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Sogatel - Skype compatible USB cordless internet phone - Vista and XP | 
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| Brand: Sogatel
Category: CE
This item is no longer available
Rating:  7 reviews
Sales Rank: 5031
Autographed: No
Memorabilia: No
Shipping Weight (lbs): 1.1
Dimensions (in): 7 x 6 x 3
EAN: 5060167260063
ASIN: B000YL4JP2
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| Features:
| • | Wireless Skype phone for PC using operating systems XP and Vista | | • | Built in sound card, speakerphone base, wireless range 50m, talktime 10 hrs | | • | Easy installation, simple to use, user friendly, sleek design | | • | Excellent product - one of the best selling Skype cordless/wireless phones | | • | In the box: Handset, USB speakerphone base, battery, manual, CD driver for VISTA/XP |
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| Editorial Reviews:
Product Description
The wireless handset that gives you the freedom from the use of your keyboard, mouse and monitor when making/receiving Skype calls. Simply scroll through your Skype contacts directly from the cordless handset to make a call (no need to refer to the pc screen). Also call any number worldwide directly from the phone using the SkypeOut service. To make a call simply select the name you want to talk to and press the call button. The base has a built-in high quality speakerphone, ideal for conference calling. The handset has graphic LCD with blue colour backlight displaying all online Skype contacts. The unit is very simple to use and install - it's just like using a home cordless. Compatible with Windows Vista, XP, 2000.
Phone features
- Wireless range 50m in a typical indoor environment
- Hands-free calling with speakerphone built into base station
- Both base and handset ring for incoming calls
- Auto-select RF channel to improve the voice quality
- USB powered, no external power required
- Anti-slip coating
System requirements
- Windows 2000/XP/Vista
- 400MHz processor or higher
- 128 MB RAM or higher
- Free compatible USB 2.0 or 1.1 port
Package Contents
- Cordless handset
- Base station, USB cable
- Li-battery
- Manual
- CD driver
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| Customer Reviews: Read 2 more reviews...
 Nice, but not for me January 1, 2009
For most people, this will probably be a very handy addition to their desktop clutter. It worked reasonably well from the start, not even needing an initial charge, although I had to change back the Windows (XP) audio settings before it would stop playing other sounds - music, etc - through the phone. You only need to do that once, although read the final paragraphs for a caveat.
Once installed, you'll get the ugliest icon imaginable in your systray (the little icons next to the time on your Windows screen). It's hideous, bright green and with no attempt at a 3D effect, so it looks like an icon from a 1980s freebie kids' game. Small point, but a niggle nonetheless.
It's extremely simple to operate. Even the most trembling technophobe could use one - at the very simplest, a call to a contact set up with a fast-dial number can be made by pressing the number and then the green call button; an incoming call is answer simply by pressing the green button The display is clear, the build quality solid enough, and it fits well and feels good in the hand.
The base unit connects with a USB cable - I couldn't get it to work from a hub, so you'll probably need a spare port on your computer. This provides power as well as data, so it's a pretty neat setup. There is a hands-free mode on the base unit, but the sound I got from that was terrible; on an "echo" call to Skype Test Call I could barely make out what I was saying. Not a big problem to me - after all, if I'm next to the base unit I'm next to the desktop mic and speakers, and I'd prefer to use that anyway. It will mean that headset users won't have an alternative, though.
That knocks off one star from a five-star review. There's simply no excuse these days for a hands-free unit not to give perfectly adequate sound quality.
Why the other star knocked off? Well, this will only apply to people in the same situation as me, but it's enough for me to return the product for a refund:
You simply can't use it as a supplement to your existing setup, be it mic/speakers, headset or whatever. The software is very tightly integrated between the "SkypeMate" phone software and your regular Skype window (indeed you can switch tabs on the Skype window by pressing a key on the phone ... if you want to for some strange reason of your own), which works well on most ways, but means that you cannot receive a call on your normal setup. Incoming calls will always come to the phone, no matter how it's set up. Before making an outgoing call from your computer's hardware, you need to make two changes to the setup (change audio settings, setting your sound and mic back to your soundcard), and these are overridden as soon as you use the phone to make a call or even just receive one. It's unlikely that any of the competitors will be any different here, since it's the Skype software that's at fault.
Since I'd only purchased the phone as a secondary device, intending to use it for those times when I had to be away from the computer, this renders it useless to me.
But if you bear that in mind, and are looking for a simple but effective phone to use with Skype for all calls, look no further.
 Great wireless phone November 23, 2008
1 out of 1 found this review helpful
Sogatel - Skype compatible USB cordless internet phone - Vista and XP
Some reviews say this is a problem with Vista - I have Vista and installed it so easily. No problem. Although it's Skype compatible I use mainly Voipcheap and one review mentioned you need a separate download to be compatible. I had no problem whatsoever, it works with both Voipcheap and Skype. Phone quality is excellent, as good speaking to Australia as the UK. A nice handset, works well in any room in the house well away from my PC. For the price this is a great phone.
Beware October 31, 2008
8 out of 8 found this review helpful
I bought this phone to operate from my laptop via a wireless network. I had problems making it work and I'm assuming the reason is the wireless phone was interfering with the wireless network. I could not use my internet browser with it plugged into the USB point and this problem was resolved as soon as I unplugged it. I managed to connect a call once with it plugged in. I'm going to get a wired VOIP phone and hope that works.
User Friendly and Reasonable Price October 19, 2008
8 out of 8 found this review helpful
Installation was really simple. The software user interface simply auto-runs whenever the computer is booted and allows you to alter the volume settings for both the microphone and the speaker. Easy to use the handset, to access your Skype phonebook, call history and to give and receive calls.
Reception has sometimes been a bit of an issue. Maybe around 10% of the time it has been a little 'choppy' when using it in a different room to the receiver.
Build quality of the whole unit is pretty good and the outer shell of the handset is very rugged, however, the LCD display sometimes displays groups of pixels that it shouldn't, but it doesn't cause a problem, just cancelling the screen can return it to how it should be.
Value for money.. Having read the review of other wireless Skype compatible phones in the same price range, this one seems to have less to fault and costs less too. As with all cheap wireless technology, there are many things that could go wrong compared to a wireless handset. But if this is your budget and you would prefer a wireless one I would choose this one over the others.
FAULTY HANDSET BUT REFUND RECEIVED. October 9, 2008
1 out of 1 found this review helpful
I HAD PROBLEMS WITH THIS PHONE, MOSTLY ON PEOPLE NOT BEING ABLE TO HEAR ME WHEN I SPOKE AND ALSO ON HAVING A VERY SHORT WIRELESS RANGE. HOWEVER I THEN SENT THE PHONE BACK AND WAS DEALT WITH IN A PROFESSIONAL FRIENDLY MANNER AND RECEIVED A FULL REFUND. I WAS TOLD THAT MY PARTICULAR HANDSET WAS FAULTY.
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