My wife and I purchased matching Nextel's 6 months ago after using them at my job for the past 4 or 5 years. One of the reasons we went with them is the 2 way radio(Direct Connect). Since then we have saved lots of minutes and money using the 2 way radio vs. using the cellular to talk back and forth. I also like that the phone has its own email address and can have email sent directly to the phone. I like the fact that the phone is light and small enough to be clipped to my belt and the holster holds it in very tight. I am a police officer and have it clipped onto my duty belt and have never had the phone "pop" out of the holster yet, no matter what I was doing. The phone has a large phone book and is equipped with caller ID. Plus with the flip I never have to worry about accidentally hitting the send button and making calls you don't want made.

Another reason we got the phone is because of the wide coverage that Nextel has here in the Chicagoland area. I work in Suburban Chicago and live 45 miles in a rural area and have never found a dead spot yet, even when I'm in the basement of my work, which is a bomb shelter, I still receive a signal.... not strong but strong enough to make or receive a call. I once made a road trip from Chicago to Springfield, approx 350 miles, and had coverage the whole way down and back and even when 350 miles away, I was able to talk to my my at home with the 2 way radio and it sounded like she was standing next to me. My wife made a trip to the Western Portion of Illinois and I had no trouble getting a hold of her either. Not to mention that when I just need to talk to my wife for a second or tell her something simple, I don't have to waste cellular minutes calling her, I just call her on the 2 way. I have read other reviews about there coverage lacking in some areas... I don't know where that is but in Chicagoland area the coverage is excellent. Everyone at my work who has them also has nothing but good things to say about these phones as well.

The phone itself I haven't had one problem with it, not to mention we have about 50-60 of the same ones at work and still have not heard of a problem to this day. I use my phone all day, every day and have even dropped it many times and have unintentionally abused it and it stills works really well. I have heard complaints about the flip breaking or wearing out but have yet to have any problems with mine or had any with the phones at work. The speakerphone option is a great bonus but doesn't work well in loud areas. Another nice feature is the Vibra Call, which means instead of ringing, it vibrates when you get a call.

The pricing plans are comparible with other cellular services in our area especially if you are going to have more than one phone. I wish I would have gotten a Nextel a long time ago, but was told it was expensive... Boy were they wrong about that, I'm paying less for my 2 phones through Nextel than I was with 2 phones through 2 different carriers.

In short... if you want a quality phone with a quality company... Nextel is your best bet!

Recommended: Yes

Amount Paid (US$): 99.00 (each)