Amplicomms BigTel 1500 Cordless DECT Big-Button Phone, +35 dB Audio Boost, 90 dB Ringer, Call Block, Black

The Amplicomms BigTel 1500 is a cordless DECT phone (one handset plus base) for an analogue phone line, made for people who find ordinary phones too quiet or too fiddly. One key on the side of the handset makes the earpiece up to 35 dB louder, the ringer reaches 90 dB, and the keypad, backlit display and three direct-memory keys are sized for easy use.

It suits older relatives living alone, hearing-aid users, and small offices or receptions that still use an analogue line or the analogue phone port of a fibre router. It also deals with nuisance calls: block a number from the call list with one dedicated key, or switch to automatic mode so that only numbers stored in the phonebook ring.

• 1 × BigTel 1500 cordless handset
• 1 × base station
• 1 × mains power adapter (100–240 V)
• 1 × telephone line cord
• 1 × telephone plug converter (depending on version)
• 2 × AAA 300 mAh NiMH rechargeable batteries
• User guide

• Press the audio-boost key on the side of the handset during a call and the earpiece gets up to 35 dB louder; the normal earpiece volume has 5 levels on top of that.
• Ringer up to 90 dB (5 levels plus off) and a visual ringer LED, useful when the phone is in another room or hearing aids are out.
• Three direct-memory keys (M1, M2, M3) on the handset call family, a carer or the doctor with one press. The phonebook holds 100 names and numbers.
• Call block: up to 100 numbers in manual mode, or automatic mode where only stored or VIP numbers ring.
• Range up to 50 m indoors and up to 300 m in open space; up to 10 hours talk time and 100 hours standby on a full charge.
• Expandable to 4 handsets in total with the BigTel 1501 additional handset, with intercom and three-way conference (one outside caller plus two handsets).

• No answering machine on this model. If you need one, the BigTel 1580 has a built-in 30-minute answering machine.
• It does not work during a power cut, because the base runs from the mains adapter. Keep a corded phone on the line if calls must work without power.
• Caller display, the call log and call blocking need a caller ID (CLIP) service from your operator. Without it, automatic blocking cannot tell callers apart.
• It cannot register to an IP PBX or a SIP account. VoIP use needs a router or adapter with an analogue phone port.
• On a DSL line you need a micro-filter between the wall socket and the phone; it is not included.