Handsfree home phone: how?

[sassygirl]

Hi guys, this is my first post so please forgive me if I've posted in the wrong place.

I spend a lot of time on the phone for my job (I work at home) and I've decided to get a new phone system that will enable me to multi-task when I'm talking on the phone.

We currently have two NTL VS2000 phones which don't have a headphone socket, so the wired headset isn't really an option.

I have a Plantronics 510 Voyager bluetooth headset with my mobile, but the bluetooth home phones out there seem very limited, so I'm ruling out that option. I need two handsets. Or maybe I don't – I guess the headset acts as another handset, almost.

I don't want something with tons of features, just an answerphone, the ability to support caller ID, compatability with a decent (preferably hands-free) headset system. Oh, and it has to look good. Nice and minimalist would be great.

Am I asking for the impossible? I just don't know where to start, there seem to be so many models out there (Panasonic particularly!).

Any advice very gratefully accepted.

[Graham M]

Take a look here

http://www.plantronics.com/europe_un...USFFAKAEZWQIV0

[sassygirl]

Thanks, that's a great help. Plantronics seems to be a good company to go with, I'm very happy with my 510. I was going to go for the 510 Voyager system until Ligo told me I'd need to buy an old-style corded phone to use with it, and that it wouldn't be compatible with my existing handsets. Seems like a really expensive option.

I like the look of the CS70 but not the price – why the enormous price difference between this type of headset and bluetooth headsets, they look so similar! I'd been looking at a C70 which is cheaper but isn't on the Plantronics website so maybe it's been discontinued.

It's a minefield...

[Graham M]

You could check out eBay for that sort of thing

[cybernetic_tiger]

We have the SupraPlus Wireless (as above link) at work and they are really good.

Ever thought of using your PC as your comms centre with bluetooth dongle you could use your current bluetooth headset.

I'm sure you could find some free call management software for the PC and connect the PSTN through a 56k modem.

[sassygirl]

Thanks. I have to say no, I hadn't thought of that. It sounds a good idea, but I've got two children so I really need at least one handset.

I've just found a great Philips DECT phone here:
http://www.consumer.philips.com/cons...CSHP3HKFSESI5P

...by clicking on the links on the right hand side – looks fantastic, but I can't actually see a model in their range that matches the video clips! Typical.

Never realised before that it's the headset, not the phone, that pushes the price up in the packages you find.

[handyman]

I had a radio shack one like this but have lost it over the many house moves

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/PLANTRONICS-CT...QQcmdZViewItem

[JediMaster]

Nearly ALL Cordless Phones have Answerphone & Handsfree...

BT Freestyle *** Telephone Answer Machine Triple.
Was £99.95 - NOW £79.99
Argos Item: 5522631 http://www.argos.co.uk & search the Item Number

Type II caller ID, Answerphone, Handsfree/speakerphone

[sassygirl]

I probably should have said I'm after wireless headset-type-handsfree rather than speakerphone handsfree.

[phaze9]

Just a point to remember we have the Plantronic headsets in work and are good for around 100 metres "Line of sight" but if you go round a corner then the signal dies off sharply.But they are good if you are in the same area, room, etc

[SMHarman]

As a home office phone the wired BT Featurline telephone handset is great
http://www.businessshop.bt.com/invt/baw165
This can have a plantronics style bluetooth headset or any other headset connected to it.
Supports caller display etc. Has no voicemail, but isn't their system based voicemail a better solution. Captures calls when you are on the phone etc.

---------- Post added at 10:07 ---------- Previous post was at 10:06 ----------

You can pick them up on ebay for a lot less

---------- Post added at 10:12 ---------- Previous post was at 10:07 ----------

Something like this will plug right in
http://www.indexoffice.co.uk/product...?catRef=379119
No idea bout the site - just a random google.

[Chris W]

Isn't Featureline incompatible with ADSL? I'm sure i read that somewhere... although i may be going senile.

[Stephen]

Yes feature line isn't a normal standard phone line. Its a bit like our Centrex product.

So I would say that ADSL wouldn't work with it.

[SMHarman]

Originally Posted by Chris W

Isn't Featureline incompatible with ADSL? I'm sure i read that somewhere... although i may be going senile.

Featureline is incompatible with ADSL if you have the multiphone hunt group feature enabled.
I was suggesting this as a phone, not for the featurline benefits the phone has. It works just fine as a phone in a normal BT line, just some of the menu options (which will be sending * commands to the exchange) won't work. Others like calling 1571 or witholding number or call divert will work just fine.
As a phone it has good speakerphone and has the functionality to plug a headset into it.
Not suggesting the OP goes featureline. Though they could and still retain DSL.
When I had a featureline setup it had 3 lines. Two were attached to one number (the voice number) the third was the fax number. The fax number line also had a Demon ADSL account on it. You could call between all the phones dialing 20, 21 and 22 respectivly but if there were more than two incoming voice calls they got dumped to call minder.

---------- Post added at 12:10 ---------- Previous post was at 12:10 ----------

Originally Posted by DarthYoda

Yes feature line isn't a normal standard phone line. Its a bit like our Centrex product.

So I would say that ADSL wouldn't work with it.

Featureline is a centrex product.

[Stephen]

Originally Posted by SMHarman

Featureline is a centrex product.

I know but BT don't call it centrex