Bluetooth gizmo that links cell phone(s) to existing landline phones/extensions

[Scarlett67]

This thread utterly tanked at the Dope. Zero replies, not even jokes or "U so stoopid." I'm hoping someone here has experience with these gizmos.

Casa Scarlett went all-cell-phone yesterday. We ported the existing landline number (which has been associated with this household since the 1960s when it was first installed, and is on all my business cards, etc.) to my cell phone. Mr. S also has his own cell phone.

However, we are left with a four-extension phone system, which I liked very much but is now a collection of expensive bricks.

But . . . I see that there are several devices available that use Bluetooth to pair one or more cell phones to the existing landline phones, with or without landline service, so you can use your cell service on the house phones. Pick up an extension, get a dialtone, and call out using your cell minutes. Incoming calls have distinctive rings depending on which cell phone line they're on.

Sounds great, and I'm reading reviews, which seem mixed. Here are some examples:

Siemens Gigaset Bluetooth Gateway - Black

Xtreme Technologies Xlink BT Bluetooth Gateway - Black

Cobra PhoneLynx Bluetooth Cell to Home Phone Connection System (BT 215)

I'm leaning toward the XLink, as the Gigaset appears to be just a deprecated XLink, and the Cobra is so much cheaper that I'm kind of thinking it's probably not as . . . robust? We have only two cell phones to pair, and I don't use my Bluetooth headset at home (much); for one user that was an issue as she uses her headset for interviews, but only one device can be paired with the phone at a time.

I haven't been able to find any of these in a store (just the full phone systems with Bluetooth), and the in-store drones have no idea what I'm talking about ("Do you mean a Magic Jack?" ).

Opinions? Experiences? Warnings?

Muchas gracias.

[mothedrine]

I used to use such a device to link my alarm system to a wireless phone and it worked fine but I haven't used it in while and I don't remember the brand.

I would just buy it from someplace that has a good vendor rating and make sure that there is no restocking fee for a return. Then try it out as soon as you get it and return it if it does perform as advertised.

[KidVermicious]

I just popped in to say that I wouldn't trash the landline, even if you don't regularly use it. It gets its power from the phone company switch, and that switch will ALWAYS have power, even when your house and the cell towers don't.

[Scarlett67]

Originally Posted by KidVermicious

I just popped in to say that I wouldn't trash the landline, even if you don't regularly use it. It gets its power from the phone company switch, and that switch will ALWAYS have power, even when your house and the cell towers don't.

Too late, it's a done deal. Believe me, we considered all factors, and I just can't see paying the extra $65/month just for the few occasions when the power's out. We've had a few extended outages in the past year (day or two each), and it was no big deal to go charge things at the house of someone who had power, or charge the phones in the car. If the towers don't have power, we have bigger problems.

[KidVermicious]

$65 bucks??? Wow, I wouldn't do that either.