[kenright]

I am currently a Nextel customer, and would like to invest in a Blackberry. The latest one offered on their site is the 7520. Now I have called and spoken with multiple representatives and they have assured me that a BB bought from someone other than Nextel will work 100% on thier network and with the Nextel SIM.

However, you all know that they are quite expensive, and I am on a budget. Can anyone see why a 7510 (previous model) would not work to the same degree?? It's the weekend so I can't ask Nextel 1-800.

Thanks,
Ken

[cohiba smoker]

The 7510 is a nextel phone. Other carriers' BB will not work on the nextel network. Something to do with iden. Look in the area for sale or trade. There are usually 7520s pretty reasonably priced.
The 7510 will work great though

[kenright]

Thanks. The cheapest 7520's I have found are right around $200, while the 7510's are going for <$100. Anyone know any other changes that were made besides case color and model number?

[nexteli836man]

well backlight is brighter on the 7520 bluetooth on the 7520 the 7520 is far better way to go

[southwestcomm]

7520 has twice the memory as 7510; GPS; apps that can use the GPS i.e. Telenav; better backlight; much better screen resolution.

You can get a brand new 7520 for $199.99 through Nextel. That way you also have new equipment and a warranty. Nextel will not help you with used device.

[kenright]

Originally Posted by southwestcomm

7520 has twice the memory as 7510; GPS; apps that can use the GPS i.e. Telenav; better backlight; much better screen resolution.

You can get a brand new 7520 for $199.99 through Nextel. That way you also have new equipment and a warranty. Nextel will not help you with used device.

They will not offer that "special price" to me because I upgraded in June. according to them I have to wait until June of '07. And as far as support goes, I have read some posts on here about the "lack" of support by their personel.

[dcfroe]

Have you tried Ebay? I bought mine 2 weeks ago for $166. No commitment for a multi year contract. If it goes bad for $35 you can then trade it for a remanned unit direct from Nextel.

Also the Nextel blackberry support group is great. CAll them direct @ 1-888-566-1999

[Aroc]

Originally Posted by kenright

I have read some posts on here about the "lack" of support by their personel [sic].

NEXTEL support for the BB and wireless data is top notch. Maybe not quite as good as T-Mobile, on T-Mobile's best days, but I'd still rank NEXTEL consistently above Cingular, if that means anything. I'm the BES admin, and I've never found wireless data support on the Nextel business customer care lines (800-390-9545) to be wanting.

I find the trick with *any* support vendor is to immediately ask for "wireless data support" dept. That way you don't waste time with any rep who "doesn't know Blackberry." It's not like you're try to access voicemail from a Moto flip phone here. And most of the reps are used to dealing with consumer grade phones and services. Not BBs. Go get to the right people. Ask for "wireless data support."

No affiliation with RIM, Nextel, T-Mobile, or Cingular, BTW.

Since you'll likely be paying $40-$50 month for data services (on top of voice), and a 7510 might need a new battery ($50) why not just shell out for the 7520? I would and I'm poor.

PS: thanks for the number DCFroe!

[Dawg]

My opinion if you are on a budget nextel isnt the way to go its the most expensive service in the us market. You are going to pay min 100 dollars a monthand thats the bare minimum. If you are looking for SMS dont bother with nextel it really sucks on the BB

I have not had many isues with tech support as some have, they have always seemed to solve any issue I have had. As long as you get to teir two (and say the right things and you get expidited) you wont have any issues.

[TheWastedYears]

I pay less on Nextel than some of our Verizon guys. The Cingular guys may get a slightly cheaper rate, but my Blackberry works.

[stonent]

For our company our pricing is like this (least expensive to most expensive)
Standard Voice phones:
T-Mobile
Verizon
Cingular
Nextel

Blackberry (voice + unlimited data + BES)
T-Mobile
Verizon
Nextel
Cingular

I determined this by dividing total price by minutes to get a per minute rate (since different providers have different minute plans with us). I did the same with blackberries.

[Nextel User]

i priced my 7510 with free incoming and unilimited data with a tmobile rep and a cingular rep. for the minutes i used in total every month, i had the cheapest plan available