6800 ideal for deaf users?

I'm currently a Sidekick user because I'm deaf and I find a phone with full keyboard very convenient. Unfortunately, my SK sucks at reception and it is giving me a lot of grief with all those drop-outs.

I'm seriously considering switching to 6800 which I see that comes with a full keyboard. Few questions I'd like to be answered before I take the plunge...

1) How's the vibration strength? My SK has somewhat weak vibration, so I miss a lot of calls.

2) How reliable is it?

3) Do you have reception problems with it?

4) I checked out TMobile and they don't carry it (probably didn't want to compete it with SK) and I'm forced to switch to a different carrier. What carriers are carrying this phone? So far, I've heard AT&T and Cingular. If these are the only carriers, which do you prefer? Since I'll be using SMS and Email a lot, the cost is a huge factor because with SK, I can get unlimited data, no voice for $30/mo.

5) Is there any other phones that is ideal for deaf people that I might have overlooked?

Your help is greatly appreciated!

-Brent

hope you dont find this post offencive, but really i'm just curious as i dont know anyone personally who is deaf...
how do you recieve calls when you cant hear them? or are you just deaf to a certain extent?

I've found nokia phones to have quite decent reception, as long as you hold it in the right position and dont block the antenna part with your hand or finger when calling in weak areas...

I would believe Nokia is a reliable company too

No, I don't find your question offensive.

I rely on the phone (or pager)'s vibration mode to alert me when someone is trying to call me. That's why I asked whether the 6800 vibrate function is strong or is it weak.

I use my Sidekick's text messaging function to communicate with my hearing co-workers and deaf friends. It's a very effective tool except that the reception sucks. Seeing that 6800 operates on similiar function (Text-heavy), I was wondering if I would get better reception from it than the Sidekick.

Brent

RainyCity4 -
Funny coincidence, I was also looking for a phone primarily for txt msging and AIM use when I go back to Rochester, NY so I could communicate with my deaf friends more easily (relay just takes forever).
I researched for a long time between the TMobile SK color and the Nokia 6800. I eventually went with the Nokia 6800 and have been very pleased. The screen is very bright, however, the refresh rate is somewhat slow so the games on the phone are a little blurry at times. The reception is outstanding. I don't know what Nokia did but this phone can find enough signal to make phone calls and txt msg where other phones can't.
The keyboard on the Nokia 6800 is easy to use. It takes a couple of text messages before your thumbs really fly back and forth. My only complaint is that the keys are not as raised as they should be, they are more dome like and are barely raised above the keyboard surface. You eventually get used to it.
The vibration strength is pretty good. You might have a hard time feeling the phone if you have it clipped to your belt. However, the phone is still small enough to fit in my jeans pocket and I have no trouble feeling the vibration then.
As for service providers, I am currently with AT&T Mmode. AT&T's coverage for GSM is a little spotty, but they are always expanding and are about to sign some deals with another carrier to expand their NY coverage. AT&T doesn't offer unlimited data and they charge by the MB. They also treat text messaging and data differently. I talked to TMobile and they said they would be releasing the Nokia 6800 gradually in different markets (they were not going to have it in WA state until December). AT&T currently offers it now, and they have a deal if you order it from their website ($100 off).
So I would just ask and see if AT&T can cut you a deal, since you will be using text messaging and data only. But double check AT&T's service coverage for GSM cause right now it's not so great. Also most of their stores now carry a demo version, so you can go play with it for a few minutes.
Oh, and one last thing. The 6800 comes with a TTY accessory, which is also handy.

Wow! Thanks for your helpful information. I'm pleased to hear that TMobile will be offering the 6800 because I have SideKick with them and it won't expire until January, so waiting til December won't be a problem for me.

Brent

Hi RainCity4,

I feel that the 6800 is fine for me also. I regularly put it on vibrate (in my pocket) and have had no problems feeling it ring.

The keypad is incredibly useful and easy for typing. Much easier for me than the Sidekick. Like SFM said, there's really nothing much out there that compares to the 6800.

I noticed the 6800, Sidekick, and T900. Basically what I want is to be able to voice my words to TTY operator, and see their response in text on the unit. So I am new to the units, and have not purchased one yet, so this is why im researching. I like the sidekicks screen, but the vib doesnt do the job, I heard on another forumn, but that was January, maybe the have fixed it, not sure. I am deaf, do not sign, I lip read, and speak well. I hardly use the phone, and at times do find a TTY unit around town are inadequent, i do have a portable tty but is a pain to handle at phone boothes with traffic noise all around. I need something in case of emergency. Sad part is many service packages require you to use their 1 yr service which only includes minutes and no text data, that you have to buy seperate. Cell providors need top seperate us from the hearing world, it is a discrimiantion to us to pay hearing rates. Can someone give me a better idea of what I can use. I do like the color screen and bigger viewing, as well as emails and internet.

I have a SK but it sucks at a lot of things everybody else was saying so im bought a Nokia 3300 and it is the best cell phone i have ever got if i was to rate it out of 1 to 10 i would have to give it a 10

6800 ideal for deaf users?

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