Philips VOIP 080 Skype VOIP Travel Phone
By: Philips Average Rating: 4.0 Total Reviews: 46
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 On: 2008-08-29
Simple, inexpensive and works well. I make long distance calls form my laptop where ever I have a network.
 On: 2008-08-15
I was a little skeptical about trying a Skype handset, Ive had poor luck with any headsets Ive tried and just wanted something as simple and portable as possible. This won me over. The installation is quick and painless (Vista users - download the latest drivers from Philips), the sound quality is fantastic, and its small and light enough to keep in my laptop bag. It even works over a cellular internet connection very well. My cell bill has been pushing $180 a month, and this will cut it by at least half since most of my calls are outgoing. $3 a month for the Skype Out service, and life is good. Buy it, you will love it.
On: 2008-07-10
Works great well worth the price. I just wish you didnt need the software.
On: 2008-07-09
It works, and my wife is pleased because now she is using it for Skype as it were the line phone.
I know there are some wireless VOIP phones, but I needed something I didnt need to recharge or lose in any room, the ringtone is loud enough to hear it in the second story while the computer is downstairs.
I havent tried with MSN or Yahoo, but if you have Skype, there is no reason to try other IMs :)
On: 2008-07-08
I recommend this phone for using Skype to everyone. This is probably the best quality phone for the lowest price. Usually I expect cheaper things to have some drawbacks, so I was surprised when the sound quality and volume for this phone was great.
 On: 2008-06-23
I had used Skype with a mike/headset for nearly 4 year when I got the Philips VOIP080. And Im impressed with it. it does not having MS VISTA SOPPORT. :(
On: 2008-06-05
I purchased the Philips VOIP 080 phone because of the price and Philips name. I wasnt disappointed. The Philips VOIP 080 Skype phone has good voice quality and a clear microphone that does not distort. I recommend installing the latest Skype software version 3.8.0.115. It has features that improve the voice quality, eliminating echo and other distortions. My only complaint is that the phone ringer is too low to be heard from the phones earpiece, even on the highest setting. I have configured Skype so the phones ringer uses my speakers instead of the earpiece. Problem solved.
 On: 2008-05-27
You have to hand it to Philips - they know how to get good photographers.
When I received the phone, all I saw was a cheap piece of plastic I got overcharged for. Ditto from other reviewers: they went *really* cheap on the USB cable. I thought mine would snap on first try.
Major minus: the installation process. Ok so Im on Skype, and I want to make a call. Who said I had 1 hour to install a phone before doing so??? After running into customer service issues (and their service is really bad...), I ended up returning it. And I got an IPEVO FRee1 phone. Much, much better voice quality, easier installation, mac compatible.
So yeah, if youre patient think you can waste a lot of time for a piece of plastic, you can go with it. But there are better products out there.
Other tip: do NOT get a wireless with Skype. Skype is really bad with wireless, and all phones will drop calls like no other (at least once every phone call!). So make sure that if you get a Skype phone, that its wired.
On: 2008-05-21
This phones voice quality is great. Especially for the price. I was looking for an alternative to my Bluetooth (which is a P.I.A.). Im really happy with this purchase. I usually dont buy Philips due to their high rate of failure in my hands with just normal usage. Time will tell, but the price was right...
On: 2008-05-17
Make sure you install the software EXACTLY the way the instructions say so the phone will control Skype properly. Phone is actually very clear. Perfect for travelling. I just came back from Amsterdam and I paid the 10 Euro internet fee at the hotel and used this phone the entire trip to call the US (I have the unlimited Skype plan)for free and it was great. If you have a Skype plan and you travel frequently, this is a Definite Buy.
On: 2008-05-08
The "phone" itself is not bad, but is by no means cordless. It most certainly needs to be attached to my computer by a flimsy USB cable that is permanently attached to the "phone". Yes, the base is cordless, but it is just a little piece of plastic to hold the CORDED phone in an upright position when you are not using it. I guess that I should have known better than to expect a cordless phone for this price. Its too bad that they lied in the description of the product!!!! Please update the description so that others wont be deceived into buying a product that might not be what they were expecting. I expect better from you, Amazon!!!
On: 2008-04-17
Ive have been a Skype user for several years. Prior to purchasing the Philips VOIP 080 USB handset, Ive tried a few generic USB VOIP handsets from eBay. Unfortunately, for one reason or another, none of the eBay models Ive purchased worked. This Philips handset was going to be my last try before biting the bullet and invest into a more expensive WiFi handset model. Much to my surprise, the Philips 080 worked! Here are my impressions/opinions on this product:
Pro
- Even though the handset is NOT plug-and-play directly out of the box, but after the one-time setup process that involves the installation of a "VOIP080" program, the handset works reliably there after.
- When the VOIP080 is executed, it will kick start Skype, load the driver for 080, and configure the audio in/out for Skepe on the handset. This is normally a single-click operation.
- The voice quality is VERY good. Provided your internet connection is reliable, the voice quality on this handset is definitely comparable to normal landline phones. There is no echo, no distortion, or any other audible artifacts.
- You can dial numbers directly on the handset. However, when you punch the numbers in, they actually appear in the Skepe window thats running on your COMPUTER, as the handset itself does not have any display.
- Incoming calls will ring the handset, with several ringer choices.
Cons
- The fact that this thing is not plug-and-play is rather inconvenient. You can only use it on the computer that already has the VOIP080 program installed. If youre traveling and using a shared computer somewhere, youre out of luck.
- Sometimes, not always, the normal audio on the computer is being routed to the handset. Per design, only the Skepe audio should be routed to the handset. For whatever reason, this doesnt always work, which is annoying.
- The handset is rather cheaply constructed. The USB cable, in particular, is problematic. Because you need to wrap the cable around the grove on the sides of the handset every time you "travel", the ultra thin USB cable will simply snap in time. Im already on my second one. The base shown in the picture is a useless piece of light plastic.
- Because the VOIP080 program actually hooks into the Skepe application itself, I suspect there will be potential compatibility when Skype rolls out new versions in the future.
Conclusions
It gets the job done, as long as your expectations for it are not too high.
On: 2008-04-06
This is a decent phone for a traveller. I got this so I dont have to punch in the numbers thru mouse/keyboard when I dial. Easy to use. Thats about it.
On: 2008-04-05
The Philips phone is fine, but the description listed by Amazon is not accurate. I guess I should have known not to believe that a CORDLESS VOIP phone would be available for $20. I returned it, went to a local store and paid $40 more, and now have a cordless VOIP phone. I dont quite understand the advantage of having a phone hooked into a USB port over a pair of headphones, which I already have.
On: 2008-04-02
A nice little usb phone for those if us who get tired of wearing the headset every once in a while.
Though made of light weight plastic, the phone is still solid for the task at hand. If youre on Windows it allows for perfect integration with Skype via the handset controls.
Usb cord wraps around the phone for easy storage--this along with a handy carrying case for travel makes it a neat little package at an affordable price.
For those using Linux, the handset allows for sound in and out only. No functionality exists for the handset controls. But this is no problem as the ringer can be routed through the computers sound system and dialing may be done via keyboard or by mouse via on-screen touch keys.
Lastly, a phone cradle allows for the permanent attachment of the phone to the computer. No fussing with the sound controls every time Skype is started. Phone also has a look that complements any decor.
Highly recommended.
On: 2008-03-27
One reviewer cites this as a cordless phone. It is not and I was surprised to start. Phone is great as far as sound goes. Sometimes the software gives a little trouble, but nothing a quick reboot wont fix. Definately worth the price if you are looking for a corded phone.
On: 2008-03-23
The voice quality is excellent on my MAC. (Receiving and Microphone).Using Skype or Gizmo Project.
Although this phone was designed for a PC, I use it with my MAC as a simple plug in USB phone.
No software installation required. Of course all telephone command/buttons are inop.
The best sounding USB plugin phone on the market. Also IPEVO - Free One telephone works very well with similar voice quality.
 On: 2008-03-23
I ordered this phone after reading the description given at Amazon. Following is what is at the website:
Philips VOIP080 is a cordless phone with Skype integration. It features ClearVoice providing face-to-face conversation quality with the convenience of a classic phone. You can control your Skype functions directly from your handset.
When I received the phone, lo and behold, it is anything but cordless. It is connected to the computer with a USB cable. Extremely misleading. Otherwise the phone works well.
On: 2008-03-19
This is my first USB phone purchase. After recently becoming a Skype user I decided to look into headset alternatives. Living overseas makes communication expensive and troublesome. I honestly did not know what to expect.
The Philips VOIP 080 is simple to use. Installation is user friendly and basic. The instructions in the box are very precise and easy to understand. The phone is simple and easy to use. It feels solid in your hand and the buttons are firm. You really feel like you are using a high quality phone.
The chord wraps neatly inside the handset and the USB connection tucks neatly into a space provided on the back. It is light weight and easy to carry anywhere. They nylon travel enclosure is high quality and fits nicely around the phone.
The reception is amazing. As always when talking across the internet there is some variability to the signal, however, I have not complaints. This is truly the best purchase I have made in a long time.
I recommend this product to anyone as one of the best starter phones around.
On: 2008-03-18
Not the eaisest software to get going proper...but will work with skype without the philips software.
On: 2008-03-13
After using this phone for 4 weeks almost every day in long distance calls to Latin America, I confirm that this is a very good product. My calls used to be very frustraiting using headsets with a lot of ecko and feedback noise, so I quit making call-out from Skype for 4 months. After trying this phone I had no further problems. Very easy to install, very easy to use. Very satisfied.
On: 2008-03-08
Philips VOIP 080 Skype VOIP Travel Phone The phone works great. Cord wraps around the phone to make it very travel friendly. Travel case is included as well. I have tried several other phones. However for a corded phone, this is my first choice.
On: 2008-03-06
Some times it has almost indistinguishable from land-line sound quality, other times it sounds kinda spotty. This may be a function of Skype and network traffic.
Anyway, I havent used it too much, but other than sound, it has pretty good build quality, and a nice case. It probably does all that you need! The Wifi ones seem great, but I almost never make LD calls, so paying $150 to $200 isnt reasonable for me.
Gee, $20 in the cell phone, landline, and long distance arena is really CHUMP change so you ought to give it a try and maybe find a use for it!
On: 2008-03-05
A really good and simple VOIP phone! Driver update was a bit tricky but once its working, its the perfect free call travel phone. Recommended!
On: 2008-02-29
The Philips 080 Skype VOIP Internet phone is a great value--pretty much plug-and-play (USB), light and handy for travel, works well. There are fancier Net phones and combo Net/landline phones, but if your budget is limited I cant see how you can beat the Philips 080.
On: 2008-02-28
I ordered this phone because of the price - most voip phones are quite expensive. I read the reviews before purchasing so was not expecting too much from this product.
First off, this is a very basic, cheap looking product, but it works fine and does the job for which it was designed and that was to replace the conventional headset. I had some problems with the software setup and had to resort to going to the the suppliers web site to download the latest drivers. It works fine now and I use it when I travel. It is permanently connected to my "road warrior" laptop.
Would I recommend it? Maybe - but remember that you get what you pay for.
On: 2008-02-20
The phone has the weight and feel of a TV remote from a very cheap TV - and not a flatscreen. Its so insubstantial, I could accidentally sit on the whole unit all day and not notice.
It also behaves very strangely, by mysteriously adding and removing numbers when dialing. For example, if I dial 2125551010, it will sometime truncate the number to 15551010. So I have to dial from Skype to be guaranteed Im not calling some psychopath in another state.
And then theres the sound quality. Well, Im not sure whats changed but the quality Im getting is lousy. Ive tried it on 4 PCs now and theres a torturous machine-like hum the only the callee can hear. I thought nobody wanted to talk to me, and it was apparently due to the incessant and draining hum of the phone rather than me.
On: 2008-02-13
If you want to buy this junk go ahead, I wish you all the best. I purchased this product couple of weeks ago and it did not work. There are way better products than this.
On: 2008-02-13
Bought this phone whilst away in the States so I could ring home and not have to re-mortgage my home to do so. It was so easy and comfortable to use and the sound quality was as good as home on a land line. Very light and compact and the cord wraps around the phone body and fits into a light weight case. Very good buy.
On: 2008-02-01
I saw this phone at the skype webpage first and then I look for it in Amazon. The price wasnt bad and most of the reviews were pretty good, so I got one. I use skype quite often to talk with family and relatives all over the globe. This phone brought extra quality to our conversations, and with this I said bye bye calling cards. Quality now is way better, even better than with cards from a regular phone. No echo, No distortion, if I leave the phone connected to my laptop and somebody calls it sounds like a regular phone and the cord is long enough to move around a little bit. So far I bought 3 more: one for my parents and a couple more for some other relatives I talk quite often with.
On: 2008-02-01
I had used Skype with a mike/headset for nearly a year when I got the Philips VOIP080. And Im impressed with it.
The audio is excellent, and so is the interface.
My only quibble is that they could have built a volume control into it very easily, but did not.
Great product for Skype use. I heartily recommend it.
On: 2008-01-27
After using skype with a microphone and headphones for years, getting this phone piece is the most novel thing since the invention of the internet. It works (nearly) flawlessly, has great sound quality, and it almost feels independant of my computer, even though it is still very much bound to Skype. The best thing is that even though it feels like I have a real phone, Im still paying next to nothing in subscription fees. People go around acting like cell phones are the future. No, they never were to me. THIS is the future.
On: 2008-01-12
So far this is flawless!!!! it looks good, sounds good, and is very reliable. I have had it for 2 months and use it everyday! this thing is great. It comes with a case for it but it doesnt really need it, because its pretty damn durable on its own. I would by this thing again if i needed a new one, even if it was twice the price. Definitelly buy this if your looking for an easy to use, durable, beautiful, reliable, usb phone.
On: 2008-01-07
was worried about buying one of the least expencive voip phone, but it really works great!
On: 2008-01-03
Great product for your internet phone programs. The sound quality is great for a phone priced this low. However I do wish that the cables are retractable rather than coil around the phone, plus the material of the cables feel too stiff (overly cheap). Good stuff, but can be better.
On: 2007-12-21
The quality of the calls are pretty good, the quality of the phone is on par with the price. Having a little problem with the software it doesnt load with skype every time, it says its not compatible with vista (old software i think). There maybe an update somewhere but havent spent much effort to find it. I mainly bought phone to try out skype and have upgraded to the better Phillips phone and am very happy with it.
On: 2007-12-10
Very disappointed. They dont make it clear that there is no Mac support. Worse, this product is not even listed on the Philips website. Cant believe that Philips put together a product with such shoddy support.
I guess you get what you pay for.
On: 2007-12-06
when i dropped vonage, i needed a mobile solution that would be cost effective and easy to set up and this phone stood out among the other options that were before me. i trusted the philips name, the sleek polished black appearance was nice and it was within my price range... so i was sold. the drivers were easy to install, you connect it to your USB port and youre ready to talk away. it doesnt get any simpler than that. the device buttons allows you to interface with the skype program on your computer and you can scroll through your contact list or mute the conversation... the sound is fantastic and seems to echo less than my other skype solution at home. if i were going to add something to this product, id add a hands-free option to it... speakerphone or headset jack because sometimes i just get tired of holding a phone and i talk quite a bit. other than that, it does its job and at a fair price, its a great device.
On: 2007-12-05
when i dropped vonage, i needed a mobile solution that would be cost effective and easy to set up and this phone stood out among the other options that were before me. i trusted the philips name, the sleek polished black appearance was nice and it was within my price range... so i was sold. the drivers were easy to install, you connect it to your USB port and youre ready to talk away. it doesnt get any simpler than that. the device buttons allows you to interface with the skype program on your computer and you can scroll through your contact list or mute the conversation... the sound is fantastic and seems to echo less than my other skype solution at home. if i were going to add something to this product, id add a hands-free option to it... speakerphone or headset jack because sometimes i just get tired of holding a phone and i talk quite a bit. other than that, it does its job and at a fair price, its a great device.
On: 2007-10-27
The quality of the phone is outstanding. The clarity of the conversation is amazing. I took one point off because sometimes, my interlocutor hears me echoing.
On: 2007-10-03
After reading all of the positive reviews I decided to try out this phone. My experiences were quite different with it.
First of all the phone was not plug and play by any means. It did not come with Vista software, and I had to mess around with drivers online for nearly an hour before I could get it to work. I also had to change skype settings before getting it to work.
Secondly the phone is just cheaply made, and you can tell just by picking it up that it feels like a toy.
The phones plastic base is really a joke. It easily moves around on your desk and the phone does not sit properly in it with the cord unwound. This was very frustrating. The USB cord also feels like it would easily break under stress.
As for the calling experience there is a delay between the time the button is pressed and when it shows up in skype, so if you are used to dialing quickly you will be fumbling over numbers with this phone.
One of the only things I can recommend about this phone is that the sound quality while making calls was fairly good, but not great. Sounded to me like a cheap land-line house phone.
Another frustrating problem that I ran into was that when skype was running, all of the sounds coming from my pc (for example: when playing an mp3 in iTunes) were being routed through the phone. I had to change the settings in skype every time I wanted to listen to music, play games etc.
If you want something that feels and looks like a regular house phone but makes skype calls you may be dissapointed like I was. Id recommend taking a hard look at the competition before considering this one. In my opinion I feel it was not worth the money.
On: 2007-09-26
This phone has excellent sound quality compare to other Skype phones Ive tested. So far, the voice quality for all the Wi-Fi Skype phones from Belkin, Linksys, and Netgear are mediocre. The dual mode models (ones that wont need a PC) offer better quality but still on the pricey side. This USB phone hits the perfect spot in terms of having great sound quality and low price.
Currently it only supports XP/2000 with a newly released Vista driver. No MAC support. Also, buyers beware of the VOIP0801B driver software and Skype version compatibility issue. I installed older version of Skype v2.5.0.122 with VOIP080 Phone Driver v3.1.0.0 that came with the CD. Those are guaranteed to work with each other by Philips. On their support page, they mentioned the latest driver VOIP0801B v3.5.4.0 for XP currently only supports up to Skype v3.5.0.xxx. So check for compatibility status before you decide to upgrade your Skype software or phone driver.
Usability is simple and straightforward. First make sure youve logged into your Skype account and activated the driver software. Pressing the center "S" button on the silver wheel pad will make Skype pops up. Keep pressing "S" allows you to toggle between Contacts, Dial, and History tabs. Hitting Up/Down arrows to select phone numbers within Contacts or History. You can also just simply dial the number like you would for a regular phone. Press "talk" to make the call and "off" to hang up. Press and hold "off" to minimize Skype when youre done.
The earpiece and microphone volume may be adjusted through driver software. Earpiece volume is also adjustable during a call using up/down keys. There are 8 different ringer tones to choose from. Volume for ringer can be set to off/low/high.
It looks very nice and sleek on the outside. The casing was well-designed with extra spacing around the sides for USB cable retraction. Comes with a phone stand as seen in the picture. Also includes a black travel holster that protects your phone on the go. Overall, this is an excellent USB VoIP handset from Philips...definitely one of the best for Skype!
On: 2007-09-17
I have been using the Philips VOIP 080 Skype for almost a month now. It has been really reliable and the voice quality is great. Also the phone looks really stylish. No major complains with the phone.
One thing That I do not like about the phone is the USB wire. It is a regular flimsy black wire instead of a robust coiled wire.
I am operating Windows Vista and had to install the needed software from the Philips website as the instillation CD is not fit for Vista. But the installation went smooth.
On: 2007-08-09
In the technical details the important missing detail is that this product does NOT work with Apple Macs. If it worked I might be able to write a glowing report. But is very expensive for Mac users because it doesnt work at all and AntOnline does not give a refund if you buy it from them.
Philips VOIP0801 USB Travel Handset
On: 2007-07-31
This product has worked for me just fine. I would recommend the purchase to anyone.
The minor shortcomings can be ignored for this value-priced item.
I have not read the manual thouroughly but:
The mute button doesnt seem to work,
The earphone volume was a little low and I found no way to adjust it.
I did a workaround by making the Phillips VOIP the default sound device in my SKYPE set up. The workaround routes the ear signal to my computer speakers and the volume is completely adjustable with the windows controls.
I then use the Phillips hand set as a microphone and have great communication.
by: Anonymous On: 2007-07-05
This Skype phone is fabulous !!! Its great for traveling, as its a USB phone, so you can just plug it in and go !
More importantly, the sound quality is the best I have experienced with Skype. No fooling with your audio settings to get it to work properly. It works properly out of the box.
The only minor inconvenience is having to remember to dial 011 (pause) and then the US phone number, which isnt a big deal considering the voice quality. Its also nicelooking with an adjustable phone cord.
The reason I bought this phone is that I called up Vonage, after my former Skype phone stopped working, and found out that my Vonage bill would be about $32. monthly with taxes, and with Skype I paid $38. per year for 2 phone numbers. Period. No additional cost. And with the sound quality on this phone, you cant beat it.
The Amazon price is better than the Wallie price, btw, which is a bonus. I highly recommend this phone. Its a winner !
by: Anonymous On: 2007-07-04
This Skype phone is fabulous !!! Its great for traveling, as its a USB phone, so you can just plug it in and go !
More importantly, the sound quality is the best I have experienced with Skype. No fooling with your audio settings to get it to work properly. It works properly out of the box.
The only minor inconvenience is having to remember to dial 011 (pause) and then the US phone number, which isnt a big deal considering the voice quality. Its also nicelooking with an adjustable phone cord.
The reason I bought this phone is that I called up Vonage, after my former Skype phone stopped working, and found out that my Vonage bill would be about $32. monthly with taxes, and with Skype I paid $38. per year for 2 phone numbers. Period. No additional cost. And with the sound quality on this phone, you cant beat it.
The Amazon price is better than the Wallie price, btw, which is a bonus. I highly recommend this phone. Its a winner !
by: girlperson1 On: 2007-03-07
Its lightweight, easy to set up and the sound quality is fabulous. Works very well with Skype.
On: 2007-03-06
Its lightweight, easy to set up and the sound quality is fabulous. Works very well with Skype.
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