Linksys CIT310 Dual-Mode Cordless Phone for Yahoo! Messenger

Other products by Linksys

Product Details

• Item Weight: 1.6 pounds
• Shipping Weight: 2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Shipping: Currently, item can be shipped only within the U.S.
• ASIN: B000JI5HCO
• Item model number: CIT310
• Average Customer Review: 3.1 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (88 customer reviews)
• Date first available at Amazon.com: October 8, 2006

Product Description

Amazon.com Review

Amazon.com Review The Linksys CIT 310 Dual-Mode phone for Yahoo Messenger frees your internet phone from all cords and computers. With its convenient and ergonomic handset, you can make free voice-over-internet-phone (VOIP) calls to all your friends who have Yahoo Messenger accounts, or very inexpensive calls to cell and land-line phones anywhere in the world--from any room in your house.

The CIT 310 dual-mode phone allows you to make free VOIP calls to all your friends on Yahoo Messenger and very inexpensive calls to everyone else.

How it Works
Using the Linksys CIT 310 is much like using any cordless land-line phone. "Dual Mode" means that you can either use the device to make regular calls through your phone service, as you would with any cordless phone, or, you can allow the phone to connect through your computer's high-speed internet service and--using your Yahoo Messenger with Voice account--make internet calls

Users who are already Yahoo Messenger customers...will find the Linksys CIT 310 a snap to set up.

anywhere in the world. A base station connects both to your regular phone jack and to a USB port on your PC. Once you've set up a Yahoo Messenger account, your computer will send your Yahoo contact list to the phone. All you then have to do is scroll through the list and push a button to call the computer of any of your contacts. A separate button connects you to your regular phone service.

To make calls to cell and land-line phones you'll need to purchase "Phone Out" time. Prices vary depending on the country you want to call, but most international calls run 1 to 2 cents a minute. Of course the Linksys handset also makes it easier for friends to call you through free internet services. You won't pay for computer-to-computer calls, but rather than rushing to your computer and pushing various keys to answer an internet call, the handset will ring at an incoming internet call, allowing you to answer just like a traditional phone. The final option is to allow friends to call your internet phone from their cell or land-line phones. For a modest fee (currently around $30 a year) you can purchase a "Phone In" number others can use to call you.

Design
The handset has a nice modern design that feels comfortable and natural in either hand. At 5.5 inches high by 1.08 inches wide, it more resembles a contemporary cordless phone in size and shape than it does a cell phone. While the small color screen has only moderate resolution, it does offer manual adjustment of brightness and contrast. Of course, this phone is meant for calling only--not for viewing email or videos--so it's more than adequate for the job.

Scroll through your list of Yahoo contacts and push a button to call your friend's computer.

You can even use the CIT 310 to check local weather or look up an address. View all screens.

Setup and Operation
Users who are already Yahoo Messenger customers, or who are already practiced in the arts of internet telephony, will find the Linksys CIT 310 a snap to set up. If you're new to VOIP, though, setup may be a little tougher, although the accompanying software relieves most of the stress. Pop in the disk and you will be guided through the process of connecting the phone and setting up a Yahoo Messenger account. From there you can follow links to purchase Phone Out time or to obtain a Phone In number. Managing your list of contacts is done on your PC, which then sends the information to the phone when it is in the base station. Once setup is complete the device functions very much like a modern cordless phone--choose from your list of contacts or dial a number and push the call button. We found that within a few minutes of familiarzation with the handset we were able to make both national and international calls with ease.

Connection Quality and Convenience
Let's be honest: VOIP is simply not yet as reliable as a land-line (or good cell connection), nor is the sound quality as high. That said, we tested the phone by making a series of calls locally, nationally, and internationally and found we were able to achieve pretty good, but not great, reception. Calling a friend in London we experienced a lag for a few seconds, but once the connection was established we noticed only a slight reduction in sound quality compared to a land-line conversation. Those familiar with internet phoning are aware that only one voice in the conversation can be heard at a time, making it impossible for you and your conversation partner to talk over the top of each other. To some this can be a bit disconcerting at first, but we found that only a brief warm-up period is required to adjust.

The Linksys CIT 310 advertizes a connection range of about 50 meters between handset and base station during indoor use. Our experience was that the connection is about what you would expect from any modern cordless phone. We had no trouble moving from room to room or to a different floor in the house from the base station, but could not stray too far outdoors. While the phone frees internet phoning from a direct connection to your PC, it can only be used within range of the base station connected to your PC. This is in contrast to a Wi-Fi based internet phone, such as the Netgear Skype Phone, which allows you to connect to the Skype VOIP network whenever you're in range of any accessible Wi-Fi hotspot.

Speaking of Skype, we compared the connection quality of the CIT 310 and Yahoo Messenger with Skype calls. We found voice quality to be very similar, and the Yahoo Messenger service offers much the same functionality as the venerable Skype service. Overall, if you don't require a Wi-Fi based phone, and you can live with having the base station connected to your computer, the CIT 310 provides a dandy alternative to Skype.

Pros

• Convenient internet telephoning for fans of Yahoo Messenger with Voice
• Dual-Mode allows it to function as regular cordless phone
• Great solution to international calling, supporting connections to all cell and land lines

Cons

• Works only with Yahoo Messenger, a less common VOIP standard
• Voice quality dependent on the quality of your Internet connection
• Base station must be connected your computer for VOIP operation

What's in the Box
Dual-Mode cordless phone, AC power supply, telephone cable, USB cable, and CD with setup wizard.

Product Description

Break away from your computer when using Yahoo! Messenger with Voice to talk to your friends! The Linksys Dual-Mode Cordless Phone for Yahoo! Messenger with Voice comes with the handset, charger, and a USB Base Station that plugs into your computer. Dual-Mode capability lets you choose whether to make calls over a standard telephone line or with the Yahoo! Messenger with Voice application running on your PC. Just select who you want to talk to from your Messenger List on your handset and when your contact answers, talk away! The phone supports Yahoo! Phone Out so you can talk with friend on their regular phones and will ring, displaying the Caller ID on the handset's screen when you have an incoming call with the Yahoo! Phone In service. The Linksys Dual-Mode Cordless Phone for Yahoo! Messenger with Voice allows you to choose to make free calls to other friends using Yahoo! Messenger with Voice or over your existing standard telephone line. You'll get the convenience of a cordless phone and all its features, plus the high-quality voice reception, without being tied to your computer. Features - 2-in-1 Cordelss DECT telephone for Yahoo! Messenger with Voice and a standard analog line (PSTN) Route calls between Yahoo! Messenger with Voice or a standard analog line Plug and Dial -- Easy to install and easy to use Hands-free Speakerphone with one key touch Graphical color LCD display with status indicators Base station with USB connection to connect to your PC and RJ-11 conection to connect to your analog phone line Status display of Yahoo! contact list, Yahoo! Voice Phone Out and Phone In services Superior sound quality Voice encryption for maximum security 120 hours standby time, 10 hours talk time

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

11 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars CIT310 - Very Cool!, November 14, 2006

By	B. Durbin "Geek-In-The-Know" (Hampton, NH USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This is not only a great looking sleek, hi-tech phone, but it is AWESOME!

No one has as many features packed into one small device such as this! I am very impressed with the technical capabilities such as Wireless, Color screen, Speaker phone, Page Handset, hold button, intercom other phones, and more! Most importantly, the sound is very clear(on broadband)... sorry Skype, I liked you first, but I like Yahoo more.

This is not only 2 phones in one (land line & Yahoo! phone), but if you buy more than one, they can be walkie talkies (I talk then you talk), OR they can be speakerphone intercoms too (we both talk at same time)! Each phone can have its own ringer, wallpaper, Display name. And as a busisness user, I can sort each contact as a category (freinds, family, business, VIP, other, school, etc...) and give group thier own ring tone! Like I said very cool phone, and at $80 bucks, well worth the features!!

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars Quality issues or what?, January 29, 2007

By	Timothy J. Pratt "bummedinct" (Canton, CT) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

When I first read other reviews about this phone I wasn't too worried. Now after purchasing it I wish I never had. The cradle for the phone to sit in on the base is too small. One little bump and out falls the phone on the floor. I have never been able to use the phone for VIOP which is a shame since thats why I purchased it. Now it constantly says out of range even though I'm right next to the base. So now it's just worthless. It makes me wonder if there are quality issues where this phone is assembled. How can it have such good and bad reviews otherwise. I don't recomend buying one of these unless you enjoy headaches.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Free calls on the internet with ease, November 23, 2006

By	T. Lam (San Jose, CA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

I received this product the other day and I can't say enough how happy I am with this purchase. Before I had a logitech headset that required me to be at my computer at all times to do internet calls. Now with the CIT 310 I can roam all over the house and make calls. For the price of $80 this is a major steal of a deal and if you have family/friends overseas and you want to save money on your phone bill, this is the gift to get. I've already ordered 3 of these to pass out as X-mas gifts. The only cons about the product is what is already mentioned in the product info page. That you need to have your computer turned and the device connected to it in order to make VOIP calls. The other con I can think of is it needs a more intuitive way to navigate through the contacts list especially when you have over 100 contacts on yahoo and be able to select a list of phone #'s from a contact to call to. Currently you can only see 4 contacts at one time on the screen. I think Linksys can correct this in a new release of software.

Overall I am very happy with this product for the price I am paying. The day of free internet calls is finally here and making these calls just got a whole lot easier.