Hey all - just found this site and the info is AWESOME!

I have a legacy RIM 850, only data BB and have used it constantly for past two years. I travel frequently all over country, mostly major cities for work and am now really looking into upgrading to a new 2005 BB. I have several co-workers using 7100t but have been on several calls with them where they sound VERY staticky and I wonder if that is the norm?

Also - I am a current Verizon customer and would be inclined to switch as long as my service would be somewhat comprable -I know that is another debate, but I would be comfortable switching to Cingular I believe since very strong here in Houston and seems to be where I travel - but used to CDMA and hear mixed about GSM. Feedback here would be helpful too.

So - question is - for a great new BB with many new features, but also a very workable phone for business purposes more than personal (meaning using it for conversations mostly) - go with the 7100g or would I find that 7290 might be better for me? Better for phone, just larger form factor, etc - any benefits to it?

Thanks!

A lot depends on which carrier you want to choose - and which one works best for you. Verizon now has a very good BlackBerry - the 7250, with 32 MB, Bluetooth, etc. A nice BB. Very similar to the 7290, which is GSM/GPRS rather than CDMA. The 7100 is a different animal. The polar opposite of the 850! The 850 is data only, while the 7100 is designed for people who use voice more than data.

If you want to stick with Verizon get the 7250. Very nice. If you want to go to Cingular (which gives you the option of traveling outside of North America), then the 7100g is great if you want a voice oriented BB, and the 7290 is superb if you want a data (e-mail) oriented BB. The 7100 form factor is great, but the keyboard takes some getting used to. The 7100 also washes out in sunlight - not good for me - and I ended up jumping to a 7290.

Just my .02.

Great points - interesting to hear the "more voice-oriented" vs. data point - of course I haven't had the ability to have any voice capability as of yet, so I am more looking for a great BB that can be my primary phone - best of both worlds. How is the phone on the 7290? Is it too bulky to use w/o a headset? I know it had bluetooth, but in case I don;t get a headset to use, is it just plain annoying to use w/o one? I hear b/c it does not have send/end buttons, it does not function as a phone very well. Thoughts?

Main thing is - if I can get used to the suretype - the reception and static issue is what I am mainly concerned with about the 7100. Any feedback on that would be great.

THANKS!

There does seem to be a voice quality issue with the 7100 (certainly true on my phone. It seems to be worse with the current SW (4.0). Some people believe (are hoping) that it is software and will be fixed.

Returned my 7100t today, should i bother with the 7100g?

Better thread, same issue: http://www.blackberryforums.com/show...7938#post47938

the voice quality on 7100 g is better thn 7290 worse than motorola though