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<FONT SIZE="2" POINTSIZE="11" DEFAULT="SIZE">I can't tell you how many times I've seen broad questions like this posted to the list..<BR>
<BR>
The wiki (www.voip-info.org) is your friend. Use it. There's a lot of good advise there.<BR>
<BR>
Google is also your friend. Use it, too. Most especially use it to search the list archives. There was just a long thread about this a few days ago.<BR>
<BR>
Finally, you can do what I did...buy some phones, try them for a while then resell the ones you don't like. Ebay is a great toolo for this. I bought and sold eight different model of SIP phones before settling upon what I use today. When you've gained enough experience to have some well founded opinions add to the wiki.<BR>
<BR>
Lastly, if you're going to buy serious desk phones try the Aastra 480i CT and the Polycom IP600/601. Life's too short to use a cheap phone.<BR>
<BR>
Michael<BR>
<BR>
On Sat, 17 Jun 2006 20:35:02 -0400, M.Hockings wrote:<BR>
<BR>
>I am looking to replace all of the old "Bell" (POTS) phones in my home <BR>
>and office with IP phones. As you can imagine I don't have a huge <BR>
>budget to work with but I want phones that will provide acceptable voice <BR>
>quality and durability.<BR>
><BR>
>There are basically three categories as I see it<BR>
>1. satellite phones (low cost, low function)<BR>
>2. primary domestic phone (good quality, POE capable, headset capable)<BR>
>3. primary office phone (good quality, headset, speaker phone)<BR>
><BR>
>In most places the LAN wiring is already in place so the phone would <BR>
>need to be able to provide a LAN port for an existing computer. POE <BR>
>would be desirable in a couple of places due to limited power outlets.<BR>
><BR>
>What I have considered is the Grandstream BudgeTone BT-102 or BT-200 for <BR>
>the satellite phones, a Grandstream GXP-2000 for the domestic phone as <BR>
>it has all the requirements and there is a POE device available for it. <BR>
>My alternative pick for this would be a Polycom 301. And for my office <BR>
>I was considering a Polycom 501.<BR>
><BR>
>Are any of these choices known to be bad performers, hard to configure <BR>
>with Asterisk, etc. I have read that it is difficult or not possible to <BR>
>get the message waiting indicator to show for the BT-102. Is this a <BR>
>problem with the GXP-2000 or Polycom phones ?<BR>
><BR>
>Also is it possible to use the Linksys POE injector/splitter to power a <BR>
>BT-102 ? Or are there other solutions for POE?<BR>
><BR>
>Some Web references follow for the keen.<BR>
><BR>
>Thanks for any thoughts or input on this.<BR>
><BR>
>Mike<BR>
><BR>
>Linksys POE Injector/Splitter<BR>
><FONT COLOR=0000ff><U>http://www.insight.ca/apps/productpresentation/index.php?format=print&product_id=LNKPPOE12<FONT COLOR=000000 DEFAULT="COLOR"></U><BR>
><BR>
><BR>
><BR>
>BT-102<BR>
><FONT COLOR=0000ff><U>http://www.canadianvoipstore.com/product_info.php?cPath=95_105&products_id=40<FONT COLOR=000000 DEFAULT="COLOR"></U><BR>
><BR>
>GXP-2000<BR>
><FONT COLOR=0000ff><U>http://www.canadianvoipstore.com/product_info.php?cPath=95_106&products_id=331<FONT COLOR=000000 DEFAULT="COLOR"></U><BR>
><BR>
>Polycom 301<BR>
><FONT COLOR=0000ff><U>http://www.canadianvoipstore.com/product_info.php?products_id=757<FONT COLOR=000000 DEFAULT="COLOR"></U><BR>
><BR>
>Polycom 501<BR>
><FONT COLOR=0000ff><U>http://www.canadianvoipstore.com/product_info.php?products_id=758<FONT COLOR=000000 DEFAULT="COLOR"></U><BR>
><BR>
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