To buy or not to Buy a G1 - Help/Opinions Needed

[smoedog]

So I just got back from a deployment all ready to get me a G1. Look around, there is no T-mobile Stores in Arkansas. No biggie, jump online, the closest one is in Memphis which is 2 hours away, still no biggie.

So I'm ready to hit the Buy button on my G1 and decided to look at the coverage map for T-Mobile and wasn't impressed with what I saw:

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3288/3130190531_6cbdaf7331_o.jpg

It appears that i would be getting 1-2 bars according to their site, where I live and work. Also the 3g network is not available. Now I know T-mobile has free roaming, is that something i could take advantage of, i.e. set the phone to roam all the time. I dunno, I'm lost and my dreams of a G1 are being crushed right now.

Anybody???

[kommodore]

First and foremost, find out if you will have 3g coverage. IMO, the actual phone part of the phone is in the 5th percentile of what I actually use the phone for. If you're always near wi-fi like I am, 3g may not be as important.

[kommodore]

Oh yeah, I see this is your first post. Welcome to the AC. Leave your sensitivity at the door and you'll be all good :)

[All~G1]

Listen to kommodore and you'll be fine! :p

I love my phone and if you take your time and do your research im sure you'll find your own answer.

WELCOME to the AC!

[smoedog]

Oh yeah, I see this is your first post. Welcome to the AC. Leave your sensitivity at the door and you'll be all good :)

LOL thanks and im not sensitive.

I got wifi at home and most places around here so the 3g isn't a concern, its the voice coverage, or lack there of that is worrying me.

[4thephil]

i don't have 3g where i go to school, and it doesn't matter. edge is fine for me. anyways, i have wifi, so no big woopie

as of now, you can't force your phone to roam

[greencow]

What current service do you have now? And how important is call quality/dropped calls to you? Granted I use the G1 for more than just a phone, (as it should be used). But if you have poor reception in your area, how frustrated are you going to get when you miss half of your calls, or they get dropped mid-conversation?

Do you have any experiance with tmo in your area?

[inportb]

Also take into consideration the amount of tall buildings in your area. It's all dark green in Manhattan, but buildings and stuff often interfere with the signal.

[ren857]

In all actuality, you're not gonna know how the phone performs until you get it in your hands. You have 14 days to try it - order it and see if you like it. If you don't, send it back.

[smoedog]

I don't have a cell right now, major providers here are Att, Verizon, and Sprint (screw them)

I'll have to ask around and see if anyone has tmo.

[constellanation]

Also take into consideration the amount of tall buildings in your area. It's all dark green in Manhattan, but buildings and stuff often interfere with the signal.


Cause yes so many of arkansas cities resemble manhattan ;)
For that matter so many cities elsewhere in the world resembles manhattan

[kommodore]

Christopher Columbus thought the US looked like India...

*shrugs*

[juice]

Christopher Columbus thought the US looked like India...

*shrugs*


He was horrible at navigation.
He could have used a G1.

[kommodore]

I could think of much better things to use for navigation other than a G1.

Like a broken 17th century compass.

[juice]

Agreed.

Just trying to make a lame G1 joke at the ANDROID COMMMUNITY! :p

[shlongwoodian]

he would've used the Compass app though - more traditional than using GPS. :p

i'm w/ kommodore in that, i use this "phone" for very little phone activity. this is a txt/interwebz/im/ftp/ssh/TVPC remote/slicer/dicer. BUT, you obviously need a phone that works. :)

you know what you're getting in to with T-Mobile and android - bleeding edge here. the rumor is that T-Mobile has already acquired existing infrastucture and it's a matter of time before that goes live, instantly expanding 3G coverage. again though, rumor and who am i but a monkey in front of a keyboard.

i say get it - you'll love it. if you don't, send it back and no harm/no foul.

[inportb]

Cause yes so many of arkansas cities resemble manhattan ;)
For that matter so many cities elsewhere in the world resembles manhattan

Thank you for comparing Manhattan to a city.