Gigaset C300A Twin DECT Cordless Phone Set with Answer Machine

The handsets feel nice and the buttons are positive with a quick response. The switchable keyclick the first I’d be happy to leave on. I never use poly ringtones on a cell but I would use some of the 18 on this (there are also 3 non poly rings).

Colour display is pleasant and not over utilised, animated or garish. Phonebook/caller ID can show 13 dialled digits on screen without wrapping to the next line with a max number length of 32 characters. The name uses proportional font, maximum 16 characters. Phonebook has 250 entries and part or all can be pushed to other handsets. There are 9 press-and-hold one-touch memories which point to phonebook entries.

CallerID list can be set to record all incoming calls or only those missed. Dedicated button to access the missed call list, which flashes if a missed call has arrived while you’ve been out. Can also set to utilise CallerID to not ring for withheld numbers, and during certain hours not ring unless one of your VIP entries calls.

Battery life on supplied AAA 800mAh cells is impressive, they suggest you charge 8.5hrs to start then allow to fully discharge before charging the first time (for accurate battery level reporting). So far it’s been 7 days and we’ve used the handset for a couple of hours in that time and it’s only just gone to 25%!

Built in remote control answering machine with variable answer time depending on message left or not, and speech prompts, clarity of recordings is good. Usual cellphone method of holding “1” to get to it.

Extras? Alarm clock with snooze, intercom/transfer between phones, auto-pickup when you lift off the charger. Listen-in facility and calls can be recorded to the answering machine. Two way hands free. Two way SMS. Eco mode for low power consumption (but hides signal strength meter). Displays “Line in use” when another handset is using the phone line. Rename handset for location (i.e. Kitchen, Bedroom etc).

What’s different? Like a cellphone, a short press on the green pickup button brings up the last number redials. To get dial tone you have to hold the button in, or you select from phonebook (or dial the number) then press green to dial.

Missing? The outgoing redial memories do not store date/time. The incoming missed calls store date/time. Maybe over picky of me. Probably never use it.

Summary? Extremely intuitive. Can’t fault it. Everything is there and more. Clarity and volume in both directions is excellent.