Binatone I-DECT X2I

These black, sleek looking phones really stand out from the crowd. With a blue light up screen they looked fantastic in the Argos catalogue. With a current deal on to save £10.00, at £59.95 these phones did not seem like a bad buy.

Getting them home I was really excited, however, on taking them out the box I was not so impressed. There is a fine line between sleek and tacky and these phones were nearly crossing it. The main base unit was very clunky looking, in fact, it reminded me a bit of an animal hoof, but hey, that’s just my personal opinion.

Described in the catalogue as a 4 line stunning white backlit illuminated inverse display, I was really expecting something spectacular from the phone screen. What I actually got was a mediocre blue display with white writing. To add to my disappointment, the keys on the key pad did not light up in the dark, making it impossible to dial unless you have the light on.

These phones have the all the usual features you would expect from a phone of this type; 200 name and number memory, 5 last number redial, 20 call log, caller ID, call timer, clock, alarm, keypad lock. The phones also boast “iSound – crystal clear sound technology”. With a range of 300 meters. To be honest, I could not tell any difference in the sound clarity. The range was good though with no crackling on the line.

The phone did have a 15 minute built in answer phone. I found this very handy and easy to use. I must admit I was very impressed with the “iShare” facility on the phone. This allows you to access your answer machine from any handset.

With 10 hours talk time and 100 hours standby providing the phones are kept charged, you should never have a problem with the battery running out.

The phone has 10 monophonic ring tones. I’m probably being picky here, but as it was quite a funky, new looking phone, I had wrongly expected some funky ring tones. What I actually got was 10 variations of a phone ringing, all a bit boring really.

The phones are aprx. 10cm tall and 5cm wide and they are very square in shape. They can become a bit cumbersome to hold as they do not mould to the shape of your hand.

Sadly, after a week of calling people and them intermittently not being able to hear us, the phones went back to where they came from. Argos were great and changed them straight away. We did not opt for the same phones again. Instead deciding to pay that little bit extra in the hope that we would get more for out money. I have to say this was a blessing in disguise.