BT 32116 Paragon 650 Corded Phone with Answering Machine, Black

I see a lot of people panning this phone and that's not unusual because you can't find a corded phone with a decent review.Here is my experience.Turned up undamaged plugged in handset and phone line. Bit disappointed it needed a power plug but that's the way it goes.If you need screen illumination etc. it isn't going to run from the 70V and limited current BT can supply.That's just life.That said I am delighted,Imported contacts from my Mobile SIM. Good idea and worked wellYeah sure the ringtones are a bit silly but I found something reasonably business-like.Voice quality on hands free and headset is great.As for the build quality. Sure it's plastic (what isn't nowadays)But its quite a good execution in the material and feels robust in the hand.Maybe BT have fixed some things. Maybe the other peeps got a Friday Afternoon Job

I was recommended to buy this phone by the company who supplied my hands free equipment. I needed a reliable phone with a decent answer machine, and my existing machine was failing, so I took a gamble to follow their recommendation (after all, they are an office phone specialist) and ignore the very negative nature of some of the reviews here on Amazon.Phone arrived, set up quickly and intuitively, and is working perfectly. Here is my response to the criticisms of some reviews:1. Ring tones - plenty loud enough.2. choice of ring tones - there's a wide variety, but they are the polyphonic and musical types, which is weird after you've had a bell sound for a long time. I don't like them, but I also don't like the ring tones on my mobile. The current vogue is for musical tones and I don't like it, but it's not a problem. I'm getting used to the musical tone rather than my previous ring sound3. clarity of calls in and out is good4. the phone rings when the call comes through, and stops ringing when call is cancelled - I don't see any delay5. the answer machine is a lot clearer than my outgoing machine, which tended towards blurring and distortionI don't intend to use the Sim interface or the caller ID functions or the memory or the text function, so can't comment here. I keep my numbers on my computer Outlook, so don't need them on the phone. I've got way more than 200 anyway, so no point in trying to load them to the phone.I'm very happy with the phone. It works perfectly, looks smart and professional, and the menu interface works well

This is actually a really good phone once you get used to the quirks. The ringtones are indeed for the most part ridiculous but there are a couple you can use which would pass for a regular phone. The delay before the phone starts ringing (compared to a different phone on the same line) is odd but not a major problem. Considering that the phone is connected to mains electricity, would it be too much to ask that the backlight for the display remain on at least for the duration of the call? Apparently so! Many of us have call inclusive contracts which require the user to hang up after an hour in order to avoid call costs. The Paragon has a call timer which is great for monitoring this but is pretty much invisible once the light goes out. It is however possible to switch the light back on at intervals by pressing any (preferably non-critical) button on the keypad. Not being able to use the Redial or Phone Book facility to dial once the phone is off the hook also beggars belief but is not a major issue and you soon get into the habit of using these functions to select a number before lifting the receiver.Otherwise great clarity and call quality, simple to operate answering machine and pretty much everything you need in a desktop phone. It would be great if BT would read these reviews and bring out an updated version without the quirks but I don't suppose that will happen. Good value for money anyway especially via Amazon.

I am generally very pleased with this product and cannot report any serious faults or failings.Minor gripes- 1. the poor choice of ringtones, as posted by other users. A standard ring tone should be included. 2. The handbook should state that the volume level maximum is 8 bars, as displayed on the LCD, and that the incremental levels are made by tapping the "up arrow" in the centre of the set and not by holding it down. The default volume setting is 3 bars and this setting remains after hanging up. The selected volume setting should be as selected, ready for the next call. 3. The time out setting when keying in numbers to be dialled or entered into the memory is too short.After less than two years use I now have the following comments-1. The received call log no longer works.2. The ring is far too quiet.3. The conference call feature no longer works satisfactorily.4. The call screening feature is inaudible.Very poor build quality- I would much rather pay more for a phone that works! I am surprised that BT sponsor such a poor quality product.