Cell Phone Advice Needed

[VaNurse]

I'm in the position where I have to replace my cellphone. I've had it for over 5 years and, overall, it has served me well. I live in the boondocks and cell reception sucks here.

Having done a little research on the phones available from Verizon, I'm down to the Casio G'zOne Ravine and the Motorola Barrage. I don't need a lot of bells and whistles although I like the idea of having or being able to download a simple game or two to be played offline, downloadable ringtones, a camera and a SD memory card (so I can get my pics to a computer without having to pay for a Pix or message package. Needless to say, I'm not considering a Smartphone at present.

I'm leaning toward Verizon because in the past, the best service at my home has been on an Alltel system and Verizon bought out Alltel and is now using those same towers. Any thoughts, opinions or recommendations are appreciated.

 

[The Joker]

Verizon is a good choice. Not familiar with either phone, but most new phones allow you to do what you want as far as games, cameras and such.

 

[The Joker]

Also I hear you can get an iPhone now for $50. That would be your best choice even though it is 2008 model.

 

[VaNurse]

Going with a Smartphone will require that I have a data plan contract and that will cost me $20+/month. If I were working and not paying 1/4 of my Unemployment Insurance back for health insurance (COBRA), it might be a consideration but not now.

 

[marine]

I'm in the position where I have to replace my cellphone. I've had it for over 5 years and, overall, it has served me well. I live in the boondocks and cell reception sucks here.

Having done a little research on the phones available from Verizon, I'm down to the Casio G'zOne Ravine and the Motorola Barrage. I don't need a lot of bells and whistles although I like the idea of having or being able to download a simple game or two to be played offline, downloadable ringtones, a camera and a SD memory card (so I can get my pics to a computer without having to pay for a Pix or message package. Needless to say, I'm not considering a Smartphone at present.

I'm leaning toward Verizon because in the past, the best service at my home has been on an Alltel system and Verizon bought out Alltel and is now using those same towers. Any thoughts, opinions or recommendations are appreciated.

A SD Card is not really necessary as most phones that are picture capable, and especially verizon, will allow you to just get a cord and plug it in to your computer as an external device and pull the pics straight from your phone and sync to your computer.

I've been a big fan of the EnV2 from verizon. Got my dad a Octane (by LG) and it probably exactly what you are looking for.

 

[VaNurse]

Thanks for the responses! The clown at the local Verizon store pissed me off so much when he wouldn't even match the Verizon online trade/discount on my phone, that I went to WalMart and bought a Straight Talk phone! The phone was $99 and had all of the bells and whistles I could want. The unlimited talk, message and data plan is $45/month which is what I was paying Verizon for the 450 minutes per month that I wasn't using even half of! Turns out I hated the touch phone so I took it back a day later and got something I can better manage with my sausage fingers.

I'm satisfied and will be saving money too! Screw Verizon! I had been their customer since 1996 but now I'll just spend less money and use their network anyway!