After all that, picking between the Nokia N80ie and the T-Mobile MDA is a tough choice. Both have strengths and weaknesses that could tip me either way. The MDA is more of a data device, and I appreciate that on the long commutes. The N80ie is a stronger phone, with better signal retention. Both have strong multimedia functions, the N80ie has a much better camera, while the MDA is better with video playback and viewing. Which do I carry with me everyday? It all comes down to one deal breaker.

I've checked the various BMW, Nokia, and mobile phone-oriented forums on the Internet, and the consensus solution to getting a N80ie working with the BMW is "get another phone". Since I'm not going to give up driving the BMW, that deficiency is a deal breaker. I'm not going to use the N80ie everyday, but I will still use it on the weekends when I'm driving the family around in the Acura.

I know about the Cingular 8525, the upgraded version of the MDA/8125 with Cingular's 3G network, but I'm not ready to switch from T-Mobile to Cingular at this point. If Nokia and/or BMW could fix the Bluetooth issue, I'd gladly carry the N80ie everyday, but as it is, the N80ie is a weekend phone for me. Thankfully the SIM card is easy to swap out from phone to phone.

For part one of my journey, click here

For part two of my journey, go here

For part three of my journey, click here