Figured “Tools” was as good a plkace as any to post this.
DW and I are ending our commitment with Sprint.
Asking around , I have decided to give AT&T my next two years.
Now what I need to decide is what phone to buy.
Anyone with reccomendations on an AT&T phone that performs well.
We don’t need a camera phone or the abilty to surf or check e-mail or chat.
All I am interested in is a phone that works.
the staff at the local store don’t know jack about the phones and any reviews I have found seem to concentrate on the gadgets and the size of the keys….
thanx in advance……
Mr T
Happiness is a cold wet nose
Life is is never to busy to stop and pet the Doggies!!
Replies
I'll ya what NOT to get and why
Kyocera..DW has one ,got it in Oct 2003..now..the battery won't hold a charge more than 1/2 a day..
I have a Motorola...it's not too bad..no bells and whistles..ooops wrong analogy..it DOES have bells
Spheramid Enterprises Architectural Woodworks
Repairs, Remodeling, Restorations.
We switched from Sprint to AT&T Wireless at the beginning of December. I have noticed a significant improvement in service since switching. That may have something to do with the newer phone though.
Local reps in Cleveland also were a bit clueless about the various phones available, etc. Therefore, we invesitgated on the AT&T Wireless website, and ordered everything through their website. You can do comparisons between different phones on their site, etc.
At the time, both of our phones were free, and they threw in home and car chargers, and handsfree earpieces.
"We switched from Sprint to AT&T Wireless'
Steve,
Yup, we have two Sprint phones, both suck. Crystal clear, yeah, they drop your call instead of give you a marginal connection.
I use my PCS phone for most calls, without moving, and 1/2 the time it'll go into analog roam mode @(45 cents/minute) turn it off, back on, re-dial, strong signal. They told me I needed a new phone, $170 later that didn't help. Then they said I needed a software???? update they did while talking to them on the phone. That didn't help. Randomly one or the other phone side by side will have a signal, and one won't.
SPRINT SUCKS. And I'm stuck with them for the next year.
Jon
I've had Nokia phones for about 3 years. I've had good luck with them - except for the fact that they aren't waterproof.
(-:
It is better to eat soup with someone you love than steak with someone you hate. [Proverbs 15: 17]
Some cell phone problems have more to do with cell site coverage than the phone. Last year, we switched from AT&T to Cingular and almost completely lost the ability to use the cell phones at home. We dumped Cingular (after a rather nasty fight) and went back to AT&T.
When you shop for a phone plan, ignore those state and national coverage maps and focus on coverage in the area(s) where you'll use your phone.
No advice on an AT&T phone
DW and I are ending our commitment with Sprint.
Just wanted to pat you on the back, I'm counting days on my sprint contract.
Currently have ATT, they work fine so far. Phone wise, used to have a NOKIA, horrible reception, probably due to no external antenna. Switched to a Motorola 120t, a nice basic phone, no games,camera's, other other useless features. It does have a built in FM radio option however :)
Renaissance Restorations
Victorian Home Restoration Services
http://www.renaissancerestorations.com
Stay away from AT&T. They are losing customers at an enormous clip. I had them for years and finally got fed up and switched to Verizon. Way better service, a little less money. AT&T wireless was bought by Cingular, So very soon they will be Cingular.
Also, AT&T wireless has about ten times the complaints with the FCC of just about any other carrier. Something to think about.
I agree. ATT asa company is one of the worst.
I read a couple of years ago, thaqt ATT was losing money on it's phone operations and only making bucks in other ways. Anybody expect them to service people they are losing money on?
NO Way!
They gave me a screwing or two and I laugh when they call to try getting me to switch back.
Welcome to the Taunton University of Knowledge FHB Campus at Breaktime. where ... Excellence is its own reward!
Thanks all for the input.
Actually I what I wanted was Info on phones.....
AT&T gets the most positive remarks locally.
They were the first in the area and have the best local coverage.
Dw started with them 9 years ago.
then we did 2 yrs with Verizon, (spotty at best)
and now we are finising up w/ sprint.
so we are gonna give AT&T another shot.
Since the store has a limited choice of Phones and the staff migt as well be working at Mc'ds, we are doing it online.
So far I have narrowed it down to 2 phones.(maybe)
A Motorola T721 & a Nokia 3560.
Probably gonna get one of each and trade if we don't like one before the 30 days is up.
also looking at Nokia 6560,6360, Moto V60i and the Sony Ericsson T616.
Any one got any feedback on these choices?
Or any other phones I should consider?
I am willing to pay more for perfomance +/or battery life but I don't need a camera (although it would be tempting to send my super a snapshot of my asss!!)
Mr T
Happiness is a cold wet nose
Life is is never to busy to stop and pet the Doggies!!
Mr T:
I have been using the Siemens S46 with ATT wireless. May be overkill if you never leave the states, but the battery life is as advertised (something like 240 hours in standby). Nice not to have to worry about recharging every day or after just a few calls. I recommend it and would get another one if looking myself.
One little glitch -- it was built for European use where incoming callls aren't charged to your plan. That means the minutes counter isn't accurate per U.S. billing plans.
http://www.siemens-mobile.com/cds/frontdoor/0,2241,us_en_0_15782_rArNrNrNrN,00.html
You can determine the severity of an airplane fire by seeing if the crash crews race toward the fire or away from it.
Did a little more research and decided to go with the Siemens S46.
Mainly because it multi-band using both GSM and TDMS and should not have any(as many) null zones according to the maps.
Good deal too: free with 2 years.
good review in Consumer reports.
I'm sold!
Gotta go to the store to get one tho.
Mr T
Happiness is a cold wet nose
Life is is never to busy to stop and pet the Doggies!!
I've been happy with my phone, hope you are too!
You can determine the severity of an airplane fire by seeing if the crash crews race toward the fire or away from it.
I have Verizon service with no problems. The fone I have now is a GPS Qualcomm. I have had Motrolas in the past and lasted out the 3 year contract just with 2 batteries. For ya big contractors Verizon now has walkie talkie. Its a feature I don't need or use. Be nice if I had several fones in service for crews.
... multi-band using both GSM and TDMS and should not have any(as many) null zones according to the maps.
That's what I will look for this fall when they have all of their back-to-school "free phone" specials! GSM coverage is getting better, but it's nowhere near as good as the "old" digital networks. Thanks!
I've got the Motorola T721, it's a pretty good little phone. I chose it because it was the biggest of the small phones, if that makes any sense. And it's got the caller i.d. on the face.
And I hear you on the store clerks. Every cell phone store I've been in is run by robots.Who Dares Wins.
I know you think you have decided but if you have not signed as of yet do a Google search on AT&T Wireless and complaints. here is one. don't do it man!!!
http://www.engadget.com/entry/5067531328785154/
Nokia 3560. About as basic as you can get now...still has features I don't use, but is intuitive and easy to learn.
Our local AT&T store was quite helpful. Told them I wanted a basic, dependable vibrating phone. The guy steered me to Nokia twice, (I lost first one...ouch!). Told me that none compare in terms of service frequency. I'm pleased.
Would also reccommend the AT&T swiveling belt clip. Didn't want any cheesy leather with plastic window, no neoprene, holds phone SECURELY, etc.. I looked all over for what I wanted, some as expensive as $60. Figuing the AT&T store would sting me, I didn't look there. But decided that if it worked it would be worth some dough. So I dropped in and told them what I wanted....$13 and I couldn't be happier.
I have ATT wireless.
Signal varies alot, customer service takes ages to get through to, you have 30 days to make sure you are happy, sometimes it will take 2 hours for a voice mail to notify you of its existance. I live in Marlton NJ 10 miles from Philadelphia. I look at my phone and just 1 bar is up for signal strength. Worst thing is the customer service. Don't buy on line 'cause then the stores don't want to know you!!
I would drop them if I could get out of the $175 fee. In this area T mobile has the better coverage and prices. ( 1000 mins for $40, no 'free' time)
Good luck.
As to what phone.
get the loudest earpiece you can (then you can turn it down if needed), I like the flip phones as the keys are covered when not in use. Big "print" on the screen when inputting numbers.
I have the Sansung 426 and it works ok without to many bells and stuff.
Always talk to friends/neighbors to find out what service they have and how satisfied they are with it. The coverage that various companies provide varies considerably from place to place.
I've had a portable phone for over 20 years, my first was a truck phone that took up space in the back of my SUV and had excellant range and reception. Truck phones put out 10 milliwatts while cell phones put out 3milliwatts.
Once digital phones became the norm truck phones pretty much died..
I used ATT and they seemed to have the most universal coverage but their costs were simply outragous. I eventually switched to Nextell because with the walkee talkee feature I wasn't charged for many of my calls. The trouble is they don't have anywhere near the coverage that ATT do or some of the others..
I've used both Nokia and Motorola with about the same results.. get either one damp and it loses about half of it's range,... get one wet and it's junk!
I had Sprint first, and where I live was a dead zone. There were LOTS of Sprint dead zones around my major metropolitan area. Dropped them fast.
I've had AT&T for years without any problems. Not at all happy that they may be acquired by Cingular, if the Feds approve the deal. My sister gets better reception, in the mountains of Northern California, with Verizon. Both providers have great nationwide coverage -- important if you travel a lot.
My phones have always been Nokia, the last one was an 8260, and this one is a 6360. No idea what the numbers mean, if anything. Both were easy to figure out, and worked fine (for me). My brother has also been using AT&T, and Nokia phones, much longer than I have, without complaints -- he's one of the people who goes in every few months and gets the latest phone. Always ahead of me there.
AT&T also has much smaller phones, but they cost more, and I'd probably lose one of those tiny phones real fast.
The Nokia fits right into the ruler pocket of my carpenter jeans. Always handy.
I have a Nokia 6310i. It's a GSM phone, so if I go overseas, or my kid comes to vivit me, she can use it here or me there.
That said, it is not great. GSM works poorly in the parking garages or even basements. The antenna died one month short of it's birthday so they replaced it. Idunno, 225.00 is a lot of money for a so-so phone. I keep it in a special Kuny pouch on my belt, and it never gets really knocked.
Now if Nokia built phones the way I reno and repair buildings .....
Quality repairs for your home.
Aaron the Handyman
Vancouver, Canada
Are you sure the title of this thread isn't an oxymoron?
Welcome to the
Taunton University of Knowledge FHB Campus at Breaktime.
where ...
Excellence is its own reward!
we have ATT and the reception leaves a lot to be desired, northeast Mass.
I have an ericson cheapo and my wife has an expensive moterola. her reception is no better than mine.
bobl Volo, non valeo
Consumer reports rates Verizon the best carrier and LG (Lucky Goldstar) the best phones.
It's in a recent issue (past 5 issues or so). Maybe you can check it out at your library.
They rate carriers (coverage, 911 coverage, rates, services, etc.).
I switched from Cingular to Verizon and am very happy so far.
I live in the US on the Canadian border. Cingular would always have me roaming (internationally!) -- talk about expensive bills. With Verizon, I've never had a roaming minute and I travel all over the country.
Dave
I am on Verizon Wireless and I have an old phone but I love it. If you can get it I highly recommend: Audiovox CDM-9000.
Friends and family have other phones with more gadgets but I get super connections and it has no flip to get broken, fits perfectly in my carpenter pants 'razor knife' pocket, and the battery has been wonderful.
Good luck!
-Mark