200-series for size and feel.

I'm a six month user of an 8700c. No screen protector. Haven't had any problems whatsoever. And I do like the new keyboard. It's a little tighter, but after getting used to it, wouldn't go back to the 'old' versions of any blackberry. But as they say, to each his own. At least there are lots of versions to choose from.

I have all 3 devices!

I like the 7250 best because:

-it is the best built and most rugged;

-it has the best keyboard by far!!!!

-you can read the screen in direct sunlight! -try that with a 7130 0r 8700!!!!!

The real question is - do you want to impress your friends, that you have the latest technology (8700 or 7130) or do you want to impress yourself, with the knowledge that you have the best machine!!!!!(7250)

You, my friend, are true crackberry addict!

I have 4 but I currently SIM swap between 2:

7100t and 7105t (share my current SIM card)
7730
950

As a former Treo user, I thought that I would miss the QWERTY keyboard when I switched to the BB 7130e. This has not been the case at all. I am very pleased with the way that the 7130e works and I like the size and "candybar" format. I've used the 8700 series as well, but I prefer the smaller size of the 7130e. It was tough to make the switch, but I am 100% happy with the 7130e.

Hello - UK calling

First unit: 7290
Second: 7100v
Now: 8700v
Waiting for: 8707v

What I really think would be good? - 7100+G3(Edge)+FAST CHIP!

Wirelessly posted (BlackBerry 8700g: BlackBerry8700/4.1.0 Profile/MIDP-2.0 Configuration/CLDC-1.1 VendorID/100)

If T-Mobile works well in your area the 8700g is a simply awesome device. This thing is easily the best PDA and phone combination I have used and in my area T-Mobile coverage and service is decent. I am still amazed how well this thing does voice calls; it beats even the Motorola RAZR for voice and call quality, at least IMHO. I use around 2000 minutes a month and thousands of SMS and a bit of GPRS so I'm a bit picky about how my device handles this stuff and the 8700g definitely does the job for me.

Like others here suggest, choose the carrier first and then the device. Having a great device with dodgy coverage is worse than having a slightly older device that gets solid and reliable service. In Denver I have found Sprint to have the best voice and data service, followed closely by Cingular and T-Mobile. Verizon and Nextel's networks suffer from too many holes and capacity problems. For voice quality alone I think Sprint has everyone beat here and Nextel and Verizon have the worst voice quality here.