[Ominx]

It seems as though I am probably the only one who actually likes the 7130 case. Sure it doesn't swivel, but at least it doesn't scratch the hell out of the unit like the plastic 7250 case does. I also find it rather easy to attach to my belt, yet it is tight enough that it doesn't fall off. On that note, I'll probably be purchasing this one: http://store.bizshopr.com/wso441776.html

[GeekNJ]

Originally Posted by Ominx

On that note, I'll probably be purchasing this one: http://store.bizshopr.com/wso441776.html

Let us all know how you like it. Any case I'd consider purchasing needs to support the in-holster sleeper function and this one, among others, indicates it does.

[abstractrude]

what is the ringtones and notification sounds liek on the 7130e?
poly or the real deal or whatever they are doing? i just like having no 80's sounding notifications that are easier on the ears. I think im leaning in the direction of the 7130 now, instead of the 8700.

[ScottPV]

Originally Posted by whsbuss

The new 4.1 OS is much better than the 4.0.2 offered on the 7250. I do use bluetooth for syncing and find it easier/quicker to manage my calender in Outlook.

Looking forward to your overall comparision of the 8700 vs 7130 when you get it.

Whsbus,

Am I clear that you you have a 7130 and use Bluetooth to sync? I can't get my Device manager to "Enable Bluetooth" and VZW tells me it not supposed to. Do you have any thoughts on this?

Scott

[ceebz]

Originally Posted by Ominx

It seems as though I am probably the only one who actually likes the 7130 case. Sure it doesn't swivel, but at least it doesn't scratch the hell out of the unit like the plastic 7250 case does. I also find it rather easy to attach to my belt, yet it is tight enough that it doesn't fall off. On that note, I'll probably be purchasing this one: http://store.bizshopr.com/wso441776.html

The soft case which came with my 7100g put light scratches on the screen.

I have not used the soft case with the 7130e because of that experience.

[verminofmsu]

I just got my 7130e today and so far so good. As a phone i like it. And although it's taking some time once i get used to the controls i'll be flying through these e-mails.. before that happens i hope to get a bluetooth keyboard...
Adam

[Blackberry fiend]

None of the 5 launch attendees from my company have heard a thing about their free "pre-release" Cingular Blackberry 8700s that they were promised for attending a product launch over one month ago. On a personal level, I finally got so fed up with Cingular and this 8700 launch fiasco and the total lack of communication that I ordered a Verizon Blackberry 7130e by phone this afternoon. It will be here within the week. Since I love Blackberries, I had to blame Cingular rather than RIM for how this past month has been handled. I could be unhappy enough and frustrated enough with how this launch was handled to stop considering a move back to Cingular/ATT, but not unhappy enough to stop buying RIM products.

I currently have T-Mobile service and am reasonably happy with the coverage in my area and I love the voice minute price compared to the competition. I never moved to Verizon despite my wife and 2 kids being on Verizon, and the vastly better Verizon coverage in my area, primarily because of the high voice minute costs. Turns out for me that the total package will actually be cheaper for me on Verizon than what Cingular would have cost and what I currently pay on T-Mobile, especially when I consider that all my family calls are now free since they are "IN Network".

Any customer who also is an employee of a company that does business with Verizon is eligible for a significant corporate discount. For me it was 18% on service plans and I believe 25% on hardware. Actually my Blackberry data/voice package price as an individual employee is a bit cheaper than what my company would have to pay for me to have identical service. Significantly, as a "private" purchase, I am not limited to Verizon's Blackberry 7250, which is the only model my company will go out and buy me.

My 7130e is costing me $159 with a 1-yr contract ($129 if I had chosen a 2-yr contract). 450 voice minutes, unlimited Blackberry data, unlimited web browsing, unlimited nights and weekends will cost me $65.59 for the “Core Choice”, the least expensive of Verizon’s 3 Blackberry Voice and Data Bundles. If I end up needing more voice minutes one month, it will cost $25 more to increase to the 1350 minute package for that month only.

In addition, there is no monthly or per use charge to tether my laptop to the 7130e and use the Blackberry as a wireless modem! Of course the data speed is EVDO and not EDGE, which is even better.

I will miss the option of switching GSM sim cards whenever I want to try a new Blackberry on our BES, and I'm REALLY hoping that I'll be able to adapt to the different text entry approach of the 7130e. I should know that easily within my 15 day trial period. At that point, if I decide to keep the 7130e I'll port my number over from T-Mobile and be a very happy camper. My bluetooth headphone was delivered today. ThinkOutside's new Shasta bluetooth keyboard should be delivered about Dec 20, just in time to be a nice Christmas present if someone in the family is short on ideas for me. If I decide to return the unit, the first quarter 2006 Blackberry products don't look to be too shabby.

This 7130e thread was a great source of information to me when I started formulating this plan earlier today, specifically the memos from individuals trying to choose between the 8700c and the 7130e. So please excuse my double posting this here - it was written originally to go in the 8700 launch event thread. I’ve spent the past month as a BlackberryForums 8700 newbie, pouring over each and every new post, anticipating my Cingular 8700s arrival “any day now”, and am finally throwing in the towel and becoming a happy Verizon customer instead. Even when the 8700 shows up on my doorstep tomorrow , I think that this is the right choice for me. If not, I’ll open the sealed 8700 box in two weeks and reconsider my options.

[ceebz]

I think you'll be very happy with the 7130e.

I tried out the 8700c for 3 days and returned it. I was getting dust under the screen and the earpiece volume was disappointing.

Having the same earpiece volume problems with my 7100g, I decided to pick up a 7130e. $40 with my corporate discount, and $91 for the "Extra Choice" plan.

Overall, I'm very happy with the 7130e. Build quality is good, and earpiece volume is pretty good. Also, outgoing sound quality seems to be very good. I've not had one complaint on the other end in 4 days of use. Much better experience than with my 7100g.

I still miss the full QWERTY but, SureType was very easy for me to adapt to, and I think I'm pretty close to being as efficient with it, as I was with my 7290.

Enjoy!

[Teledatageek]

I'm going to wait.... After reading about the holster issue and that I would be giving up my New every two I think I'll wait and hope Verizon comes out with the 8700 sometime early next year (wishful thinking).

The only plus that the 7130 offered for me was the screen, not worth it.

[Teledatageek]

Originally Posted by Teledatageek

I'm going to wait.... After reading about the holster issue and that I would be giving up my New every two I think I'll wait and hope Verizon comes out with the 8700 sometime early next year (wishful thinking).

The only plus that the 7130 offered for me was the screen, not worth it.

I'm having a weak moment and am now thinking the 8700 on Verizon won't happen until summer. I'd like a new phone and a better screen, so I'm thinking about changing from my 7250 to the 7130e. Questions:

1. Holsters - So is there a holster like the one that comes standard with the 7250? I've done a lot searching but haven't found the answer... I like my swivel holster!

2. Searching through contacts - How does it work with Suretype given that each key has two letters, do you get the matches for each letter on the key? I use this feature a lot and want to be sure that I don't lose anything in the change.

Thanks for the help!

[muskiemania]

the bad news is that both units are so new...i just bought my dad a 7130e and after hearing all of his questions/concerns and reading stuff on these boards, it seems like verizon needs to make some os changes...

[itsdavetime]

I've had my 7130e for about a month now and it's the best blackberry I've had, and I've tried all of them. Haven't had one problem at all. The OS is extremely fast, and the suretype is much better than prior blackberry's, even with 2 letters per key. I can type very fast on it once I got used to it.

[Girion]

I've had my 7130e for about a solid week now, and its really great. I have found the form factor to be a nice change from the 7250's bulkier feeling. The suretype is growing on me...and as a phone, with the screen, it can't be beat. IMO.

Verizon got this one right.

[unboringuy]

What about the battery life issue on the 7130e vs. the 7250? I've heard the 7130e lasts for a much shorter period of time. I daily recharging a reality? What about talk time on the phone? Is it much shorter? I'm planning on upgrading from the 7250 to the 7130e in a couple of months, but don't know if that's the right move.

[roofus]

Battery life on a 7130e is poor. You need to get the extended battery or charge it very often (at least daily)

[k40jeep]

the 8700 wont be out for verizon till Q3 of 2006. I have the 7130e from vzw. I am obsessed. I love it. I am a big texter and I was able to adapt to the suretype within a few hours. Anyone can feel free to message me or pin me if you have any questions.

[Girion]

I've not had any issues so far with the battery being poor with my 7130e...so far I've been getting a least two days and I've just purchased the leather case so I'm hopeful that with the sleep mode I can extend that even more. The screen, while bright and sharp (and I guessed it would drain the battery more) has an screen timeout feature that helps to conserve the life. I've been running it for 3 days now, with a fair amount of use (e-mail, phone, web) and I'm down to about 45%.

I will say I have the auto on/off feature enabled, to shut it off at 10pm and back on at 5am. But I don't usually see much activity during those times anyway, so I don't know how much or little that might affect the battery.

The battery is new...so take from my experiences what you'd like.

[chrisek]

I've had my 7130e for a month and a half now (this is my first BB phone) and I get 24-36 hours between charges. That did not change with the (verizon leather) holster. I'm very happy with it as a phone, and it has turned me into a text-maniac. As for the question about the contacts, that is a non-issue. By the time you get to the 3rd or 4th letter you either have it or you scroll to it and click.

[phatboy]

I have both 7130e and the 8700. I have been switching back and forth between the to trying to decide which one to settle on. They both have their advantages, the screen on the 8700 in addition to the battery life is excellent. The size, sound quality and service provider is excellent on the 7130e. I am pretty sure that I have settled on the 7130e however I may rethink this once verizon carries the 8700.

[gulfstream5]

Originally Posted by k40jeep

the 8700 wont be out for verizon till Q3 of 2006. I have the 7130e from vzw. I am obsessed. I love it. I am a big texter and I was able to adapt to the suretype within a few hours. Anyone can feel free to message me or pin me if you have any questions.

I am trying to decide if I should get the 7130e from Verizon and trade in my 7250. I am a big Text and e-mail person and have no problem at all texting with a regular phone using T9 text. I do send a TON of e-mails and pins on my 7250 and like the unit in general. I don't think the phone works that well unless using a corded earpiece. Has anyone made this switch recently? Is it worth making the change or should I keep my 7250 and wait for something else?

Thanks!

Jason