Finding a used (or refurb) 4g phone just for data?

[imported_browsing]

I have had a line on my Verizon account with grandfathered unlimited data just as a hotspot for my father to use. No one uses it as a phone. It has an original Motorola Droid on it right now but it's starting to show its age. I'd like to get a 4g phone (which can be upgraded retaining the unlimited data so long as the phone isn't upgraded using upgrade pricing from Verizon) for him to use strictly as tether for data but I don't know what is the best bang for the buck.

I see a ton of thunderbolt's on ebay from powersellers and the prices at independent cell stores are crazy high. If anyone can throw their two cents in on what is the most cost effective, usable phone for strictly tether on Verizon 4g I'd appreciate it.

Preferably something pre-jellybean so the unofficial wifi tethering isn't broken but it doesn't have to be that way if there are jellybean capable phones that aren't expensive. I doubt it, but I'm really hoping to just spend $80 - $150 here.

 

[bearxor]

Droid Incredible 4G LTE, HTC Rezound, Droid RAZR, Galaxy Nexus.

That should probably get you under $200, but they're going to be above $150.

 

[podspi]

A Thunderbolt is serviceable if its going to be plugged in all the time...

Otherwise, battery life will be terrible almost no matter what if you get a 1st gen 4G device.

 

[OBLAMA2009]

just be aware that if you upgrade to jellybean you wont get the "free breastmilk" anymore...

 

[imported_browsing]

With jellybean you can still do bluetooth tether, I know that for sure, but I also believe you can do USB tether. Ideally I'd like it to be something I can freeze at 4.0 and have him use wifi with so there's less hassle. I'll look into the Razr and Nexus -- I haven't had much luck with HTC. It seems like they eat battery life like crazy.

Any other suggestions or suggested retailers? Thanks to everyone who has responded thus far!

 

[s44]

GNex. Just throw on any ROM and the native wifi tethering will work fine.

Or the original RAZR MAXX if you want better battery life.

 

[Thegonagle]

No issues using my T-Bolt as a hotspot with the latest firmware. I used about 50 GB last month. It streams audio and video nicely, and downloads are steady. I'd say go for it if you find a good one for cheap. A newer phone MIGHT give slightly faster max throughput though.

My Verizon GNex sucked as a hotspot. It frequently dropped the connection while downloading podcasts on my iPod touch and surfing on the notebook. Using the hotspot, it would occasionally overheat when plugged in unless the battery was fully charged, even when removed from any protective cases. It was frustrating.

I have NOT tested my GNex with the latest firmware yet. I do expect an improvement with the new baseband version, but how much remains to be seen. But considering the overheating alone, I don't recommend the Verizon GNex for this purpose.

EDIT: I don't know anything about circumventing Verizon's tethering fee. With my usage, the tethering fee is a bargain as long as they let me keep unlimited data.

(And if they ever say my unlimited is no longer unlimited, I'll say "It's a deal: I don't get unlimited, and you don't get $110 per month." The choice is theirs.)