Reviews (4)

A waste of money
Most new dedicated fax machines will direct a call to itself or to the phone/answering machine. EVERY answering machine will let you plug the phone into it to take a call. A waste of money for anyone who doesn't have an ancient fax machine they don't want to upgrade.

An ingenious device!
This device works perfectly! It has many features and modes of operation but here is how I set mine up for basic use: I connect my incoming phone line to the input port, my answering maching w/phone to the TAD port, and my fax machine to the fax port. When a call comes in the Comswitch "picks up" the call on the first ring and listens momentarily for a fax tone. If there is a tone it immediately switches the call to the fax machine and then transmission begins, if it is a voice call it immediately switches to my anwering maching which then begins ringing, working as it usually does with any incoming call. For my answering machine connection, the only difference from before the Comswitch is that there is one addtional ring before the call actually starts to ring on the anwering machine. However, all of this is invisible to the caller. It also is supposed to work with voice mail systems too.

A great device.
I've got a Canon D680 Fax/Printer on a dedicated phone line. I wanted to utilize this underused phone number as an "info line" for my business with an out-going message on an answering machine. Even though the Canon has some setting for a tel/fax, I was unable to get the answering machine to work with the Canon by direcly connecting the two. Furthermore the Canon instructions said something about you needing to make your outgoing message very short, which I don't want to do.

Enter the ComSwitch 5500.

Plug your hot phone line into the back of the 5500, plug in your answering machine, plug in your fax machine, plug the power into the wall and presto --- it worked perfectly immediately without any tweeking!

Every call routes automatically & correctly to either my fax machine OR to my phone answering machine. The caller can't really discern any switching going on. It's very impressive, and quick.

It comes preprogrammed. If you need to make some changes to it the instructions talk about this but since I didn't need to I didn't even bother reading the instructions.

I recommend the ComSwitch 5500.

A good device that fulfills a necessary function
If you don't want to pay for a separate phone line dedicated to your fax machine, this is an excellent solution. It separates out fax calls from voice calls and routes each type to the appropriate device. All you have to do is plug it into your phone line and them plug the fax machine and telephone into their separate ports in the Comswitch. This item is also nicely priced at $... and is probably tax-deductible if you're using it for business. A cimple and elegant solution. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

Isssssssssssssss great !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
This product is great for people that need a great pager i mean its the best!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! ... Read more

Reviews (1)

great!
I've had this for quite a while, and love it. Not a problem -- it's become invisible. And I'm looking to buy another. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

"It doesn't work"
In my case, it was a total waste of money...."It doesn't work" After numerous calls to Command support and sending unit back for bench chk, problem was not rectified with no solution from manufacture...It will not auto switch to fax when online, which is the main reason for purchase."Doesn't work as advertised" It went into the garbage. ... Read more

Features

• Internet call waiting device
• Answer or transfer to voicemail
• Automatically disconnects current call if required
• Caller ID with call waiting service required
• 1-year warranty

Reviews (10)

A "Must Have" for Dial-up Users with Only One Phone Line
The HC4000 is very easy to use. I received mine today and had it hooked up in just a few minutes. I have been using an Emerson Swithboard but found it very unreliable. It was missing too many calls. With the Hot Call, I know who is calling and can choose to take the call or ignore it. I have been testing it with my cell phone and so far it has not failed to recognize that I am receiving another call. You must have Call Waiting with Caller ID for the HC4000 to work. The first unit I received had a defective modem board and had to be returned, it is working great! If you have dial-up service with only one phone line, I would highly recommend the Hot Call 4000. You won't have to miss those important calls anymore!

Couldn't be any simpler or better!
I finally upgraded from the Hotcall 3000 to this new 4000 model and it's made a major difference in the way I can be online now. I was happy with the old unit but never knew if I should pick up the phone and lose my connection (especially if I was playing an online game, knowing it'd be over if I picked up).

Now I can see who's actually calling and decide if it's worth picking up, but more importantly I know who it was, so I can always call them back later. Very nice, as simple as hooking up an answering machine, and the loud ring is less annoying than the older units as well :)

I haven't had any problems at all with getting calls, missing calls, or anything else mentioned. As with any strange electronics device, I'd have to say half of the blame of malfuction (unless it's a defective unit) is going to be the fault of the user and the setup they've created for it. But hey, I've got TWO phones (with a jack splitter, in case you're wondering) and an answering machine hooked into mine, and it still works flawlessly. I don't know how to make it NOT work :)

Unsatisfied Customer
Purchased unit new (at least it was said to be ).
There were many features on the device that didn't work at all, worked improperly or functioned intermittently.
The unit also appeared to have used and returned by a previous customer. There were about 20 calls stored on the caller ID log; and the LCD plastic film protector had already been peeled off and was stuck to the side of the box.

Simply doesn't work.
I got this for my father as a gift. It occasionally works for a call or two, then just stops. Sometimes it messes up the dial up connection; sometimes it doesn't let you call out. Sometimes it picks up the call; sometimes it doesn't. We've tried a second one...no luck. It sounds so simple, but it just doesn't work.

I need help
I received a hotcall 4000 from e bay it is suppose to
be a new one, I have it hooked up ,but doesn"t work,
I have no instructions , so think I am not doing something
that I should. Can you help me

Do I have to add a number to my phone number?
Hope for some help sis@bright.net ... Read more

Product Description

The ComSwitch 7500 automatically routes calls to 4 devices on 1 or 2 phone lines for both voice and data calls, saving you the expense of additional dedicated telephone lines. Most folks connect a phone, answering machine, fax machine, and modem, but you can also share the line with other devices. ComSwitch listens in for a fax or modem tone, and directs the call to the appropriate device. You can set your priority between voice or data and ComSwitch will route the call accordingly. It works with both 1- and 2-line phones, and is compatible with DSL, Distinctive Ringing, phone-company voice mail, and Caller ID. ComSwitch also allows you to use your fax machine as a scanner. Push one button and it tells your fax machine to send images directly to the fax/modem in your PC. Reverse the process and you can use your fax machine as a printer. You dont have to load any software to use this feature and it will work with virtually any communications program you have. Remote message notification alerts you to voice, fax, and data activity while you're away. ... Read more

Features

• ComSwitch 7500 Automatic Telephone Line Sharing System/Fax Switch
• Automatic switching for 4 devices allows you to share a single phone line, works with 1 or 2 line phones
• Compatible with DSL, Distinctive Ringing, phone-company voice mail, and Caller ID
• Remote message notification alerts you to voice, fax, and data activity while you're away
• Allows you to use your fax machine as a scanner or printer at the push of a button

Product Description

The Command Communications VP-201 Tone or Vibrating Pager allows you to receive messages up to 2 miles away. It stores the last 8 codes received. This pager features tone or vibrate alert, a bright, numeric LED display for coded messages numbered 0 9. A message code window allows you to write what each code means on every pager. It has user-programmable frequency assignment, battery OK indicator, uses 2 AAA batteries (included) and has a convenient holster-style belt clip. The VP-200 vibrating pager is used with the Command Communications PS2000 transmitter base. ... Read more

Features

• VP-201 tone and vibrating pager message range up to two miles away, stores last eight codes received
• Numeric LED display for coded messages numbered 0 - 9, user-programmable frequency assignment
• Battery OK indicator , uses two AAA batteries (not included)
• Convenient holster-style belt clip
• Used with Command Communications PS2000 transmitter base

Amazon.com Product Description

HotCall 3000 Plus lets you identify the caller before you interrupt your Internet session. How? Using call waiting caller ID (if provided by the phone company), HotCall monitors your phone for incoming calls while you're online. A flashing light and ring will alert you when someone is attempting to call.

When HotCall is activated, you can decide what to do with the call: You can take the call, and HotCall will automatically terminate your modem connection. You can find out if the call is urgent, and in most cases HotCall will maintain your modem connection for several seconds, allowing you to resume your Internet use. Or, if you wish, the caller can leave a message with voice mail if it is provided by the phone company.

End continuous busy signals by using your modem without disabling call waiting. HotCall is compatible with the phone company's voice mail, so callers can leave messages while you're online. HotCall is easy to install--simply connect each device and plug it into an AC outlet.

HotCall is designed and manufactured by Command Communications, the inventor of the original fax switch. ... Read more

Features

• Lets you surf the Web or accept incoming calls or faxes on one phone line
• Works with call waiting, supports voice mail
• Supports caller ID passthrough with add-on caller ID unit
• Indicator light and audible incoming-call notification
• Simple to use, no software to learn

Reviews (5)

Old, possibly outdated, but DEFINITELY not obsolete
I bought an HC3000 a few years ago, and I've never been online without it since then. there are a few kinks to it, but they most often stem from your telephone and internet provider or settings.

It always perfectly rings twice (and only twice...LOUDLY!) when someone is calling while online. It slows my connection for about 5 seconds during the ringing, but it's nothing to gripe about, you can only expect so much from a phone line at once. If you choose to answer it and talk for more than a few seconds you will lose your internet connection, but it does its job perfectly when it comes to not missing a call.

The only drawback (lost a star for this) is the lack of Call-Waiting-ID support it's supposed to have. I could never get it to show with the external box I bought, and the phone I have connected has CWCID as well. I'll be upgrading to the 4000 model with the built-in display box and see if that works with my setup.

compared to not having one of these, having to choose betweeen either disabling call waiting and giving every caller "the busy signal" or getting kicked offline when anyone calls, this is an essential accessory for any dial-up user.

BTW: The only difference between the 2000 and 3000 model is the added optional Call-Waiting Caller-ID feature of the 3K, and the color of the unit. both of them were sold at the same time, but the 3K was a bit more expensive than the 2K.

Great Idea!
We've used the HotCall box for several years now & wouldn't be without it! Granted there are a few improvements that could be made (the ringer is LOUD with no volume control & only the phone connected to the box can answer, so if you're in another room R-U-N), but overall this product has served us well. Only occasionally am I knocked offline even after hanging up from an answered call within the 10 seconds allotted. I think that problem stems more from the telemarketer on the other line NOT disconnecting right away rather than from the HotCall box not reestablishing my web connection. We are constantly telling people about the box after getting a busy signal while they've been on the web. It's certainly worth the money we paid for it & cost us a lot less than a 2nd 'internet dedicated' phone line would run a month!

Waste of Time
I ended up returning this item because after many, many calls to tech support and numerous calls to my phone company, it was finally determined that my win modem wasn't compatible with this product...bummer!

Just get another phone line!!!!!!!!
I purchased this product and have had nothing but problems. The first one I bought was no good had to return it. The second one allowed me to answer my phone but wouldnt display the name. After about 20 calls to customer support, the tech. told me that my win modem was not compatible with the hc3000. This was after having to search for the proper ID box, Putting my phone company through the ringer and a couple trips to the store. Just put a second phone line in the house you are better off. Unless you dont mind putting an older slower modem in your CPU, and paying well beyond an above what you expected to.

Sometimes it's not so Hot
The Hotcall 3000 is useful to me,I like its compact size and always picks up the calls when I'm online. However sometimes it rings for no reason, and when I pick up the phone I only get the chance to say "Hello" and I get disconnected, I was under the impression that I'd stay connected for more than 10 seconds, but I was wrong. It's not all bad though, I always know who's calling me, and have the option to answer. That's why I got it in the first place. ... Read more

Product Description

Get the most out of your telephone line with the ComSwitch 5500! The CS5500 lets you connect up to 3 devices -- usually a telephone, answering machine, fax, or modem -- to a single telephone line. And when you add a 2nd or 3rd phone number to your single line, the Distinctive Ring Mode enables the CS5500 to recognize specific ring patterns assigned to your different phone numbers and route calls to the right device. Plus, you can still use voice mail and Caller ID features! ... Read more

Features

• Lets up to three devices share a single phone line
• Distinctive Ring mode routes calls to the right device
• Works with voice messaging from the phone company & caller ID service (requires service activation)
• Works with one or two telephone lines
• Manual fax transfer using your phone's keypad

Product Description

The Command Communications VP-200 Vibrating Pager allows you to receive messages up to 2 miles away. It stores the last 8 codes received. This vibrating pager features a bright, numeric LED display for coded messages numbered 0 9. A message code window allows you to write what each code means on every pager. It has user-programmable frequency assignment, battery OK indicator, uses 2 AAA batteries (included) and has a convenient holster-style belt clip. The VP-200 vibrating pager is used with the Command Communications PS2000 transmitter base. ... Read more

Features

• VP-200 vibrating pager receives messages up to two miles away, stores last eight codes received
• Numeric LED display for coded messages numbered 0 - 9, user-programmable frequency assignment
• Battery OK indicator , uses two AAA batteries (not included)
• Convenient holster-style belt clip
• Used with Command Communications PS2000 transmitter base