With latest updates, don't read too much into the older reviews
I almost passed on this phone because of the reviews, well I am glad I didn't. The latest firmware updates really stabilize's this phone (it is use's blue tooth). It acts as a second line for out going calls without a second phone number or can be a second phone with it's own phone number. Think about it, you don't have to have the premier service to make two different...
63 of 65 people found the following review helpful:
No headset jack but phone needed for second line on Telo
I got this phone as a bonus freebie with a paid one-year Premium subscription on the ooma Telo. I chose the handset because you must have at least one ooma Telo handset to use the second line feature (available with Premium subscription) of the Telo, and I liked the idea of being able to access my Telo voicemails from the handset. But, when the handset arrived, I was a...
This review is from: Ooma Telo DECT 6.0 Cordless Handset (100-0200-200) (Electronics)
I got this phone as a bonus freebie with a paid one-year Premium subscription on the ooma Telo. I chose the handset because you must have at least one ooma Telo handset to use the second line feature (available with Premium subscription) of the Telo, and I liked the idea of being able to access my Telo voicemails from the handset. But, when the handset arrived, I was a bit disappointed (see below the feature lists for Positives/Negatives and comparison).
Notable Handset Features:
DECT 6.0 technology
Intercom between handsets
Online phonebook
Caller ID
One-touch voicemail access
Speakerphone
Call log
Premier-enabled Handset Features:
Instant 2nd line
Do not disturb
Send to voicemail
Personal number
Private voicemail
Call screening
Phone Menu Features:
Do not disturb mode
Call Forwarding mode
Auto Answer
Auto Hangup
Voicemail speaker mode
Call screening (you can remotely listen to voicemails as they are left, and pick up in the middle)
Incoming call ring
Ringer volume
Earpiece volume
Speaker volume
Handset software update feature (must place phone in charger base)
NOTE: At the time the handset was released, the Telo base only supported ONE handset. Ooma plans to release a future firmware around 12/4/2009 that will enable more than one handset.
Battery pack note: The handset uses a NiMH battery pack, model HB1001.
Positives:
1. You can turn on "Do not disturb", to prevent ringing.
2. Apparently, you can set Call Forwarding, though I haven't done so.
3. You can screen calls from the handset, when away from the Telo base unit.
4. You can retrieve voicemails from the Telo without being at the base unit.
5. Even when someone else is using the primary Telo phone line (with Premium service), you can make outgoing calls on "line 2". That's handy when you have others trying to use the phone a the same time. You can't access the "second line" of the Telo base unless you use the Telo handset.
6. Using the handset, you can send a call to voicemail by pressing a button. That is handy if someone has something that you want to write down but don't have a pen and paper handy. You can pick it back up using the call screening feature.
7. You can get a second phone number and assign it as a private line to a particular handset, with its own voice mail.
Negatives:
1. It has no headset jack, doesn't seem to support a wireless headset. It does have a speakerphone feature, but I prefer a headset for privacy.
2. I'm not a fan of how it is shaped. The back of the phone is smooth and round, but where the face meets the outer edge, the phone has a sharp edge. My personal preference is for rounded corners because it just feels better.
3. The contrast of the handset's LCD is not very good. Even on maximum, it looks a bit faint to me, regardless of the angle of viewing, in a normally lit room. Also, the typeset used on the LCD is tiny, which might be hard on older eyes.
4. The charging base has a very bright blue LED on the front (similar to the Telo base's blue backlighting but brighter). If it is put anywhere in visual range, it is very distracting, especially in a dark room. Taping over that LED might help.
5. The Telo handset is supposed to have HD call quality, but I haven't noticed better call quality than that of my Panasonic KX-TG6445. In fact, it sounds a bit more tinny and metallic than my Panasonic, with a slight hiss in the background. That sound quality comparison is when comparing the Panasonic connected to the telephone input on the Telo base.
Comparison to Panasonic KX-TG6445 Panasonic Dect 6.0 Titanium Black Cordless Phone with Answering Machine (KX-TG6445T):
I bought the Panasonic set specifically to go with the Telo base unit since I could put the base in my closet (with my Telo base unit and Internet router), and then have cordless access around the house. I bought the Panasonic set because the Telo handsets weren't available at the time I bought my Telo base. The Panasonic phone has a headset jack, and a belt clip. The Panasonic also has larger type on the LCD than the Telo handset, with better contrast. The LCD quality, features, call quality, and feel in my hand are all superior to the ooma Telo handset. Also, the Panasonic uses generic AA-size NiMH rechargable batteries, which can be cheaply replaced when they wear out.
I realize this is ooma's first handset, but I wish they had done a better job. If they had used the Panasonic as a benchmark, they would have put out a much better phone. Unless you plan on using the second line or other special features of the ooma Telo, you don't need the handset. The voicemail and call screening features are available from the Telo base unit.
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This review is from: Ooma Telo DECT 6.0 Cordless Handset (100-0200-200) (Electronics)
I almost passed on this phone because of the reviews, well I am glad I didn't. The latest firmware updates really stabilize's this phone (it is use's blue tooth). It acts as a second line for out going calls without a second phone number or can be a second phone with it's own phone number. Think about it, you don't have to have the premier service to make two different outgoing calls. When someone calls into my home the phone rings just like the other phones. While VoiP has a bit better quality than a cell phone (at least in the rural areas), it is not the quality of a land line. When I called Ooma to get clarification on the second telephone number, I was answered promptly and politely. In an era of the cell phone quality being good enough, not having a phone bill makes this an easy purchase.
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This review is from: Ooma Telo DECT 6.0 Cordless Handset (100-0200-200) (Electronics)
I have had no problems with the telo or handset. I purchased them both at the end of December 2009. Set up was easy although it took about 45 minutes ( not 5-10 as advertised). I did require customer support twice and found them to be helpful and friendly. My handset has good quality sound without the hum others are experiencing. No problems with the battery so far. I will buy a second handset when the support is up and running in the next few weeks. I would highly recommend both the telo and handset.
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This review is from: Ooma Telo DECT 6.0 Cordless Handset (100-0200-200) (Electronics)
The actual product looks nothing like the picture. The handset is cheaply made with sharp edges and terrible looking display. The handset Quit working after only 40 days, and when it did work the sound quality and battery life was way worse than my 8 years old Sony cordless. For the future buyer save yourself some money and get different cordless handset.
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This review is from: Ooma Telo DECT 6.0 Cordless Handset (100-0200-200) (Electronics)
Let me start by saying I'm a fan of ooma. I have the telo system and it works just fine with my Panasonic handsets. I was looking to exploit the full features of the system with the Telo handset. What a waste of time. First, they advertise that you can connect 4 handsets to the base yet this capability wasn't even available on release of the handsets! So I had 3 of 4 handsets sitting in a box for 2 months (well I charged all 4 of them on the first day thinking they would work and that is when I learned about the horrible battery life). The best handset of the 4 would last 2 days and then die. The other 3 would die sooner and never fully regain 100% charge. What complete junk. Add to this the fact that the screen is low contrast, low resolution, and looks nothing like the picture in the advertisement(where's that gorgeous white on black bold looking screen?) and all I can say is shame on ooma for releasing a sub-standard product that was not ready for prime-time and certainly not worth 50 bucks (my 5 handset Panny system cost $120). I wish I could rate this product ZERO stars but 1 is the limit. Consider yourself warned - buyer beware.
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This review is from: Ooma Telo DECT 6.0 Cordless Handset (100-0200-200) (Electronics)
Be aware that if you buy a Ooma Telo set you are effectively buying a prototype that is currently under development. As of 1/1/2010 you cannot use more than one phone and the only phone that you can use has a limited limited feature set (the contact list does not work). I don't understand how a company can attempt to market a product that is currently under development. If you think Vista was a fiasco this is much worse. At least with Vista Microsoft truly believed that their software was ready for production. In this case, the software/firmware has not even been developed yet! If you buy their product consider it as giving them an interest free loan.
I waited a month for them to release their software. First it was supposed to be available at the beginning of December 2009, then the first week of December, then by December 18th, then by the end of December. I finally gave up on 1/1/2010 and sent the phone back.
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This review is from: Ooma Telo DECT 6.0 Cordless Handset (100-0200-200) (Electronics)
I bought this because I wanted to use 2 lines with my Ooma Telo. The phone does provide this so unfortunately you need it to utilize this feature. What I don't like is you can't turn off the ringer on one line without doing it to both lines. The phone is not as comfortable as my Panasonic cordless phones. NO HEADSET JACK. It tends to fall off the charger. If you don't need the features to go with the Telo buy a regular cordless phone, you'll be much happier. Hopefully Ooma will get with the program and redesign this phone. Oh the other problem, right now you can only use 1 Ooma handset like this with the Telo.
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This review is from: Ooma Telo DECT 6.0 Cordless Handset (100-0200-200) (Electronics)
For all the hype that this phone have and all the features it says it can do, it all goes to the most important thing, RELIABILITY. As other reviewer stated, its battery drains so fast within one day even if not used. The worst is that if you try to recharge it, it locks the phone and can't use it. You have to pry the battery out and even after charging it for several days , if it locks, it will only give you a bar of charge. My friends complaint about the sound they hear while I'M using the phone, tried to callback and still the same. ANd don't even use it when making important call since sometimes it will just drop your call for no reason at all. I don't want you to lose your temper, so bear these in mind before buying the handset. Now if you have the second line,(Premier) you really need to have one, but maybe just wait for the review on the upgraded handset that is coming out soon with the bluetooth function. Goodluck.
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This review is from: Ooma Telo DECT 6.0 Cordless Handset (100-0200-200) (Electronics)
So I decided to purchase the Ooma Telo because the cost of my Vonage service seems to keep going up over the years. After reading about the Ooma Telo and the Ooma Telo handset, the features seemed very compelling. If you subscribe to their premium plan you'd be able to use the handset as a free second line with its own phone number. And while that all may be true, Ooma has to first learn how to make a handset!!! The Telo handset had the worst battery life. If I leave it off the charger for a day and never use it, the battery drains and the device starts asking to be charged.
On top of that the voice quality is horrible, serious echo and feedback issues. This isn't a problem for the service because connected to my high quality panasonic home phones, the quality is great. But this handset is a disaster.
Features are nice but the main function of the product needs to be of good quality then and only then will additional features add more value to the product. Needless to say, I returned this thing and will wait for the next version of this product to be released to try it.
Also, the firmware was upgraded after I installed it. So any claims that firmware upgrade will solve the problem is not true thus far. Maybe a future firmware upgrade but not the one to date. I believe its just bad design and engineering from a hardware standpoint.
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This review is from: Ooma Telo DECT 6.0 Cordless Handset (100-0200-200) (Electronics)
Well, I was sure surprised seeing how many people didn't like the product!
Now I am usually quite critical about cordless phones. I have had MANY poor quality phones in the past and was skeptical initially about this phone, therefore, I only ordered one handset, just to see what I thought. And if I was pleased, I'd order more - all 4.
Truly, the phone is fine! I wish the volume was higher, but even my 82 yo father, who can't hear without his hearing aid, said he was so happy that he wanted me to purchase one for him. Other than that, I am very happy with the set.
The call quality of the new system is much better than the former Ooma hub, in which We had many lost words when listening to others while on a call. It was soooo poor that I would not recommend the phone to others, but this new upgrade is much better and I can fully recommend it.
Enjoy!!
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