An Excellent Receptionist Console For The Merlin Magix Telephone System.
Written: Mar 01 '07
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Product Rating:
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Pros: Large informative display. Required for programming the Merlin Magix telephone system.
Cons: Requires external power source. Merlin Magix system has been discontinued by Avaya.
The Bottom Line: Superb console telephone. Easy to read display. Telephone is needed for on the spot programming of the Merlin Magix telephone system.
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| telecomman's Full Review: AVAYA - MERLIN MAGIX 108429580 |
History of Avaya.
The company known as Avaya is the modern day incarnation of the commercial telephone division of the old Bell System "Ma Bell". In the mid to late 1990s, AT&T decided to concentrate on providing telephone service. The manufacturing division was spun off as a brand new company called Lucent Technologies (now known as Alcatel-Lucent).
In 2000, Lucent decided to concentrate on creating equipment for telephone service providers. The consumer telephone division was sold to VTech while the commercial division was spun off as a brand new company named Avaya.
History of the Merlin Magix.
The Merlin Magix telephone system was created by Lucent Technologies back in the late 1990s. It was patterned after the very successful Merlin Legend telephone system but adds enhancements to make the system more versatile than its predecessor.
What is the 108429580?
The 108429580 is Avaya's part code for the Merlin Magix 4424LD+ telephone. The following is a link to a picture of the telephone:
http://us.st11.yimg.com/us.st.yimg.com/I/metroline_1936_531265
For the remainder of this review I will refer to the 108429580 as the 4424LD+.
The 4424LD+ is identical to the Avaya 4424D+ with the exception of the large 7x24 VFD and associated buttons sticking up from the base of the telephone. (The 4424D+ has a standard 2x24 LCD). The telephone is available in both black & white.
The 4424LD+ user can choose between using the standard telephone handset, hands-free speaker phone or a headset, whose jack is located on the underside of the telephone. There are 43 buttons on the main section of the telephone and an additional 14 buttons that flank the display. Those 14 buttons are used during system programming, but not during normal operation.
There are 50 status LEDs on the telephone's face. 24 green status, 24 red status, 1 red for new messages waiting and 1 red for speaker phone status. The large display shows the current date & time, the number of new messages in voicemail, the number of old messages in voicemail elapsed time, the line or extension an incoming caller (internal & external) and caller ID info if you subscribe to that service with your local telephone service provider.
Using The 4424LD+.
(Note: An exhaustive discussion that covers programming with the 4424LD+ is beyond the scope of this review. I will touch on some of the basics).
The 4424LD+ has buttons that support either fixed features(Hold and Redial for example) or user programmable features (the 24 buttons with the dual status LEDs). The system Admin will provide a basic configuration for each user, but the user can tweak options to best suit his or her own preferences. The options assigned to the buttons are recorded on the directory cards (DESIs) for easy reference.
Because of the fixed position of the display, the 4424LD+ cannot be wall mounted. Avaya made an optional desk stand available to optimize the positioning of the telephone.
To use a feature, such as Voicemail Autodial, you would simply push the appropriate button, listen for the voicemail to greet you and follow the instructions for retrieving voicemail messages. Depending on how the Merlin Magix telephone system is programmed, you might need to manually select a telephone line to make a call, or you might be able to simply pick up the handset (or press the speaker phone button) and dial right out.
In order to power the large display, Avaya includes a transformer that plugs into an electrical outlet. The power is applied to 1 of the 2 pairs of wires that run between the wall jack and the line jack on the base of the telephone.
How Well Does It Work?
Unlike the smaller Avaya Partner ACS, the Merlin Magix is a 100% digital system. Digital transmission tends to be more resistant to noise. With that in mind, the 4400 series telephones, noise isn't a problem. Voice quality is in the very good to excellent range. The status LEDs can become hard to see in bright environments. The large florescent display is easy to see in the dark and reasonable to read in the light. Buttons have a good feel to them and the handset is comfortable to hold.
Wraping Up The Review.
In this day & age, businesses are looking more & more to telephone equipment that utilizes VOIP (Voice over IP) service as a way to cut costs. The Merlin Magix was introduced back in the late 90's (long before VOIP took off). Avaya felt that the Merlin Magix had outlived its usefulness and discontinued manufacture of the system's hardware back in April 06.
For what it can do, the Merlin Magix is a great system. The 4424LD+ is a fine console telephone that is easy to use and has great audio quailty. The price of the hardware is still on the high side (about $300.00 for the 4424LD+), but the system is reliable and will provide many years of great service.
Recommended:
Yes
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Epinions.com ID:
telecomman
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 in Electronics |
 in Electronics |
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Member: Paul C.
Location: Arlington, Mass, USA
Reviews written: 41
Trusted by: 39 members
About Me:
Telecom tech since 1990. Dabbles with electronics, telephone gear, pro audio & pipe organs.
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