Philips VOIP841 PC-Free DECT 6.0 Wireless IP Phone
by Philips Accessories
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Our Price: $499.99 Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days Buy Used: from $123.99 (click here) Category: CE See more product details |
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Customers in the UK,
Buy this product at amazon.co.uk
for British Pounds
Digital Cameras Photo Reviews of Philips VOIP841 PC-Free DECT 6.0 Wireless IP Phone
Customer Review: Excellent, replaced my regular phone
Summary: 5 Stars
After testing Skype itself (see other good reviews in this set on how Skype works) on a laptop for a month, we decided we liked it enough to get a Skype phone. After spending a lot of time comparing models on line, we got this one because it looked more like a regular phone (we don't need a Skype phone that travels) and so hoped it would be comfortable to use. In fact, its form is clearly derived from the Philips landline phone we had before.
The phone has surpassed expectations. Its is easy to use. Once you set up your default area code, you can dial any local number just as on a landline phone. We only use Skype now, so we set the default line to Skype - you don't have to choose Skype or landline. Unlike a regular phone, you can fill in your contacts (regular or Skype) in your on-line account. (There is a little software bug the web site tells you about - if you add more later, sign out and back into Skype to download the update).
We meant it mainly for day to day use (and we aren't home much), but it works well in heavier applications too. I did a three hour conference call recently. The speaker works well, you can of course mute, and so on. Very comfortable and functional.
So aside from not being able to call 911 (cell phone will do that) we can't find anything this thing can't do, and it has nicely replaced our landline and landline costs. If you get a $30/year (year, not month) subscription for the US, a phone number only costs $30/year. So that is $60/year versus our old costs of $40/month or $80/year. If you don't need a number, even less. Note you cannot port your landline number.
Highly recommended.
Customer Review: can't beat this deal
Summary: 5 Stars
I've been using Skype on my pc for several years now, and thought I would try it with a VOIP phone, possibly as a replacement for my cable provider's phone service. Most of the posts I've read about this phone stated the voice quality was between a landline and a cell phone.
I received the phone today, and had it connected within 5 minutes. I made a couple calls this evening, one to a cell phone, and another to a landline. The voice quality for both of these calls was much better than from my cell phone. My friends were very impressed; During the calls, I experienced no static or echoing. I was pleasantly surprised, and impressed.
Just some minor issues - For calls to landlines and cell phones in the US, a Skypeout call will show up a "Unknown Number". According to the forums on the Skype website, caller identification for SkypeOut calls is not available in the US (yet). Another minor issue; I don't believe there is a way to adjust the volume on the phone, and finally, each time I log into Skype on the phone, I'm prompted to enter my password, even after choosing option to save password.
Aside from these minor issues, I really like the phone, and the call quality seems very good. I'm looking forward to saving money on my monthly phone service!
Update - Been using the phone for a few days now. The volume can be adjusted during the call by pressing on the up/down navigation keys. Call quality is very good, if not better than my previous VOIP vendor, SunRocket.
Customer Review: Integrity-in-a-Box
Summary: 5 Stars
I studied extensively on the various options for VOIP phones and headsets. Something told me I'd be better off with a Skype phone and when I saw the Philips VOIP841, I temporarily stopped browsing and focused on it. Eventually I went on to study other phones but this particular one "had me me from hello". Upon receiving it, set-up was very simple and after letting the phone power-up in the base overnight, this rascal was up-and-at'em. I was impressed by how the Skype program online synchronized with the program in the handset, mirroring all my contacts, etc.
I called a relative using Skype from the computer and she told me it was the clearest she'd heard from my phone in a long time. When I told her it was from the computer, she was genuinely surprised and impressed.
Now I'm just a customer like everyone else who might purchase this phone, but if Philips want to hire me as spokesperson for this particular phone, it would be easy work indeed. This phone costs a little more than many of the others, but I've had it online for over a month and no kidding, it rocks!
Also, you don't have to worry about it conflicting with conventional hand-sets in other areas of the house. My office is central for Skype calls and that's ok. The final kicker here is that you can start making long distance phone calls (Skype)at less than $0.03 per minute. Overall, a 5-Star Salute well deserved!
Customer Review: Excellent phone and easy setup
Summary: 5 Stars
I looked at many skype phone and settled on this one because of its looks and that it can be run without a PC. Out of the box it was well packed, and easy to setup. I had a skype account, entered the setup info in the phone and was online and working in 5 minutes. I have had this phone for over a month now and been using it regular.
This phone allows for skype out (calling a land line) and you can just dial the phone number and pres talk. I saw in other post a comment that you had to select skype out before it would make the call. I found a setting in the phone that made this the default behavior. With that this phone works just like a regular phone. Its amazing with a skype out and skype in number.
The sound is excellent when having a call with a land line. clear, crisp and easy to understand. With some of my skype contacts its hit or miss. I think this has much to do with the other skype users and the quality of their headphone/microphone setup.
This phone will make an excellent replacement to my vonage line. With a skype in phone number, and skype out service its a great bargain.
One issue. I do leave the phone on all the time. Sometimes for some reason the time on the phone becomes wrong by several hours. I have to turn it off and back on for the time to update. Otherwise this is a great product and I am very pleased.
Customer Review: totally satisfied
Summary: 5 Stars
Easy set up, once the battery of the handset was charged I was making my first Skype call the next minute. (I had been using my wireless hi-speed access point already for a few years, with my notebook computer. And I already had been using Skype with my notebook, so skype-wise I was in good shape when the Philips machine arrived.) I don't believe in manuals (actually, I don't remember whether my purchase came with a manual) but the whole set-up and operation goes very intuitively.
By now I've been using the Philips machine for one month. No lock-ups, no re-starts. The only occasional problem is with Skype itself, nothing to do with Philips. (On international calls, Skype doesn't always recognize the offhook event on the other end of a SkypeOut call. With time, the Skype people should be able to fix this kind of teething problem.) Voice quality of the Philips system is excellent - my Skype calls sound better than with my landline, no noise no echo, although I should add that my voice landline is in bad shape, I should call out the phone company. Automatic downloading of contacts goes without a hitch. Altogether I'm pleasantly surprised how well the whole thing works, particularly if you consider the complexity of the arrangement. I had been afraid that my technophobic family would reject the new arrival, but nothing like it!