Not Airplanes.. Cell Phones?

[Bob Reeves]

Our cell phone contract is up and am thinking about getting new phones. We are on Singular, have had good service and will stay with them. The Sony Ericsson Z500 phones we have haven't given us too much trouble. Only thing I don't like about them is the darn buttons on the side.. Sometimes when I am removing it from my belt I will hit one of the stupid side buttons and hang up on whoever is calling. They are camera phones but we never use the camera or any of the other features. Just want a good flip phone.

What phone do you have and are you happy/unhappy with it?

[Bob Zambelli]

Bob - I too have Cingular and for the most part I'm quite pleased.   

My phone is the most basic model they offer, a Nokia flip-open style.
Not sure of the model number but it is definitely offered by Cingular.

I've had it for a year and it has worked flawlessly.

Bob Z.

[Roger Vizioli]

Bob (Reeves)
Sometimes the side button problem is created by the case/holder being used.
Cell phone providers get high prioces for their cases/holders etc.
Try a local flea market for a greater variety and much lower prices.
I did.
FYI -Cellphone provider prices $16.95 and up for the one I wanted.
Equivalent @ local flea market $3.00, 2 for $5.00.
So, I bought 2.   
Roger

[don Burke]

We had Cingular service for two days.  Found out why they can advertise "fewer dropped calls".  If their service area doesn't cover where you are, no connection, no dropped calls!  Couldn't make connection from our house, inside or outside, therefore useless.

I agree on the features, the side button that gives us the most trouble is the volume control under the thumb.

[Michael Floerchinger]

I am in a very rural location, just about in the middle of no where. I have Cingular and that is the only service that will communicate out there, all the rest either cannot get connected or in roaming. Up on the mountain campsite I get all of the bars but down at the farmhouse I am building the phone will have one or two bars until recently where we have been getting better reception. We think it is because SBC/ATT are adding coverage for when UE ramps up to build the new reservoir. Oh, and the phone is a Motorola, it was run over by a car last week when it popped out of my pocket when I was running across the street. After it bounced a few times and the traffic went by I walked out in the street and picked it up and flipped it open, it still worked!

mike

[john e. holliday]

I just looked at my Cingular phone which is labeled SAMSUNG.  Only reason I started carrying it was the family told me I had to.  Now I feel lonesome when I forget an leave it on the dresser.  Also a side line, no cell phone is going to work unless it is designed to work off a satelite.  My wife finally learned that on our trips to VSC and me going to Denver.  The communicator in the new Chevy Uplander works off the satelite.  DOC Holliday

[George]

IMHO unless you are into gadgets or use lots of features, the phone is not nearly as important as the service. I live near the Catskill mountains. There are not a lot of cell towers in those mountains. Some services share towers, some don't.

My first service was Verizon Wireless. It gave pretty good service almost everywhere...except in my home or the mountains. I understand that Verizon only uses its own towers. The phone was a Motorola Star Tac (flip phone). It gave excellent service.

Next, until recently, we were on T-Mobile. It gave excellent service most places, except in the mountains. The phone was a Nokia and gave excellent service.

We are now with Cingular. It was an economic thing. My wife and I share a family plan with my son and his wife. It's cheaper. We get excellent service, including the mountains, so far. The phone is a Motorola 577. I have not had trouble with the side buttons yet, and now I will watch for that.

I would suggest looking up the service area maps online. Also check who they share towers with. Also check with your local friends to see who gets good service and who doesn't.

Good luck.

George

[Allen Brickhaus]

Verizon does have contracts  with other providers and those calls cost no more than the ones with the regular Verizon towers.

It will cost you when you are not using the Verizon towers or the towers with a contract with Verizon.



Allen Brickhaus

[Dwayne]

Far be it for me to play the devils advocate, but I just cant figure out cell phones! It seems to me you carry a cell phone and anyone can get ahold of you..even the boss..or the wife...LOL  Maybe I'm wrong on this one but I like my privously(sp)

[Lee Thiel]

I felt the same way Dwayne.  But now I  have had one for a few years now and really enjoy it instead of a "real" phone.  No more folks attempting to bum a few bucks or giving me a better deal on my credit card.  Now, at least I can go to the flying field when i want and not miss any business calls. I fact, what little business I do is always on the cell.
  By the way Bob, I use US Cellular, it don't work around Spainnaw.
LeeTGD