anyone got a review?

[ahmunaeatchu]

i went to a vz store today during lunch so granted i didn't spend very much time using it...

idk if it is just me but i didnt really like the trackpad. i felt that it was too "looseish" and my finger would like slide off it.

i also felt it was hard to control with the trackpad. of course its probably something that takes getting used to so idk. i read in an earlier response that he/she decreased the sensitivity which is probably something i should've done...

the screen also does look crisper than the 8330, but i didnt get to put them side by side.

[mgb5011]

I've never owned a blackberry and I was hoping the 8530 would be my first. I went to the Verizon store today and played around with it for about 30 mins side by side with the Tour. I know that isnt quite a fair comparison, but I'll have to choose between the two and the $50 difference isnt that significant.

First off, the Curve 8530 felt cheap. Especially the keyboard and the keys right below the screen (berry button, send, end, back). The rubber side buttons however were very nice! Just a personal preference I guess, but it was easier for me to type on the Tour. The web browsing also seemed slightly faster on the Tour, not a big difference but very noticeable side by side when loading the same page on each. My biggest gripe about the Curve was the screen resolution. I visited CB (full webpage, not mobile) and to read text on the Curve I had to zoom in twice, and scroll side to side and up and down to read articles. On the Tour, I could zoom in once, read the text easily, and only have to scroll vertically because the article fit widthwise.

As for trackpad vs. trackball, I'm indifferent. The trackpad was much more accurate and great for navigating webpages / menus, but once in a while i was trying to scroll and I accidentally clicked because the button presses in too easily. I did not have this problem with the trackball, but fairly often I would try to scroll left/right with the trackball and the curser would move up/down. Maybe this was because it was the display model and heavily used/abused?

Anyway, because of the better screen resolution and my preference to the keyboard of Tour, I am either picking up the Tour shortly or waiting for the Essex. I just wish the release date was a little more firm than 2 weeks to 8 months.

[cfrock]

To anyone that got their 8530 yesterday.. Hows the LED indicator? Is it bright enough/usable? Seemed poorly place and much smaller and dimmer than the one on my 8330.

[mgb5011]

Played around with both the tour and new curve today and decided to get the tour. The high res screen alone is worth it. No problems with the trackball like in my old post. Hope the essex is out within my 30 days but if not I'm still happy with the tour.

Posted from my CrackBerry at wapforums.crackberry.com

[doubler0204]

After 2 Storm 2s in two days, I swapped for the Violet 8530. I have 0 complaints. Love it and extremely happy with everything.

[Don00]

have been looking at an eval 8530 unit for a few days - trackpad VERY nice - locked down GPS (only BB maps and VZ Nav -> i.e. rebranded Telenav) can access GPS. when looking at BB messenger, noted it said upgrade available - upgraded and app no longer available. am a Bold user and if I wanted the smaller form factor and track pad that much, would look at Bold 2 (9700) - and higher res (I think), both WiFi and GPS (unlocked), track pad and AT&T coverage which in my area is better.

IMHO, Vz too proprietary vs. AT&T and others.

YMMV

[chrikenn]

I went to a Verizon store and checked one out today. First, anybody that says the 8530 feels cheap is biased. It feels as sturdy as every other BB I've ever used, and in fact, it feels sturdier, because the rubber casing around the buttons (as opposed to actual buttons that stick out) makes it even harder for the buttons to seem loose or rattle around. Same with the top bottons and the entire device, save for the battery door cover (which I don't like, although I certainly wouldn't call it "cheap").

The trackpad was good. Wasn't loose; worked fine. Same with the call/end/berry buttons around the trackpad. The keyboard seemed fine too. Was not loose or shaky.

So yeah, it has a lower res screen, the camera does not have a flash, and it only has Rev.0 speed 3G. But other than that, the build quality of this is just as good as anything else out there. Maybe other berries are prettier or "classier" looking, but in my opinion, anybody that says this feels "cheap" is simply jealous that they spent $200 on a Tour riddled with problems when they could have gotten this for half the price, and have wi-fi to boot.

That's my humble opinion. I'm aware that some people may have experienced units that were slightly different from the exact unit I played around with. I just don't see why people have said that this thing feels cheap. Not true.

[Sixto]

Originally Posted by chrikenn

I went to a Verizon store and checked one out today. First, anybody that says the 8530 feels cheap is biased. It feels as sturdy as every other BB I've ever used, and in fact, it feels sturdier, because the rubber casing around the buttons (as opposed to actual buttons that stick out) makes it even harder for the buttons to seem loose or rattle around. Same with the top bottons and the entire device, save for the battery door cover (which I don't like, although I certainly wouldn't call it "cheap").

The trackpad was good. Wasn't loose; worked fine. Same with the call/end/berry buttons around the trackpad. The keyboard seemed fine too. Was not loose or shaky.

So yeah, it has a lower res screen, the camera does not have a flash, and it only has Rev.0 speed 3G. But other than that, the build quality of this is just as good as anything else out there. Maybe other berries are prettier or "classier" looking, but in my opinion, anybody that says this feels "cheap" is simply jealous that they spent $200 on a Tour riddled with problems when they could have gotten this for half the price, and have wi-fi to boot.

That's my humble opinion. I'm aware that some people may have experienced units that were slightly different from the exact unit I played around with. I just don't see why people have said that this thing feels cheap. Not true.

All correct.

Since Friday, 8530 solid as a rock. Perfect.

BTW, added black eGrips to battery door and it's great.

[rickahartman]

Like the op said...unit feels cheap esp the bb and back button....unless wifi is a must...go with the tour..

[Sixto]

I do agree, the call/blackberry buttons and back/end buttons are a little tough to press. At least pocket calling will not happen.

[chrikenn]

I couldn't disagree more. When I hear "cheap" I think "it feels like it's going to break or fall apart." The 8530 definitely does not feel "cheap" -- at least, not by any definition of cheap that I know.

Originally Posted by rickahartman

Like the op said...unit feels cheap esp the bb and back button....unless wifi is a must...go with the tour..

[californiablackberry]

Even though most users on here label this device as entry-level, I'm going from a Storm 1 to an 8530! I'm actually look forward to the track-pad and WiFi. I will come back with my thoughts after I purchase and get a chance to use it for a few hours.