My only phone is supplied to me by my current employer. While my new employer will reimburse me for my phone/service its up to me to choose what to get.

I have a Pearl 8130 now and its been good to me. I'll most likely get another Pearl but wanted to get some thoughts from the group first. Side Note - I don't know why so many people hate on the Pearl. Yes, I know of its limitations but you just can't beat the size. I digress.

*I pretty much have to have AT&T. From all accounts they are w/o question the most reliable coverage in the area.

*WiFi would be more useful to me than GPS (Cellular triangulation is good enough for 99% of my needs). However, AT&T has GPS where TMOB has WiFi.

Do any of you know of any issues with using an unlocked TMOB pearl on an AT&T network?

Would I be better off just buying the 8120 BB World Phone w/WiFi from AT&T?

If the recommendation is to go the unlocked TMOB route can someone recommend a reliable/trusted source? I've been burned a couple of times on eBay and would rather avoid that if possible.

thanks.

Either will work. Personally I would go with the 8120. I cannot tell you where to buy a TMO phone but for a fast, cheap and reliable unlock see the folks in my signature and for being a BBF member you even get a discount. I have the Bold now but previously used a pearl and you are right you cannot beat the form factor. But for a ton of email full qwerty is the way to go in my opinion.

Hope that helps. You may want to check out the WTS section here. Be careful, check their post count and ask for Ebay feedback.

E-

Thanks. I was leaning towards the 8120.

I don't get a lot of email...maybe about 120/day of which many don't require a response. Either way, I've become efficient with SureType and actually find it faster than a full qwerty key pad.

Again, thanks for the thoughts.

I still cannot beleive that there has not been a price drop on the 8120. I was considering it before I jumped to the 9000. I am sure you will love the Wifi though!

E-

Mind you the GPS is damn handy, I love it on mine, I got lost last week and bingo ... my vodafone compass (one of those services) tells me where to go!

google maps and even BB maps will triangulate your position by pinging cell towers and get you within 5 meters. that's good enough for me. no need to have duplicate services.