It certainly rang my bell (Alexander Graham that is!) (Binatone iDect X1i)

Member Name: Trishajs

Product:	Binatone iDect X1i
Date:	21/10/09 (55 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Excellent Value

Disadvantages: Sometimes the buttons seem small

BT started to charge for their 1571 answer service, the free service not being free if you were no longer using BT for your calls. So I canceled the service and went shopping for a telephone with inbuilt ansaphone.

I ended up with the iDECT x1i digital cordless telephone with answering machine. I paid £19.99 in Robert Dyas. I only needed one phone but there are other packages with 2 or 3 or 4 handsets.

The phone was very easy to install I just had to install two batteries , (included), into the handset and do the first charge- they recommend fifteen hours- but it took nowhere near as long as that. You can set the date and time on the display and give your handset a name. You can then set the ringer melody and volume- all very easy to do.

You can adjust the earpiece volume easily before, during or after a call.

The phone also has a phonebook in which you can easily store up to 50 names and numbers. This makes dialling very quick and if you subscribe to caller display- it will give you the name of who is calling you.

The answer machine has it's own message or there are simple instructions to record your own message.

There is a lit display on the base unit which tells you how many messages you have stored- but if you come home and it is showing a flashing number that is how many new messages you have yet to listen to. It is easy to retrieve, repeat, save or delete messages. But a bonus is that you will get a three digit code to retrieve your messages remotely.

The display also shows you the reception level and the battery level- I have had the phone for 6 months now and I have never lost signal or battery power.

You also have last number redial and speakerphone options.

If you have an alternative phone for calling emergency services, you can also set the phone to "BABY MODE" this means that when any button is pressed (except MENU) the phone will dial the number you have stored for your babysitter to reach you.

There is a handset finder button on the base unit for those times you cannot recall where you left the phone. Press it and the handset will start beeping.

If the phone is out of range it will display an out of range message.

If I had any complaint it would be that the buttons are a little small, when I am trying to dial at any speed.

The IDECT is guaranteed for one year.

I find that people have admired the slimline design of the phone.

All in all it is a very good buy for under £20 and if you are getting the £3 a quarter charge from BT for 1571 ( check your bill !) then it will soon pay for itself.

Summary: Glad I made the purchase and better than 1571

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