opinions

[Coolasluck]

I have just been looking at the skype phones in maplins and thought this may be a good idea to buy as you can phone any other skype phone in the world for free without paying.I only use my mobile for phoning the wife if i can and dont bother phoning anyone else as i am a tight arse!!
Also you can plug these phones into your laptop and use the phone to connect to the internet.I thought these may be of use to wild campers!
What do others on this site think.?
Pros and cons anyone?

 

[guerdeval]

how many other people do you know with a skype phone? , if its just for you and the wife you need to buy 2, a friend of mine has one (2 yrs) but has yet to use it.

 

[Belgian]

Skype isn't a phone. You can Skype via your laptop on internet (using micro and speakers of the laptop). You only have to install the Skype program (free) and register;
BUT: you'll have to have a steady internet connection or wifi. And your connection must be Skype too.
I guess Skype is almost useless in wilding.

 

[n8rbos]

i got a phone that has skype on it belgian and you just enlightened me to how its used lol if you do get one for you and your missus least ya can talk to me too

 

[Coolasluck]

i got a phone that has skype on it belgian and you just enlightened me to how its used lol if you do get one for you and your missus least ya can talk to me too

Not after seeing your profile and discovering your dogging picture!!!
What if we all on this site got a phone,we could always prank call AJ and keep in touch without worrying about costs.We were thinking of buying(or getting to buy) one of these phones for birthdays e.t.c for my inlaws and family and then when full timing we can keep in touch with them.I just thought them a good idea.

 

[Deleted member 207]

My daughter in Rome was using skype to chat with us in Australia ----- until she exceeded her GByte limit and had to cough up yet more Euros. Any video/audio over the internet is very hungry and can chew up a few Gbytes in a ten minute chat.

 

[Deleted member 9215]

if you have a 3 phone skype calls are free.
mine is 2years old now and never used it (dont know anyone else with one)

dunk

 

[Belgian]

i got a phone that has skype on it belgian and you just enlightened me to how its used lol if you do get one for you and your missus least ya can talk to me too

No, I don't have Skype. Only had a look at it several years ago but never
downloaded it for i didn't have anybody to connect with.
However, could be usefull if I should have someone down-under to talk wiith.
And as Roger said it is very hungry the moment you exceed the nominal Gb's.
There is nothing for free in this world (except wilding )
The only problem is: find a free wifi

 

[Deleted member 8180]

We use skype via laptop to talk to far off rellys and to have group conferences for free. Yes you all need skype but that's no biggie.

 

[Hymerkar]

Skype

We have used Skype at home and abroad for about 2 years now. As has already been pointed out on here Skype to Skype voice calls are free, but you can actually use your skype connection to call a landline or mobile for a small charge. By a small charge I mean less than 2p per min to call UK landline from Spain.

How you actually use it is up to your own preference. You can use a usb microphone and your pc or lap top speakers, you can purchase (for about £5) a headphone set with built in microphone or you can go the whole hog and buy a Skype phone, but I have never seen the need for the expence of this. You can also video call using your web cam. The charge is the same as for just voice calling.

As we use mobile broadband, in the UK and abroad, we have found it is best to use Skype when on a WiFi connection, this way you dont use up your data allowance. Alternatively you can Skype to Skype text chat in a similar way to MSN or Yahoo.

To voice call or video call you do need a good signal.

If you are at all interested in the service, or think you might have a use for it, just visit the Skype web site, the download is free and very simple to use. You will be given the option of opening an account and putting on some credit. This is your choice, you dont need to put credit on if you dont think you are going to use it, try it first. I wouldnt recomend you to set it up to recharge automatically as when your credit gets to about £2 it will take another £10, you might not always want to spend this, I only top mine up when needed which is not very often. I think I have only put £20 on so far, and have used it a lot to call home from Spain.

If I can help you further - just ask.

 

[shortcircuit]

Great means of free/cheap communications. Was in France for a good few weeks this year and never used land line. Popped into MacDonalds for their free internet and had ages either free video call to my relatives/friends who are on Skype or very cheap to those on land line.

My laptop has a speaker but no mic Bought a webcam which gave me mic and video.

Have used in UK connected to my mobile phone which I use as a modem to connect to the internet and cost 50p a day for all my internet needs.

Does need a good signal but no special equipment

 

[prescott56]

3 Skype Phone

Hi,
I bought SWMBO a skype phone last xmas, i was in mallorca all winter, she back in UK. I was on skype on laptop and she carried skype phone around with her.
Skype calls were free wherever she was but i needed a good internet connection, the one i had in the marina was a bit dodgy at times. Usually we ended up calling each other and then arranging a proper PC to PC Skype call later.
She still has the phone and it is a good phone, contract expires end of Dec so will try and unlock it.
Regards
Roy

 

[Pioneer]

When travelling I use Yahoo messenger to call people,PC to PC, usualy on a wifi connection, downloads free, plug in an headset with speaker mic (£1) from the pound shop, and plug in webcam to show your mug or scenery No charge for the calls, and tried and tested.
If your struggling for a wifi connection anywhere, call in the nearest Hotel for a beer and ask to use thiers, I've never been refused.
Also used this system on our last tour of Europe with great effect, you can chat for as long as you like.
My brother purchased a Skype phone and never used it, because of the free messenger system. Something for you to think about?

Happy Camping

 

[Coolasluck]

When travelling I use Yahoo messenger to call people,PC to PC, usualy on a wifi connection, downloads free, plug in an headset with speaker mic (£1) from the pound shop, and plug in webcam to show your mug or scenery No charge for the calls, and tried and tested.
If your struggling for a wifi connection anywhere, call in the nearest Hotel for a beer and ask to use thiers, I've never been refused.
Also used this system on our last tour of Europe with great effect, you can chat for as long as you like.
My brother purchased a Skype phone and never used it, because of the free messenger system. Something for you to think about?

Happy Camping

Thats why i asked for opinions,i have ever lots of time to plan full timing and want to cover as many angles as possible.

 

[Hymerkar]

When travelling I use Yahoo messenger to call people,PC to PC, usualy on a wifi connection, downloads free, plug in an headset with speaker mic (£1) from the pound shop, and plug in webcam to show your mug or scenery No charge for the calls, and tried and tested.
If your struggling for a wifi connection anywhere, call in the nearest Hotel for a beer and ask to use thiers, I've never been refused.
Also used this system on our last tour of Europe with great effect, you can chat for as long as you like.
My brother purchased a Skype phone and never used it, because of the free messenger system. Something for you to think about?

Happy Camping

Hi Pioneer, I also use Yahoo messenger, and as you say, it is free but only Yahoo to Yahoo, the good thing about Skype is that you can use it to make a phone call to an ordinary landline or mobile at a very very small charge. Correct me if I am wrong, but I dont think this is possible on Yahoo unless you are in the USA?