Catch A Good Gadget
Written: Oct 19 '03
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Product Rating:
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Pros: Saves significant $$ compared to 2nd phone line or cable modem.
Cons: No power switch, adds more cords to the web behind the PC.
The Bottom Line: This is a great, reasonably priced device that prevents you from missing important phone calls. If only it could screen out telemarketers too!
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| makmcm's Full Review: Catch A Call (Blue)-Receive Fax/Voice Calls On-Ln ... |
I purchased the Catch a Call after having a horrible experience with the Emerson Switchboard. Both devices claim to do the same thing: allows calls to come through while you are online, eliminating the need for a second phone line or a cable modem.
Installation is fairly simple, although it does create another mess of wires under the desk. The phone line that connects the PC to the wall jack is instead hooked up from the PC to the Catch a Call. Another phone cord connects the Catch a Call to the jack. A third cord is connected to a phone. A fourth wire is the power cord. It sounds a lot trickier to install than it is. There is also a port to connect it to a fax machine. It can also be used with a caller-ID device.
Once connected, the user makes sure they enable call waiting in their ISP. If a phone call comes in while you are online. the Catch-a-Call rings with a loud shrill beep (about 2 seconds long). You then pick up the phone connected to the Catch-a-Call to take the call. Depending on your ISP, you will actually remain connected to the internet for up to 30 seconds, so if it is a wrong number and you hang up quickly, you don't have to dial in to connect to the internet again.
I'm glad to say that my device works as advertised. Every time it has beeped, there has been a real call on the line, unlike my Emerson Switchboard, which rang every 10 minutes regardless of whether there was a call or not.
It does not have a power switch, so it is on all the time, even when my PC is off. There is a power light lit all the time, plus a second light when the PC is online. When a call comes through, a third light lights up.
The device is compact, about 3"x4"x1"H. It comes with one double sided sheet of instructions and FAQ, as well as the cords. I have the silver version.
Recommended:
Yes
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Epinions.com ID:
makmcm
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Reviews written: 16
Trusted by: 1 member
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