Where can I grab a Skype (direct network connection) phone for UNDER $250

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fatjoez

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Topic # 26781 3-Oct-2008 09:30

So I've got a skype subscription and I'd like to breakfree from the PC and get a skype cordless phone to connect directly to my router
But the pricing is amazing. Every skype found I've found is at least $250+
Has ANYONE bought a skype phone (that doesn't connect to pc) and does anyone know if there's a sub 250$ one available

xpd

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Reply # 168760 3-Oct-2008 10:00

I picked up my Doro dual line cordless phone from Harvey Norman at the start of the year for $40.
The main base unit requires to be connected to the PC for Skype access but otherwise its a standard cordless phone :)

But there appears to be software issue between the phone software and Skype... it stopped responding a few releases ago. I installed an older version of Skype and it works fine.

If you want a phone that isnt tied to a PC at all, then youre looking at a Wifi Skype phone, and yup, they seem to enjoy charging the earth for those.

XPD / Gavin / DemiseNZ

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wellygary

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Reply # 168772 3-Oct-2008 11:12

Not Just Wifi Skype,

Philips produce a dual mode wireless phone that does skype,( basestation plugs straight into your router) but yip they want a bundle for it, and I haven;t seen one in a high street retail store.

http://www.consumer.philips.com/consumer/en/us/consumer/cc/_productid_VOIP8411B_17_US_CONSUMER/Internet-DECT-phone+VOIP8411B-17

freitasm

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Reply # 168833 3-Oct-2008 15:53

I use a Skype Dualphone. I know they are available in Australia, not sure here. Good hardware, works well, no need of a PC. But I use skype less and less - not the same quality you get on a SIP phone service...

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fatjoez

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Reply # 168836 3-Oct-2008 16:09

Hey freitasm

I currently have a skype subscription and I've made 2 calls so far to Austria / UK landlines
and they've been ok quality wise far as I know. I just wanted to break away from the PC headset

But.. Whats SIP phone service?

Also I want to ask if you or anyone can tell me how those calling cards you buy from the dairy etc compare to skype?
How do they work? Are they internet based too or what...

I just want a solution that will give me decent calling quality / rates $$

I'm calling austria mainly

hads

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Reply # 168846 3-Oct-2008 16:58

I'd suggest a SIP VoIP service such as 2Talk (.co.nz) and an Analog Telephone Adapter (ATA) as the cheapest solution. Something like the Linksys PAP2T would be a good choice.

hads

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richms

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Reply # 168859 3-Oct-2008 18:22

Skype is an excessivly complex protocol, and its a closed shop too so you can only run it on the hardware that they develop it for.

There is a beta of skype for asterisk at the moment, but after seeing the amount of background crap that skype does on a connection I dont want it running all the time at home. not like sip with a once every few mins registration to one place, its sending and receiving stuff all over the show.

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fatjoez

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Reply # 169405 6-Oct-2008 20:46

yeah i guess sothough I must say it's worked well for me the 2 times i've called Austria with it which was suprising. The call quality was really good so I'm not sure how much better it can get if I moved to SIP
btw freitasm do ya wanna sell me your dual phone :)?

freitasm

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Reply # 169422 6-Oct-2008 21:28

No, sorry - still using it, although not for Skype - very little Skype calls, actually I think only about one or two a year!

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ascroft

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Reply # 169440 6-Oct-2008 22:31

This may not suit but I use skype a bit and pondering a Logitech wireless headset. Means i can wander around away from my laptop and can be used for more than just Skype. $138 at Ascent........

Mark Ascroft
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richms

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Reply # 169454 6-Oct-2008 23:31

May as well get a $20 bluetooth one if your gonna have a headset off a computer.

The whole reason for a standalone phone is to remove the need for a PC.

Richard rich.ms

ascroft

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Reply # 169474 7-Oct-2008 08:20

Maybe.... Portability is kind of important.

Where do you get a $20 bluetooth one from???

Mark Ascroft
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richms

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Reply # 169594 7-Oct-2008 14:53

I got the last one from either 1-day or first in, before that I have got a couple to mod into other things off deal extreme but as is usually the case with cheap asian sourced things the battery was well below the times they gave for it and died pretty quick even tho the headset itself worked fine.

Richard rich.ms