Ooma Telo DECT 6.0 Cordless Handset (100-0200-200)

5 Comments

1. 

   Tech Fan

   September 1, 2010

   Review by Tech Fan for Ooma Telo DECT 6.0 Cordless Handset (100-0200-200)
   Rating:
   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.
2. 

   M. Golebiewski

   September 1, 2010

   Review by M. Golebiewski for Ooma Telo DECT 6.0 Cordless Handset (100-0200-200)
   Rating:
   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.
3. 

   J. Marques

   September 1, 2010

   Review by J. Marques for Ooma Telo DECT 6.0 Cordless Handset (100-0200-200)
   Rating:
   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.
4. 

   GAD

   September 1, 2010

   Review by GAD for Ooma Telo DECT 6.0 Cordless Handset (100-0200-200)
   Rating:
   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.
5. 

   E-Guru

   September 1, 2010

   Review by E-Guru for Ooma Telo DECT 6.0 Cordless Handset (100-0200-200)
   Rating:
   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.