I don't spend a lot of time talking on my cell phone (~35 min per month), so for the last few years I've been using Tracfone's prepaid service. It's a good deal for anyone who's a "light" user like me -- for about $100 you can get over 400 minutes of talk time good for 1 year. Unfortunately, Tracfone doesn't offer any Bluetooth-compatable phone with it's service, and I was dying to try out the hand-free system in my 2006 Prius. The best option I found was T-Mobile's prepaid service ("T-Mobile ToGo"). You can get the phones along w/ $15 of starter service (good for 60 min/60 days) at many discount retailers (Wal-Mart, Target, etc) as well as direct through T-Mobile's web site. "1000 minutes" of service good for 1 year costs $100. (T-Mobile's accounting of "minutes" is not as generous as Tracfone's, but I think T-Mobile's 1000 min is a least equivelent to 400 min on Tracfone.) The least expensive Bluetooth phone they offer is the Motorola V330. I got my for $150 + shipping through Wal-Mart.com. I've had the phone for about 2 weeks now. I'm happy with the service (very good coverage all around the Washington DC area), and the phone works very well w/ the Prius Bluetooth system. Auto-answer, dial-by-number, dial-by-name -- everything works. My only gripe is that I can't get the phone to transfer more than 1 number at a time from it's phone book to the Prius's phone book. In short, I think it's a good option if you want a Bluetooth phone but are frugle (aka a cheapskate) like me.
Frank, thanks for the information. I will look into this as I am also looking for a "cheapo" way to take advantage of the Prius' built-in hands-free features. I'm resurrecting this thread because I'm wondering if anyone has any other options available...I've checked Tracfone, and it *still* looks like they don't offer a bluetooth phone... Does anyone know if there are any other options? Thanks! [email protected]
You can move the SIM card to any T-Mobile or Unlocked GSM phone. My wife carries a Treo 650 with a T-Mobile togo SIM. Phone was $550 (now down to about $379) ToGo kit was $40 at Target 1000 minutes for $100 at Target Never having to pay another monthly phone bill: Priceless. BTW, Tmobile just expanded their togo network (somewhat). See the new map at their website. Nate