Philips DECT/VOIP Additional Handset for VOIP841 Series
By: Philips Average Rating: 3.5 Total Reviews: 22
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 On: 2008-04-18
The extra handset for the VOIP841 works great for skype. It was super simple to install. The direction might not explain everything. You have to push a button on the top of the base in order to add the new phone in. There was another review here on amazon that had the details. It always helps to read these reviews before buying. I guess it might help to mention that you can only use one of these at a time. The speaker phone component works very well for group conversations. The battery life and range on these is very nice.
 On: 2008-04-13
The Philips DECT/VOIP additional handset complements the VOIP 841 system and is a certified Skype phone. This is a beautifully crafted little phone with a nice clear screen and a huge speaker on the back. you really need the speaker when you make a telephone call,or I do anyway, because I cant hear out of the receiver very well. This must be considered last years model now because I cant find it in the stores anywhere. This phone makes Skype seem like any other phone service and allows you to keep track of your Skype account at a glance. Its menus are easy for even me to follow. Installation of the phone is easy except when the instructions tell you to press the button to search for a signal. The instructions are misleading. I had to call Philips helpline to finally get it going. You press the button until the lights flash and then you let go immediately and it comes right on. I love this phone, I love Skype.
Gary Gagne
On: 2008-04-10
You can do almost everything with this phone -- set up new contacts, place Skype calls OR calls over you landline (which is great for us because we use both a residential service & Skype and only need one phone). It doesnt allow a video feed, and you must setup a paid account online if you choose to use skyplin or skype pro. The sound quality is EXCELLENT! The only reason this bugger got only 4 stars is because of its price. At $115 for the main unit and $58 for the second handset (you can have up to 3 additional handsets, 4 total, btw) I found it pricey. Nevertheless, with all my research, Amazon had the best price, by far.
On: 2008-04-08
I originally bought a Philips DECT/VOIP base for my parents. After their great experience with it I bought one pluc this additional handset for me and my family.
Im glad that I read the review the most helpful reviewer of this item, Charles Sullivan. He mentions a very important piece of information for getting the additional handset to work with the base. Apparently Philips forgot this little detail! In any case getting this handset to work with the base (registering it w/base) was a simple as pushing a button the base and making a couple of choices on the handset. Easy as 1-2-3!
I highly recommend the additional handset and the base.
On: 2008-03-18
Excellent product. Lousy documentation. Setup was a hassle because the documentation didnt make certain steps clear. Once the proper procedure was discovered on the manufacturers website it all came together. Love the product.
On: 2008-02-11
This Philips DECT/VOIP/landline phone works great. I have no complaints. Handset linked with base and has performed perfectly!! Excellent range, voice quality, and versatillity>
 On: 2008-02-03
Complete waste of $80. Drops most calls after a few minutes. You cant imagine how frustrating that is to have to call someone back 7 times in an hour.
I have tried everything and wasted hours trying to get this phone to work: flashing the firmware, configuring the network settings to static IP, disconnecting/reconnecting the handset, configuring the router to forward all traffic to the phone, etc etc. I even called philips tech support with no luck.
Waste of money/time.
On: 2008-01-16
I just went to the base press the button for few seconds, after that went to the handset press reg and few seconds later I was calling to order a Pizza ;-)
On: 2008-01-12
Philips DECT/VOIP Additional Handset for VOIP841 Series
Highly disappointed. Equipment - Had to return the original handset for non-performance as it would not communicate with the base unit. Batteries that came along with the handset went dead and started to leak. Unable to communicate clearly using the additional handset. Customer service. Called CS over the weekend, was informed that there are no trained techs over the weekend to help (they claim to have for all other products), experienced a long waiting period, the first two were unable to figure out the problem and help. This individual simply said to return the handset to Amazon and get a replacement. The replacement set has similar issues. Manual does not give clear instructions regarding the use/programming. Tarnish to Philips brand. Would not recommend
On: 2007-12-27
Ive come a long way before deciding on this phone. Im glad that I did more research and read online reviews instead of simply buy the one offered on Skypes website. I had read Charles review prior to buying the phone and read his instructions instead of the manual that it came with. We have three floors in our house so Im very happy that VOIP phone came in a "system" that I can add additional handset. If anyone has broadband Internet connection, I dont see any reason to have a landline in addition to our mobile phones. It saves a lot of money down the road, provides Skype service w/o the computer, and we can consolidate all the numbers that we call and the numbers are all available in each handset! I wonder if anyone has tried to buy two bases, and have up to 8 handsets in the house, but have both bases logged in the same Skype account?
The clarity for dialing both SkypeOut landline numbers and Skype to Skype is superb, and sometimes better than regular landline phones. We dont have landlines so I cannot attest to the clarity of this phone used as a landline phone.
On: 2007-12-26
Ive come a long way before deciding on this phone. Im glad that I did more research and read online reviews instead of simply buy the one offered on Skypes website. I had read Charles review prior to buying the phone and read his instructions instead of the manual that it came with. We have three floors in our house so Im very happy that VOIP phone came in a "system" that I can add additional handset. If anyone has broadband Internet connection, I dont see any reason to have a landline in addition to our mobile phones. It saves a lot of money down the road, provides Skype service w/o the computer, and we can consolidate all the numbers that we call and the numbers are all available in each handset! I wonder if anyone has tried to buy two bases, and have up to 8 handsets in the house, but have both bases logged in the same Skype account?
The clarity for dialing both SkypeOut landline numbers and Skype to Skype is superb, and sometimes better than regular landline phones. We dont have landlines so I cannot attest to the clarity of this phone used as a landline phone.
On: 2007-12-25
Folks have complained that they could not get the remote unit to link up with the base unit. I was very frustrated with that, too. The quick start guide states just press "register" and enter a code. The detailed guide, however, mentions to press register on the phone and then press the intercom button on the base unit until the two lights go out. And what they really meant was press AND HOLD that button. Do that, and the phone links to the base just fine.
Very pleased with readability of the screen. Another nice feature is that all the contacts entered into my Skype account via computer shows up automatically on the phone.
 On: 2007-12-24
Nothing wrong with the phone. It is Skype. I have two phones connected to my computer to work with both my land line and skype. The Vtech is working fine, but Skype will not extend the credit I have in my account to the Philips phone. You try getting hold of Skype and dealing with them. They say they will get in touch with you within twenty four hours, several days ago. I would wait until Skype is a bit more dependable.
On: 2007-12-24
I needed a decent skype phone that will not need my PC to be on and which will support also a landline - since having SKYPE phone, landline phone and 4 mobile phones in my home I found to be slightly too much...
I have been using this product for couple of days and so far have been very satisfied. As opposed to some products I have already tried (SMC WIFI phone offered on skype.com), this software (even though it looks the same) works much faster on PHILIPS phone. The phone is very easy to set up and has a noticeable loudspeaker - very nice for conference calls.
I have also bought an additional handset and the set up was very easy. the base station supports up to 4 handsets which can call each other internally. It supports only ONE skype account login - which is "cloned" over various handsets - which I find slightly unfortunate because it would be really cool to allow 1 skype account per handset at time and not 1 account per base. Apart from that this product really rocks! Highly recommended!
an advice for european customers - the charging adapter supports only 120V (and not 120V-220V like many other devices) - therefore the price difference between the US and EU is not very convenient as you need to buy the electricity converters (my case).
On: 2007-12-21
My son is in Okinawa and Skype is the only way to go! This phone allows us to have one on each floor of our home and is so convenient to use. Save us money, time and effort. Sound quality is excellent and the features are easy to understand and use.
On: 2007-11-27
This product is worth the money. I have been using it now for about 3 months and decided to write a short review. I am using the phone with Skype and love it. It has saved me $100s of dollars already calling the UK from he USA. When talking to friends sometimes they say I am talking to loud so I know the mic on the phone is very good. My only complaint is the speaker phone. I wish the volume level could be increased as even when set to the high level of 5 you must be in a completely quiet room to hear.
Its great that you dont need the pc on to call and receive calls.
No more headset and mic and turning on the pc and using 750 watts of power just to talk! My electric bill has decreased some already!
Overall I like this phone and it was money well spent. It is actually saving me money.
On: 2007-11-12
I bought this additional handset to add to an existing base station bought from Sharper Image. The system is superb and works flawlessly with Skype. I have just moved from the UK to the US and using Skypeout and SkypeIn has made communication with family and friends so easy. the system doesnt require that we have computers switched on and gives us the choice of how we route calls based on the most cost effective service.
On: 2007-11-12
I am not quite sure if it was a defective unit, but I spend 3 hours trying to set up this thing. It connected to router but it couldnt sign in to skype. Surprisingly, so many positive reviews and every one saying "just plug in and it works". Didnt work for me. I returned the unit and bought netgear sph200d instead and netgear worked. Philips has the best design out of three skype/dect phones currently available, but whats the use if it doesnt work?
On: 2007-11-07
Ive now added three handsets to the basic Philips DECT/VOIP unit so I have a total of four phones on the system. Ive used it for about a month connected to Skype as well as a land line. It worked perfectly on both. Since my family has cell phones, my original intent was to eliminate the land line completely. For the past two weeks Ive had the land line disconnected from the Philips Unit and all calls arriving on the land line have been forwarded to my Skype-In number so all calls come through Skype. All outgoing calls have been going through Skype-Out. Ive eliminatged the land line for a saving of just over $800 per year. Philips has done a great job matching the phone and features with Skype. Since my wife has had some very long conversations using these phones, I would say the battery life for these units is very good and comparable to any DECT system.
Im very happy with the system and for the $800 savings Im willing to live with a couple of minor issues. First, caller ID gives me only the number and not a name. Second, no 911 emergency service but I have that on my cell phones so not a serious problem.
I also have a Linksys WIP320 which I use on a business account with Skype-In. The Linksys product is a stand-alone phone so the system cannot be expanded. Since it has a wireless connection to the router, the battery life is very short so it must be plugged into the power supply at all times. It occasionally drops the link to the router and needs to be reset. All in all, the Linksys is OK but no where near as reliable or as versatile as the Philips system.
Im sure the next generation system will be better but this is an excellent home phone system.
On: 2007-11-07
I bought this handset as an extension to VOIP8411B/37. Unfortunately, I was not able to register the additional handset. I followed attached installation instructions and a slightly different procedure on Philips web site that involved pressing the "Page" button on the base station. The original handset started to beep like a burglar alarm while the new handset was unable to find the base station. I had to give up after several attempts.
When I received VOIP8411B/37 I could not believe that Philips could produce a product that just works. Well, I was right - a single handset configuration is fine but two handset system is clearly a too big challenge for Philips. Very disappointed but not surprised.
On: 2007-11-06
I bought this handset as an extension to VOIP8411B/37. Unfortunately, I was not able to register the additional handset. I followed attached installation instructions and a slightly different procedure on Philips web site that involved pressing the "Page" button on the base station. The original handset started to beep like a burglar alarm while the new handset was unable to find the base station. I had to give up after several attempts.
When I received VOIP8411B/37 I could not believe that Philips could produce a product that just works. Well, I was right - a single handset configuration is fine but two handset system is clearly a too big challenge for Philips. Very disappointed but not surprised.
On: 2007-08-31
Good audio quality, good range, and it has the headphone jack and a pocket clip (which I need, because I often walk around while talking on the phone). It would be nice if the directions had explained how to add this line to the base station. Apparently, you have to hold the page button down on the base for five full seconds until the lights start blinking, then press the button on the handset to register it. I had to actually call Phillips to find this out.
The main reason I am giving it only four stars is the fact that you cant conference with these two phones (that I can figure out, anyway). With my previous two cordless phones, I would switch when the battery got low. I would just press "Talk" on the second phone, press "Off" on the low-battery phone, and continue my conversation. These phones dont seem to allow that. If you are on a call and press "Talk" on the other phone, it just beeps annoyingly at you. Perhaps the directions...well...perhaps Phillips can help me with this, but at the moment, that takes it down to 4 stars.
On: 2007-08-31
Good audio quality, good range, and it has the headphone jack and a pocket clip (which I need, because I often walk around while talking on the phone). It would be nice if the directions had explained how to add this line to the base station. Apparently, you have to hold the page button down on the base for five full seconds until the lights start blinking, then press the button on the handset to register it. I had to actually call Phillips to find this out.
The main reason I am giving it only four stars is the fact that you cant conference with these two phones (that I can figure out, anyway). With my previous two cordless phones, I would switch when the battery got low. I would just press "Talk" on the second phone, press "Off" on the low-battery phone, and continue my conversation. These phones dont seem to allow that. If you are on a call and press "Talk" on the other phone, it just beeps annoyingly at you. Perhaps the directions...well...perhaps Phillips can help me with this, but at the moment, that takes it down to 4 stars.
UPDATE: Lets take it down to 3 stars. Whenever I power down the base unit, the phones reset all of their settings (time, dialing preferences, etc.). It is extremely annoying to dial a number, press talk, and have the phone stop and ask you whether you want to dial through your land line or through Skype (when you already told it to use your land line by default).
Also, reviewing and calling recent numbers (incoming or outgoing) is pathetically slow. In my previous cordless, it was two fast button presses to call someone back (first button to bring up the incoming call list, second button to dial). In this phone, it takes up to 4 button presses, with up to 2 seconds pause between presses. I cant figure out how to change my stars, but this one is definitely down to 3.
On: 2007-08-20
The manual sent with my handset mentions that a PIN # needs to be entered before registering with the base unit. This was not the case. I guess and assume since its default PIN is 0000 it doesnt need to be entered unless you go into the settings and change the number (which is a good idea for added security).
So after pressing "reg" on the handset, I than pressed the buttion on the base unit. Two lights lit-up for a bit than went off. I than released the button on the base unit and the handset was than registered.
Other than that, this is a great additional handset. Each handset you register even indicates by a number on the screen which one it is. So they are easy to keep track of.
Extra handset allows you to transfer a call to a specific handset, make 3way calls, make intercom calls between 2 handsets and you can be on Skype and a landline call at the same time!
On: 2007-08-16
I boughtthe Dect/voip Xtra Handset to use with the Philips VOIP8411B/37 Dect/voip Phone System. I was unable to register it with the base, currently I have sent it back to philips lets see what happens. The reason I did not send it back to Amazon or the vendor who sold it in the first place was because they may ed up sending defective phones again and I am not in the mailing business.
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