ATandT DECT 6 0 Black Silver Digital 4 Handset Answering System CL82409
AT&T’s DECT 6.0 Digital Dual Handset Answering System is simple to use, yet it offers innovative features such as an integrated answering machine that can be remotely accessed in case you are on vacation along with message retrieval from handsets so you don’t have to be standing directly in front of the answering machine. This ideal along with the option of expanding up to 12 handsets, so you can have a handset in every room, including the computer room with the wireless router, since it is wireless-network friendly, so you won’t experience dropped calls. Four-Handset System Clearspeak Dial-in-Base Speakerphone 50 Name/Number Phonebook Directory Any Key Answer Auto Off Call Timer Call Transfer using Intercom Conference Between an Outside Line and up to 4 Handsets English/Spanish/French Setup Menu Handset Locator Handset Volume Control Intercom Large Lighted Display Last 5 Number Redial Lighted Keypad Line Status Indication Mute On-Hook Dialing Ringer Volume Control Selectable Ringer Tones Table/Wall Mountable Wireless-Network Friendly Caller ID – 50 Name/Number Caller ID History Caller ID Displays on Handset(s) and Base Caller ID/Call Waiting Capability (subscription service may be required) Display Dial Missed Call Indicator New Call Indicator Voicemail Waiting Indicator Answering System – Call Screening/Intercept Memo Recording Message Retrieval from Handsets Message Time/Day Stamp Remote Access Up to 14 Minutes of Digital Recording Time Voice Prompts
4 Stars Good sound quality – not very ergonomic
While this model exhibits very good sound quality and range, it is not easy to hold and dial with one hand. Other phone/answering machine features are very good.
5 Stars After (Over)Researching Many, Many Models
When researching our next cordless, expandable phone system, I found that AT&T and Panasonic phones were getting the best reviews. My requirements were as follows:
1. Phone system must not interfere with my wireless network;
2. Phone base must be wall mountable;
3. Phone base must have an answering machine that would also provide an audible message alert (and a message count would also be nice);
4. Speakerphone on the handsets and base;
5. A shared, central phone book.
6. A Voicemail indicator (for phone company/VOIP voicemail);
7. A lighted number pad.
I spend about 3 weeks researching over 30 models and browsing manuals. I originally was going for a 5.8GhZ AT&T model (#E5924) that I later found was also operating on a 2.4GhZ frequency that may have interfered with my wireless network, as my current 2.4GhZ cordless does (it slightly impairs my wireless network speed). So, I scratched that model, and all the 5.8GhZ category, and decided to find a Dect 6.0 just to avoid any potential problems.
Very feature-rich were nearly all of the Panasonic models, with Talking Caller ID and ringer ID. But, how they can advertise as wall-mountable I don’t know. I checked the manuals for the models I was most interested in, and every single model mounted like a shelf. Very unappealing. And none had an audible message alert. Panasonic phones mostly have a blinking light to inform you of messages. I had an older Panasonic model years ago and always missed messages because of the lack of an audible alert. This combined with the ugly wall-mounting made me have to scratch Panasonic off of my list. Shame, because I really liked the features (Talking Caller ID, Ringer ID, Light ID, Caller ID Block).
I found many reviews touting the AT&T SL82418 Dect 6.0 system. Apparently Consumer Reports had highly rated this model and everyone ran out to buy it. It’s wall-mountability was acceptable (still not flat on the wall, but not overly extending like the shelf-like Panasonics). It’s features satisfied all of my requirements (though it did not have the bells and whistles of the Panasonics, which I still had on my mind). But — and this may seem silly — I found the phone system itself ugly. Silver and gray with black backs. Way too much going on.
Instead of looking new, to me they looked gaudy and old-fashioned. The phones themselves looked sleek and stream-lined, but AT&T’s choice of using more than 1 color on the front just ruined it (in my opinion). Amazon informed me there was a newer model out, the CL82409, which was far more attractive to me. Simple silver handsets with black backs. Base is simple silver and black also. LCD screens and back light is orangey instead of blue. I was put off by the lack of reviews on the newer model, but when I checked the manuals, found very little difference between it and the previous SL82418 model, except:
1. No headset jack;
2. You CAN check the ans. machine messages from the handsets (cannot do this on the SL82418.
3. The base does not mount as flat and is a little shorter/more compact.
So, I canceled my order for the SL82518 (a five handset system instead of 4 handsets) and placed an order for the CL82509 system. Set up was simple (after 16 hour charging).
Pros:
*I use Vonage (disconnected the incoming Telco lines and have Vonage back-fed through every phone jack in the house) and the sound is crystal clear with these phones.
*You can check the caller id log when the phone is in use (not all phone systems allow this), and the display shows the time and date always (also a rarity).
*You can listen to the answering machine messages from any handset even when the phone is in use.
*The numbers are etched through the silver on the handset buttons, and the amber light shines through them clearly. Nice for nighttime dialing;
*No interference from the microwave, or network, and all phones crystal clear from the basement to the 2nd floor.
*Very easy to save caller id entries into the shared phone book. Saves the last 50 caller id entries and 50 phone book entries.
*I have the answering machine set to 4 rings, and if I don’t answer the caller ID or the phone is busy, my Vonage voice mail will take the
message, after which the Voicemail lcd lights up on the base and there is an indicator on the handset LCD.
*When the answering machine takes a message, there is an audible beep every so often that reminds you of the message (you can disable the audible alert if this bothers you — again, I find this useful and necessary) and the base will show you how many messages you have.
*Easy to do a three-way call using the flash button.
*Intercom is easy.
*Handset speakers are nice and clear with good volume;
*This system is expandable up to 12 handsets, and the handsets themselves are decently priced.
Cons:
*No headset jack;
*No speakerphone in base (can only hear answering machine messages — not phone calls);
*Wall-mounting is not flat to the wall, extends approximately 4 inches at the bottom. Not a big deal if you have it mounted where no one will walk passed it.
*Can not assign ring tones to names in your directory. Even my old Radio Shack did that. I could almost stop thinking about the Panasonics’ Talking Caller ID if I were at least able to assign ring tones to certain names so I’d know who it was calling by the ring tone.
*Handsets feel light to me. That may be a Pro in time but still have to get used to it.
All-in-all, minor quibbles. I would recommend this system, unless you don’t care about the audible message alert and/or wall mounting, in which case I’d try a Panasonic for the neat features (Talking Caller ID, etc.).
Whatever you decide, make sure you Google the manual before buying. I found many websites gave either incorrect information regarding features or left out key features entirely.
5 Stars Look a lot better in person!!
My mom bought the old version with 6 handsets and was very happy with it!! I was going to buy the same version as hers but then I saw this one. I wasnt so sure because I was looking for something more stylish but I was very happy when the arrive!! They look so much better in person.In the picture they look bulky and almost white but that is far from the truth. The handsets are thin and very light and the color is a very nice silver. The light in the lcd display is very nice and not bright orange like in the picture. Besides the look this phone is very durable as well. I have a 17 months baby and he throw the handset on the floor all the time and it still like new!!
Uniden TRU9496 2 Line Corded Cordless Digital Answering System
With the Uniden TRU9496 5.8 GHz Digital 2-Line Expandable Phone System is the next generation of 5.8 GHz cordless phones. It’s a full-featured digital answerer, with a Dialing keypad and a speakerphone. 5.8GHz Digital Spread Spectrum Technology delivers outstanding clarity, vastly reduced interference and increased power. Advanced Call Waiting and Caller ID functions make it easier to screen and manage your calls, while the Digital Answering System makes sure you never miss a message. The other features deliver a quantum leap in phone functions. Do Not Disturb (DND) silences the phone to cut back on distractions 100 programmable CID memory locations at handset or base DirectLink Technology – 2-way radio communication Mute & Hold features Store up to 100 names, store Up to 2 numbers per name Advanced Phonebook Features – Alphabetical Search, Personalized Ringers, Transfer Single Listing or Entire Phonebook New Message Waiting Indicator at Handset & Base, plus Alert Tone Intercom or call transfer between handsets 20 ringer options – 10 melodies + 10 tones 10 Speed Dial memory locations Trilingual Menu Displays – English, French, Spanish Room/baby monitoring Earpiece & ringer volume control Ringer Off option Find Lost Handset/Paging key Extra Caller ID handset and Charger included Battery level and clock display Headset compatible for hands-free operation Belt clip included Handset Battery Type – BT-446 NiMH Power Failure Protection – In the event of a power failure, virtal information is retained and telephone calls can be made and received on line 1
3 Stars Uniden 2 line phone system – refurbished
The base station will no longer register additional handsets. I have not yet contacted the seller.
5 Stars Great Small Office Phone!
We ordered this phone for our small business. I hooked it up and began using it immediately. I think it is very intuitive and easy to use. The features are great, and it works flawlessly. I love it!
3 Stars Uniden PowerMax 5.8GHz
this is a two line phone, with extendible remotes. it comes with one remote. the outgoing audio quality of the base station desktop phone is not as good as the quality of the remote phone. indeed, although my voice is sometimes difficult to understand, friends have had significantly more difficulty understanding me when i speak into the handset of the base station, than when i use the remote. because of this problem, i would not buy this phone again.
there are all the regular bells and whistles on the base station, but some are missing on the remote. there is no redial button on the remote, so you either have to store the number you are calling or dial it again (there is a redial on the base, but it doesn’t matter when you are away from your base.)
4 Stars Nice phone, once TCX 905 registration problem was solved
Four stars because it’s new to me but so far it looks like 5 stars.
Bought the TRU9496 packaged with one TCX905 handset. Uniden says whatever 905 handsets are packaged and sold with the base are pre-registered. Something to keep in mind if you eventually intend to expand towards the max limit of 10 phones.
One week later, I purchased 2 additional TCX905 handsets, charged them for 3 days, depressed the “#” key on each new 905 and they failed to register.
Here was the solution:
1. First, remove the battery cover on your unregistered TCX905 and look under the battery to confirm that you indeed purchased a TCX905 because some Uniden handsets were packaged as 905’s but were not.
2. Take the fully charged, unregistered 905 next to the base unit TRU9496.
3. On the TRU9496 base unit press “Menu” then arrow down and select “Registration” then press OK.
4. You should get the message on the base unit screen “press the # key on the remote handset”.
5. Depress the “#” key on the unregistered 905 and it should register.
One reason I selected the TRU9496 over the Panasonic KX TG6720B was that the base unit of the Uniden is corded and will work in a power failure. Also, the documentation of the Uniden appeared to be better but download both and read them – it’s a personal choice.
I am buying another TRU9496 unit for my home.
Line1 will be the normal copper in.
Line2 will be from my desktop PC’s MagicJack device.
I’ll be free from having to make long distance phone calls tethered to my desktop (MagicJack) PC and will be able to call/answer on Line1/Line2 from anywhere I have a TCX905 remote (or carry it). I’ll be able to tell by the ring whether it’s my landline or MagicJack.
Will get back to you when my home setup is complete.
4 Stars Good unit with some limitations
Nice unit but a few odd characteristics get in the way. Why is the message retrieval switch harder to reach than the switch to turn off the answering machine. Why is the messaging capacity separate for each line? Why do you have to delete messages as they play instead of by number? The biggest negative: only 2 numbers can be stored per entry. Should allow unlimited number of tagged numbers (e.g., Home, Office, fax, Cell1, Cell2).
Panasonic KX TG6700B 5 8 Ghz Cordless Phone Two line Expandable Phone System
The Panasonic KX-TG6700B 5.8 GHz Expandable Cordless Phone System is a combination expandable cordless phone and answering machine. Its 2-line expandable phone system gives you all the call-managing options you need for your growing household or small business. The base unit comes with a single cordless handset, and you can add up to seven more cordless handsets for additional rooms. Handset and base have keypads & built-in speakerphones for added convenience. The digital answering system holds up to an hour of messages, and the 50-entry directory gives you easy access to your frequently dialed numbers. You can even do four-way conferencing between two handsets and both of the outside lines. Call Waiting Caller ID shown on handset (Requires subscription from local phone service provider) Voice Enhancer Technology adds lost frequencies back to voices Chain Dial links programmed numbers together for one-touch dialing 50-entry phone directory; 50-entry Caller ID memory Handset and base speakerphone 4-way conferencing between handset, base unit and 2 outside lines NiMH rechargeable battery — up to 5 hours of talk time per charge
5 Stars Nice phone for the money
I read through the reviews here on Amazon, but personally, I don’t have a problem with anything mentioned so far. I like the size of the handset… My last Panasonic 2-line cordless (KX-TG2480) has a huge bulky handset which, by the way, started having problems; keypad stopped working properly. I was a bit skeptical to buy another, but I like this phone and I’ve generally had good luck with Panasonic products.
Anyway, setup was a breeze. You can record different outgoing messages for each line which is nice. Outgoing message sound quality is typical…Not any worse than my Uniden at home. Speaker phone with handset or base; Keypad on base; Intercom; Check messages remotely; Conference call; Caller ID… What else do you need?
4 Stars Good, solid phone
This is the 2nd one of these I’ve bought. Works well, good range. Took some manual reading on the first one to figure out the menu system. Minor annoyance is that the ‘missed calls’ counter seems to count all calls, but I’m not sure, and it doesn’t matter to me anyway. Speakerphone on each handset works very well. Got the new one through Amazon at the same price as used ones were auctioning for on eBay.
4 Stars wish buttons and handset were bigger
I bought this phone as a replacement for a motorola MD681 cordless phone that I loved (I still have the phone but after 4 years the “6″ button is not working so well). I bought the Panasonic kx-tg6700b as it offered many of the features the my previous phone had.
Ok… here is my review of the GOOD STUFF… the phone has great range of about 400 feet in open yard area in a major city, it has light up buttons, speaker phone in the handset and very little to no interference heard while talking… even with DSL service and a filter. The dual antenna on the base does seem to provide for good coverage in all directions
Now my impression of the bad… the handset is slippery to hold by hand or on your shoulder, the voice enhancer so far seems to be a joke of a feature, the soft key buttons are hard to push with my working man’s fingers, the base does not seem to be able to be used without power or battery backup, and if you do not need this phone for a second line look for another phone as the handset is always asking you to select line 1 or line 2 (initial settings can help with this problem but not eliminate the issue) . To be honest I only use this phone for 1 phone line but I bought it because the other Panasonic phones I looked at did not have light up buttons.
The price of $55.00 (refurbished) shipping included is a very good deal for the phone, especially if you need a 2 line cordless expandable phone.
I would recommend this phone to the “right” person, but I’ll admit that I would have already returned this phone if it wasn’t for the restocking fee of 15% and return shipping costs.
Hope this helps.
4 Stars Very Satisfied
The product meets all of my expectations. It was delivered before the date promised by Amazon.
4 Stars 2 Line Phone with Answering Machine
I bought this to try it out. They are available with an accesory phone and base. I bought the single phone and was so pleased I went back and bought the accesory after the positive experience. I would tell you to price out a set sold together because its a great product and it would probaly be cheaper that way. By the way, I accidentaly clicked on 4 stars and there is no way to go back and change it to 5 stars. That is what I meant to do…..Good Luck.
