[asterisk-users] IP phone recommendation

[Darrick Hartman]

On 06/03/2009 11:47 AM, Jeff LaCoursiere wrote:
>
> On Thu, 4 Jun 2009, Rob Hillis wrote:
>
>> Jeff LaCoursiere wrote:
>>> We are still talking about a $175 phone.  How about the Polycom IP 320?
>>> $85 at 888voipstore.  Can't go wrong with Polycom for voice quality.
>>>
>> True, Polycom's are brilliant for voice quality, but unlike the Snom, a
>> Polycom /will/ reboot on the drop of a hat /and/ take a damned long time
>> to do it (~45-60 seconds)  In addition, the web interface should be
>> taken away and shot - the only real way to configure them is through (T)FTP.
>>
>> They are however, extraordinarily configurable through the XML config
>> and they are very stable.  Once they're configured they work very
>> nicely.  The lack of a decent number of BLF keys (even with a very
>> expensive sidecar you only get two more keys than a standalone Snom320)
>> puts me off a little.
>>
>> However, for a conference phone, the Polycom's can't be easily beaten.
>> Their handsfree call quality is in a league of it's own.
>>
>
> Mainly I suggest it because the OP asked for an inexpensive quality phone.
> I agree on the provisioning - the web interface is useless, and unless you
> know how to setup the XML files properly you are doomed to a very
> frustrating experience.

The Polycom 320/330's are nice little phones for the price.

There are several resources for configuring the phones from the XML 
config files.  If the config files are sane, the phones don't take that 
long to reboot.

This is probably one of the better examples:

http://www.kfife.com/voip/

Karl did a good job commenting in the config files where he made changes.

Darrick