Nice, but not there yet.
Written: Jul 07 '02 (Updated Jul 09 '02)
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Product Rating:
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Pros: Inexpensive, full-duplex speakerphone in handsets, system works during power outage!
Cons: Inconsistent reception, no central directory, can't name extensions, tiny "soft" button descriptions
The Bottom Line: A good multi-extension choice today. (Cheap enough to be disposable.) But be prepared for some problems and don't expect ANY wireless system to last more than two years.
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| hodgess_99's Full Review: Vtech VT 2461 2.4 GHz 1-Line Cordless Phone |
I bought the Vtech system (base and three remotes) to replace a fragile and failing Siemens gigaset 2400 system. The Vtech system has a few nice features, but it is still plagued by some of the problems of the Siemens system and it lacks a few really necessary features.
The two big features that this system has are a battery backup (with the purchase of an extra battery) so the system works when the power is out, and a speakerphone on every handset. Another nice feature is the ability to save caller ID info and number directly into the local phone's directory. (Note: It appears that the ATT, Panasonic and Vtech phone systems all use the same electronics, so you'll see these features, and probably problems, from all three vendors.)
But there are a few real inconveniences. The biggest is that you have to program each handset's directory individually. There is no central directory or way to download from one phone to another like in Siemens. Another is that you can't name the phones. Some systems allow the phones to be named so that you can just page "the kitchen" or "Jane's Room". Not so with this set. You have to remember which handset lives in which room and hope they don't get switched. Also, the soft key descriptions are very small, so it is difficult to see if a button is "menu" or "mem". And if you are used to a wireless phone that immediately goes off-hook when you pick it up, forget it. For this one, you have to pick it up, then press "On".
And another real annoyance is a message that tells you how many calls you've missed. It displays on each phone (often with a different number of missed calls on each phone) and there is no way to turn it off. The list of shortcomings goes on....
About performance:
In general, the system works well, but in the few weeks I've had it, I've noticed some pretty odd behavior. For example, if you happen to pick up an incomming call at exactly the same time as somebody else (with another Vtech), you can't hear the caller. The phones can't negotiate a clear channel. About 10% of the time when dialing out, the phone does the same thing. It dials and the other person can pick up, but you can't hear anything. This could be because I have other 2.4g phones in the house, or because I have a motion sensing security system. Whatever the reason, it is inexcusable that Vtech/ATT/Panisonic can't come up with a flexible enough system to deal with the wide range of electronic devices likely to be in use in the average home.
As far as 2.4g multi-handset systems go, though, this one is still one of the best available right now. I recommend that you buy one, take it home, test in your house and be prepared to take the whole thing back to the store within a week or so if there are too many problems. Your other option is to wait until somebody comes out with a third generation system that has more features and isn't as finicky.
Recommended:
No
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Epinions.com ID:
hodgess_99
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Reviews written: 2
Trusted by: 0 members
About Me:
IT executive with 20 years of hardware, software, telecommunications and technology experience.
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