V505, V525, V600 AT&T or Cingular???

Ok, less than a month left on my current T-mobil contract with my T-610 (which I do not like--the phone or the service (mostly due to BAD coverage in my area)).

I need a replacement BT phone. I don't need a lot of other features as I use my cell phone...wait for it....as a PHONE (novel, cutting edge I know) I don't IM, I don't e-mail, I don't take photos (ok, I do, but I don't do anything with the worthless little jpgs), I don't want it to be a PDA, I don't play games on it or keep my schedule or anything like that. I prefer a smaller clamshell (old school flip-phone) mostly b/c those with buttons on the outside tend to get bumped and I like the more compact carry size but more comfortable long 'use' size.

I'll almost certainly need a GSM phone. T-mobile's coverage in my area and in North central Arkansas where I frequently travel is poor or non-existant. As far as I can tell Cingular and ATT Wireless have the best GSM coverage for my most traveled area. (If you know I'm missing one PLEASE tell me).

So, those are my basic criteria. Secondary, but also important are ease of use/compatibilty with the Prius. I have several hundred phone numbers in my phone book and do NOT desire uploading them to the Prius one at a time. I would prefer the phone ring through the car or both the phone and car (but this is not all that important). I want good (not OK, good) sound quality and reception.

The V505, V525, and V600 seem to be good options that might suit my needs (but I don't know if I can upload more than one number with the 500 series ones). I can't find info on the Motorola site about the 500 series ones making me wonder if they're out of date or something.

There are some 6680 and 6620 phones that look ok (other than outside buttons/non flip, and if they are clearly superior phones I could go for them.

I need some guidance. I reviewed the chart and like the looks of the v600 from AT&T (since Cingular's essentially quit them due to incompatibility issues with the 850hz signal).

Anyone want to talk me out of that?

 

Thanks for the links and info guys. Looks like the V505 with ATT WS might be the way I need to go. I'd prefer Cingular due to the plethora of shops in the area (convenience) and a better rate plan (1000 NW AT min. with roll over compared to ATT with only 450min NW AT free N/WE), but honestly I only use about 100 min. per month anyway.

Hopefully ATT reception is good at my house.

 

Well, due to a lack of solid information and a $250 rebate only available until the 20th I've decided to go ahead and order the v505 now. I 'make' $75 after rebates on The phone at Amazon.com when bundled with a 2 year ATT WS contract. (I got the Nationwide 400min).

Hopefully my wife won't kill me for doing this before my T-mobile contract expires, but I don't really care about switching my number over since it's a crappy number anyway. And, I want some time to do the transition (moving phone numbers, assuring compatibility with the Prius, etc.). I've heard from one other person over at Priusonline.com that says the v505 works great, but when I asked him for details he's failed to respond.

I'll most certainly give a full update once I have the phone up and working.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Speedracer\";p=\"45064)</div>

It's "Oh man", but we get it. :wink:

For others interested, the I went with the Amazon deal even though the National plan only gives 400 anytime minutes compared to the Intelinet Wireless deal which required less upfront money but you had to deal with 3 different rebates instead of just two and you got a little bit more money back on the Amazon deal. I used Intelinet for my T-mobile Ericsson T-610 phone and they were fast and reasonable to deal with and they have almost any phone you want for free or very cheap.

 

Thanks Rick,
I'm anticipating getting my phone mid-next week. From what I can tell we will be stuck with the one-number at a time upload....too bad.

 

I went back out, did the exact same routine (after charging the battery back up a bit) and it worked perfectly the second try. I don't know if the BT quit due to a low battery or what.

Good news is that the phone list from my SE T610 still works with the v505, will just have to upload the few new numbers I have.

Have you gotten the voice dialing to work through the Prius?

 

Oh, and they do share towers with T-mobile and Cingular I think...I saw both of those names on the screen this weekend as I traveled in NW Arkansas (Hogs lost to GA).