Need to reup 3 phones on Verizon. Help me choose a phone?

[Microman]

Wife is bugging me to go into Verizon and reup our contracts. Family has 3 phones. Was on 500 minutes, but we are now going over that, May go to 700 family minutes.

But I need a recommendation of a phone, that I can hack to put my own ringtones on, like I did with the Motorola V710.

Thanks.

Daughter and Wife will want text messaging.

[onthedownlow]

LG-VX9900...I wouldn't choose anything else, unless you are looking for a true SmartPhone with a Windows/PalmOS.

You can do anything on this phone...ringtones...digital audio/video player/recorder w/2MP camera...good stuff.

[Microman]

Thanks for the recommendation. Don't need any option other than what the V710 can do after doing a seem edit.

[Fritz]

I'm on my 2nd LG from Vzw, 4th if you count my wifes. The new one, an 8600, is great other then battery life, it's probably 6 months old and starting to shorten in it's usefulness, 3 days down from 4 and dropping.
But the batts can be had on ebay for $6 or so.
LG makes their own phones, near as my research can tell, most other farm out bits and pieces or assembly. Moto has made a series of dogs. The only one that seems to have held up was the E815. I'd bet Samsung is pretty good too.
I also bought a Nokia for me mum that has been fine, but her usage is minimal so it's not much of a test.

[h linamen]

The LG VX8300 is fantastic. Check Cnet for user comments and high ratings. We got our Verizon service through Costco and the phones for only $29.95 with no rebate hassle. Have only had for several weeks but the battery life according to user comments is excellent and our early use bares that out.