Well after 2 hours on the phone with tmobile, my phone finally works. Seems the device I bought was never "registered" with rim, so it kept failing when I would attempt to update the PIN.
After going to my normal places, and useing the phone, i found that my signal is weaker than my unlocked 8700c that this phone replaced.
Is anyone haveing the same problem? And in areas where i know i would get 1 or 2 bars, IE moms house, its dead.
I like the phone but the signal is kinda bumming me out. DO you think its a bad unit, not being registered and all and it was doomed from the start?
I agree the signal strength does appear to be weaker. With TMO's spotty coverage I noticed this morning that a couple of dead zones were app 1/4-1/2 mile larger than with my 7105t. The store manager where I bought it yesterday said he would not get one because his 8700 was stronger and in places where he needs a signal, the 8100 wouldn't connect.
Where I use it 90% of the time I'm getting about the same strength I got with my 7105 so I'm OK with it.
I must third the motion. I've been sitting here at my desk at work and the signal is def. weaker. I usually get 2 bars here but now it fluxuates between no signal and 2 bars. Like right now...it's searching for network...maybe I'll blame it on a real crappy rainy day here in MD.
This is a bummer to hear. I was planning on purchasing a 8100 today after work in an attempt to get a phone that has a strong signal. I'm currently testing a SK3 and it's signal is noticeably worse than that of my unlocked Treo 650. I also live in MD. I guess I'll still get one to test it out but that really sucks about the signal if this turns out to be true.
My signal is almost identical to my 8700, and better than my previous 7100.
In general it is about average to other cell phones I use. Not the best and not the worst. I work in a weak service area, so signal strength is important.
My SDA held a signal well and I had full bars most of the time. I have noticed fluctuation and in certain places I have noticed one to two bars less than with my SDA.
My sound quality is a lot better, with my 7130g I could never hear my wife on the phone and she had to yell. Yesterday I talked to her on the pearl and walked under a train and could still hear her.
It does look like I have less "bars" but I haven't noticed it yet. Jury is still out. I'm in Downtown Chicago though, coverage is good here.
My signal strength is also weaker than a lot of my previous phones, but is WAY better than my 7105t. Part of the problem is I've been using Nokia's for so long that I have high expectations. Be that as it may, I haven't noticed the signal to be terrible by any means... just not as good as some others.
As for the phone quality itself, it has been superb outgoing, and mostly good incoming, if a tad bit tinny. Again, a vast improvement over my 7105t in every way.
This is my third BB phone. My signal strength with the 8100 is at least as strong as my previous phones. Additionally, I noticed yesterday that after losing a signal (e.g. getting in the elevator) the 8100 reconnects (straight to EDGE) much faster than my 7100T reconnected to GSM or GPRS.
I have a corporate 7290 and the 8100. Side by side, when I compare the "Signal" under Options -> Status, they are equal - almost to the exact same dBm number.
Wierd. I have used every model GSM Blackberry and on tmobile this one has the best signal and call quality. I was able to make a call at the forest hill muni station in sf today. I could never do this on my 8700c.
Hows is your service? My signal is weak.
I live on the near north side.
