HomeElectronicsPhonesGeneral Electric Corded Speakerphone & Answering Machine (Model 29586GE1-A)
Opinion Summary
The Best Surviving Exemplar of an Endangered Species?
by henry_thoreau | Jul 01 '08
Pros: Large, pivoting LCD display. Legible, oversized keys. Stylishness! Too many excellent features to summarize here.
Cons: Two consecutive “lemons" compelled me to back away from this appealing-but-unreliable "white" GE model.

Return to opinion


OVERALL RATING
Product Rating: 2.0



Have something to say?
Write your own comment on this review!
Comments on The Best Surviving Exemplar of an Endangered Species?" (8 total)  
  Comment Sorted by
Date Written
Re: The white model (Reply to this comment)
by henry_thoreau
That "ans on/off" button means "answerer: on or off." In other words, tap it once and you'll turn the answering machine on (or off); tap it again, and you'll reverse that function. You should hear audible confirmation of that function from the "female" voice; moreover, you should see visual confirmation on the LCD display.

Anyway, glad your white specimen's (evidently) a keeper. My black version also continues to work fine.

Mike
Mar 25 '10
7:07 am PDT

The white model (Reply to this comment)
by dabbler1
The review was very helpful. Notwithstanding the reviewer's bad experience, the phone was otherwise so attractive that I decided to risk buying one and, for esthetic reasons, I took a chance on the white model. I have had it for about 2 months and have had no problems. So far, it looks like a good choice.

Puzzle:
In the column of buttons along the right edge, there is one labeled "ans on/off." Apart from identifying it on a picture of the phone, the manual, as far as I can find, makes no mention of the button or its function. I haven't taken the time to experiment. Anyone know?
Mar 24 '10
7:04 pm PDT

Re: ------------------- (Reply to this comment)
by henry_thoreau
Thanks for the compliment! Nice to hear that this review pleased you.

Mike
Jul 06 '08
4:27 am PDT

------------------- (Reply to this comment)
by jsommersby
Simply bravura review. One of the most thorough and enjoyable pieces I've read in a while. Keep it up!
Jul 05 '08
4:52 pm PDT

Re: Great Review! (Reply to this comment)
by henry_thoreau
Paul, my sincere appreciation of your compliment is even greater when I recall the many outstanding reviews of telephones that you yourself have published!

Thanks for stopping by, and all my best wishes!

Mike
Jul 03 '08
7:53 pm PDT

Great Review! (Reply to this comment)
by telecomman
Very well done indeed!
Jul 03 '08
3:52 pm PDT

Re: This is about as thorough as they come, Thoreau! (Reply to this comment)
by henry_thoreau
Hmmm, I'll be giving your suggestion all due consideration. ;-) [But, hey, Diana, you're always welcome!]

Thanks for stopping by, and I hope you're having fun this evening.

Mike

P.S.: "Teehee" indeed! ;-)
Jul 01 '08
6:33 pm PDT

This is about as thorough as they come, Thoreau! (Reply to this comment)
by dianapinions
Just one comment, though. You said the following:

"... I finally recorded an announcement that sounds virtually, if not fully, as clear and dynamic as what you'd expect from a top-of-the-line answering machine."

In the spirit of making your review as Helpful as humanly possible, don't you think you should include your phone number, so all of your readers could easily verify your statement above! Teehee!

Diana
Jul 01 '08
6:10 pm PDT