www.CostaRicaTicas.com

Nokia 1100a UNLOCKED

These phones are available on Ebay at a very good price (you can buy a used from someone here in the USA ..... or a refurb unit out of Hong Kong....and the Hong Kong mail system works most excellent between there and the USA). They are built like a tank and were specifically designed for 3rd World use.

Given that one can now easily obtain a pre-paid SIM chip to put in the Nokia 1100a...this is the phone to carry (if you don't already have a fancy phone that you swap out simm chips) at a very small cost.....they are easy to get on Ebay....typically are refurb units which are shipped from Hong Kong....but still work JUST FINE for their purpose in Costa Rica; the more you travel back to CR....the lower the cost of the phone (they're under $25.00 on Ebay).......

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nokia_1100

Note: CR uses GSM-900/1800

Stay safe and in contact.....

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"Actual happiness always looks pretty squalid in comparison with the over-compensations for misery. And, of course, stability isn't nearly so spectacular as instability. And being contented has none of the glamour of a good fight against misfortune, none of the picturesqueness of a struggle with temptation, or a fatal overthrow by passion or doubt. Happiness is never grand."
- Aldous Huxley, Brave New World, Ch. 16

Didn't find any 1100a phones on Ebay, but I did find the Nokia 1100 (Tracfone) for 15 bucks... no clue on whether this is a Tracfone specific version or a regular unlocked GSM phone.

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mh

Typically, the TracFone's should be avoided because they are not UNLOCKED. I use a TracFone here in the USA and both of mine are 1100b and they are LOCKED...bad both ways: LOCKED and WRONG freq.

Check out the first wikpedia link to better understand:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nokia_1100

Ebay search Nokia 1100 and look for the frequency....the Hong Kong one's are refurb units......message the seller and ask is it 1100a or 1100b....it's right under where there battery goes.....they won't tell you it's an a or b from my work.....but the freq.. they list is generally good and their phones are always unlocked and generally in the right freq. coverage........

that 1100 phone IS built like a tank......it will take dang near anything you can throw at it....it just has to be the proper freq. AND UNLOCKED

So, again, do a search on Ebay for Nokia 1100 and looked for the unlocked units and look for the freq coverage AND be certain to ask ahead of time....ask the seller to check under the battery......the US sold one's are generally the 1100b's and the imports are the one's "we" want....the 1100a's.......but the Hong Kong boys are dopes and won't pull the battery.....mostly because they're just boiler rooms.....go with the freq. they're listing.......

With the news of the pay to play opening up in CR, I'm taking several Hong Kong purchased units with me to sell.......

PS: Here is a CURRENT ebay auction (seller is in Hong Kong) for the right unit: http://cgi.ebay.com/NOKIA-1100-MOBILE-P ... 286.c0.m14

However, I would send the seller a message and ask him to confirm if it is a 1100a or 1100b. Typically, they don't know because they're middle man types and don't have one to look at....the freq they are listing is generally correct....but they're in Hong Kong and you're here....ok...so you "BUY ONE NOW" and pull the battery and find it is a "b" model.....*shrug*.....contest charge and forge ahead......but I tell 'ya....these 1100's are built like tanks......

_________________
"Actual happiness always looks pretty squalid in comparison with the over-compensations for misery. And, of course, stability isn't nearly so spectacular as instability. And being contented has none of the glamour of a good fight against misfortune, none of the picturesqueness of a struggle with temptation, or a fatal overthrow by passion or doubt. Happiness is never grand."
- Aldous Huxley, Brave New World, Ch. 16

here's what I think I'm going with: http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?Vi ... 0371991352

It's small and simple, and $20 shipped. Not a big deal if lost.

Guys...

Would recommend taking a step up and spending a few extra bucks on one of these Unlocked GSM Quad-Band 850/900/1800/1900. These will work anywhere in the world....


http://cgi.ebay.com/MOTOROLA-RAZR-V3-BL ... 286.c0.m14


http://cgi.ebay.com/NEW-MOTOROLA-V180-U ... 286.c0.m14


or several other I could mention

Are the phones they sell at Quik-Trip usable in CR ?

How about a Nokia Motorazr V3xx ?

Good ole Western! Seems the Spanish lessons are having a very good impact and he provides this data from another thread:

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"Actual happiness always looks pretty squalid in comparison with the over-compensations for misery. And, of course, stability isn't nearly so spectacular as instability. And being contented has none of the glamour of a good fight against misfortune, none of the picturesqueness of a struggle with temptation, or a fatal overthrow by passion or doubt. Happiness is never grand."
- Aldous Huxley, Brave New World, Ch. 16

The key aspect to this question, Versatile centers IF the phone is UNLOCKED and IF it covers the GSM frequency range of Costa Rica.

Frankly, I do not believe the Quik-Trip phones are "unlocked"....that is....they are tied to the cell phone carrier who is selling the phone.....it probably can be unlocked, but you'll need to find someone you'll have to pay to do it....

Note: CR uses GSM-900mhz/1800mhz

_________________
"Actual happiness always looks pretty squalid in comparison with the over-compensations for misery. And, of course, stability isn't nearly so spectacular as instability. And being contented has none of the glamour of a good fight against misfortune, none of the picturesqueness of a struggle with temptation, or a fatal overthrow by passion or doubt. Happiness is never grand."
- Aldous Huxley, Brave New World, Ch. 16

Thanks Steven1. My Quik-Trip Motorola model #139 will work.
A friend was going to pitch it and i said aim for this drawer.

I would recommend something simple and not flashy, if you plan to use it in public. Recently, there was a story about somebody having a cell ripped out of their hand while talking.

I agree with El Silo.... If you are interested in travelling to countries other than CR, a quadband phone is a good idea.

Here's a good article about this subject with a table that lists all countries and the bands they use: http://thetravelinsider.info/roadwarrio ... phones.htm

Basically, it comes down to: If your trips are only to CR and you want a distinctly non-flashy phone, the Nokia 1100a seems the way to go. If you go elsewhere as well and/or want extra features (camera, etc.), look at one of the quad-band "World" phones.
That Nokia has 1 key feature the others don't--a built-in flashlight.

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"A man accustomed to hear only the echo of his own sentiments, soon bars all the common avenues of delight, and has no part in the general gratification of mankind"--Dr. Johnson
"Amen, brother"-ED