[Asterisk-Users] Phone Selection

[Nick Bachmann]

Rich Adamson wrote:

>  I'd certainly agree on the IP500. Got one sitting in front of me
>  right now. Works great, but learning curve on configurations is
>  greater then the Cisco's partially because all config parameters are
>  in xml format

I agree, the configuration files are hard to learn, but they are very 
powerful if mastered.

>  (and I can only edit with vi), and trying to find parameters that
>  accomplish a needed function is a little difficult.

Having passed the Polycom certification tests for Soundpoint IP (that's 
a little joke to anybody who's taken them :-)), I can tell you that 
Polycom recommends a free program called XML Notepad from Microsoft to 
edit the files.

>  Also had problems with a brand new phone; couldn't download software
>  directly (only supported through authorized resellers). Polycom
>  overnighted last Tuesday; haven't seen it yet. Support is almost
>  patterned after Cisco.

My experience has been that their first level support and RMA process 
are adequate.  Not much more, not much less.  But the phones themselves 
are very solid pieces of equipment and very reliable.  I'd take them 
over Cisco any day, since they're so much cheaper for the same or 
similar hardware.  I've been especially happy with the speakerphone.  I 
also like them because they look like business phones, not something you 
bought for $10 at Radio Shack (*cough* Grandstream *cough*).

Nick