Amazing Avena (Ascom Avena 233)

Member Name: Alasn

Product:	Ascom Avena 233
Date:	30/07/01 (909 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Voice functions, Graphic display and user friendliness, large phone book and instant handsfree on receiver

Disadvantages: No volume buttons, Unavailable callers not logged, limited numbers of voice dials

The Avena 233 is a superb digital swish Swiss phone which is easily to adapted into a system. With hands free on the handset - it goes really loud and is clear and a host of features, this is the best phone I have come across. It is intuuitive and easy to use. The Avena has voice dialling and announcements (limited to 10 names), a backlit screen, 150 names and number memory (which can be transfered and updated between phones).

One of the best things about the Avena is its build quality and intuitive and friendly user interface. Its 4 line screen has dynamic displays and menues which alter automaticaly in each function (selected by the 'fox keys' below the display).

The phone represents the most feature full and user friendly phone I have come across. Well balanced and faultless in action (except for the lack of a direct volume control). It's a pity that there are only 10 voice clips - more would make this a truly useful feature. The Call Log also fails to list the times of all calls from the same user (simply the total number and last call time). Similarly, witheld and unavailable numbers don't show as calls in the log.

These are minor criticisms of a flexible and multi-featured phone / system which inspires confidence. The latest Argos catalogue has the phone listed at £89 with the answerphone version @ £120 and makes it easily available. Highly recommended!

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