Phone Accessories

When choosing a phone, be sure that the accessories and software you want are available immediately, not just promised in the future. Some manufacturers assign model numbers and list prices to accessories and software that they have never produced and may never produce (the same goes for digital cameras).

Try to buy OEM accessories whenever possible, rather than aftermarket. The aftermarket accessories, especially leather cases and car chargers, are often of very poor quality.

Cellular to In-Home Wiring Adapters

One neat accessory is a device that lets you hook your in-home wiring to your cell phone so that all phones in your house can make and receive calls from the cell phone. See http://www.cellsocket.com/ . This can save the cost of a second phone line. It can be used as a primary line but you cannot use a modem or fax machine with it. The Cell Socket works only with select Nokia phones and costs about $99.

Cell Socket

Signal Reach DS100 Desk Station works with a wide variety of Cellular Phones and allows you to connect your inside wireline wiring to your cellular phone and use any wired handset to make calls on your wireless plan.

See Data Sheet for details

Professional Hands-Free Car Kits

I really like the professional hands-free kits. I installed one for my Motorola 270C and it's so nice to just stick the phone in the cradle and be able to charge it and talk on it, without fumbling with charger wires and headsets. Professional hands-free kits usually cost between $125 and $150, plus installation. If you can install a car stereo then you can install one of these kits, but you can get them installed for $100 or so. The external antenna helps reception in fringe areas. It boosted reception from four bars to five bars in my driveway.

Adding Cigarette Lighter Outlets to Your Computer

On my computer at work I installed a triple lighter outlet by cutting off the cigarette lighter plug and wiring it to the 12 volts from the computer power supply. This lets me use an inexpensive car charger, and other 12 volt car accessories, at work (colleagues often come in to use it to charge their own phones).

USB Charger

SIIG sells a selection of USB chargers for Samsung, Nokia, Motorola (two different series), and LG phones. You can get:

1) USB charger

2) USB charger and emergency charger/flashlight (3 AAA batteries)

3) USB charger, emergency charger/flashlight (3 AAA batteries) and car charger (cigarette lighter plug to USB connector for USB charger)

The USB charger is kind of nice for traveling, because the cable is lighter and smaller than carrying an AC adapter. The cigarette lighter plug that has a USB socket is kind of funny; I convinced someone in marketing that it let you read your engine computer's codes by connecting a computer to the USB socket.

Note that the one for the LG phones appears not to function, at least with the TM-510.

Cellular Amplifiers

Digital Antenna Inc. manufactures an RF linear amplifier which is useful in weak signal areas. I think it is mainly sold to boat and RV owners. Quite expensive at $300 from: http://cellantenna.com/Boosters/da4000.htm, and the antenna and cables are extra. This unit amplifies both 800Mhz and 1900Mhz.

Signal Reach SA200 Cellular Amplifier boosts 800 Mhz and 1900 Mhz signals. Can be used in a vehicle or in a building. See Data Sheet for details. Buy from Canyon River Cellular

Accessory Checklist

A good place for accessories at good prices is Canyon River Cellular at http://www.canyonriver.com/ . The Canyon River site is especially good for checking on what accessories are available for a specific phone. They do not always have the lowest prices but they carry the widest range of products and the service is exceptionally good.

Bottom Line on Phone Accessories
Ensure that the accessories you want are actually available, and buy OEM accessories whenever possible.