[Raven VII]

Since the announcement of the plans for the iPhone has made me decide not to get an iPhone, I am looking at either a Blackberry 8800 or 8300. Since the 8800 is offered on more carriers, I am asking you guys which carrier I should get the 8800 on? Some carriers cripple the 8800, or modify it. I hate when carriers do that.

Also, I am wondering if the 8800 on Verizon or Sprint use EVDO? Is it as fast as they say (700 kbps plus)?

Thanks all for any information!

[JSanders]

My opinion only... scrap Verizon, they disable the gps.

TMo's Blackberry Data Service cost less than any.

But the overriding factor needs to be who has the best coverage where you like, work and play.

[Raven VII]

Coverage isn't an issue. I live, work and play in Manhattan. All the carriers have good coverage here.

[JSanders]

TMo for the cost then, if that matters. Both Cingular and TMo 8800 are identical. Cingular "tries" to block use of BB Maps, but it easy to get around.

[Raven VII]

So there's no speed benefit for going with Sprint (since you said screw Verizon)? Since T-Mo and AT&T are EDGE, and Verizon and Sprint are EVDO/HSDPA (?) I'd like to actually browse the net...

[JSanders]

I said "scrap".

You have to make your choices... we have great speed in EDGE with TMo and Cingular, but I want the gps also. EVDO is much faster.

[x14]

I've had various Cingular BB in the last 3 years. Never had a coverage issue in the city.

[gibber9583]

Wirelessly posted (BlackBerry8830/4.2.2 Profile/MIDP-2.0 Configuration/CLDC-1.1 VendorID/105)

This is the eternal question that will never have an answer. I am on an 8830 with verizon. I already had a gps puck so the crippling was not a big deal. Speeds are great on EVDO. Can't beat the price I got for the 8830. $99 after rebates.


Sounds like price is an issue for you. Iphone plans are cheap. 59.99 for 450 mins and 200 texts is pretty amazing. If plan pricing is an issue, TMo would be the way to go.

[nickp]

I have been a long time T-Mo user and have had virtually all BBs available from either Cinhular or T-Mo including the 8800 and Curve. I recently switched to Verizon and the 8830. Speed difference is amazing between Vrz and TMo. Vrz is just lightning fast, but at a premium compared to TMo. If you are doing a lot of browsing and the extra $20/mo is not an issue, go with Vrz.

The only thing I do not like about the 8830 is the blue backlughting on the keys. Unless you are in complete darkness, it makes the characters virtually unreadable without tilting the device.

And yes, if the Curve comes to Vrz, I am switching.

[Raven VII]

gibber, the pricing of the iPhone's plans wasn't the issue. It's the requirement to have a voice plan that is.

Thanks all for the information.

[Dubdub]

Originally Posted by JSanders

TMo for the cost then, if that matters. Both Cingular and TMo 8800 are identical. Cingular "tries" to block use of BB Maps, but it easy to get around.

I have a Cingular/ATT 8800 and use BBMaps with no problems at all. Can't see that it is "blocked" at all.

[JSanders]

Wirelessly posted (8700g: BlackBerry8800/4.2.1 Profile/MIDP-2.0 Configuration/CLDC-1.1 VendorID/102)

Originally Posted by Dubdub

I have a Cingular/ATT 8800 and use BBMaps with no problems at all. Can't see that it is "blocked" at all.

I have BBMaps also and works like a charm. Just that Cingular blocks the download from the BlackBerry.com site and you have to find it OTA otherwise.

[e1superman]

Originally Posted by JSanders

Wirelessly posted (8700g: BlackBerry8800/4.2.1 Profile/MIDP-2.0 Configuration/CLDC-1.1 VendorID/102)



I have BBMaps also and works like a charm. Just that Cingular blocks the download from the BlackBerry.com site and you have to find it OTA otherwise.

Sprint EVDO is as fast as they advertise. I get 120kbytes/second consistently downloading things (so that would be on average of 800-1000kbps transfer speed on most downloads). This is many many times faster than EDGE no matter how you look at it.

Sprint does not lock out the GPS and it works fine with 3rd party map software (Telenav for example) and BB maps. If you want to wait for the 8830 Sprint will have that on July 15th. If you want to save some money get the 8703e.

[flash24]

Tmobile has the cheapest plan compare to all carriers, if you want to save money with great customer service go with tmobile.. (Bang for a Buck)
Their service isn't that bad either. I love tmo..

Cingular, their a little higher than T-Mobile, but I hate their customer service.

Sprint, verizon.. we all know cdma's are expensive specially their BB plans. But if your willing to pay big bucks every month with blazing speed EVDO why not? Downside is they cripple a lot of stuff.

Hope this helps!

[Raven VII]

delete

[jwcanada]

Originally Posted by e1superman

Sprint EVDO is as fast as they advertise. I get 120kbytes/second consistently downloading things (so that would be on average of 800-1000kbps transfer speed on most downloads). This is many many times faster than EDGE no matter how you look at it.

Sprint does not lock out the GPS and it works fine with 3rd party map software (Telenav for example) and BB maps. If you want to wait for the 8830 Sprint will have that on July 15th. If you want to save some money get the 8703e.

The release date is July 1 for the Spint 8830...not July 15th.