Disappointed New 7130e Owner
 

So I recently picked up a BlackBerry 7130e from Verizon Wireless. I went with the unlimited data plan but only now realized that I have to pay $15 per month extra to tether the phone to my laptop. Of course this was one of the primary reasons I got this phone. I'm not going to go on about it but Verizon doesn't disclose this additional monthly charge very clearly on their website, although they very clearly advertise the tethering feature.

That said, it seems the 7250 has everything I'm looking for. It's $100 cheaper. You can get EVDO on it with a relatively simple software tweak. You can tether it without incurring the $15/month charge. Is there anything I'm misinformed about?

I'm still within my 14 day exchange period so I'm leaning toward exchanging the 7130e for the 7250. Any thoughts, comments, advice, or corrections would be appreciated.

Wirelessly posted (8700c: Mozilla/4.0 (compatible; MSIE 6.0; Windows NT 5.0) BlackBerry8700/4.1.0 Profile/MIDP-2.0 Configuration/CLDC-1.1 VendorID/102)

I prefer full size keyboards anyway. Good question.

Unfortunaltey the only reason why you can still tether with the 7250 without the fee is a loophole involving the 4.02 software. Which means it will get fixed inevidibly. So I say go with whichever one feel better to you. I went with the 7105t because I prefered the form factor of it over the full qwerty style, no regrets.

Wow, what a headache of a choice. So you're not even technically supposed to be getting EVDO with the 7250. So isn't it conceivable that that will be "fixed" as well?

Any thoughts on Shark Modem as an option here?

I prefer the 7250 for the full keyboard and durability factor of the device itself. The 7130e is made of a very thin plastic and would probably not survive a tumble onto the parking lot.

Actually, I've found SureType to be pretty comfortable to use so the keyboard is not much of a factor for me. But what do you think of the 7250 in terms of EVDO reliability/speed as well as tethering to a laptop?

7250 has 32M memory opposed to the 7130e having 64M My users have both models running EVDO though the 7130 is faster. So far only 2 users are happily tethering and they are both on 7130e.

Lemme clarify that a little bit. EVDO yes, on either OS version 4.02 or 4.1
1XRTT only on 4.0 software

Tethering however 4.02 no tethering fee( For Now), 4.1 pay the $15 (Which you would have to do anyway eventually for the 4.02 software anyways)

Verizon is very quick at fixing loopholes i've noticed over time FWIW, software releases/hardware releases... not so fast, but if it costs them money... hot damn it's fixed fast.

Third option is get a Sprint 7250. No extra charge for EVDO tethering.

Can't seem to find BlackBerry options on Sprint's website

EDIT: nevermind, found it.

I have come close many times, but I'm still scared to leave Verizon. Everyone I know complains about coverage/reception issues with the other carriers.

Anyone with experience with Shark Modem and a 7130e?

I'm in the same boat. I have tried all the carriers in my area (New England) and the fact is, Verizon has the best network. And they know it, hence the slammage on ancillary charges.

No offense to anyone with Sprint, but I really, *REALLY* dislike Sprint. In my opinion, their service doesn't compare to Verizon and plus, they have awful costomer service. I was going to switch to a different carrier, but I just can't get over how much better their network and customer service really is.

Yeah, when I lived in NYC, they had the best coverage hands down in the NE Corridor (DC - Boston on I-95).

I've had good coverage on the Verizon Network everywhere I've been to in the USA. I was so close at switching over to Cingular for the 8700 and international capabilities, but have heard some negative connectivity comments that "forced" me to stay with Verizon.

I am also a firm believer of you get what you pay for.. Though Verizon at times appear to be taking advantage of that.

You can just pay a ONE TIME fee to shark modem and get unlimited tethering for free beyond the initial fee...

I've been trying to contact the makers of SharkModem to confirm this...how is it possible that with a one time fee you get unlimited tethering and Verizon doesn't catch on?

I am in the parking business, and carry a 7130. You don't want to know how many times my 7130 has fallen. And yet, it doesn't show any signs of it.

I have the 7130e with verizon and I live in an rv and travel the entire country and have been thrilled with the service I get. I use my bb to tether to my laptop probably more than anything else. I have not had any problems yet with coverage...and I sure enjoy the convenience, speed and reliablity.