VoIP Phone - recommendations

Good Afternoon,

I just wondered if anyone had any recommendations for a decent (but not too expensive) VoIP phone?

I looked at Gigasetand Grandsteam (I know the second link is in USD - easiest link I found)

Which of those two Brands would be considered to be worth while? Do both support PSTN as well as VoIP?

Thanks in advance for any help.

I can thoroughly recommend the Gigaset range. I've been using C47 handsets with a C475IP basestation for years and have just upgraded to C430 handsets with an N300A IP basestation as I need up to 4 concurrent calls.

Note that different packages of handet & basestation are available and that you'll need the N300 (or N300A if you want an answering machine) if you also need POTS integration. The N510IP base doesn't support POTS.

The Grandstream handset you've linked to is only a handset - You'll need the 715 package to get the base as well. This doesn't look like it supports POTS though...

Edited by ferretuk (Fri 27-May-16 21:02:16)

I also have Gigaset C430H(s) with an N300IP.

In reply to a post by ferretuk:

I can thoroughly recommend the Gigaset range. I've been using C47 handsets with a C475IP basestation for years and have just upgraded to C430 handsets with an N300A IP basestation as I need up to 4 concurrent calls.

Note that different packages of handet & basestation are available and that you'll need the N300 (or N300A if you want an answering machine) if you also need POTS integration. The N510IP base doesn't support POTS.

The Grandstream handset you've linked to is only a handset - You'll need the 715 package to get the base as well. This doesn't look like it supports POTS though...

IMHO Gigaset is the way to go but their entry level wireless VoIP phones might be best avoided. simply go up market in their range of available VoIP phones. Answerphone facilities might not be needed if a hosted VoIP service is used.

In reply to a post by Michael_Chare:

I also have Gigaset C430H(s) with an N300IP.

I have recommended the Gigaset VoIP phones to several friends now and all are pleased with them. But features between various models seem to be very different which I find frustrating.

Examples:
1) Not all have the INT button, so how would you call another handset in such cases?
2) You can set the default line to be either VoIP or POTS but how do you route the call out onto the other service [In my C47H I simply add a * after entering the number but that is not true for other handsets in the Gigaset range]?
3) When the phone is configured with addition VoIP services, how do you route the call out onto the preferred VoIP service?
4) How do you transfer a call to another handset?

If you have got the answer to any of these questions, please post your findings.

Not sure about 1 (possibly a menu entry or a soft key?) but all the other functions you list are basestation settings and have nothing to do with the handset.

Edited by ferretuk (Sat 28-May-16 14:22:23)

In reply to a post by Michael_Chare:

I also have Gigaset C430H(s) with an N300IP.

Me too, it's excellent.

I'd go for an N300A if I did it again for the answerphone though.

In reply to a post by ferretuk:

Not sure about 1 (possibly a menu entry or a soft key?) but all the other functions you list are basestation settings and have nothing to do with the handset.

Ah, very good I didn't realize that. So which are the all singing base stations in the Gigaset range?

All the functions you list were in the C475IP and are in the N300IP(A) units. I assume that they're also in the N510IP but I haven't used one of those.

Edited by ferretuk (Sat 28-May-16 17:39:57)

This manual seems to cover a lot.

Looks like the Gigaset range get's the Thumbs Up from me!

Actually, humble pie time. I can't find the settings for outgoing line selection on the N300IP. I'll fire up my old C475 later and take a look!

I will endorse the Gigaset range too. Are you looking at Business or Residential or don't mind?

There is a NEW product in several variants which includes the first handset: S850A GO - C430A GO - SL450A GO and a few more with the GO. It is an upgraded version of the N300AIP. The original N300 and N510 are the exact same product with different options enabled in the firmware however it is apparently not possible to convert one to the other.

A list of them is available here: http://www.gigaset.com/hq_en/telephones-dect/cordles...

Their compatibility list is at: http://www.gigaset.com/hq_en/cms/home/support/suppor...


I have just purchased a new S850A GO to work with both VOIP and PSTN - no operational issues with it. One minor one setting up BT BBV services but that is resolved. I can use the handset with a wired or bluetooth headset too.

And if you want a well priced source - PM me and I will send the details through (prefer not to advertise a company I deal with here).

Note that the new basestation (Go Box 100) only supports two concurrent calls which seems a backwards step.

This may not be a problem for most of course but limits the use of it in a family with teenage children...

Edited by ferretuk (Sun 29-May-16 20:02:26)

Two VOIP plus one analog ...

In reply to a post by MHC:

I will endorse the Gigaset range too. Are you looking at Business or Residential or don't mind?

There is a NEW product in several variants which includes the first handset: S850A GO - C430A GO - SL450A GO and a few more with the GO. It is an upgraded version of the N300AIP. The original N300 and N510 are the exact same product with different options enabled in the firmware however it is apparently not possible to convert one to the other.

A list of them is available here: http://www.gigaset.com/hq_en/telephones-dect/cordles...

Their compatibility list is at: http://www.gigaset.com/hq_en/cms/home/support/suppor...


I have just purchased a new S850A GO to work with both VOIP and PSTN - no operational issues with it. One minor one setting up BT BBV services but that is resolved. I can use the handset with a wired or bluetooth headset too.

And if you want a well priced source - PM me and I will send the details through (prefer not to advertise a company I deal with here).

Thanks MHC,

It would be for Residential use. I was tempted to try a 300 or 500 but depends what prices they go for.

Wow I haven't heard BT BBV mentioned in a loooong time. I didn't know it still functioned!

If you would PM me I would be most grateful thank you

You have the PM ...

the S850A GO is a good price and only £10 more than an N300A IP and is compete with handset!

I have found it hard to compare the N300A and a GO directly and in the same format as the Gigaset website no longer has the N300 listed. They are almost identical from what I can see.

BBV is still there - at least for another few months and keep using it as the costs are so low. However, BT have decided to replace it with their "CloudVoice" and force specific handsets onto users and no chance of using others. So, after many years I may be moving our accounts.

Thank You MHC

Just a quick reminder that the N300-IP handles 3 VoIP and 1 fixed line simultaneously

Not the N300A IP though. That is only, as far as I can find, 2+1

The reason I compared the GO range and N300A is that they both have an Answer Machine built in.

I had a Gigaset several years ago (when it was still owned by Siemens) and it was excruciatingly slow. It would take a few seconds between button press and action. I eventually replaced it with a Yealink corded SIP phone in 2010. I'm sure the situation with Gigaset is much better these days though.

My Yealink is getting a bit long in the tooth and i've actually been looking at moving back to a DECT solution. There's a newer Grandstream model than the one you linked: the DP720 (paired with a DP750 base station). It looks pretty good (review) and finally we're starting to see hardware that supports the Opus codec.

Edited by deleted (Mon 30-May-16 10:46:57)

In reply to a post by Rastus:

Just a quick reminder that the N300-IP handles 3 VoIP and 1 fixed line simultaneously

Have you actually tried one?

I have just looked at the N300/N300A manual and it states "You can make up to three external calls at the same time ... " and defines an external call as the fixed line (PSTN) or VOIP.

Spec sheets for the N300 appear to say 3+1 - does that mean a total of four simultaneously or in reality 3+0 or 2+1? Oing by the manual I would suggest it means on of the latter and not a total of four. If you have one, can you try it and see?

For the N300A, same box, same firmware with the Answer Machine, defines it as 2+1

In reply to a post by rhetherington:

I had a Gigaset several years ago (when it was still owned by Siemens) and it was excruciatingly slow. It would take a few seconds between button press and action.

Definitely better now ... type in the full number, press dial and in well under 1 second the dialled number is ringing. Any delays now will be network related.

I've got 2 x N300 units and 4 x Gigaset handsets, the problem ATM is only 3 handsets are available at the same location.

If I remember, and I get a chance to scavenge the 4th handset (which is in use on the second N300), I'll give your suggestion a go and report back (unless you manage to report back yourself with a result).

Edited by Rastus (Mon 30-May-16 15:17:40)

I no only have access to a GO or at a push and N510.

You should, if the handset allows, be able to put on call on hold and then initiate a second one. Try that on two VOIPs connections calling in to a third VOIP and a PSTN

OK, I grabbed the 4th Gigaset handset and registered it to the N300 with the 3 others.

Tested by making 3 simultaneous outgoing calls via VoIP as follows;
1 - to another VoIP number on another system
2 - to my mobile number
3 - to my landline number
All numbers called rang on their respective phones (one of which was the 4th handset).

The call to the landline was received on the 4th handset.

Therefore I can verify that it is possible to make/receive 4 concurrent calls - 3 VoIP and 1 fixed line).

AFAIK the N300A has the same capability but I don't have one to try it with.

Another useful thing to know if you don't have a standard landline is that the fixed line port can be fed via the output of another VoIP device; e.g. my brother has one of the outputs of his DrayTek 2920Vn connected to the fixed line input of his N300.

Edit: typo

Edited by Rastus (Mon 30-May-16 16:05:12)

Given the feedback on the N300 (and the number of available calls at a time) I am now swaying towards an N300IP (I don't need the voicemail) and probably 2 handsets to start with. I looked on eBay and found an N300IP on it's own plus a few in bundles

I will check these out

You have the details in the PM - try them for a price. They also sell through Amazon - and are ass cheap as ebay sellers.

IME the average price for a used N300 on eBay is under £30, so you might like to hold out until you can get one at around that price or less. I picked up 2 from the same seller last year (separate sales) which averaged just over £22 each including postage.

N300A is probably £5 extra on average price.

Ah yes indeed I will take a look MHC

This is what I bought for a second system. I don't use the voicemail facility, it is disabled.

I've just bought an N300A and main box spec says 2 VOIP +1 PSTN but the serial number sticker says very clearly 3 VOIP +1 PSTN, so I suspect a firmware change enabled the extra parallel call.

Edited by ferretuk (Sat 04-Jun-16 08:48:31)

Thank you for the Link, that company name has been mentioned to me before.

I will need to get/build a new PC soon as I am beginning to notice my current one is getting slower and more unreliable, this cost may delay the purchase of a new VoIP handset and base.

I will let you all know in due course.