Cell phones :(

[westin]

Ok so since alltel merged with verizon a while back I now have to get a new phone. Suggestions to the type would be a great help, thanks.
Criteria:
-big buttons, at least not tiny as I don't have the smallest fingers
-text message
-reliable call quality
-rugged, won't break if I drop it (which seems to be a daily occurrence)

No smart phones, I just want something that will work and be reliable for me and not break little piggy, thanks.

 

[airplanedoc]

Personally, I have always had great luck with Samsung phones.

We are looking to get my dad a new phone (barebones) 3 individual places have recomended the pantech breeze. The criteria for him is about the same as yours. It does have a camera, but no internet capability.

 

[LittleJon]

Samsung and Nokia make great "basic" phones. I've stayed away from smartphones so far and I've had great experiences with both of these brands. I would stay away from Motorola though.

 

[westin]

Thanks for the input. I'm really leaning towards a Samsung Convoy as it seems to be willing to hold up better than my 6 or 7 past phones, which is pretty sad considering I got my first phone for my 16th birthday and am now 17...another plus to the Convoy is that it's only $70, not too bad if it holds up to it's reviews.

 

[Edcculus]

If you want something really rugged the Casio G'zone is great if they are still making it. Shock (drop) proof, waterproof, rugged hinge. I have answered my phone in the shower, dropped it in a cup of water and called it, go backpacking with it, accidently dropped it down a huge set of granite stairs. This thing is rugged.

 

[Spacegeezer]

LG VX8700 based phones are pretty heavy duty, but if you've managed to go through 7 phones in the space of a year, I have a hunch the problem isn't the phone.

 

[westin]

LG VX8700 based phones are pretty heavy duty, but if you've managed to go through 7 phones in the space of a year, I have a hunch the problem isn't the phone.

Haha, I think you may be on to something...

 

[westin]

Also to the Casio G'Zone: It's a bit more expensive ~$130 I think and since my dad's going to be paying for it I want to try and keep it under $100.

 

[Spacegeezer]

I'd look into getting an unlocked second-hand phone, or one on clearance. Got a great deal on a like-new AT&T Fuze for my gf, using it on the Bell network up here.

 

[Leche]

Samsung and Nokia make great "basic" phones.

+1. I've avoided the smart phones and have always been happiest with these.

 

[Edcculus]

Also to the Casio G'Zone: It's a bit more expensive ~$130 I think and since my dad's going to be paying for it I want to try and keep it under $100.

Ah, I see. Well, if you have the cash to pitch in for the extra $30-40, I say go for it. This phone doesn't really have any bells and whistles, but I'd venture to say its the most rugged phone you can buy right now.

 

[Go West Young Man]

I think it's time you learned to respect and take care of your personal items, especially when someone else is laying down the cash for it.

 

[Edcculus]

I think it's time you learned to respect and take care of your personal items, especially when someone else is laying down the cash for it.

At first I thought that was a little harsh until I realized he went through 6 phones in 1 year!!!

I've only had 3 different phones in the 5 years I've had a cell phone. What in the world are you doing to these things?

 

[ajkimmins]

+1 on LG

 

[westin]

I think it's time you learned to respect and take care of your personal items, especially when someone else is laying down the cash for it.

I do respect and take care of my stuff but just seem to drop my cell phone a lot no matter how careful I try to be. I have paid for pretty much every thing I own/use minus food including all of those previous phones, the only reason my dad is paying for it now is because pretty much all my money was unwillingly donated to city courtesy of our wonderful police department. I have a phone that works pretty good right now but it won't work on the Verizon plan. Also, I actually sat down and thought about it, I've been through 4 razrs and 1 kyocera.

 

[jones2289]

From my experience, it's completely understandable to go through that many Razrs. I got one not long after they came out, and it lasted me for about a year and a half. It finally gave up and would drop calls/go to a white screen almost daily, so I got a replacement. When they started mass producing them and nearly everyone and their brother had one, evidently the quality suffered, because I went through 6 of them in the next 5 months. Luckily, they would crap out within the 30 day warranty period, and I would get a new one for no charge. Keep in mind that I wasn't particularly rough on mine, and I cant recall dropping any of them more than once or twice, and that was on a carpeted floor.

 

[Edcculus]

Also, I actually sat down and thought about it, I've been through 4 razrs and 1 kyocera.

Well thats your problem. The Razr is the flimsiest phone ever made.

 

[kryptik]

My wife's Razor lasted five years. As a matter of fact, it still works. She only put it in the cell phone drawer because she wanted a Blackberry. Now that is a piece of crap...

Me? Couldn't be happier with my 32GB 3GS, but that's a tad outside the price range, and won't work on Verizon...

(I have a buddy whose near five year old razor has been dropped so many times that it is literally held together by the leather case it is in, and the glass on the outside is completely broken out of it. Yes, it still works...)

 

[wdwrx]

...I've been through 4 razrs....

there's your problem right there.....

 

[Commander Quan]

I have a Samsung ENV2 one of my employees as the 3 I like them. Big buttons on the front and a qwerty keyboard on the inside.