Ok, I'm about ready to pull the trigger on a new phone and service provider, and am torn between AT&T's Tilt and Sprint's Mogul.  I like the Tilt better, but Sprint seems to have a better plan, so I'm leaning this way.  I have a few questions, and am having trouble compiling the information (much seems outdated), so here's a rundown of questions.

Phone Questions

• The Mogul only supports up to a 2GB card, right?  I was hoping to use this as a "replacement" for my 8GB iPod while hiking, so I don't have to carry both, but 2GB isn't going to cut it.  The salesman tried telling me it compresses MP3s down to a few KBs so it'll hold a lot, but I found that statement dubious at best.
• I have a handheld GPS (Garming 60CSx).  How is the phone's, and does it require extra software or an external antennae?  What about maps...do they come with the phone, or need to be purchased, or how are they updated, etc? I can continue with the Garmin, but it doesn't do voice turn-by-turn directions (just beeps), so curious how the phone's GPS stacks up.  Feedback from someone who is familiar with othe GPS systems would be appreciated.
• Anyone use the Music Premiere or TV Premiere streaming radio/TV that comes with the "Everything" plan?  Just curious how it is.

Plan Questions

• Can someone provide some information about the SERO plan?  Currently, I am looking at the $69.99 "everything" plan (450 minutes), and then the $29.99 (200  minutes) voice plan for my wife, so my bill would be about $100/month (before my state employee discount).  I am mostly wondering how I get the plan (do I just ask, or do I need to be sneaky about it), and what I would be losing by going that route instead of the everything plan.  I would like to be able to do the tethering occassionally, but if it's going to cost me an extra $30/month for that, it's not worth it to me.

Thanks for your help.

the mogul will hold an 8gb microsd. the gps rocks, any extra software can be found on over a dozen sites for free. i have the lil cheap tomtom gps and i havent even seen it since i got my mogul back n april. as far  as plans go i just took the $99 simply everything so im no help there. if you wanna sit at the cool kids table and make light sabre sounds and play cow toss then stay with the iphone, if you want a grown up toy thats a fully functional tool then get a mogul and the do more research. its amazing what this thing can do.

So it will actually use the 8GB card...cool.   I thought it would only use 2GB.  That's the only thing I was concerned about that the Tilt had over the Mogul

And if I read you correctly, the GPS doesn't require an external antennae, right?

no extra any thing for the GPS maybe a reg tweak or maybe some1 has made a install cause the new update has made it so you need a cell connection but you i can get a a download to install a program it will be big about 2GB that has maps built in just incaes ur in the back country.. i can always find away to make it all smaller.

I have a 4GB micro SD card in mine.

I use the Garmin GPS software and it gives turn by turn voice. Works very well. Nothing extra is needed past the software and maps. TomTom works too but requires another GPS software program to turn on the GPS for it. At least until a newer version comes out that supports the Mogul. Sprint has their own GPS software with voice but it requires a cell data signal to download the maps as you go. Quite useless when you need it most in far away places away from any cell tower. Plus they charge monthly for it unless you have the everything plan. Microsoft Live Search gives non voice turn by turn directions and is free but requires a data connection.

I don't use Sprint's TV or radio. I use my Slingbox at home connected to my cable box. I can watch any channel I want to (HBO, SciFi, local channels, DVR) from my Mogul. There is plenty of software to listen/watch free internet radio/TV stations. I see no point in paying for that kind of service through Sprint but you get it weather you want it or not with the everything plan. I'm so glad I have my old SERO $30 a month with everything I really need plan with none of the useless stuff and forced to pay for it plan that they are currently offering.

Sprint's data network is so much faster than AT&T's data network and much cheaper. I'm glad I don't have an iPhone user's cell phone bill. You can't combine SERO with any other discounts. If you get a company discount use that over the new SERO plans. The new SERO plans only gives you a $10 discount with 50 extra minutes. Quite lame. Occasional tethering is possible with any data plan. Just not to be used as your main data connection. A small registry edit will make tethering easier but not necessary. No additional software is required if you are using the USB cable for connection.

the built in gps system does an excellent job of providing directions ... if you are out of cell service when you initiate a route, you're screwed because it uses the internet to get your route, but if you set up a route and then leave cell service, it will keep you on your route, just without maps (it will still tell you when to turn, but won't show you any other streets on the way)

as for the tv service (which requires a rom update from htc, free and takes about 30 minutes to install) it works alright, has numerous clips of tv shows (weather channel local forecast for bunches of cities, daily show segments for last two or three days, 20 or 30 music videos, cnn clips, etc.) as well as a fair number of live channels (some the same as on cable, some dedicated for mobile use)

radio, though, is fast becoming my bugaboo.  i have been all over looking for answers to how to get the radio to work on my mogul.  as a matter of fact, i am at this site now on that very mission, just a bit distracted and replying to posts that are not goal-oriented.

good luck on your purchase, and don't get one of those infernal iphone thingies.

whwillisiv said :

radio, though, is fast becoming my bugaboo.  i have been all over looking for answers to how to get the radio to work on my mogul.  as a matter of fact, i am at this site now on that very mission, just a bit distracted and replying to posts that are not goal-oriented.

if you have unlimited data plan you can go to http://www.thestreamcenter.com/PDA/ and look up your local stations or any others they have and listen to the digital broadcast.

whwillisiv, I joined so I could let you know that your suggestion worked for me! My first search brought up a $12 app that I was thinking about downloading, but of course I much prefer the free version with nothing additional to install. :)