Tour Vs. Javelin

**gatorback** · 08-02-2009, 08:56 AM

I just returned my VZN Tour because I could not make calls from my desk at work. Network coverage issue. My Tmobile on the hand works. Really important for me that calls are put through because I don't have a landline. Especially when the boss calls. This is clearly a network issue.

That being said, I am use to the BB Tour and considering an 8900 Javelin. Can I expect the same functionality and performance from the Javelin?

Will I get unlocked GPS and internet that is on par with the Tour? It took about ten seconds to load a ~500KB file:

.gif weather: motion doppler radar

Change the "pie" in the URL to "shd" to get DC \ NY. Very handy at picnics and baseball games:

Any constructive comments or guidance is highly appreciated.

**fatboy97** · 08-02-2009, 09:00 AM

A lot of the Tour was based on the 8900 design... screen resolution, camera resolution, devices memory... that and using some from the Bold, except they downsized the keyboard to get more the size of the 8900... so yes, you should see the same functionality as the Tour.

**BerryStorm** · 08-02-2009, 09:53 AM

Originally Posted by gatorback

I just returned my VZN Tour because I could not make calls from my desk at work. Network coverage issue. My Tmobile on the hand works. Really important for me that calls are put through because I don't have a landline. Especially when the boss calls. This is clearly a network issue.

That being said, I am use to the BB Tour and considering an 8900 Javelin. Can I expect the same functionality and performance from the Javelin?

Will I get unlocked GPS and internet that is on par with the Tour? It took about ten seconds to load a ~500KB file:

.gif weather: motion doppler radar

Change the "pie" in the URL to "shd" to get DC \ NY. Very handy at picnics and baseball games:

Any constructive comments or guidance is highly appreciated.

Did you consider the Verizon Femtocell??? While you shouldn't have to rely on the additional piece of hardware and cost, it would at least provide you access - given your lack of reception it might have been possible for VZW to really discount it (??free??) since you simply can't get a signal in an area, where you should be getting one.

**mitchknowsbest** · 08-02-2009, 11:01 AM

They pretty much have the same functionality IMO. Their sizes are almost identical only diff is the keyboard and 3G and and wifi

Posted from my CrackBerry at wapforums.crackberry.com

**ndnoutlaw** · 08-02-2009, 11:31 AM

The Question was...is UMA all that....yep. I had the 8320 and had random WiFi coverage, 8900 connects to everything!! Walking in and out of WiFi does pose issues(dropped call) however, maintaining coverage while UMA is unbelieveably stable

Posted from my CrackBerry at wapforums.crackberry.com

**rnd0209** · 08-02-2009, 12:28 PM

Ditto on the above post by ndoutlaw.

I own both Verizon Tour/TMO 8900. I must say that the 8900 is Much Smaller in every way except the screen (Which is the same identical screen as the Tour).

I use my 8900 just for Wifi and UMA, im on the basic 39.99 minute plan and have the unlimited BB plan and i added the Unlimited Hot Spot calling (the Unlimited hotspot calling over wifi was why i bought it) its unreal!

The specs are the same minus the 3G. The 8900 is more "one hand" friendly. By that i mean that you can operate the phone with one hand, type, messagem e-mail etc.. the Tour is a larger phone with wider keys that are spaced very close to each other, just have to get used to it.

I just downloaded that link that the OP posted and it downloaded lightening fast on the 8900 browser over Wifi..

I cant wait for the Driftwood/Onyx to come out for TMO. Its the 8900 with a faster processor, more ram and the Tour keyboard. Thats going to be the best BB to hit the market IMO.

**gatorback** · 08-02-2009, 01:13 PM

@ Spydaz: Appreciate the insight of those that have both devices. Hmmm. The Onyx sounds like it has greater maturity than the 8900. I guess the questions this generates is
1) when does it come out?
2) what will it cost?
3) is the incremental cost over the 8900 justified for the incremental benefits?

Here is the Onyx review.

At the very least it will put downward pricing pressure on the 8900.

BTW, WRT wifi: Does the 8900 have the ability to automatically find the strongest wifi signal and connect? Connect to a paid service like AT&T wifi? Maybe I should start a new post for this question.

**mitchknowsbest** · 08-02-2009, 01:19 PM

I'm waiting also for the onyx/driftwood for tmo. It should be unreal yeaahhh

Posted from my CrackBerry at wapforums.crackberry.com

**gatorback** · 08-02-2009, 01:21 PM

@ BerryStorm: Thank you for the gouge. Did not know they had such devices.

Originally Posted by BerryStorm

Did you consider the Verizon Femtocell??? While you shouldn't have to rely on the additional piece of hardware and cost, it would at least provide you access - given your lack of reception it might have been possible for VZW to really discount it (??free??) since you simply can't get a signal in an area, where you should be getting one.

**CatAlex** · 08-02-2009, 02:08 PM

Originally Posted by Spydaz

Ditto on the above post by ndoutlaw.

I own both Verizon Tour/TMO 8900. I must say that the 8900 is Much Smaller in every way except the screen (Which is the same identical screen as the Tour).

I use my 8900 just for Wifi and UMA, im on the basic 39.99 minute plan and have the unlimited BB plan and i added the Unlimited Hot Spot calling (the Unlimited hotspot calling over wifi was why i bought it) its unreal!

The specs are the same minus the 3G. The 8900 is more "one hand" friendly. By that i mean that you can operate the phone with one hand, type, messagem e-mail etc.. the Tour is a larger phone with wider keys that are spaced very close to each other, just have to get used to it.

I just downloaded that link that the OP posted and it downloaded lightening fast on the 8900 browser over Wifi..

I cant wait for the Driftwood/Onyx to come out for TMO. Its the 8900 with a faster processor, more ram and the Tour keyboard. Thats going to be the best BB to hit the market IMO.

+1 on the Driftwood/Onyx. I lurve my 8900, but when the D-wood comes out I'm all over it!!

**rnd0209** · 08-02-2009, 02:26 PM

Originally Posted by gatorback

@ Spydaz: Appreciate the insight of those that have both devices. Hmmm. The Onyx sounds like it has greater maturity than the 8900. I guess the questions this generates is
1) when does it come out?
2) what will it cost?
3) is the incremental cost over the 8900 justified for the incremental benefits?

Here is the Onyx review.

At the very least it will put downward pricing pressure on the 8900.

BTW, WRT wifi: Does the 8900 have the ability to automatically find the strongest wifi signal and connect? Connect to a paid service like AT&T wifi? Maybe I should start a new post for this question.

Gator: The driftwood (From what it looks like) will be a TMO device with everything the 8900 has plus 3G. The date of release is unknown at this time. I can only speculate that they will release this unit near november/december. The pricing will most likely be like the 8900 or Tour introductory price $149-$199 with new 2yr contract.

You can do what i plan on doing which is when the Driftwood is about to come out (as crackberry members we will at least have a few weeks notice) i will list the 8900 on eBay and sell it for $300-400 bucks and roll that into the Driftwood. I don't mind spending about $100-200 more for a more capable device that just came out. Isnt that the name of the game "Fast Women, Fast Phones" LOL...

The 8900 has the ability to locate the strongest WiFi signal just as any laptop with wiFi capabilities. Go to Manage Connections and at the bottom of the menu there will be "Set-Up wifi network" and then from there you can scan for networks near you and choose which one you prefer. Once you trust a WiFi signal and add it to your preferred wifi list then it will automatically connect when you are with-in range.

**gatorback** · 08-02-2009, 09:14 PM

@ Spydaz: I agree with what you are saying. Really good comments.

I need to figure if I really need \ want 3G (not sure of the litmus test \ app that really demands 3G).

Maybe an unlocked BB 9000 (Bold) is the answer: HSDPA (3G?) + wifi, since I need to buy something very soon. Not sure what the Onyx has over the Bold though. Though an unlocked bold is pretty expensive (~$400 unlocked on eBay).

UPDATE: This link has an excellent 8900 vs 9000 comparison.

None of my BB's have had wifi, but I suspect that I really should have a device with wifi. Wondering now if you could push your gmail through the blackberry with wifi, but without the GSM \ 3G data service.