Cell Phone advice

Bassy

Lieutenant Commander
Joined
Aug 15, 2003
Messages
1,795
Re: Cell Phone advice

Okay, thanks Boomyal. <br />Bassy
 

gaugeguy

Captain
Joined
Jun 4, 2003
Messages
3,564
Re: Cell Phone advice

Originally posted by Boomyal:<br />They can be kinda hefty.
That is the understatement of the year, roaming charges can be down-right outrageous :mad:
 

18rabbit

Captain
Joined
Nov 14, 2003
Messages
3,202
Re: Cell Phone advice

Bassy – A roaming charge is a bunch of Native-Americans (formerly Indians) in Montana on painted ponies with stolen cavalry rifles looking for dessert…custard, I think… :D
 

Bassy

Lieutenant Commander
Joined
Aug 15, 2003
Messages
1,795
Re: Cell Phone advice

18rabbit- :D :D That was good.<br />Bassy
 

Fly Rod

Commander
Joined
Oct 31, 2002
Messages
2,622
Re: Cell Phone advice

:) There are plenty of plans out there that you do not pay roaming or long distance charges.<br />Your biggest concern should be minutes. Do you plan to use the phone allot or basically emergency???<br />Let's just take a plan with 350 minutes, no roaming or long distance, free after 9pm.<br />You would be able to make 11 calls per day if you don't go over a minute per call. Now let's be realistic you are going to talk most times longer then a minute. So let's reduce that to 6 calls a day with out going over your alloted minutes. <br />There are many plans out there.<br /><br />When i got my first phone it took me a month to decide which company and which plan I wanted. Even went back to the companies 2-3 times to have them explain it to me again.
 

rogerwa

Commander
Joined
Nov 29, 2000
Messages
2,339
Re: Cell Phone advice

You have to look carefully at the coverage maps. Also call them up and ask them specifically if they cover the outlying areas you are concerned about. You don't want to get stuck paying $.40/Min roaming when you have a free roaming plan. Nationwide no-roaming is not always what they say it is.<br /><br />I was shooping for cell service that would allow me to use it at my cabin. I use t-mobile because they are the only ones that cover that area. I can use it with no roaming or LD. If I were to go with AT&T with a no roaming plan, I would still have to pay roaming charges in that area because they do not have any network presence there. I am very pleased with T-Mobile.<br /><br />I have the Sony-ericsson t-610 with Bluetooth. The bluetooth allows you to do more than use a wirelss headset. You can also sychronize your address books from PC to phone or use your laptop as a dialer etc, or transfer files (like photos) to/from your phone..
 

18rabbit

Captain
Joined
Nov 14, 2003
Messages
3,202
Re: Cell Phone advice

Hey Bassy! – What phone did you end up getting and do you like it?
 

TwoBallScrewBall

Lieutenant Commander
Joined
Sep 14, 2003
Messages
1,695
Re: Cell Phone advice

Bassy,<br /><br />Can you hear me now?<br /><br />Good!<br /><br />Sorry couldn't help myself. :D
 

Bassy

Lieutenant Commander
Joined
Aug 15, 2003
Messages
1,795
Re: Cell Phone advice

Well, I haven't gotten one and don't think I will. Originally I thought I needed one since teaching Independent Study I am on the road in these here mountains 3 out of 4 days and thought I'd need one to keep in contact or be accessible. I've come to the conclusion that I don't want to be accessible. I believe I will get one just for emergencies. I am looking into getting a track phone or trying out virgin mobile. Mostly I want one in case the car breaks down. So, that's where I am at. Nothing yet. Nice of you to ask though.<br />Bassy :D
 

LubeDude

Admiral
Joined
Oct 8, 2003
Messages
6,945
Re: Cell Phone advice

We have a trackfone and it is all we need. We just use it when we are traveling and have no monthly bills. They arent for everybody, but they will work well for you in your situation.
 

Bassy

Lieutenant Commander
Joined
Aug 15, 2003
Messages
1,795
Re: Cell Phone advice

Thanks Lubedude. That's what I'm thinking too. Thanks for the post.<br />Bassy
 

18rabbit

Captain
Joined
Nov 14, 2003
Messages
3,202
Re: Cell Phone advice

Bassy - If you want a cell phone to be used for emergencies only, get your hands on any old cell phone that no one loves anymore. The FCC requires the 911 functions to ALWAYS work on ALL phones (including cells) at ALL TIMES, regardless of any pay-for-service requirements. You can always pick up any phone, anywhere, at anytime and dial 911 and get help or the CHP for cells … the only thing needed is power (battery or plug in). And it’s free! :) <br /><br />The cell companies have fought this, for economic reasons, but the FCC is standing firm, for safety reasons. A lot of people carry an old cell phone that’s unassociated with any cell plan, in their car’s glove box just for this reason.
 

Bassy

Lieutenant Commander
Joined
Aug 15, 2003
Messages
1,795
Re: Cell Phone advice

Thanks 18rabbit. That's helpful information. I'll check into that. <br />Bassy
 

Bassy

Lieutenant Commander
Joined
Aug 15, 2003
Messages
1,795
Re: Cell Phone advice

Hey, guess what? My cousin in San Leandro just got a new track phone and nothing is wrong with the old one so she's going to send it and let me try it out to see if that's what I need. All I have to do is activate it. Cool!<br />Bassy
 

LubeDude

Admiral
Joined
Oct 8, 2003
Messages
6,945
Re: Cell Phone advice

If its a Nokia, ask them for the double minutes plan when you activate it. I think you will like it, you just pay for what you use. They have pretty good coverage because I think they can use any tower thats available. Only real problem is that you have to give them a calling area to activate in and it is usually quite small so you will be roaming most of the time when you leave your area and you are charged double minutes. Not a problem if you are not on the phone all the time. And if you need to call, just say "Hi, Im OK, Ill be home in so many minutes, Bye".
 

Bassy

Lieutenant Commander
Joined
Aug 15, 2003
Messages
1,795
Re: Cell Phone advice

Thanks for the advice Lubedude.<br />Bassy
 

jee70611

Petty Officer 1st Class
Joined
May 9, 2002
Messages
226
Re: Cell Phone advice

STAY AWAY from SPRINT at ALL costs. They tried to rip me off 4 months in a row. I went a little over so they decided to charge a lot of my minutes that were supposed to be night and weekend minutes against my daytime allowance. I wouldn't use sprint if they gave me a phone and 1000 minutes for $5.00 a month. They are nothing but fraudulent THEIFS.<br /><br />James
 

popuptarget

Cadet
Joined
Oct 19, 2003
Messages
28
Re: Cell Phone advice

Bassy,<br /> Just something to think about. Watch your signal meter as you drive though your area. There are places here in Texas that I cannot get a signal. Allways good to know if you use the same route frequently. This is something to think about if you want to use it for emergencys. No signal no 911. just my two cents. Jason
 

Formula1974

Petty Officer 1st Class
Joined
Apr 23, 2004
Messages
243
Re: Cell Phone advice

Around here sprint service is horrible. We cant get service within 5 miles of our house and going up the highway we lose it at the drop of a hat. It has analog and digital and whenever digital goes out it says try analog but when you try analog it doesnt work either. I have heard good things about verizon.
 

Bassy

Lieutenant Commander
Joined
Aug 15, 2003
Messages
1,795
Re: Cell Phone advice

Hey all.<br /> I thought I'd give this thread a bump and let you know what I decided to do. I got the tracfone, Uniden, activated and bought 40 units to see how it works. I like the idea of no monthly bills. Just buy minutes and as I use them, just buy more. It works out to about .40/minute It can all be done online anytime. So, thanks again for all of your replies. It helped me decide what's best for me at this time.<br /> Now, let's see if it works out on the lake.<br />Bassy :D
 
Top