Question for users of v180 or v 188

I am going to europe this summer and will need a small unlocked phone with the following features:

speaker phone
external display that is NOT a color lcd [so I can always see it]
simple or decent ringtones
rugged and has a decent battery life

I was thinking of the v180 or 188. I currently have a samsung e315 with t mobile and I am told both of these phones get superior service and work overseas if unlocked. Mine will not work there, I have looked into it. Seeing as I am on a budget and am not looking for anything fancy, what do you guys think about either of these phones?

The reviews I read are comparing it to really fancy models and are from people who seem excessively drop their phones, and are not to be too high on it. But I just need a functional phone and as you can tell, not much else.

Any opinions would be great!

I had a V180 a while back, and it was one of the toughest phones I ever had. Dropped it countless times with no ill effects, besides some scratches and dings in the plastic. It has all the features you listed, has come down considerably in price, and should work just fine for you overseas.

Thanks. I think I will buy one of these unlocked ones cheap off ebay unless other users have some particular beefs with this phone!

I appreciate the response.

No problem. Glad I could help.