After Yahoo cancelled my “Loyal Account” with them. i had to move on to Skype, i knew i was paying probably 2% more for my calls, but i never really had any problems with skype. Now, i had to inform my Yahoo Calling contacts to move out to skype, which includes my family too. But since my parents and siblings are not IT happy. they prefered me calling them on their normal phones..
i tried many phones, but all of them were either USB connected to a PC , or WIFI enabled. Now Wifi enabled phones are good. But if you expect to tell your mom , to stand in a corner, where you get a wifi signal, or to connect to specific SSIDs etc etc… she would say “Son, i prefer to Write you a letter!”
So Finally i searched and searched and found Belkin’s Desktop Phone for Skype. i ordered it from amazon for 99 USD. i was amazed for it being light and stylish. Now here are the pros and cons
 Pros:
- It got its own Ethernet and runs on DHCP( or even manual IP). Now both my places, both back in Goa and here in Kuwait. i have configured DHCP routers, so that any device can get IPs without involving my parents or family members to pay with IPs etc. So when i brought it home. I plugged in the ethernet cable and power supply. and Viola!!! .. it connected to Skype and asked me for my credentials.. which was quick.
- I use Skypeout sometimes, it manages to convert 00 into + easily.
- It can be either Wall mounted or kept on a table, like the picture above.
- All settings, upgrades etc .. can all be done by the full color LCD screen
- All skype features were there, including add new contact etc.
- The speaker phone was loud and clear without any jarring or noise.
- its a ONE TIME setup thingy, which would help my folks and older generation to call their loved ones with just few clicks.
- It doesnt require a computer or any Wifi Signal.
Cons
- The Phone handset, seems to be a bit delicate, i had to struggle a while to fix it to the base.it kept falling off. i like the stylish part, but they should have added more plastic to make it more firm.
- As an IT guy and to avoid Less clutter of wires, they could have made it POE which takes the electricity from the ethernet cable , instead of adding an additional power supply.
- Now days most of the gadgets i buy from amazon or US, come with Power Adapters for both 110 or 240 v. the phone came with 110 adapter, which makes us buy an additional power converter.
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Did you evaulate this product?
http://www.amazon.com/Linksys-CIT400-Dual-Mode-Telephony-Integrated/dp/B000JI75GU/
It supports both landline and skype into a single device and looks equally easy to setup and use.
Problem is … it needs its “own” base station .. like the netgear skype phone( but netgear skype phone needs USB for its base station).So you have basically 3 components
- Handset
- Charger
- Basestation
I used the CIT310 from Linksys before the Yahoo part of it was good, but the Landline part of it, was buggy.. and had lot of disturbance.
hey rayboy!
I just wanted to ask, are you using it here in Kuwait? if so, did it get through customs with no problems?
also, do u have any alternatives but wireless ones?
thnx
Stafa, i got it shipped directly from amazon, as i found it cheaper that Aramex SnS , it came through fedex… had no problems getting it.. will be using it in India for my folks there.. im happy with the software version.
I heard that you need to dial and contry code, everytime you make a call even if you are in the same contry you’re calling. Is that true?
Esther: you can set up your default country in the settings… so that you dont have to do that all the time.
Where specifically do you set the default country in the settings? I can’t find it.
Great review….in the UAE, Skype is blocked so what ways do you suggest in bypassing this?
Thanks
witopia
Hi,
Did you bring it to India?
Did it work well?
Do I need any adapters to make it work in India?
I am trying to set something up for my boyfriend who is moving to India in a month. I’ve always heard that Skype in India did not work well. I hope this will be the answer to my prayers! I can’t afford to call on the landlines (who can?).
Thanks!
Mandy
Hi Ray..
would you know where I could get belkin products here in kuwait..
Looking for a router..
thanks
isaac: i dont you get many of the items here… you will need to shop on aramex
Mandy : it works well in india. you need the 110 to 220 v converter
Hi Ray from Varca,
Tried calling Bombay with Skype and it works with laptop. But no chance with Goa. Any trick up your sleeve with the exception of buying more kit.
Best regards
BC