VoIP/landline phones and the best options

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DravidDavid

1907 posts

Uber Geek

#109938 29-Sep-2012 23:24

Hey guys,

I've been looking for phones with caller ID functionality (which I think is pretty standard these days anyway) but also VoIP functionality too. In other words...I have a land line, but am looking at getting a VoIP one too in the near future. It looks like phones that do both exist. Is there one that is particularly recommended.

I'm not even sure if it is logical to get one that does both. I figured if I am going to get a new phone, I'll want one that will future proof my needs. So getting an IP/landline phone just seemed to be my best option.

Any ideas?

hads

392 posts

Ultimate Geek

Trusted

#693554 30-Sep-2012 10:02

Check out the Siemens Gigaset cordless range. They support both one analogue line and multiple VoIP accounts.

nicegear.co.nz - VoIP, DVB and other Linux compatible hardware

chevrolux

4962 posts

Uber Geek
Inactive user

#693581 30-Sep-2012 12:26

Siemens A510 is what you want. Nicegear have them at a good price.
Allows one PSTN line and up to six SIP registrations. You can have up to six handsets registered to one base unit. The only limiting thing about them is they only allow to simultaneous calls over VoIP. Probably not an issue in the home environment though.
They have a pretty good GUI where you can set up all the SIP registrations and tell the base which phones to make ring on incoming calls (ie make the kitchen phone ring but not the bedroom phone) and which lines the phones should pick to make outgoing calls. For example, if you didnt want to make the jump to VoIP straight away you can have all your incoming calls on PSTN but then when you go to dial out you can make the siemens pick the VoIP lines.
Also comes with quite a cool little info service. Can display weather, news, horoscopes etc. across the screen on standby. Very gimmicky but a nice little touch.

DravidDavid

1907 posts

Uber Geek

#693600 30-Sep-2012 13:13

Thanks guys!

I'll look in to both of those phones. Not sure if I would need more than 2 VoIP lines anyway. I've survived on one land-line for years so unless I'm starting a business from home, I'm good :)

DrCheese

382 posts

Ultimate Geek

Trusted

#693635 30-Sep-2012 16:06

You might want to consider upgrading to a Gigset C610 as it offers a headset port. The A580 doesn't offer this feature. Headsets are useful if you make long calls as part of your home business.

David.

antoniosk

2358 posts

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Lifetime subscriber

#693638 30-Sep-2012 16:29

Go whole hog and get a DX800A All-In-One

Can take an analogue or SIP connection, and you can slave up to 5 dect phones off it for the easiest home 'wiring' you'll ever have to do.

And it's got a fairly ok speaker system and onboard voicemail, plus useful options for blocking call types and so on.

________

Antoniosk

DravidDavid

1907 posts

Uber Geek

#693654 30-Sep-2012 17:01

antoniosk: Go whole hog and get a DX800A All-In-One

Can take an analogue or SIP connection, and you can slave up to 5 dect phones off it for the easiest home 'wiring' you'll ever have to do.

And it's got a fairly ok speaker system and onboard voicemail, plus useful options for blocking call types and so on.

Cool. The difference between your suggestion and the other suggestions is about 300 dollars though. I don't have 580 dollars to spend on a telephone. I'd much rather buy the latest video card! :D

chevrolux

4962 posts

Uber Geek
Inactive user

#693745 30-Sep-2012 20:32

Yea I wouldn't call the DX800a a good solution for the home. Besides the cordless range does everything those things do.
A580 is now a legacy product and has been replaced by the A510 from what our rep tells us. You will buy the base + handset for around $200 and extra handsets for under $100.
If you want a headset then go for the C610. Has all the same stuff the A510 does with a slightly nicer screen.

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hads

392 posts

Ultimate Geek

Trusted

#693749 30-Sep-2012 20:34

You can also mix and match the handsets. e.g. a C610H handset with an A510H base station etc.

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