2-line analogue corded PSTN phone

DonnyDave

I'm looking for a corded phone which can be connected to two analogue phone lines.

I prefer one which isn't powered from the mains (don't want it consuming power 24/7), although one with batteries is fine. One with a display, loudspeaker and directory with names would be prefered.

Do you think I'll be looking to a second-hand model? One example I found is the BT Converse 2025. Any other suggestions?

DonnyDave

BT Converse 1400 looks good - it stores up to 200 names and numbers, although it requires mains electricity.

Are there others (including those that have to be plugged into the mains)?

Owain_Moneysaver

ATL Delta is suggested as a replacement for the BT converse
http://www.best4systems.co.uk/atl-delta-700-2-line-phone.html#.VA9lDcZj250
Battery operated. Has caller ID and can call back a caller ID number or add caller ID to a speed dial, but doesn't seem to have a named directory display.

Buzby

I use the Delta - been in service for 3 years without a glitch. Far better than the BT cheapo nonsense.

DonnyDave

Thanks Owain Moneysaver and Buzby.

Buzby, is it the Delta 700 that Owain Moneysaver linked to which you have? The user manual says it can store names. It says it can store up to 32 "speed dial" numbers - is this the number of named entries you can store?

It looks like a current model, retailing at around the £50 mark.

DonnyDave

The user manual for the ATL Delta 700 states:

Answer a call during a conversation:
1. Caller ID information, if any, will be displayed after one ring.

2. To answer the new call, press the ringing line. The telephone will switch to that line. The previous call will be terminated.

3. Call timer will start 2 seconds after the machine is connected to the line.

This implies that whilst on a call on one line, answering the other line will terminate the call on the original line. Is it not possible to put the first call on hold and then take the other? And then if this is possible, connect the two simultaneously (as in a conference call)?

Owain_Moneysaver

The user manual says:

Conference Calling
1. To place a conference call, select a
line and dial the number. Place an
active line on hold. Select the other
line and dial the number.
2. Press the [Conference] button to
connect the two lines.
3. To discontinue the conference but
remain the connection to one of the
lines (eg. Line 1), press [LINE 1]. The
phone will switch to [LINE 1] and disconnect
the other line.

I think you just have to remember to press Hold before changing to another line.

To store/edit names on speed dials:

4. The LCD will say “EDIT NAME” and
then the current name is displayed.
5. Press [▼] or [DELETE] to remove an
incorrect letter. Press [▲] to move
the cursor right.
6. Use the dial pad to enter the new
letter(s). Press [SAVE] or
[DIAL/ENTER] when you are satisfied
with the name you are editing.

DonnyDave

Thanks again Owain Moneysaver. I e-mailed ATL and received the following in a reply:

You are currently talking on line 1, a call comes in on line 2 and you hear the ringer, you can see the caller ID too

You simply press the HOLD button which will put line 1 on hold, (they hear a beep evey 10 seconds or so to indicate the line is still open), the light next to line 1 will flash and you press line 2 button.

You are now connected to line 2

At this point you can choose to keep talking to line 2 or you can put them on hold too, both line lights will then be flashing, you can toggle between lines by press the line button to speak or choose to hold them again

This is intuitive and therefore how I expected that it will work.

DonnyDave

Looking at photos of the ATL Delta 700 and BT Converse 2025 I suggest that they're the same device as all buttons are in the same place and the same shape.