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Set up is as simple as simple can be: connect the basestation to a phone socket; link the basestation to a router via the Ethernet cable; plug in; charge up; log in to your Skype account; make a call. If needed, the 41-page manual is both clear and concise, and gives comprehensive details of the extensive handset and Skype settings menu structure.

Aztech V500DS-S1 PC-free Skype & DECT phone
Aztech's V500DS-S1: good call quality on Skype and landline

Basic handset features include the ability to log incoming, outgoing and missed calls - the last ten in each category - and a 50-number phone book for landline calls. Also included are a selection of not-too-horrible polyphonic ringtones, a headset jack and a hands-free speaker phone. The basestation can play host to up to four handsets.

When lifted out of the cradle, the handset lights up with a rather fetching orange glow and you're ready to go. The quoted range for the handset is given as 300m line of sight, or 50m indoors. Certainly it worked well in all parts of the house, and sound quality was never less than excellent.

As a landline phone, the V500DS worked exactly as you'd expect any cordless landline phone to do, while call quality over Skype wasn't noticeably worse during a selection of calls to overseas landlines and mobiles.

The handset can be pre-set to treat either VoiP or landline as the default method for dialing out, or you can chose Always Ask if you aren't one of life's decisive types. The phone can also be set to answer a call automatically when it's lifted out of the cradle.

Customer Success Testimonial: Recovery is Everything

Latest Comments

Re: Network encryption...

Maybe I'm being a bit dim but this unit connects via a LAN not WLAN connection so why would you need to enter a WEP/WPA key on the handset? Isn't the radio bit DECT not Wi-Fi.

And just because I hate being 'taught' how to speak/write my own language @Levente Szileszky - Learn English (hint - what is spoken in England). It may also suprise you that the shortened form or mathematics is maths (no lisping at the back)

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Anonymous Coward

Network encryption, log on

None of these reviews ever seems to mention whether these phones can store long random hex or ascii keys for WPA2 network logon. Maybe I missed it in the review, or do we just assume they can?

@Levente Szileszky - Hint: ".co.uk"

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Anonymous Coward

Sound quality

"and sound quality was never less than excellent."

Did you test how YOU sounded to the other party? In my experience, DECT phones (and I presume this is DECT as far as the RF bit is concerned, as it functions as a normal phone) let the side down badly in this respect. Anyone know of DECT phones that don't?

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