[amishjs]

Sometimes too much information is a bad thing...I've been browsing these forums for too long and can't make a decision now. I currently just have a regular cell phone with Verizon (which I just cracked on Saturday), and am ready to take the plunge and get a BB. I can't decide between these two...

7130e
I've been happy with Verizon service so far (in terms of voice reception). Many of my coworkers/friends are on Verizon too so the mobile-to-mobile is a plus. Verizon has EVDO. But I'm not a big fan of the 7130e's form factor. Seems awkward shaped and bulky (even though the specs say its marginally thicker than 7130c, it looks and feels a lot bigger). Also sounds like a lot of people have had problems with this phone.

7130c
Love the form factor. I can get great rates on voice/data (~$62+taxes). People don't seem to be having the same issues as when the 7130e came out. Only complaint seems to be that its not the 8700. Also, its only Edge.

My needs are for a phone first, messaging second. I'd be a moderate browser user too.

[WozniakMac]

If you are in an EVDO are, I would stick with the 7130e,but if you will not be getting EVDO for a long time, I would recommend the 7130c. They are essentially the same thing, just different providers. I have a 7130e with Alltel, in an EVDO area, and am getting 900kbps speeds.
Also, if you are happy with Verizon's coverage, that is the main thing. Coverage comes first, I would think. On a speed note, the 7130c is alot faster than the 7130e. The 7130c has an Intel processor, versus whatever the 7130e has. (Not sure if anyone knows what's in the 7130e)

[amishjs]

I'm in NYC, so I think I'm in both coverage areas. Both carriers have pretty strong presences here (at least from a voice perspective). I know a while ago people were reporting EVDO problems in the area but I haven't seen much mention of that lately.

[WozniakMac]

I would do the Verizon if your in an EVDO area. My opinion of the 7130e is great. I haven't had a single problem. Your call though.

[vliou]

I love and have no issues with my 7130e except for the stupid thing that when you set it in quiet mode or vibrate, and you press the number keys...they still beep :|

[paradisephoto]

I've had a 7130e from Verizon for 4 months now. My boss has T-Mobile, and can't wait to get away from them. I was with Cingular for 9 years, and will never go back. Voice quality with Verizon is outstanding, I wouldn't trade it for anything, except maybe a Verizon 8700 series (and that's a big maybe). I have used the traditional QWERTY blackberries, and I don't know that I'd go back. I recommend the 7130e, stick with Verizon.

[animlmed]

Originally Posted by vliou

I love and have no issues with my 7130e except for the stupid thing that when you set it in quiet mode or vibrate, and you press the number keys...they still beep :|

I second that. that is one thing that NEEDS to be fixed.

[bremere]

i have had my 7130e for about a month now, i switched from a 7250, and i could never go back to a full qwerty keyboard, the condensed version makes the phone much more user friendly for holding it to your ear. I used to have voice only with cingular, the clarity is excellent with verizon.

that's my 0.02

[mansa]

Another thing to consider is that GSM phones last at least an hour if not three hours longer than CDMA phones. But, listen to the guys above me, as they give good advice.

[SlotheadSlim]

I made the switch from a Palm T-3 and a Motorola V710 phone (on Verizon) to a BlackBerry 7130C on Cingular. I gave my short review of this product on Cnet.com in their review of the 7130C.

If you read it you'll notice I used the 7130C in New York City and had great coverage. If you are seeking coverage overseas then Verizon is out of the picture. A number of people at my work have a Verizon BlackBerry for domestic and a T-Mobile BlackBerry for when they travel but I didn't want 2 devices. I'm completely satisfied with Cingular and the 7130C that should work great in both settings since it's a world phone.

I find the web page download speeds very adequate and I haven't compared EDGE vs EVDO though I know EVDO is faster but supposedly takes more battery power. I used the 7130C heavily one day from 7:00 A.M. to 11:30 P.M. for email, web, phone etc. and I still had almost 60% battery power. I don't know how that stacks up the Verizon's device but I was very impressed. On average days at work I could easily last a number of days without charging.

You should understand I've been a Verizon customer for many years and still think their service is great but the 7130C and the service offered works for me. Maybe it would work for you too.

[jww]

I am absolutely over the moon with my 7130e. I admit to being a bit biased as it is my very first forray into the BB world, but it's an excellent piece of equipment. I find the SureType is coming along fine - other than the odd difficulty I have with punctuation. As a phone it's excellent, although not quite as good call quality as my Nokia 6585, but then that doesn't have email, internet, etc.

jww

[marcfogel]

When you have the evdo connection the 7130e is fantastic. I got sick and tired of my 7130e droping from 3 bars EVDO to 2 bars 1X without moving the device.

In addition, I got more failed email messages as a result of the above with the 7130e than all my other BB combined. I got to the point that I would send a message and have to check if went five minutes later. I had the same issue with my Treo 700P and Goodlink.

The 7130c is rock solid, I suspect when Cingular deploys 3G it is going to blow Verizon out of the water. It will require a device upgrade.

FWIW: I do have an Verizon Air Card that I use for Internet Connectivity which works pretty well.