4/5
We analyze the application BrigmtonBTM11 Senior Telephone
The BTM11 model is a simple terminal and especially suitable for the elderly, designed by the Spanish company Brigmton. The telephone is characterized by its low cost and the adaptation of its keyboard and menus to the visual and motor needs of the elderly. In addition, the phone incorporates interesting functions discussed in this review that bring it closer to what can be considered a Smartphone.
Weight: 85 gr.
Dimensions: 113.20x54x13.2 mm
The phone can be purchased in many specialized and general stores and can also be purchased through various online stores. The following link shows a comparator with links to different online stores and their sale price:
https://www.idealo.es/precios/5855602/brigmton-btm-11.html
The final sale price ranges between € 22 and € 38 depending on the distributor.
In the following link you can download a simple manual on the use of the terminal:
https://www.manualpdf.es/brigmton/btm-11/manual?p=1
Warranty and support
Through the following link you can contact the product support service:
http://www.brigmton-sonfer.es/sat.php
The warranty for the product is 2 years.
September 2019
Buttons and physical appearance
The first thing that we can highlight, as expected in a terminal designed for the elderly, is that the terminal has large keys, with a high contrast and relief that allows their differentiation.
The screen could be slightly larger to allow the font size to be increased. In any case, it should be noted that the manufacturer's priority seems to have been to incorporate a fairly large keyboard in a phone size that is very practical.
Menu and texts
The menu is not extremely complicated but the handling of some functionalities within the submenus can be a bit complex, especially due to the numerous options.
A very useful option within the configuration allows us to deactivate functionalities and eliminate that icon from the functionalities menu, being able to deactivate the organizer, the multimedia area or the messages. This allows us to simplify the phone if we want to do without some accessories.
SOS button
The SOS button, which has already become a function included in many of the terminals for the elderly, in this case offers high reliability with a good surface to press.
It is important to know that if the phone is set to silent profile there will not be an alert tone when the SOS button is pressed, but it does send SMS and make a call.
Calls and SMS
The keyboard has two dialing keys M1 and M2 to memorize frequent numbers that are called by a continuous press. In addition, frequent numbers can also be associated with the digit keys on the telephone's numeric keypad.
Calls have a high selectable volume, which at its maximum corresponds to hands-free functionality.
What we miss a lot is that there is no side button for volume control.
As there are no specific buttons for the volume control, in the end alternatives are sought with the rest of the keyboard but in a complex way since for each functionality the control is implemented in a different way. For example, in music playback the volume is controlled with the * and # buttons on the numeric keypad, during a call it can be controlled with the central up and down buttons ...
The SMS functionality is uncomplicated.
Camera
The phone incorporates a camera that is used to take basic photos without high resolution.
The camera itself can be used as a magnifying glass focusing on the desired object or text.
Manual
The manual included in the box has a very small print and does not summarize all the functionalities.
There is an online version of this manual that can be downloaded at the following link:
https://www.manualpdf.es/brigmton/btm-11/manual?p=1
FM radio and audio playback
The phone incorporates FM Radio. The radio tunes well and sounds good, but once activated it is difficult to turn off and control its volume.
The phone has an audio player within the multimedia menu.
It is important to bear in mind that if you are in silent mode it is not possible to listen to the radio or mp3.
Although we have not gotten to test them, it is possible to use headphones with a micro USB connection. In addition, it is possible to incorporate Bluetooth headphones.
Charging base
The charging base is a very useful accessory in terminals designed for the elderly as it simplifies the process and allows you to always have a place at hand where you can place the terminal when you are at home.
In this case, the base fits quite well, although it is always important to make sure that it is charging by means of the message that appears on the screen.
Battery
The battery has a capacity of 700 mAh that in standby mode consumes very little which means that it does not have to be charged too frequently, reaching autonomies of up to 10 days, however this autonomy is reduced to about 5 hours at full operation.
Additional storage
The terminal has the possibility of incorporating an SD card. This option is necessary if you want to use the terminal to take photos frequently, store music in mp3 or use the voice recording function available on call.
Connectivity
The terminal has Bluetooth 3.0 but does not have Wi-Fi or 3G connectivity.
Call coverage has been good during the tests carried out.
Flashlight, calendar, alarm and calculator
The phone incorporates an LED flashlight that can be activated from a side switch in a simple way.
The calendar, alarm and calculator functions do not present excessive complications in use and are very useful.
Accessibility
The contrast and size in keys is good for people with vision difficulties. In a way, the menus incorporate this contrast and size, but they do not allow its adaptation and configuration.
It does not have a screen reader.
It does not have HAC hearing aid compatibility.
Conclusion
The Brigmton BTM11 phone has a good quality / price / functionality ratio.
The use is quite simple especially in the physical part referring to the keyboard, although it can be complicated in the internal menus.
The phone includes a wide variety of interesting features such as the SOS button, FM radio, flashlight, alarm or calculator among others.
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This terminal has been tested in a workshop in which a group of older people were able to interact with it and contribute their opinions, which are reflected below.
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