The CIT200 is a great effort from Linksys and it closes the gap between "real" and Internet telephony considerably. Hardware-wise the only drawback is that it can't be used as an ordinary phone as well, so you still need to keep two phones. But recently Linksys has introduced the
CIT300, which is a hybrid Skype/landline phone. The CIT300 lists for
US$ 129.99 and offers somewhat more functionality than the CIT200. But the hybrid function alone makes it well worth the $30 price difference with the CIT200.
So far I've enjoyed the CIT200 immensely and I have been suggesting this phone to all my Skype contacts (read: friends and family). The two minor annoyances were that the software installation messed up my XP setup a bit (and I've heard similar reports from friends and family who are using the phone now too), and that for dialing SkypeOut numbers, even local ones, I need to do that "+" plus country code thingy.
A word of advice though, go check out
Linksys' website for the latest drivers for this phone. Apparently it prevents a few problems users have been experiencing.
 |
The good
- Nice design
- Color LCD display and backlit buttons
- Charging station separate from base unit
- Very easy to use for Skype to Skype
- Good sound quality
- Handsfree function through speakerphone or headset
- Polyphonic ringtones
- Long range (according to manual: 300 meters (900 ft) outdoors, 50 meters (150 ft) indoors)
- Many, many features
The not-so-good
- Dialing SkypeOut phone numbers requires entering a "+" plus country code
- Not able to use the CIT200 on Mac or Linux due to lack of drivers
The downright ugly
- Messed up XP's audio settings
|
Copyright © 2006 - BuzzyPedia.com
