Need A Simple Touch-Tone Handset

Oblivion

We recently suffered several consecutive days of power cuts in our local area lasting several hours at a time. With no power, our BT Diverse cordless radio phones are as much use as a chocolate teapot. I have kept a very old wall mounted corded handset for use on just such occasions, but when trying to contact our electricity company, I was confronted by an automated switchboard service asking me to press button 2 or 3 etc.

Problem is, this old handset doesn't have touch-tone built into it, so I was completely unable to reach the department I needed. Talk about frustration.

We do have the power sorted now, until the next time, but I now want to get a reliable, smart, corded handset that will hang in a wall-mounted cradle, and most importantly ... has touch-tone capability.

Any suggestions as to a suitable unit please?

Dave.

DonnyDave

Oblivion wrote: »

Problem is, this old handset doesn't have touch-tone built into it, so I was completely unable to reach the department I needed. Talk about frustration.

If it's really old, then it won't have a touch tone. But as touch tone was being introduced, phones had both pulse dialling (what your phone is) and touch tone (DTMF) modes. In these cases there will be a switch on it to change its mode.

I have a phone at its switch is labelled "Mode". The exact labelling may be slightly different.

If you're not sure, what make and model is it?

Oblivion

DonnyDave wrote: »

I have a phone at its switch is labelled "Mode". The exact labelling may be slightly different.

If you're not sure, what make and model is it?

Thanks Donny, but I think this one accompanied Noah in the Ark! :rotfl:

It's a Commtel 728 wall-mounted handset with cord and the only switch on it is to turn the incoming call ringer on or off. I think it must have been the model they introduced immediately after the one consisting of two cocoa tins and a long piece of string. It would only seem to have pulse dialling.

Dave.

Jemma-T

I always keep an old phone plugged in behind the couch -must be 50mm of dust on it.

£4.49 https://www.argos.co.uk/static/Product/partNumber/5526527.htm ASDA had something similar last I looked.

Or break the bank https://www.argos.co.uk/static/Product/partNumber/5521618.htm

DonnyDave

Oblivion wrote: »

It's a Commtel 728 wall-mounted handset with cord…

Retire it to a museum or an 80's TV show!

Photograph in this eBay listing:
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Commtel-728-Computerized-Telephone-+-wall-plate-holder._W0QQitemZ260493609542QQcmdZViewItemQQimsxq20091020?IMSfp=TL091020196001r10398

Oblivion

DonnyDave wrote: »

Retire it to a museum or an 80's TV show!

Photograph in this eBay listing:
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Commtel-728-Computerized-Telephone-+-wall-plate-holder._W0QQitemZ260493609542QQcmdZViewItemQQimsxq20091020?IMSfp=TL091020196001r10398

LOL, yep, that's the kiddy. I was going to bin it, but I think I might keep it for posterity ... it's bound to come in useful for shoving up someone's posterior when they annoy me :rotfl:

Well I took an executive decision this morning and went down to Argos and bought a BT Duet 20 handset and cradle for £10.99. I like BT products generally and they've always proved reliable for me. This one does everything I need it to in a powercut situation and it feels well made and comfortable in my hand ... so done deal.

Thanks for the comments.

Dave.