(The latest version of the KX-TD308 is dash three. The latest version of the KX-TA624 is dash three.)

The dash refers to the way model numbers are printed, such as "KX-TD816-4." The actual products are usually identified with a number in a circle on the bottom of the unit, either on the serial number plate, or on a separate sticker attached nearby.

Here's what's new:

• KX-TD187 T1 Circuit module (for KX-TD1232-4 only). Allows connection of a 1232 system to a digital T1 trunk, providing up to 24 voice channels. It can support any of these line types: loop start, ground start, TIE, 2-Way DID, OPX. In twin cabinet systems it must be installed in the master. When a 187 is installed, you can't have a TD180, TD185, TD284, TD382, TD384 or TD386 module in either cabinet. The eight original CO line circuits in the slave cabinet can not be used. The eight CO circuits in the master, when used with the T1 module, can provide 32 CO lines, as compared to a maximum of 24 lines in a twin system without T1. The TD187 must be connected to the phone company circuits with a Channel Service Unit ("CSU"), purchased separately. AbleComm price for the KX-TD187 is $1362, with FREE "ground" shipping in the US. The CSU costs $496, also with free shipping. 
• KX-TD198 Remote Access module (for KX-TD816-4). Provides remote programming and diagnostics. It mounts on the front of the cabinet, and can be sandwiched between the cabinet and a circuit mule (KX-TD170, 171, 180 or 185). AbleComm price for the KX-TD198 is $338, with FREE "ground" shipping in the US.
• TAPI 2.1 Compliance. The new 816 and 1232 conform to Microsoft's "TAPI 2.1" standard for Computer Telephone Integration. Previous generations used the "TSAPI" standard from ATT and Novell.
• Lunch/Break Mode.  Previous generations of these systems provided ringing patterns and other features based on night or day. The dash-fours have a third type of setting for lunchtime or other breaks from the normal schedule, and can be activated either manually of automatically. More about this later.
• Multiple Message Waiting Lamps. IMPORTANT STUFF. You can now have more than one message waiting light/button on a single proprietary phone, and several phones can have light/buttons for the same mail box. Additionally, phantom extensions can have message waiting light/buttons. A maximum of 128 light/buttons can be set up in a system.
• Voice Mail Port Name Display. Your phones can display a name with up to ten characters to let you know which port a call is coming from. This could be useful if you have different ports for business and personal use, or for multiple businesses sharing a system.
• Selectable Flashing or Steady FWD/DND light. Lots of people HATE the flashing FWD/DND button on their phone, and shut it off and lose system functions. With the dash four revision, you can select steady or flashing for DND and for FWD. I'd like to have a flashing message-waiting light -- the steady light is too easy to ignore.
• All phones in a group can leave it. It's now possible for all phones in a hunting group, UCD group, ring group or phantom extension group to log out of the group.
• Restricted flexible button programming. You can now stop people from changing the functions of their flexible buttons, by Class of Service.
• Call Forwarding setup with software. Call Forwarding can now be set using PC software, instead of having to program at each individual phone.
• Variable Forward/No Answer time. Each phone can now be set to have its own time to forward un-answered calls, with one to 12 rings before forwarding.
• Beep On Hold. Previously, callers who were put on hold would hear either silence, or music or messages fed into the system. Now you can have a periodic beep. It's boring, but reassuring. What we really need are multiple inputs that can be assigned to different lines.
• TVS50 LCS Display change. The dash fours will display Caller ID info for Live Call Screening in hands-free mode and private mode, with the KX-TVS50 voice processing system.

NOTE: A dash four can be used only with another dash four in a twin-cabinet ("tandem") system. A dash two or dash three can be upgraded to dash four with a chipset change.

The dash fours are supplied with a hernia-inducing stack of books weighing over 6 pounds -- more than the weight of a KX-TD308. Here's what you get: A 367-page "programming guide" - like part of the previous installation manuals. A 289-page "features guide," similar to the user manuals supplied with the the previous systems. A 27-page "installation manual addendum," covering features introduced in the dash three systems. It appears that the same material is in the "programming guide," so this book is probably superfluous, redundant, repetitive and unnecessary. A 400-and-something-page "user manual," which seems to be the same one supplied with the dash threes, and does not include dash four features. So...it's likely inadequate as well as superfluous, redundant, repetitive and unnecessary. A 155-page "installation manual," which may be eliminated after the first few months of production.

PRICES for the dash fours are the same as the dash three systems.

Call 1 888 ABLE 999 or ORDER ONLINE .