Post: #1

So in my never ending search for a phone solution while traveling, I have decided that I need some type of "land line" type phone.

Cellphones work for me ok, but I need something I can really bang out calls on.

Anyone tried this one:

http://shop.skype.com/phones/plug-in/iss...ice-phone/

Or any of these other ones?

http://shop.skype.com/phones/

Any feedback would be great from you tech heads.

Post: #2

(05-19-2011 11:04 AM)thegmanifesto Wrote:  So in my never ending search for a phone solution while traveling, I have decided that I need some type of "land line" type phone.

Cellphones work for me ok, but I need something I can really bang out calls on.

Anyone tried this one:

http://shop.skype.com/phones/plug-in/iss...ice-phone/

Or any of these other ones?

http://shop.skype.com/phones/

Any feedback would be great from you tech heads.

Vonage - http://www.vonage.com/

Post: #3

When comparing phone types, there is really no need or any value-add to spend hundreds on $$$ of these Skype phones. Skype runs as app on just about any mobile phone today, and you 'll just need the wi-fi or 3g connection. Skype charges you $$$ to make calls to regular cell/landline phones or a subscription. You then have to pay for calls to USA when in foreign lands unless you use a VOIP service. (more $$$)

Vonage is a solution, but it requires a monthly bill for the service - which again..why pay?

However, for a truly FREE and pleasant experience use Google Voice. You can then bang out calls/receive calls (all free) no matter where in the world you are form your already existing cell phone or notebook. You can use GV from your gmail account (also free).

I have a huge gripe on paying $$$ to make/receive calls no matter where in the world I am.

Mixx

Post: #4

txbeachbum -

Can you break down the difference?

I should have been more clear maybe.

My main concern is having a landline type phone. I know this my be counterintuitive in todays world, but I need something I can dial on fast and bang out calls in rapid fire succession.

Touch screens are out. And Blackberrys small keys are way too slow.

I need old school. As I am a old school biz guy (ie makes cash, not fiddling around with a bunch of apps all day "pretending" to get things done.)

MiXX -

I left my above comment before I saw yours.

Same thing though.

Cell phones are too rinky dink for my types of calls.

I need a "land line type phone". With a crystal clear connection.

Speaker phone a plus.

Cost is no issue.

Post: #5

(05-19-2011 11:48 AM)thegmanifesto Wrote:  txbeachbum -

Can you break down the difference?

I should have been more clear maybe.

My main concern is having a landline type phone. I know this my be counterintuitive in todays world, but I need something I can dial on fast and bang out calls in rapid fire succession.

Touch screens are out. And Blackberrys small keys are way too slow.

I need old school. As I am a old school biz guy (ie makes cash, not fiddling around with a bunch of apps all day "pretending" to get things done.)

MiXX -

I left my above comment before I saw yours.

Same thing though.

Cell phones are too rinky dink for my types of calls.

I need a "land line type phone". With a crystal clear connection.

Speaker phone a plus.

Cost is no issue.

Vonage is basically like taking a landline phone with you anywhere in the world, you get this small adapter box that plugs into your router then you plug a real phone wired/wireless type house phone into it.

No need to be tied to pc.

So you will basically have a house phone in whatever country you are in with a local us # you pick the number.

Quality is flawless but depends on your internet speed. Landline like quality. You get unlimited calling to usa, canada, vm, 3 way, everything you would get with home phone service.

It's still amazes me that someone in the states can call my usa local # and it rings to my house phone in the DR.

People tell me its actually easier to get in touch with me in DR than when I lived in states.

Note - they'll give you the adapter, setup, activation and everything free with no contract, do not commit to a contract for lower rates.

TIP - Also about a month after you get it tell them you are thinking about cancelling they will give you a special rate about half price per month.

Then call back a month later and tell em you want to cancel, they'll try and give you the service free for a few months.

I hardly use it when traveling cause i like to travel light and taking the box and taking a landline phone with me uses up space. But if you gonna be in a location a min, then is perfect.

I'm not on the phone much so skype (for biz) & google voice (personal) + iphone app works perfect me, but at my place in DR i have vonage to keep in touch with fam.

But if you need to fire off alot of calls or get alot of calls vonage hands down.

Be careful they do have a Fair usage policy on that unlimited plan which is some BS so if you making like 4000 calls a month they probably will close ya account.


Also vonage is about $20 for unlimited everything.

You can use any house phone corded or cordless with vonage, I use min with a 2.4 ghz cordless phone you buy from like best buy, amazon or local electronics store, but any old school house phone will work.

Post: #6

I used to have Vonage but switched to Skype about two years ago. Skype for me is much cheaper (about $5 a month instead of $20) and I like not having to lug around the vonage hardware. With Vonage I needed to bring their router and a physical phone everywhere I travelled. With Skype I only need my laptop and headset. For me, I'm not going anywhere without my laptop and headset anyway, so in that sense there's nothing extra needed.

Skype has a feature where you can have your calls forwarded to the local cell phone you are using in whatever country you are in (vonage I think has this too).

Post: #7

Can Vonage work off Wifi?

As in, if you are in an apartment in a foreign country and the apartment just has WiFi and not a hard internet line or router?

Post: #8

If the WiFi has a broadband internet connection you will be fine.

I would recommend Skype over Vonage. Long story short, you may need a ethernet to WiFi adapter to use a traditional style phone.

Post: #9

(05-19-2011 03:16 PM)babelfish669 Wrote:  If the WiFi has a broadband internet connection you will be fine.

I would recommend Skype over Vonage. Long story short, you may need a ethernet to WiFi adapter to use a traditional style phone.

Babel -

What is this: "WiFi adapter'?

Any examples of good ones?

Post: #10

skype and you get a skype in number to receive phonecalls. could be diverted to any cell phone / land line phone pretty much anywhere

vonage needs its own LAN/ethernet connection jack

Post: #11

(05-19-2011 11:04 AM)thegmanifesto Wrote:  Anyone tried this one:
http://shop.skype.com/phones/plug-in/iss...ice-phone/
Or any of these other ones?
http://shop.skype.com/phones/
Any feedback would be great from you tech heads.

I got one. What I suggest is to get a cordless phone with the base which connects to a router. This way you'll hook it up directly into the Ethernet slot in your hotel room, and still have flexibility. Mine is Linksys CIT300.

Stay away from WiFi Skype phones. WiFi hotstops in hotel are rarely stable, and the latency makes the conversation very difficult.

Post: #12

(05-19-2011 11:04 AM)thegmanifesto Wrote:  So in my never ending search for a phone solution while traveling, I have decided that I need some type of "land line" type phone.

Cellphones work for me ok, but I need something I can really bang out calls on.

Anyone tried this one:

http://shop.skype.com/phones/plug-in/iss...ice-phone/

Or any of these other ones?

http://shop.skype.com/phones/

Any feedback would be great from you tech heads.

ooma.com
cheaper and better voice quality than vonage.

Post: #13

(05-22-2011 10:03 AM)WEDO Wrote:  

(05-19-2011 11:04 AM)thegmanifesto Wrote:  So in my never ending search for a phone solution while traveling, I have decided that I need some type of "land line" type phone.

Cellphones work for me ok, but I need something I can really bang out calls on.

Anyone tried this one:

http://shop.skype.com/phones/plug-in/iss...ice-phone/

Or any of these other ones?

http://shop.skype.com/phones/

Any feedback would be great from you tech heads.

ooma.com
cheaper and better voice quality than vonage.

WEDO -

Now you are talking.

Can you break down your experience with ooma?

Post: #14

Ooma is the absolute bomb. It's rock solid, cost $3.14 per month (this is a federal tax that you cant get around) and calls to the USA are free from anywhere in the world. I am going on 1 year with Ooma.

To make it work with wireless, you need a WAP (wireless access point).

This one is small and good for travel.
http://www.walmart.com/ip/ASUS-WL-330gE-...t/13908828

You can plug any phone into Ooma. So if you wanted to, just travel with your ooma and you WAP, and then unplug the hotel phone and plug it into your ooma, or bring a small cordless phone or your phone from home you are used to.

Best thing to do G, if you are going to be in a location for less than 2 weeks is take my advice on this thread and throw down $450 for a Droid Global that has been unlocked from Ebay and use the dreaded easy to use, giant touchscreen Ooma app (with your contacts loaded for 1 button calling that is faster than your home phone):

/thread-3578.h...laya+phone

TD

Post: #15

(05-22-2011 02:45 PM)thegmanifesto Wrote:  

(05-22-2011 10:03 AM)WEDO Wrote:  

(05-19-2011 11:04 AM)thegmanifesto Wrote:  So in my never ending search for a phone solution while traveling, I have decided that I need some type of "land line" type phone.

Cellphones work for me ok, but I need something I can really bang out calls on.

Anyone tried this one:

http://shop.skype.com/phones/plug-in/iss...ice-phone/

Or any of these other ones?

http://shop.skype.com/phones/

Any feedback would be great from you tech heads.

ooma.com
cheaper and better voice quality than vonage.

WEDO -

Now you are talking.

Can you break down your experience with ooma?

I had it in my apartment in Colombia for couple of years....it allowed me to call the states for free and when I was in the US I could call my apartment in Cali just like I was calling someone down the street.