Digitone ProSeries Call Blocker

I researched every device on the market and this is the only device that I thought had all the functionality needed to deal with Robodialers and their techniques. The Digitone was the only device I could find that allowed me to implement a good strategy because it has the ability to block area codes and exchanges. It also allows overrides to those blocks with a whitelist/Invite caller list. I have a Fiber optic line, but not an IP phone. Everything works as advertised, and as expected.Interface is Complex: It is true that you need to keep the manual close by, and if you want a simple interface, look elsewhere. I found this very simple to use. The manual is very clear. Just spend some time going through it, and the question and answers here on Amazon, and you should be fine.I also created a cheat sheet for entering codes.Simple: What is simple is quick, easy blocking and invites. You simply scroll the caller ID list and press a button. Or, from any remote phone, press the following: *1# to invite/whitelist, *3# to add to VIP list, *2# to add to block list.Limitations:--Lack of an easy interface to program--Only 50 VIP numbers--Only 50 Invite numbers--No telemarketing screening (E.g., press 1 if you are not a telemarketer)--No ability to send to voicemailMy strategy for using the Digitone:1st Line of DefenseFirst, it is a good idea to check with your telephone company to see what they have in the way of first line of defense. Mine has the ability to already block private/caller ID calls, and gives them a message that we don't receive private calls, and then instructs them to disable it and try again. That's better than just blocking them like the Digitone does.My phone company also has a telemarketer screen service that makes the caller press 1 to continue. I don't have that enabled yet, but may do so. It is also possible to use Digitone in conjunction of a call screening device. You hook up the screening device first, then the Digitone, and then your phone system. I think the Digitone needs a built-in screening like some other devices.2nd Line of DefenseI analyzed the pattern of the calls that I was receiving. If your's is out of control, and are mostly from one area code and exchange, you can block those easily with the Digitone. I also immediately blocked my own phone number. There is no way for me to call myself, so I easily blocked that spoof technique. Since I don't get any telemarketers from my family's area code, I was able to add that entire area code into my Invite list. That is an awesome feature. A major deficiency is that you can block 1000 numbers but only Invite 50 and VIP 50.Eventually, I will convert a lot of my contacts to the cell phone to compensate for the limitations of the invite list. And then use the "Select Mode". Then ONLY my invite/VIPs will get through.In summary, the Digitone had the most functionality that I needed. Blocking or whitelisting area code and exchanges is huge to me. If they take care of the limitations, it will be a much more powerful device.

Recently there had been a dramatic increase in the amount of scam calls. These aren't just robo calls by a machine these were calls with a sad excuse for a human saying that I had called them amount home repair or this or that etc. etc. etc. Of course these were all lies I tell you lies! It became a real nuisance and was very aggravating. All these bogus calls all hours multiple times a day every freaking day!It had to stop. So I searched and after a bit of research decided on this Digitone ProSeries.Amazing does not do justice to describe this product. Keep in mind, you will need to read the directions and follow them to add your 'safe' numbers and to understand operation. Other than that, the most difficult part of installation for me was crawling under the desk to get things plugged into the phone jack.And then I waited. First one day, then a second. After the third day I began to wonder if it was going to work. I stopped counting and then it happened. The phone rang. Yet another 'Out of Area' call. And then silence. One ring and the bogus call was blocked. If not for the blessed silence there would have been bells ringing so much joy abounded.Since that first block it works beautifully. I don't think any real calls have been blocked. I can easily view calls that have come in on the display. I know that if someone who knows me needed to reach me and was blocked they would call my call and say, "Hey, your phone hung up on me. What gives?" As that as not happened, I am confident no legitimate calls have been blocked.I almost look forward to a scammer calling now. Frequently there's not even the single ring.I had to refer to the instruction booklet for proper way to delete a number from the call history without deleting the whole call history, as well as how to add a number to the VIP list. I would probably need to refer to it if I needed to manually block a call that was incoming.It's not THAT complicated but just need a reminder until more familiar. Some functions have you hold button for 2 seconds, other you wait for prompt. However, it works so seamlessly I really don't need to do a thing. It just blocks blocks blocks all those horrible calls.Peace is once again restored to my home as I am not interrupted, nor is my time wasted, explaining to a soulless jerk that, no, I didn't call them for an estimate, etc. etc.The only problem is I can no longer come up with clever ways to combat the phone scammers over the phoneScammer -- "I'm following up on your call last week about home repair!"Me -- 'No you're not. I live in a car, I didn't call anyone about home repairs.'Scammer -- "Hello we're checking on the work you wanted done on your house."Me -- 'Well, you guys took too long to call me back. I had someone else do it.'If I ever miss it too much, I can always pick up the phone. I was expecting a special delivery and you never know what number the driver is using so I did pick up a call the other day thinking it might be them. When it turned out to be another scammer I just repeated expletives at them repeatedly and then hung up. SO nice not to have that in my day now.I love my Digitone ProSeries Blocker and even enjoy some lovely toasted sliced bread now and then while watching it's blinking red light.If you are like so many who have been inundated with these calls, this device is well worth the cost. Almost weekly there's a new news feature on the problem. So I know I'm not alone. Thank you Digitone!

So far it's fine, not blocking calls I want. No screws were included for the wall mount, but fortunately I had hundreds in the junk drawer. Set up was easy, it was plug and play except that it delays things just enough that my Panasonic XK-TGA... phone could not pick up in time to answer, rather my providers voice mail (which I don't use would pick up instead). I just changed my local voice mail to pick up on 3 rings and that does the trick. My phones ability to announce the caller id worked fine running in series with the Digitone first in line. I will update if I have troubles with it giving false blocks but so far so good.Edit: I'm downgrading to 4 stars. The unit has continued to block most calls and forwarding through ones I want, but has some difficulties getting at least part of the CIDs through to my phone... which I wouldn't care about if I could block the very few spam calls I do get. But the user interface is so poor that I can't figure it out (short of reading the manual which I will not be doing because I most likely would not be able to understand what it says). As an example, I get a spam call, answer it, then walk to the unit and press Block. That does nothing, except, if you hold it down long enough, it clears the CID list on unit. Hmmm? It's pretty easy to design something intuitive, so I'm not sure how they could get it SOOOO wrong. It also has an Invite button, quite baffling in the context of the function of this device. Still good device, but pressing a block is all I can ever imagine needing to interact with the thing for, and block doesn't block. I am aware that there is a sequence that could get it to do a block, but that isn't intuitive. A device this trivial should be completely intuitive with just looking at the front panel... for the price.