A feature-rich, easy to use, cordless phone system
Written: Nov 04 '08
Product Rating:
Pros: New DECT6 technology reduces wireless interference. Feature-rich, easy to use. No need for phonejacks everywhere.
Cons: ringer volume on handsets is pretty quiet even on loudest setting.
The Bottom Line: Except for the ringer volume issue, this is a well-made, sophisticated, easy to use, expandable, wi-fi friendly, cordless phone system.
With our current cordless phones going on 8 years old, the batteries failing, and tied to places with phone jacks, we decided to buy a new cordless phone system. I say system because many of the options available these days are so much more sophisticated than the older cordless models they replace. The Uniden 2085 is a good example of this.
The 2085 consists of a base which has a handset, speakerphone, and the answering machine. This is the only item that needs to be plugged into a phone jack--the other handsets only need an electrical outlet. The 2085 has two additional handsets included. Up to 6 handsets total can be connected to one base so the system is expandable and, as I found out, easily so. The base has a clear, backlit display that shows number of messages, caller ID information and other tidbits. Answering machine use is simple and pretty clear sound-wise. You can program numbers and names into a phonebook on the base or handsets and those entries can be separate or shared between the base and the handsets.
Setup was simple. Unpack everything. Install battery packs. Plug in base to outlet and phone jack. Plug in handset cradles into outlets. Place handsets in cradles and allow to charge for around 15 hrs. Handsets automatically "register" that is to say connect with the base. This process of registering allows the handsets to communicate with the base and enables some of the more advanced features which I'll discuss in a bit.
The phones work as expected--no great surprises here. Sound quality is good and the new DECT6 technology theoretically reduces interference from Wifi or related technologies. It also increases security and battery life. The handsets are small and light--we'll see how they hold up to daily household abuse, but they don't seem overly fragile. One consequence of their small size is that they can't really be cradled between the neck and head like some people do. The handsets all have a speakerphone feature however and it works pretty well. The handsets numbers are backlit and the screen lights up when a call comes in. A small LED flashes when there is a message on the base.
Again the phones work fine as phones, better than the older ones they replace. The system however is a huge step forward. One feature I really like is that you can listen to messages from any handset. If I'm upstairs and don't feel like answering the phone, but want to hear they message that was just left all I have to do is press a single button on the handset in my office. I can also transfer calls between handsets so if I pick up the phone and someone wants to talk with my wife, I don't have to yell for her to pick up, I can just transfer the call to her at any handset. The intercom system works similarly--you can speak to any or all the handsets. You can also name the handsets so when you go to transfer or use the intercom you don't have to remember that #1 is the kitchen, #2 the living room etc. The menu, after you easily enter then names wanted on the individual handsets, simply lists kitchen, bedroom, etc.
When I bought the 2085 I also bought a Uniden WXI2077 which is a ruggedized base and handset, waterproof, dustproof, etc. This is a separate system which can also be expanded. I thought it would just be a separate phone but it turns out to be completely compatible with the 2085. The handset for the 2077 can just be registered to the 2085 base and act like any other satelite handset so I can use the intercom or message retrieval functions. Registering took roughly two minutes--a couple of button pushes on the base and the handset and it was done. The handsets can be set to find multiple bases--useful if you have a big house or an out building of some sort. Calls can't move between bases, but you could carry a handset with you around and it will work anywhere within range of that particular base.
The 2085 system has a pleasant, elegant tech look to it. The backlights on the base and handsets is orange.
With remote message retrieval, phonebooks sharing, transfer and intercom features the Uniden 2085 is a pretty sophisticated though easy to use system. Additional handsets can be purchased and added pretty easily. Red and blue accented handsets can be bought to add customization or just for looks and weatherproof handsets are also available (though I found it just as easy and cheaper to buy the separate compatible phone).
What's not to love about the Uniden 2085? Well, one main thing. The ringer, even on the loudest setting, is truthfully pretty quiet--like "wow, what an odd choice by Uniden" quiet. It is true that some of the ringers are more piercing than others and so seem louder, but still this was not a good choice on Uniden's part. The base can be set to be pretty loud and so compensate some. Whether this is a deal-breaker depends on personal preference and environment. If you always have loud music going or the TV is always on then the 2085 might not be loud enough--hard to tell until you try.
There are also relatively few choices for ringers (though each handset can be configured independently and phone book entries can have specifically assigned ringers). But custom ringers are less useful with only three choices. You also have three musical choices but those are Fur Elise, Aura Lee, and, oddly enough, the Star Spangled Banner. Now I'm reasonably patriotic, but I don't want to hear the national anthem everytime the phone rings.
Overall, we are happy with the Uniden 2085 and expect it to use it for many years.
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