Having spent the last 2 weeks trying to find the best reasonably priced VoIP/Skype phone, I finally ordered one.I think it was about 2 years ago that I heard about Skype and immediately thought wow even if I did live my with parents and didn’t call people very often. Two years later, I no longer live with my parents and have friends in America. I absolutely despise the high cost of mobile calls and ensure that I don’t top-up my phone with more than £10 each month. That is just the amount that I need in order to get free txts that last me through the month. I don’t make that many calls either though the credit normally lasts 3 to 4 weeks anyway.

At first I wanted to get a headset, it seems to be the most talked about device for using with VOIP services. I did get one last year but I didn’t like it much so I brought it back. In the last year I discovered that I could actually get a real phone. No leads to worry about and I wouldn’t be restricted to sitting in front of my computer (though I probably will anyway).

The problem then arose, which one? I began last week by typing the words ‘best skype phone’ into Google to get an overview of the market. My first thoughts where that they are generally more expensive than the headsets but then I see so many advantages, plus I’m not a gamer so I don’t have to worry about that.

The handset that I saw the most often was the RTX Cordless Skype Dualphone. I read many reviews, both good and bad, well mostly good but some bad points that stuck out. Though the good seems to outweigh the bad.

Geekzone.co.nz gave it a pretty good review, summarised by this:

Pros

• Use it like a standard phone
• Cordless with good range: 50m indoors, 300m outdoors
• Change Skype status directly on handset
• Lists on-line Skype contacts directly on handset

Cons

• Phonebook should really synchronise with Microsoft Outlook or other PIM
• Can get a little bit hot during long talks
• No speakerphone

The only one of the cons that puts me off is the one about it getting hot during long calls. Surely it can’t get that hot.

The review over at VoIP & Gadgets Blog ended with this:

Pros

• Great range
• Good sound quality
• Wireless access to Skype contacts
• Can change Skype presence status
• Integration with Skype voicemail

Cons

• Short standby battery life
• No off switch (have to disconnect battery or listen to annoying low battery warning?)
• Can’t download contacts to the phone.
• You have to launch Skype first. The phone cannot launch Skype for you.

The cordless phones that my parents have don’t have a very long life, so I’m used to that.

Also, today Skype have revealed Skype Pro. Basically cheaper calls and services. Free landline calls (though there is a $0.039 connection fee) and free voicemail. The introductory offer includes five months of Pro service for €10 and €5 credit.

Oh I can’t wait to get Skyping.

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