Help me figure this out....

mrpcman · #1 (**permalink**) 26th April, 2002, 12:06 AM

I'm looking into getting a replacement cell phone and a new plan, and i need something that works in AK. my current phone is a att digital one rate phone and a nokia 6190(i've had for years). it's a WA plan too btw. So i was looking into a pda setup, like a visor prism which can be had for under $200, and a free wireless attachment with 1 year contract. now what i'm asking is if theres another better pda i could use or if you don't think it's worth it and i should go with a cell phone instead. TIA.

mookydooky · #2 (**permalink**) 26th April, 2002, 07:38 PM

If Sprint PCS works in your area, the Samsung I300 is considered by most to be the best hybrid Cellphone/PDA out on the market right now. I believe it's the only one where you can access PDA functions while using the phone. The address book in the PDA also works in conjunction with the phone part which means you don't have to look up the number to dial which actually defeats the purpose of having a cellphone/PDA. I haven't gotten one myself, but that's only because I use my Palm only when I travel. It carries all my work stuff but the same stuff is already stored on the computer there. For me, a small slim phone is the best since I like to carry it in my pocket and I don't want it to be too obstrusive.

mrpcman · #3 (**permalink**) 27th April, 2002, 02:41 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by mookydooky
If Sprint PCS works in your area, the Samsung I300 is considered by most to be the best hybrid Cellphone/PDA out on the market right now. I believe it's the only one where you can access PDA functions while using the phone. The address book in the PDA also works in conjunction with the phone part which means you don't have to look up the number to dial which actually defeats the purpose of having a cellphone/PDA. I haven't gotten one myself, but that's only because I use my Palm only when I travel. It carries all my work stuff but the same stuff is already stored on the computer there. For me, a small slim phone is the best since I like to carry it in my pocket and I don't want it to be too obstrusive.

yeah, but that phones a bit expensive.

Pretty much, i do alot of travel, so i would kinda like in all in one solution, but i still don't know yet, and i do like sleek( i used to have a 8190), but i need something with features too. :/ Spring wasn't available in AK yet, but it may be now i don't know. Also, for now i think this cingular plan may be cheaper. i've done alot of research and still no nothing!

mrpcman · #4 (**permalink**) 27th April, 2002, 03:57 AM

http://www.handspring.com/products/v..._cat_name=Edge

http://www.handspring.com/products/v...cat_name=Prism
i can get this for about $200
or the like

and

http://www.handspring.com/products/v..._service.jhtml
FREE

or the like unless theres something alot better and thinner and not too expensive..i just haven't found that many good phones for under $200 which don't come with a 2 year agreement. that ericsson T68 looks nice, but it doesn't work in AK yet. :/

mookydooky · #5 (**permalink**) 27th April, 2002, 06:48 AM

I was never really sold on the Handspring module idea. In theory it sounds great, but the point of a PDA is that it be small and light. When I'm overseas I carry my Palm in my jacket pocket. If I had those modules sticking out of it, it wouldn't be as portable. The modules are neat and all, but not worth the hassle for someone who hates carrying anything more than the bare minimum.

That said, if you can get the Edge and the phone module and it comes with a free phone for $200, you can't beat that price with a stick. If Voicestream works for you, it stinks in my area, then it sounds like a great deal.

I've gone through 7 cellphones in the past 18 months trying to find something that's light, easy to use, with good reception in my home area. It's not easy. I thought I found one last year, but I lost it when I got drunk and they discontinued the model. It's too bad they don't have the variety of phones here they have in Asia. The stuff here is garbage compared to what you can find in Japan, Korea, and Hong Kong.

mrpcman · #6 (**permalink**) 27th April, 2002, 02:08 PM

yeah, the size is an issue, although i don't think it's that much bigger then my 6190. I looked at the thinner visors, but the springboard module is still an inch thick. I don't have a super liking for visor, it's just the only pda with a phone attachment that i can find..voicestream doesn't work in ak. only cingular, att and maybe sprint..att phones suck and i haven't seen anything super nice from cingular and sprint is super expensive...heck, i guess if i went the pda rout and really didn't like it i could just get a new phone and still have a pda i guess..bleh

mrpcman · #7 (**permalink**) 27th April, 2002, 02:22 PM

oh yeah, i have an ond 5160 from voicestream from years back, and was wondering if i could use that in a pinch if i got a pda and it was too bulky i.e. sim card swap. thanks alot.

mookydooky · #8 (**permalink**) 27th April, 2002, 02:26 PM

Only GSM network phones use SIM cards. In the USA, only Voicestream uses GSM on a national basis. AT&T is supposed to upgrade to GSM towards the end of this year, but I wouldn't hold my breath. You wouldn't be able to use your 5160 with any other network, at least not in the USA.

mrpcman · #9 (**permalink**) 27th April, 2002, 03:00 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by mookydooky
Only GSM network phones use SIM cards. In the USA, only Voicestream uses GSM on a national basis. AT&T is supposed to upgrade to GSM towards the end of this year, but I wouldn't hold my breath. You wouldn't be able to use your 5160 with any other network, at least not in the USA.

yeah, that's what i figured. i was holding off for att to upgrade to gsm and then i would get a nice new phone, but i found out they don't work in ak yet since it's not upgraded there, but they do in seattle. So voice stream had a GSM network 2 years ago?

Phiber · #10 (**permalink**) 27th April, 2002, 09:03 PM

nextel seems totally off wat you want...but they use SIM cards...i have a nextel (i90c) and its pretty darn nice...

demonX · #11 (**permalink**) 27th April, 2002, 11:38 PM

On the topics of phones and plans
Anyone know of a company that has a good calling plan with free caling to canda? Maybe one of those only at midnight, if a black cat jumps in your window, while a old lady sings at your window will it be free for the first 10 seconds plans?

I live in the US and would like to be able to call somone in canada on a regular bases without paying a massive phone bill

mrpcman · #12 (**permalink**) 27th April, 2002, 11:47 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Phiber
nextel seems totally off wat you want...but they use SIM cards...i have a nextel (i90c) and its pretty darn nice...

nuttin' wrong with sim cards...nextel is outa my pricerange though...cingular..now to just choose my phone.

dimmreaper · #13 (**permalink**) 28th April, 2002, 12:05 AM

I prefer to keep two quarter tucked behind my driver's license in my bill-fold, and hope to God that there is a pay phone around when I need it

mrpcman · #14 (**permalink**) 28th April, 2002, 12:22 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by dimmreaper
I prefer to keep two quarter tucked behind my driver's license in my bill-fold, and hope to God that there is a pay phone around when I need it

ah, well there changing it to 35cents most place and it's 50 in seattle. it's GAY. anyhow, i keep a cell because I travel so much it's really nice since people need to get a hold of me. i get 6 hours or so a month in on em.

The Spyder · #15 (**permalink**) 28th April, 2002, 12:25 AM

I have been realy satisfyed with my nokia 8290 and ATT plan- $30 a month- 3000 weekday- unlimited weekends and nights- realy good deal- nice phone-
Great Service!
Spyder

dimmreaper · #16 (**permalink**) 28th April, 2002, 12:25 AM

It's been 35 cents in Michigan for years, that's why I carry two quarters and not one

mookydooky · #17 (**permalink**) 28th April, 2002, 12:39 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by mrpcman

nuttin' wrong with sim cards...nextel is outa my pricerange though...cingular..now to just choose my phone.

I think Cingular is in the process of switching over to GSM which means you would be able to use your old 5160. I would get a new phone though. Reception on 5160/6160/6162 leaves something to be desired compared to the newer phones. The Nokia 8290 should be available for Cingular since it is a GSM phone. There's a dozen or so Motorola phones available in GSM too.

mrpcman · #18 (**permalink**) 28th April, 2002, 12:54 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by mookydooky

I think Cingular is in the process of switching over to GSM which means you would be able to use your old 5160. I would get a new phone though. Reception on 5160/6160/6162 leaves something to be desired compared to the newer phones. The Nokia 8290 should be available for Cingular since it is a GSM phone. There's a dozen or so Motorola phones available in GSM too.

righty,so that's why i was wondering. i've had a 5xxx a 6xxx and a 8xxx and the 8290 was a good phone, but the reception kinda sucked too on it imo. my choice is between a new 8290 and a PDA setup i think....so i guess my thought was get a pda setup, and if i don't like it because it's too bulky i can either get a new phone or fall back on the 5xxx phone.

mookydooky · #19 (**permalink**) 28th April, 2002, 01:00 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by mrpcman

righty,so that's why i was wondering. i've had a 5xxx a 6xxx and a 8xxx and the 8290 was a good phone, but the reception kinda sucked too on it imo. my choice is between a new 8290 and a PDA setup i think....so i guess my thought was get a pda setup, and if i don't like it because it's too bulky i can either get a new phone or fall back on the 5xxx phone.

I used to have a 8260 from AT&T. The reception was really bad so I got rid of it and switched to Sprint. One of my friends has a 8290 from Voicestream and it was pretty good. Much better than my 8260. My guess is that AT&T is just bad in New York. With my current Sprint service, you wouldn't be able to tell whether I was on a cell or a regular land line. There are more deadspots with Sprint though, than AT&T. My guess is that Cingular and Voicestream would also have a lot of deadspots. When my contract with Sprint is over, I think I'll switch to Verizon. Reception is just as good as Sprint and it has fewer deadspots.

mrpcman · #20 (**permalink**) 28th April, 2002, 01:16 AM

well the problem is the only ones that work in ak without roaming are att and cingular, and i currently have att and my contract is long up so i need to switch. Sprint won't be in ak for some time so that kinda limits me. :/ my life has never been simple..bleh att has had good coverage for me, just not great reception.