| Product: |
Ascom Avena 233 plus |
| Date: |
29/07/01 (1102 review reads) |
| Rating: |
 |
Advantages: Feature packed and Friendly, Talks, Voice-dials and Announces Caller Names, Hands free Anywhere with large phonebook
Disadvantages: No volume buttons, Large swoppable backplates, No belt-clip
This Swiss made unit is available as phone only or combined phone and answerphone (Plus model). The Avena announces callers names, can voice dial,lights up, is hands free anywhere and is truly friendly to use.Having used many digital cordless phones prior to the Ascom - I was pretty sick of missing features and the lack of intuitive menus which could enable adjustments without finding the user manual. With the Avena - liberation has come - there are friendly menus for virtually everything.
This little beauty does everything with simplicity and verve and even it even talks to you. With voice dialling and caller ID announcements (on up to 10 numbers), a 4-line matrix display with backlight - this phone is a joy to use every time. The combination of hands free, optical signal and voice functions makes this phone particularly useful to sight and hearing impaired users and those with arthritis and limb problems. It's a pity the numbers aren't illuminated though - as this would complete the picture.
The phone has a 150 name phonebook and bright and clearly visible illuminated dynamic graphic displays on all menu items. It's intuitive enough to only provide a calls register menu when there are calls. One of the phone's best features is the hands free facility which can be implemented during or before making calls with loud, crisp, realistic and sharp voice definition - making it possible for several people to chat around the phone absolutely anywhere. A bright red light flashes on receiving calls and on all voice functions. Additional features include provider selection - this dials my NTL prefix for me automatically and can be set dial the cheapest provider on all or selective calls. This is foolproof - which is more than can be said for NTL dialler boxes which frequently fail to direct call in conjunction with many digital phones and calls from memory. Not so with the Avena - it performs impecably.
The babyphone feature can au
todial if a noise is made in a selected room (3 pre-set sensitivity levels) and users have direct access to most provider services. Nine useful melodies are available, including two blues ones which I find pleasing. It's also possible to select distinctive rings to distinguish internal from external calls.
The phones appear to be very well made - right down to their gold contacts and offer reasonable battery life (150 hours on one charge) with easily replaceable AAA NiMH cells. Design is elegant, balanced, light and ergonomic with graceful curves, positive button actions and an easy grip shape. The three-way 'fox-key' offers alternative menus in each mode and is a joy to use.
I was so thrilled with the Avena's performance and design that I bought a second and it was a doddle to link the second handset. A wonderful feature enabled me to automatically transfer my entire directory within moments - saving the odious task of typing everything in again.
Ascom have freephone helpline that was busy all morning. But they did call me back and solved my query instantly (about my NTL boxes) blocking caller ID.
The Plus model enables full control over the mult-featured answerphone from the handset in any location.
The clarity and stability of the signal appears to be faultless wherever I place the base station. It comes with a both a cobalt blue or metallic silver panel to taste - they're a bit bulky and it's a pity green isn't available. The only fault in terms of ergonomics is that call volume has to be adjusted for each call and simple volume buttons on the side would have helped - rather than having to enter the menu and select functions prior to adjustment during each call.
I simply can't recommend this product enough - it's just wonderful to use and I can't wait for my next phone call - so that I may play with its features. The phone costs around £80 and the Plus version between
£100 and £120. The product smacks of quality and really does perform perfectly and naturally.
Summary:
|
|
