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Alpha752 · 08-20-2005, 02:31 PM

I am a current Verizon cell customer, and was thinking about upgrading to their blackberry. I was hoping for some input from current customers.

#1- Being mid-contract, I would have to purchase the unit at full price, as far as I can tell thats around $500. Is it worth it at this price? They have a plan with 450 anytime, Night/weekend, and unlimited data for about $75/mo. This seems to be a good deal, is it?

#2- What I want the blackberry for is for the basic PDA functions, but more importantly for email, and web browsing. I am not associated with a company, so it will be just individual. I use gmail for my email, and can access through pop, or web browser. I have a boring job, and think it would be cool to browse the web at work when ever I want to. Is the blackberry a good solution for this? Web browsing is very important

#3- Can the web browser access all sites (html), or just WAP sites? I visit a lot of forums, and would like to surf these on my blackberry. What about speed?

So, will the blackberry fill my desire for mobile internet access? Thanks for your input.

Russ

finch · 08-20-2005, 02:34 PM

Whatever you do make sure you purchase the 7250 stay far away from the 7750 as it's been dubbed the worst BlackBerry made...

Dusty Saddle · 08-20-2005, 02:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Alpha752

I am a current Verizon cell customer, and was thinking about upgrading to their blackberry. I was hoping for some input from current customers.

#1- Being mid-contract, I would have to purchase the unit at full price, as far as I can tell thats around $500. Is it worth it at this price? They have a plan with 450 anytime, Night/weekend, and unlimited data for about $75/mo. This seems to be a good deal, is it?

If you are getting the blackberry along with a new voice plan ($39.95 minimum and a 2 yr contract), you should be able to get it for less than $500, since you will be starting up a new contract. If you just switch it with your current phone, I guess that $500 will be the price. I bought my 7250 on a new contract and got the discounted price. After a couple of months, I rolled the blackberry into my family plan.

#2- What I want the blackberry for is for the basic PDA functions, but more importantly for email, and web browsing. I am not associated with a company, so it will be just individual. I use gmail for my email, and can access through pop, or web browser. I have a boring job, and think it would be cool to browse the web at work when ever I want to. Is the blackberry a good solution for this? Web browsing is very important

It works for me.

#3- Can the web browser access all sites (html), or just WAP sites? I visit a lot of forums, and would like to surf these on my blackberry. What about speed?

The verizon 7250 uses the Blackberry browser and gets html.

So, will the blackberry fill my desire for mobile internet access? Thanks for
your input.

Yup.

Russ

bbmember · 08-20-2005, 03:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Alpha752

I am a current Verizon cell customer, and was thinking about upgrading to their blackberry. I was hoping for some input from current customers.

#1- Being mid-contract, I would have to purchase the unit at full price, as far as I can tell thats around $500. Is it worth it at this price? They have a plan with 450 anytime, Night/weekend, and unlimited data for about $75/mo. This seems to be a good deal, is it?

#2- What I want the blackberry for is for the basic PDA functions, but more importantly for email, and web browsing. I am not associated with a company, so it will be just individual. I use gmail for my email, and can access through pop, or web browser. I have a boring job, and think it would be cool to browse the web at work when ever I want to. Is the blackberry a good solution for this? Web browsing is very important

#3- Can the web browser access all sites (html), or just WAP sites? I visit a lot of forums, and would like to surf these on my blackberry. What about speed?

So, will the blackberry fill my desire for mobile internet access? Thanks for your input.

Russ

As I see it, it should be perfect for you. BB works very well for Email, Browsing, IM, and PIM.

strobe212 · 08-20-2005, 04:08 PM

you are in the same exact situation that im in. i just bought a BB 7250 from verizon last week. i bought it for the 1 year contract price cause i dont wanna sign 2 yrs. so i payed like $380. i am paying $79.99 for my bundled plan though. maybe thats b/c im in ny. i only use it for personal use. u can view most html sites. it obv has problems with sites that are huge. my suggestion is that if u know that a website ur viewing has a wap site, then u should use it. all in all i am happy with it and i think u will be to

fireman · 08-20-2005, 04:41 PM

Go for it. I curently use the 7250 (tired and hated the 7750) for both the data and voice and could not be happier! I used to carry two devices BB7250 and a V710 until others on this board had told me about their success with 1 device for all. You will be happy! I travel the entire uper mid west and the voice works great and the data isn't that bad either. I too had to pay a little extra to get the BB 7250 and have not looked back at that decision I had made, it was worth every penny!

miketime42 · 08-20-2005, 04:49 PM

I currently own the Blackberry 7750 from Verizon, and when I purchased it, the model was being discontinued. I have a family plan, and the data package costs 45 dollars per month. The 7750 has been a solid machine, providing email with superb Blackberry quality; the Web browser runs slowly and it takes a long time to load sites with lots of graphics. In fact, I had difficulty getting on to this site. Overall, my experience with the 7750 has been okay, but now I want SPEED when surfing the web. I am considering going to Cingular and purchase the 7290 because it can operate on Cingular's "EDGE" network. The Web access as demonstrated in the Cingular store is outstanding.

Verizon currently touts their "Broadband access" but it will not work on the Blackberry products they sell - 7250 model. If you want speed, do not go to Verizon.

fireman · 08-20-2005, 04:59 PM

The 7750 is the dog of the BB line. Try the 7250 from Verizon. I did a side by side test with a friends 7290 from Cingular and both were equal. I would like to see how they would match when/if Verizon puts out their EVDO. I guess it depends on the market in which you use it.

supermanfan · 08-20-2005, 05:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by miketime42

I currently own the Blackberry 7750 from Verizon, and when I purchased it, the model was being discontinued. I have a family plan, and the data package costs 45 dollars per month. The 7750 has been a solid machine, providing email with superb Blackberry quality; the Web browser runs slowly and it takes a long time to load sites with lots of graphics. In fact, I had difficulty getting on to this site. Overall, my experience with the 7750 has been okay, but now I want SPEED when surfing the web. I am considering going to Cingular and purchase the 7290 because it can operate on Cingular's "EDGE" network. The Web access as demonstrated in the Cingular store is outstanding.

Verizon currently touts their "Broadband access" but it will not work on the Blackberry products they sell - 7250 model. If you want speed, do not go to Verizon.

On the contrary.

1. Cingular 7290 does NOT support EDGE, only GPRS.
2. Verizon 7250 has the proper chipset for EVDO, just needs a software update if/when Verizon releases it.
3. Current 7250 1xRTT is about as fast as EDGE (much faster than GPRS).
4. My Verizon unlimited BB service was listed as Unlimted Blackberry/EVDO for $40.

I say if you want speed, go with Verizon. I bet that Verizon will release the EVDO update before Cingular releases the Electron - Edge capable Blackberry.

Alpha752 · 08-20-2005, 05:45 PM

Thanks for the replies. I just wanted to clarify something real quick. I am getting a bit confused reading through the old threads, just may be old info.

If I order a 7250 from VZW next week, and sign up for the phone and data plan, then I will have a browser, and email, right out of the box?
I read some old threads about peoples who didnt have a broswer out of the box, I wanted to make sure this has changed, or will I have to do through some other step?

Thanks,
Russ

Ominx · 08-20-2005, 06:16 PM

The vzw 7250 comes with the browser right out of the box. No other steps required as long as you get signed up on the proper BB Unlimited Plan.

Alpha752 · 08-20-2005, 06:24 PM

Very cool. Thanks all. I talked to a VZW rep, and they told me that since my contract is less then 12 months from expiring, they will give me the 2 year discount if I resign. I have to think long and hard about this, but im leaning toward it.

Im sure ill have more questions.

Thanks
Russ

r1man1963 · 08-20-2005, 08:41 PM

The BB is not a PDA though

SDCromer · 08-20-2005, 09:05 PM

I got a Verizon 7250 through work about three months ago. Prior to this I carried a laptop a cell phone and a PDA and chargers for all three when on the road.

I still carry my laptop because the job requires it, but since the Blackberry can charge from the laptop through the USB cable, I travel with one less device and two less chargers. The cell phone reception is better with the Blackberry than with the cell phone I had. The PDA functions of the Blackberry are not as flashy as my Pocket PC but they are all there. I just installed a beta copy of Mobipocket ebook reader so now I can read books again and life is good.

Alpha752 · 08-21-2005, 09:04 PM

One more quick question for the Verizon customers, especially the ones with the promo 450/night/weekend/unlim. data plan. Does the phone portion use the Americas choice network? What about the data? Is this a local plan only? Currently I use Americas Choice so I have a national phone with no roaming. I dont travel often, but the few times I do, its come in handy to have a reliable phone.

I couldnt find an answer on Verizons site.

And what is this PIN thing you guys keep talking about?

Thanks, sorry for being a pain.

Russ

Dusty Saddle · 08-22-2005, 05:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Alpha752

One more quick question for the Verizon customers, especially the ones with the promo 450/night/weekend/unlim. data plan. Does the phone portion use the Americas choice network? What about the data? Is this a local plan only? Currently I use Americas Choice so I have a national phone with no roaming. I dont travel often, but the few times I do, its come in handy to have a reliable phone.

I couldnt find an answer on Verizons site.

And what is this PIN thing you guys keep talking about?

Thanks, sorry for being a pain.

Russ

Russ,

The voice service is the Americas Choice Plan and data service is the National Enhanced Services Rate & Coverage Area. Check the coverage map for coverage in your area. I have found that both the phone and data coverage were pretty good from Virginia North to New York and into Canada.

PIN is the unique id number of your blackberry. PIN messaging allows you to send email direct from your blackberry to another blackberry, using the PIN address. You can also download the Blackberry Messenger software that will allow you to instant message other blackberry users.

Alpha752 · 08-22-2005, 07:34 PM

Well, I ordered my 7250 from Verizon today. Should be here Wednesday. Im sure ill have a million questions once I get it.

Thanks everyone,

Russ

bryanhilton · 08-22-2005, 09:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Alpha752

Well, I ordered my 7250 from Verizon today. Should be here Wednesday. Im sure ill have a million questions once I get it.

Thanks everyone,

Russ

I think you will be happy overall. I bought my blackberry for data use only and love it. I still use a cell phone (contract reasons) but once I can get out, I will port my number over to the blackberry. I have verizon for both services. Web browsing is faster if you disable scripts and other features. Love the add ons you can get. I got the thing for $50 bucks and figured if I didn't like it I could sell it at a price enough to cover cancelation fees, but I'm gonna keep it. Was thinking of Nextel (they have a tower on our building so I would get service in the server rooms) but decided to stay loyal to verizon; at last for another 2 years

Alpha752 · 08-22-2005, 11:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bryanhilton

I think you will be happy overall. I bought my blackberry for data use only and love it. I still use a cell phone (contract reasons) but once I can get out, I will port my number over to the blackberry. I have verizon for both services. Web browsing is faster if you disable scripts and other features. Love the add ons you can get. I got the thing for $50 bucks and figured if I didn't like it I could sell it at a price enough to cover cancelation fees, but I'm gonna keep it. Was thinking of Nextel (they have a tower on our building so I would get service in the server rooms) but decided to stay loyal to verizon; at last for another 2 years

If you have Verizon for both cell and BB, why cant you just use the BB? Thats what im doing, they are just going to put my cell number into the BB. Mabye I missed something.

trustworthy · 08-23-2005, 06:30 AM

I tried a Verizon BB and it worked great. But I ended up switching to Cingular while in mid-contract with Verizon because I want to be able to send and received emails when I'm outside the United States. Verizon doesn't offer this and Cingular does. If you are OK with a device that only works in North America I'd suggest you stay with Verizon. They have an excellent network and good customer service. I would add that the folks at Cingular so far have been great.

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