Talking Caller ID unit $19.95 (RadioShack)

[cmv]

http://www.radioshack.com/Coupons/Coupons.asp (scroll to bottom)

Talking Caller ID unit for $19.95 (regular price $69.95).

50-Memory Talking Caller ID - Clearly announces the phone number of each caller before you pick up the phone. Program 15 VIP numbers. Stores information for the previous 50 calls.

coupon expires: 6/18/2001

 

[cejay]

I would like to get this..but think that the caller might hang up
before the unit finishes announcing..

I would rather have one of the BIG wall LED units (I think I have seen one) that shows the # that is calling in big bold numbers.

 

[emonkey]

i was thinking the same thing. these things talk pretty slow usually so announcing 10 numbers would take a few seconds. the answering machine may kick in or caller hangs up. what a waste.

 

[cmv]

Personally I'm going for the $9.99 caller ID unit that RadioShack has had onsale for months (original price: $19.99). These are just the simple units. The talking unit sounds interesting but as you said it probably is too slow. But it just says the number - not the name or anything so is it really that slow? Good deal for sight impaired people.

 

[Poochy]

Personally I'm going for the $9.99 caller ID unit that RadioShack has had onsale for months (original price: $19.99).

Is this a battery-only unit, or do you need AC power as well? I am looking for one that is AC power only (though will settle for one that does both), but all I can seem to find lately is the battery-only types.

 

[cmv]

I'm pretty sure it is operated off the phone line voltage. It does take one or two AA batteries but these are only used when the power goes off (to save the call history).

Ah... Phone line voltage. Reminds me of the day I was wiring up a new line to the attic. I was stripping the wires with my teeth (yeah, I'm impatient) and the line rang. Ouchie! Something like 72v DC. Not as bad as a 10,000v/low amp cattle fence or 120v/high amp outlet but it sure suprised me .

edit: doh! I was wrong. It uses 3 AAA batteries and it does appear to use them during normal operation (see Troubleshooting and what to do if your screen goes blank):

$9.99 regular white caller ID unit

They have a black one for the same price here.

 

[cmv]

You know it wouldn't be too hard to take a wall wart and use it for the power instead of the batteries. If the voltages aren't the same you can put in a simple chip that will regulate it to the right voltage (just search for lm77t or voltage regulator or similar on google).