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 $115.00 (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: Very good skype phone
Summary: 4 Stars
PLEASE READ UPDATE IN COMMENTS! Added 8-7-09
After some expensive and long searching I think I can finally say I have found what I have been looking for in this phone. For a while I have been looking for a good solution to using my skype untethered to the computer. I did a review for a GE skype which once it was setup worked well but I still had to leave the computer turned on to use it. Then I saw this phone and the decent reviews. Once I saw that you do NOT need to have the computer on to use this I had to try it out.
Already having a skype account, this phone was super easy to get setup to use. I literally took everything out of the box, plugged in the base and the charger base, connected the main unit to my router and just to set it up I dropped 2 AAA regular batteries into the handset(it comes with rechargables but I was anxious to get it setup), turned it on, entered the info the screen ask for and I was connected! Called my cell phone to be sure and worked great. Once I got use to the menu system I found it easy to finish the setup.
Though it can be used as a regular phone connected to the phone line I have not tried this as I wanted this only as a net phone and as such it works very well. Call quality is very good and no one knows unless I tell them it is a net phone. My ONLY complaint is that once in a while a call will suddenly just disconnect for no reason but I suspect that is more the skype service than the phone. Admittedly was more than I wanted to pay but in this realm I'm learning you get what you pay for.
Anyone looking for a good reliable skype phone that is cordless and you have a good dsl or cable connection I recommend checking this phone out.
Philips VOIP8411B - Cordless phone / VoIP phone - DECT - Skype
Customer Review: Nice but not perfect
Summary: 4 Stars
I purchased this unit (base plus three handsets) in Feb 2008 and have used it for all outgoing calls via Skype since that time. Registering the handsets took a bit of research but after that it provided excellent call quality (better than cell and often better than landline). My internet connection is only 512 mbs but that seems more than adequate. The contact list syncs with the contacts on my computer so there's no updating at all - very convenient. The savings on our second phone line and long distance paid for the unit in less than six months so there's no comparison to landlines when it comes to cost.
I have discovered only two problems with this phone. First, the intercom feature is clunky. You can not pick up another handset and just talk. You certainly CAN go through the steps to call another handset, wait for an answer, then create a three-way call but it is inconvenient enough that we left several regular phones connected to the line and use them instead (for incoming landline calls only). The second problem is that recently, on incoming landline calls only, we can hear the caller but the caller can not hear us UNLESS we pick up a regular landline phone - then everyone hears everyone. After checking for obvious problems with settings, resetting the system and testing the phone wiring in the building I gave up. If the intercom were not so clunky, I wold be concerned but we now just pick up all incoming landline calls on a regular landline phone and make all outgoing calls via Skype. Skype (incoming and outgoing) has always worked flawlessly so our solution is slightly awkward but less so than the intercom.
In terms of call quality, cost and convenience (except the intercom) this is a great phone. I am not sure I would pay the $500 price being asked by some merchants currently, but the $129 plus $80 per extra handset I paid last year was well worth it.
Customer Review: Easy enough for PARENTS to use
Summary: 4 Stars
I just set this up at my parents' house and after the initial setup, it is as EASY to use as a cell phone.
First, the out-of-box experience was a pleasant surprise--ALL the packaging materials were PAPER-BASED AND RECYCLEABLE!!! With so many products out there filled with plastics bags / foams / blister packs that eventually find their way into landfills and will outlive humankind, I am glad to see Philips paid attention to minimizing waste in the packaging. The handsets use STANDARD AAA rechargeable batteries, so kudos for another consumer-friendly touch!
The setup was reasonably easy to complete, though the instructions sometimes did not match with the way the product works. An example is the process to attach extra handsets to the base unit--the instructions should have said to HOLD the page button on the base until the lights go out before matching the handset.
I would have preferred a larger handset, but it and the rest of the components feel solid and well built. The audio quality is surprisingly good as is the built-in speakerphone and its echo cancellation. There is almost no learning curve involved in learning how to use it--the only minor problem was to figuring out how to direct-dial to foreign countries. Otherwise, it looks and feels like an ordinary cell phone.
So far, my quibbles are the handset size (larger is better for older users), the lack of landline directory / memory, the lack of landline voice mail, and the high cost of extra handsets. But if your intention is to place all outbound calls on Skype and use the landline mostly to receive calls, you cannot find a better unit on the market today.
Currently, I don't see these units available in the Asian countries we call, but I hope this will change soon so we can get our relatives abroad on this unit and Skype each other for FREE!!!
Customer Review: Surprisingly solid phone
Summary: 5 Stars
First off, I'd like to say that one of the other more detailed reviews here said the only downside to this phone was that you couldn't adjust the volume on the earpiece, but you actually can. Just press the up/down arrow keys while you're on a call to increase/decrease volume.
This is one of the few products that I have bought in my life that works exactly as advertised. I had it installed and working in literally under a minute -and I am not one of those schmucks who says "literally" when they mean "figuratively" ... it actually took me about 30 seconds to set up. I plugged the base into the router, popped the batteries in the handset, signed into skype and voila! That was it.
I've had skype for quite some time but rarely used it because it was so awkward making calls over the computer (it felt like I might as well just set up an audio chat over AIM), but now I use this phone to make skype calls more than I use my landline.
Clear sound quality, excellent range, great design as far as look and feel, feature packed, logical menu structure, contact list downloads automatically from skype servers once you log in, and it's relatively cheap! Additional handsets are only 50-60 bucks. I really can't think of anything bad to say about the phone except that a few of the ringtones are really cheesy (like an old school cell phone), but the basic ones are perfectly pleasant.
The only feature that would be cool to add would be a way to conference more than one outside caller in with skype (though I think skype service doesn't support this so it's no fault of Philips).
Highly recommended for anyone interested in making good use of skype's great service, or even as a replacement for your regular phone for those who would only use skype occasionally since this phone works as well on the landline as it does with skype.
Customer Review: Philips VOIP841x >>> DISCONTINUED!
Summary: 4 Stars
From the horse's mouth... 'Philips' has discontinued the 3rd party production of the Skype VOIP841x series.
Don't get stung... do not pay gouging prices, nor pay for the Philips VOIP841 PC-Free DECT 6.0 Wireless IP, which most likely isn't in stock, nor will ever be, and end up fighting to get your money back.
If you really want to buy the Philips VOIP841x, do so through the Skype shop (Skype.com)... $149+ Shipping + tax (depending on the state you reside), as they are the only one that will truly have stock of the Philips Skype VOIP841x units until they are no longer available. Skype wont take your money and sit on it... they don't work that way.
There is another unit in the pipeline, which is under development, and it will NOT be manufactured by the previous vendor, due to an unfavorable relationship with Philips... When will that unit be made available... Perhaps Fall '08 or later...?
One would assume the minor bugs in the Philips Skype VOIP841x series phone will have been worked out in the next generation. Furthermore, I've personally tried the Wi-Fi Phone for Skype (all are the exact same, only difference are cosmetic, with the exception of the Panasonic), and found nothing but problems... battery life, constant ramping of baud rate, etc... You'll notice the majority of persons who have tried the Wi-Fi Phones for Skype, have reported dismal results... I'd wait for the next generation and keep using your Mac or PC for your Skype calls.
Industry Insight... Understand Philips, in many cases, does not manufacture all of their products, as they are dependent upon 3rd party venturists manufacturers, and are simply distributed by Philips, carrying their brand name.