Thanks for the reply. I really don't need a smart phone, but Verizon offers very few good and rugged feature phones. They seem to be forcing us to upgrade to smart phones in order to sell data packages. No 4G will be available up here in Montana until late 2013, they told me. Finally Verizon is now offering 5 free friends and family numbers with the reduced 450 minute plan, at least giving us a chance to afford data plans and still stay within a reasonable communications budget. The 4G Thunderbolt will probably loose out to the 3G Casio because we are in harsh conditions most of the time. I had the Casio Brigade (Brick)...too thick and bulky...plus it had some issues that required an exchange. Overall it was a good, waterproof rugged "dumb phone" and I liked the desk charging cradle that is also offered with the Commando. Looks as though I will forgo the sleek, fast and glossy Thunderbolt, giving the slower, larger but lighter ruggedized Casio Commando a try.
