My contract term with Cingular is up & I am currently in my 2-week
trial with Verizon.  I chose the Motorola V325, expecting (hoping) I
would have better overall coverage than I had with my old Nokia 3100 on
Cingular.  So far, I am disappointed.  On an internal stair-well
between floors at my office I have either a VERY weak signal or lose
service on the V325.  I have good signal on the ancient Nokia 3100 and
can reliably place/receive calls there.  Except for this test, I don't
stand between floors on an internal stair-well.  I was just looking for
a place where reception ought to be difficult and wanted to see how
much better it was on the V325.  Not as good.  Oh well.

Next, I set the V325 "Service Tone" on and headed out of town toward
rural areas.  The V325 held onto the 1X RTT band longer than expected;
but when it finally dropped, the phone was nearly useless.  I switched
"Analog Only" ON and it found service; but with 1 or no bars on the
signal strength indicator.  Again, I had good signal with the Nokia
3100 and decided to pull off the road and call the V325.  The V325 in
my hand never rang... and after numerous rings in the ear-piece of the
3100 the call rolled over to voice mail.  Then I tried to call the
Nokia from the V325... and after wating a while the V325 decided that
it had no service.  I got a family plan and had two V325 phones in the
car with me.  Both phones behaved the same.

I'm not bashing Verizon or the Motorola V325.  But, I'm glad I decided
to get new phone numbers on this Verizon trial and keep the Cingular
service/phones until I was sure I was satisfied.  Now I'm wondering if
the "old" Nokia 3100 phone (that is little more than a phone), is a
better "phone" than the new ones.  Perhaps, by chance, I happened into
a rural area that Cingular has plastered.  Still, I am disappointed.  I
was almost certain I would be better served with the V325.

I think the V325's are going back.  I may try the E815 (better suited
for use with external antenna) or something else better suited for an
external antenna.  I just want a phone that maximizes my ability to
place/receive calls around the country and the occasional interior room
of a building.  Any suggestions?