On Verizon, the highest speed that I can get on my 8830 using tethering is 500 kbs. What is everyone else getting? I feel like the tethering speed on my Treo 700wx was higher.

Have you run a side-by-side test?

I'm getting over 700K with my Sprint 8830

125k in 1x markets on average(outstate nebraska)
2mb in omaha nebraska peak, averaging 1mb
RevA...it's a wonderful thing

does the 8830 have RevA?

Average EVDO speed is 400-800 kbps with a max of 1.2 mbps on Rev 0 and 3.1 mbps on Rev A.

Speed is a function of the connection itself, processor speed, memory, distance to the tower and tower congestion and a few other factors. Also remember that voice always has priority at the tower.

So 500 kbps is pretty good, I'd say. Speed tests are never that accurate anyway. Which one are you using?

8830 does not have a Rev A chipset.