Caching with a BlackBerry Options

[hairball45]

I've been using a Verizon Voyager as my cell phone for about two years, Koilady and I got 'em the day they came out. They were and are pretty cool phones and we really liked them. Sadly though, the batteries have pretty well given up the ghost. I found batteries online for about 20 bucks, but I never heard of the sellers, so I went, Voyager in hand, to the Verizon store. The young man at the counter said he would be glad to fix me up, and the new batteries would set me back $30 each. I've bought phone batteries before so I wasn't too surprised. Then he dropped the bomb. I learned that BlackBerries were on sale at hideously reduced prices, and were BOGO into the bargain. Soooo after fronting out a benjamin, with a rebate on the way for $100, making an aggregate cost of nothing I left with two touchscreen Storms in hand. With some plan modifications the monthly won't be markedly different from what I was paying before, so I think I'm in pretty good shape. ( I lost the VZ Navigator, but the Berry has a navigation program or two built in without the subscription cost of the VZN.)
Anyhoo, the Storm is one of Verizon's few phones with an unlocked GPS. I've been playing with Cacheberry, and see that the GPS rivals my good old Legend C for accuracy. Load PQs right to it from e-mail, and log finds right from the program.(I had logged through the WAP site with the Voyager, but that's pretty durn tedious.)
The $64 question is, are any of you Chums taking a similar route? And no, the Berry isn't going to replace the Garmin, I have good reason to believe that it doesn't like being dropped or going swimming, both things that the C has done with no ill effects.
Any input?

hairball

[whistlen]

Not only for caching but for other stuff, you've got a cool phone!

I have the BlackJack II with Cachemate on it using GSAK on the computer means a GREAT caching tool! Paperless is one thing BUT having the cache page info at your hands is priceless!

Enjoy your new phone and search for all the stuff you can download into it.

[JBFurdog]

I'm jealous! I wish they would unlock the GPS for the Curve. Sometimes it would be nice to just grab the Blackberry and go get that newly published Cache without having to type in the cords into my Garmin on the fly. To answer your question no, I don't use my blackberry for actual caching rather I use it in conjunction with Cachberry software to have a mini cache page with the last 5 logs and the ability to go paperless which is AWESOME! Good luck with your storm and keep us posted on how caching with it works out.

[Timeage]

Hairball, did you have to get a data plan with that phone? I cant see paying $100 a month for a data plan to get email on my phone. I am looking to get a different phone. Do you like the storm? I heard the touch screen is a little funky.

[hairball45]

I do have a data plan, they are required on all Verizon smartphones and PDAs. I have two Storms on a 700 minute shared plan, more than enough for us. Each phone has its own unlimited data plan. With some corporate discounts it's about $140 for the whole schlamiel. I had a premium plan for both phones before and it cost me about the same per month. It included Vcast (never used it) (Pandora is available on the new phone, no cost) e-mail (handled better on the Berry) VZ Navigator (two navigation programs on the new phone, they just don't talk) and so on. Oh yeah, I lost ESPN MVP for sports scores, but with net access I don't need that either.
As to the screen, there is a little learning curve to get the right touch, but we're getting there. Typing is a little problematic, but that's coming along too. Yep, I like mine.
hairball

[MrDotOne]

This is one of the topics/agendas we will be covering at the upcoming GeoSkool on November 15, 2009 Please be sure to come !!

[Taranis-Joe]

I use my Android phone with the CacheMate app. Works well enough to find a cache, even though the GPS is a little slower to update position than the 60cx. Doesn't replace the 60 for longer (10+ per day) caching trips, but great for around town and FTF. Love the ability to make field notes and update twitter right from the app while standing above the cache.

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