IBM 900 MHz Cordless Headset Telephone

Other products by IBM

Product Details

• Shipping Weight: 8 pounds
• Shipping: Currently, item can be shipped only within the U.S.
• ASIN: B00004SYBC
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (20 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #82,106 in Electronics (See Bestsellers in Electronics)
• Discontinued by manufacturer: Yes
• Date first available at Amazon.com: September 4, 1999

Product Description

Amazon.com Review

Unlike other headset phones that tether users to the base unit, the IBM 900 MHz cordless phone uses a cordless headset to provide true freedom of movement. Plus, it offers 900 MHz analog operation, a base-unit speakerphone, and full dialing pads on the base and headset.

The powered base unit has some interesting, computer-friendly features. Speaker and microphone jacks on the back let you connect the phone to your PC's sound card so you can use the phone for Internet calls. Selecting regular phone operation or computer mode is as simple as flipping a switch on the front of the base unit.

Unfortunately, the headset is a little bulky, and the one-size-fits-all design doesn't work as well as it could. The headset is relatively large, with a small battery pack on one side and what amounts to a full-sized phone keypad on the other side. The keypad is convenient because it let us dial numbers when we were away from the base unit, but it looks ridiculous sitting on a person's head.

We could live with the bad looks if the voice quality was good, but unfortunately, we could hear an echo of ourselves talking through the speaker. And the unit handled plosives (percussive vocal elements like the p in probably) terribly, amplifying them and echoing them through the ear piece. Callers at the other end of the line came through clearly though, and we really liked the volume dial in the headset that allowed for easy adjustments. This cordless phone might be a decent choice for people planning to make a lot of Internet calls, but for standard use, the echo effect is a real turnoff. The IBM 900 MHz cordless headset phone does a lot of things right, but there are too many compromises in the design for us to give an unconditional recommendation. --T. Byrl Baker

Pros:

• Cordless headset allows freedom of movement
• Computer-friendly base unit performs some tricks other phones can't match

Cons:

• Hearing yourself talk is annoying
• Headset is bulky

Amazon.com Product Description

Cordless calling becomes even more convenient with the IBM 900FADS cordless headset telephone, offering completely hands-free operation. Its 900 MHz transmission provides great signal clarity, and caller ID lets you know who's calling before you answer.

The 900FADS features a comfortable, lightweight headset with adjustable boom microphone, belt clip for easy attachment to belt or waistband, easy-to-read three-line LCD display, hold button, last-number redial button, and a flash button for easy access to phone company services such as call waiting. The phone is tone/pulse switchable, and a tone button allows the user to switch to touch-tone service during a conversation. It has a ringer hi/low switch, headset volume control, low battery indicator, and hearing aid compatibility.

Caller ID features include caller ID with call waiting, a 60-name/number call memory, LCD that displays caller's name and number, call waiting name and number, time and date of the call, total number of calls, new-call indicator, automatic callback of the displayed number, selective erasing of individual or all calls from memory, and up and down review buttons for easy access to stored call records.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

32 of 38 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars Bad design, poor construction, August 12, 2000

By	Eric Antonow (Palo Alto, CA United States) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

I wouldn't admit this anywhere else but I am a bit obsessed by cordless headset phones. I have more variations than I will reveal, but suffice it to say I have basically tried enough to lead a product development team. My experience with this unit was at a Best Buy but I didn't have to plug it in to find its problem. First, there is no reason to put a key pad one the headset. 1) it makes it very bulky, 2) you can't use it to dial when you're on it (say for voice mail, getting though to your visa card) and 3) you look like a bigger fool than is necessary (there is a certain cost of entry for wearing a headset, but this one goes far beyond the call). That there is a key pad to on the base to mitigate this problem only ads insult to idiocy -- why did I buy a cordless headset to begin with? There are pretend cell phones for children with better usability design.

You can get the best units for less. Amazon carries the Plantronics CT-901 which is a great unit for the price ($40). Though not digital (range about 150 ft) it is very comfortable -- you forget that it is on your head, which is the idea. This company makes about 70% of the call center versions and it shows. There are a few other units by Plantronics (the famous c-10) with superior features but they haven't made it to Amazon yet. My fingers are crossed.

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Only REAL Headset Telephone, December 22, 2000

By	twallis (the Midwest) - See all my reviews

I have owned one of those "headset telephones" that is only named so because there is a small wire that connects a phone to the headset. Might as well just buy a cordless phone and get a headset. I always hated it when that little cord would get caught on something and be ripped violently off my head as I walked around. Also, for those of you with grabby babies, the not-so-cordless headsets aren't the best ideas. The IBM 900FADS, on the other hand is simply wonderful. I have had no problems and I would highly recommend it to anyone.

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The absolute greatest phone ever!!!, November 5, 2002

By	"keviep" - See all my reviews

My sister gave me this phone as a gift when I was pregnant, because she said I would need something like this when my hands were full with nursing, holding, or rocking my baby. She was so right! I can't stand to use any other phone anymore - this is the wave of the future! Like other reviewers, I have had the headset phones that have a cord to connect to a compact cordless unit that you can attach to your waist (like a Walkman), but have had the same problem with the cord getting tangled or caught on something and literally jerked off of my ear.

I have not had any major problmes with volume, but I don't have sharp hearing, so more volume would be nicer. I DO NOT find this bulky at all - in fact, it is very comfortable. In fact, when I work in my garden, I just put the headset so it lays on my shoulders. Range is great, no static (ever really), and I absolutely love the keypad on the headset - it has raised bumps on the number 5 key, and now I just feel for that to do my dialing, or key entry.

The only problem I have had is that I broke the first one I had by sitting on it, glued it back, which worked great till my 2 year old got a hold of it. And when it was just not fixable anymore, I immediately went and bought another just like it. Unfortunately, it fell and broke, too, but I have glued it and it's held up well. So if they could just make it a little sturdier - or else make me less clumsy - then I would be in phone heaven.