Elmeg IP290 is a hardphone, which uses the Session Initiation Protocol (SIP) for Voice over IP calls. Because of its medium price and easy configuration, it could be used at both the office and home. The Elmeg IP290 is a complete copy of SNOM 190 hardphone. Its design and functionalities are identical with the SNOM’s ones.
Configuration
The hardphone could be configured in two ways: through the menu buttons or through the web interface. Configuring the phone through the menu buttons will allow you to set only the basic settings (such as few basic network and SIP settings, web interface options, etc.). If you wish to explore the full capabilities of the hardphone you try visit the web interface. The web configuration is divided in two parts: configuration and monitoring. In the configuration part you can find everything that has to do with configuration: networking, speed dialling, function keys, SIP options and accounts settings. It would be better if the accounts settings were separated into a completely different section, but that’s not a problem. From the monitoring section you will be able to debug anything related with the hardphone. This includes complete SIP, UPnP and DNS debugging. If you wish to record the whole traffic that is going through the phone, you can use the PCAP Trace functionalities. Even if this is the first hardphone that you configure you will catch the basics in no time. The whole configuration process is very easy and takes ten to fifteen minutes. The good news is that all functionalities are working just fine. I like the extra debugging capabilities, because I can use the phone for Asterisk tests, and I can monitor the whole traffic without the need of additional devices.
LED and Buttons
The LCD display is not the widest imaginable but is enough. The display is viewable from a small angle only because its position is static, and the phone is always in horizontal position. I don’t like the “horizontal-only” idea, because I wanted to put the phone on my wall. The keypad has big buttons, which is making it easy for overhasty diallers. The function buttons are as follows – speaker, transfer, redial and hold. These four functions are the most frequently used ones and their position at the leftmost part of the keypad is quite logical. The custom function buttons, which are located to the right of the keypad, can be assigned custom functions from the web interface. The menu buttons, which are located just below the LCD, are quite handy when it comes to setting or reviewing configuration. Those buttons are also used when reviewing the recent CallLog, setting the phone into DND mode, etc.
Summary
In general, the Elmeg IP290 is an absolute copy of SNOM 190. I think it has excellent capabilities. The sound quality is very good. This hardphone could be used at both office and your house. Its reasonable price (approximately 110 euros) makes it a good catch for everyone looking for good quality and performance.
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