Prefatory note: To view a nice enlargement of the above photo, use the following URL (noting that--on the actual product--the whitish "Uniden" logo appears above, not below, the LCD window of the base unit; and, conversely, the whitish "DECT 6.0" labeling appears below, not above, the numerical keypad):

http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/41hyHaUyPVL._SS500_.jpg


This review encompasses the following eight major sections (feel free to skip to any of the correspondingly numbered, boldface headings further below):

1. Preface: Why It Could Be Important to Own at Least One Corded Phone
2. Uniden's model DECT2088: four devices in one pretty package
3. The "base unit" (corded telephone): noteworthy features and performance
4. The speakerphone: noteworthy features and performance
5. The digital answerer: noteworthy features and performance
6. The cordless handset: noteworthy features and performance
7. The owner's manual
8. The upshot

1. Preface: Why It Could Be Important to Own at Least One Corded Phone

One advantage of a corded phone is that its most basic features can remain functional during power outages. By contrast, cordless phones won't function when electrical power goes out; and a cell phone might not function, depending on whether cell towers are affected by the outage.

The Uniden model DECT2088 base unit requires no batteries whatsoever for its most basic (corded) telephone features to operate. This means you won't need to remember to replace (and shell out still more money for) batteries about once per year, as is the case with some competing products (e.g., the AT&T model TL74108). You'll always be assured of retaining, at least, basic functionality for making and receiving calls during power outages.


2. Uniden's affordable model DECT2088: four devices in one pretty package

This "integrated" telephone product encompasses an impressive bundle of harmoniously functioning components.

First, the model DECT2088 is, of course, an excellent corded telephone, whose remarkably stylish, "silver-and-gray" theme should harmonize in most rooms. Second, it's a superb speakerphone. Third, it's a dependable, easy-to-use digital answering machine providing pure-sounding (distortion-free) messages, outgoing announcements (albeit, curiously, not "memos"). Finally, it also includes a noteworthily attractive cordless handset with many likable features, including selectable ring tones; hands-free headset compatibility; illuminated keypad; and relatively long talk/standby times between battery charges.

Both the base unit and the cordless handset generally feature easy-to-use, logical layouts of keys and buttons. By and large, this product is an admirable example of "form following function."

I'll next consider the most salient aspects of this product as, respectively, (1) a "corded telephone;" (2) a "speakerphone;" (3) a "digital answerer" (a.k.a. "answering machine"); and (4) a "cordless phone."


3. The "base unit" (corded telephone): noteworthy features and performance

The above, smallish photo doesn't really do justice to this beautifully styled corded/cordless phone. In fact, you won't fully appreciate the outward beauty of the base unit till you've got it installed in your own home.

The base unit weighs one pound, 5.3 ounces. Its dimensions, which I'll specify shortly, aren't quite as large as those of most competing models, and that's a reflection of Uniden's evident desire to design a "chicer and sleeker" corded phone than they've done previously (not that several of their past models didn't score respectable "style" points!). Accordingly, even allowing for the base unit's overall compactness, its various keys and buttons are still proportionately smaller than what you'll find on competing corded models. Whether you find this a blessing or an annoyance might depend on the size of you fingertips. The majority of consumers should have no trouble operating the somewhat smallish, silvery keys comprising the numerical keypad. (I'm a six-foot-one male with a fairly large frame, and I have no problem with it.) But I can imagine that some unusually burly men might do better with another model--much as they'd do better driving a full-size pickup than a vintage "MG." Therefore, by all means, before you order this phone, go to the nearest retailer having a display unit, and double-check that this base unit's keys fit your fingers and suit your sensibilities. Chances are you'll feel comfortable with its keys and will savor its refinement as much as I do!

Including the fully satisfying corded handset resting upon its cradle, the base unit measures about 6.75 (W) x 6.5 (D) x 4.25 (H) inches. Note the attachment (underneath the base) of a hard-plastic "stand" (which, if moved to a slightly different position per the user manual's instructions on page 15, also functions as a "wall-mount adapter"). The "stand" allows the base unit to slope "downward-and-forward" at a pleasing angle upon a desk or tabletop.

One of the first features you're likely to notice is the pleasingly sharp and legible "amber" (almost orange) LCD display, whose alphanumeric characters are a sharp, dark-blue. The LCD window measures about 2 & 1/16 x 11/16 inches and can display three lines of easy-to-read, dark-blue characters. The easy-to-read LCD screen's legibility is quite nice and satisfying right out of the box, and so there's no need for any "contrast-adjustment" option, and none is offered.

Although this display's back-lighting feature is automatically activated whenever you press virtually any key or button on the base unit, if your room's ambient lighting isn't particularly bright, you'll still want to keep a small, adjustable desktop lamp nearby for viewing the base unit's various keys and buttons, which aren't themselves illuminated. (This is equally true of competing models.)

The numerical keypad has silvery-metallic keys with black, nicely legible characters. The keys are all nicely responsive and easy-to-press.

To the right of the numerical keypad, there's a cluster of keys or buttons for various functions. These keys/buttons are all composed of hard, fully transparent plastic, such that their underlying labels can never be touched--much less scuffed or abraded-during use; moreover, this construction makes for an eminently pleasing, sophisticated "look and feel" that's enhanced by the tastefully sculpted layout (see above photo).

This rightmost cluster of keys and buttons controls such functions as volume (for the great-sounding corded handset, speakerphone, and message-playback components); the phonebook (directory) of up to 70 names-and-numbers; and, especially, the digital answerer's various functions.

There's plenty of volume available for such things as message playback, the (corded) handset, and the speakerphone.

Setting the clock is easy and involves inputting the current day (of the week) and the time in hours and minutes (and AM or PM). No "month" or "date" information can be input or displayed.

The "answering machine" functions (about which I'll have much more to say in a later section of this review) are all pretty easy-to-understand, and the system's "voice prompts" (enunciated by an articulate "male" voice, and accompanied by succinct textual cues on the LCD display), make everything so easy that you might never need to consult the 70-page (all-English) owner's manual, which covers all aspects of the answerer's operation on pages 44 through 51.

Directly above the numerical keypad (and beneath the LCD window) is a topmost row comprising three buttons, the leftmost of which is for activating the "clear/mute" button, which can prevent a caller from hearing what you say, while letting you continue hearing what they say. Whenever muting is activated, the "speakerphone" button (in the lower-right corner of the entire layout) conspicuously flashes with a bright amber or orange hue; simultaneously, the words "MUTE ON" momentarily appear in the center of the LCD. When muting is disabled (by pressing the "clear/mute" button again), the "speakerphone" button stops flashing, and the words "MUTE OFF" momentarily appear in the center of the LCD.

"Redial" is the rightmost key within the topmost row of buttons between the numeric keypad and LCD. This seems an acceptable location for that frequently used function, although it might've made still better sense to locate it at the bottommost portion of the entire layout. In any case, the "redial" key displays (and lets you select any one of) the five most recently dialed numbers.

To place a caller on "hold" via the base unit, you'll need to press the "Int' com" key (near the bottom of the rightmost cluster of keys); this is easy to do, but it would've been less confusing if there had simply been a key labeled "hold" for this purpose.

One of the most important buttons is the conspicuous "Four-way Function Key" at the upper-right of the entire layout. Pressing that button's upper or lower edges activates, respectively, the "VOLUME UP" and "VOLUME DOWN" functions; pressing the right edge of the "Four-way Function Key" calls up the "Caller-ID" menu. And pressing the left edge of the "Four-way Function Key" calls up the "phonebook" (directory) of up to 70 names-and-numbers. Note that you can enter and store 70 names-and-numbers even if you don't subscribe to caller-ID service; not every competing product at this price provides such a generously large and accessible "phonebook."

The phonebook is very easy and pleasing to use. After you press the left edge of the "Four-way Function Key," you'll have several options that are clearly indicated (textually) on the LCD display. You can add (or edit or delete) a name-and-number. And once you've got your various names-and-numbers all entered, you'll be able to find and display any one of them either by pressing the lower or upper edges of the conspicuous "Four-way Function Key" to manually scroll forward or backward through the list. Better still, you can quickly locate a particular name by inputting its first letter via the alphanumeric keypad. For example, to locate the name "Jones," you can just press the "jkl" key and then (if necessary) tap the bottom edge of the "Four-way Function Key" to find the particular entry you want. Once you've found it, you can simply press the speakerphone button (or lift the corded handset from its cradle) to dial the number for that name/entry.

Like most--but not all--competing phones nowadays, this Uniden model includes "on-hook dialing," allowing you to dial a call before lifting the handset or pressing the speakerphone button.

Also like most competing phones nowadays, once your call is connected, the LCD displays the elapsed time of the call until you hang up.

It's easy to adjust the volume of the base unit's ringer by using the upper or lower edges of the aforementioned "Four-way Function Key."

As for the (rather typical) tone of that ringer, I do like it perfectly well; however, it would've been nice if a menu of selectable ring tones were available on the base unit (as is the case with the cordless handset). Unfortunately, the base unit only has one available ring tone (with three selectable volume settings, the lowest of which is rather subtle, and the highest of which is by no means startlingly loud but should more than suffice for most user's needs). Frankly, I was a bit disappointed that such an otherwise sophisticated--indeed, noteworthily chic--base unit should offer only one ring tone, but there it is. At least it does sound quite nice--if a bit surprisingly "ordinary"--and isn't likely to offend anybody's sensibilities.

Finally, note that (like the vast majority of such corded phone/answerer products today) you can't record (for later playback) a two-way phone conversation with this model. Incidentally, such capability is/was included with the cheaper/earlier Uniden models CXAI5698 and CXAI5198. [However, those models inject an audible, intermittent "beep" into the live (and subsequently replayed) conversation, such that both parties can hear (and be annoyed by) it!]


4. The speakerphone: noteworthy features and performance

Over the years I'd encountered several "speakerphone" products whose prices were enticing but whose capabilities ranged from worthless to unsatisfying. Fortunately, the Uniden DECT2088 base unit's speakerphone sounds great and fully satisfies not only me but also my callers, which is to say that both the speaker and the microphone (not to mention the associated internal electronics) are well above average.

The tiny microphone port used for this speakerphone (as well as for recording your "outgoing announcement") is located on the underside of the base. (Almost directly beneath the speakerphone button.) Although I would never have expected such microphone placement to produce distortion-free speakerphone performance (or digital recordings for the answerer), I was actually pleasantly surprised by the degree of clarity I obtained when using the speakerphone or when recording my outgoing announcement. In fact, compared to a handful of comparable, competing products I've tested in recent days, weeks and months, the Uniden DECT 2088 base unit's digital speakerphone (and digital answerer) provided some of the best performance (and most natural-sounding recordings) of the lot. This is almost as good as it gets with a mass-market phone, especially at this price level.

Activating "speakerphone mode" prior to dialing a number is simple. Just press the conspicuous "speakerphone" button (located at the lower-right corner of the entire layout), which will immediately glow with a pleasingly amber hue, and you'll simultaneously hear a dial tone via the speaker. You can then manually dial a number (or easily select one that you've previously stored in the unit's handy, 70-name "directory").

Alternatively, you can first dial (or select) a number and then press the "speakerphone" button.

During a conversation, you can instantly switch from using the handset to using the speakerphone. Just press the "speakerphone" button and then hang up the receiver.

Conversely, you can instantly switch from speakerphone mode to handset mode. Just pick up the handset (speakerphone mode is thereby deactivated).

In sum, this integrated telephone/answer has an easy-to-use speakerphone component that is virtually as good as any I've encountered in a machine of this ilk. Admittedly, it might not be a "full-duplex" speakerphone; otherwise, it's as close to perfection as you could reasonably expect from an "integrated" telephone/answerer at this price level.


5. The digital answerer: noteworthy features and performance

The DECT2088 base unit's digital answerer provides a total recording (memory) capacity of 14 minutes. It can record an unspecified maximum number of messages, depending on the length of each message. Individual messages can be up to 4 minutes long (with the other menu options being "1 minute" or "Toll Saver," about which see below). Messages remain available for replay until you delete them. You can delete a single message, or you can delete all messages. To do the latter, you'll simply press the "delete" key; an articulate synthetic "male" voice will then speak the following words, which are simultaneously legibly displayed on the LCD: "To delete all messages press 'delete' again."

To activate the base unit's answerer, you simply press the "answer on/off" button (located within the far-right cluster of buttons). That button doesn't glow or light up to indicate that the answerer is activated; instead, the system's "male" voice announces, "Answering system is ON" (which words are also momentarily displayed in large letters within the LCD, and the currently activated "outgoing message" is audibly played) and thereafter the tiny words "Answer ON" are displayed in the upper-right portion of the LCD. Because those tiny words are rather inconspicuous, I can imagine that a minority of inattentive users might occasionally inadvertently forget to reactivate the answering system after (deliberately or accidentally) switching it off; that said, there should be no problem for the vast majority of reasonably savvy users.

Whenever you've received at least one new message, the "PLAY/STOP" key (located near the upper-right of the layout, directly below the prominent "Four-way Function Key") lights up and flashes with an orange or amber hue.

As with the majority of competing, digital-answerer/phone models, this unit's flashing, new-message indicator is a welcome and noteworthy feature insofar as it provides you a rather reliable means never to overlook or miss new messages. The flashing orange light is much more conspicuous than a mere "LCD-text" indicator, which is the only "visual" message indicator you'd get with some competing models (e.g., the AT&T TL74108).

Along with that nice, bright, flashing amber light, you can also activate the base unit's "message-alert" feature to provide you with a conspicuously audible signal whenever you've got at least one new message. This signal consists of a single, subtle beep about every 15 seconds. Even if you overlook the bright, flashing orange light (which you likely won't), you're bound to notice that beeping, trust me! And you can temporarily disable the beeping by pressing any key on the base unit.

Setting up the answering system's several "menu options" is easy. Just press the top-row "menu" key (the middle key in the topmost row directly beneath the LCD); this will bring up a menu on the LCD comprising various options, including (for example) the following:

Number or rings.

You can set the number of rings (before the answering system answers an incoming call) to any of the following options: 2 rings; 4 rings (the default setting); 6 rings; or "toll saver." Here's how the "Toll Saver" option works: If the system has received any new messages, it answers after the second ring; but if there are no new messages, the system answers after the fourth ring. You can hang up after the second ring and thereby spare yourself any pay phone or long-distance charges.

Call screening.

Regarding the base unit, if its answering system is activated and its volume isn't off, you'll automatically hear the "greeting" followed by the incoming message (if any) that the caller chooses to record. You can opt to "intercept" the call by pressing the speakerphone button or by lifting the corded handset from the base unit. By default, this "call screening" feature is "on." However, you have the option of switching it off (and back on again) via the answering system menu option.

Remote Operation.

Many users will appreciate this answerer's "remote-operation" capability. In other words, wherever on earth you might roam, you can always easily access this phone's answerer by entering a two-digit "code." [Note that the "remote- operation" feature won't be accessible if you're dialing in via a "pulse" ("rotary") phone.] The default security code is "80;" you can change that code to any number from 01 through 99.

Message alert tone.

I explained this feature earlier in this section. The "default" option for this feature is "OFF." But you might strongly consider changing it to "ON," such that you'll be doubly assured of never overlooking recently received messages from callers.

Regarding the "greeting" (that callers hear before recording their messages), the unit comes with the following prerecorded, default announcement spoken by the system's articulate, synthetic, "male" voice: "Hello. No one is available to take your call. Please leave a message after the tone." But you can temporarily replace that prerecorded (and always available via the "greeting" button) greeting by recording your own greeting, which is very easy: Press the "greet." button, then press the press and hold it again. Audible (as well as on-screen) instructions are provided for easily recording your own greeting, up to 30 seconds long.

I found the sensitivity and effectiveness of the unit's built in microphone (whose tiny port is, perhaps surprisingly, underneath the base) to be so good that it was easy to produce a satisfyingly clear announcement after only one attempt. (I can't say that about every competing product I've tested!)

With this model there's no provision for recording "memos." Candidly, however, I've always wondered who the heck has ever really (significantly) used the "memo-recording" capability of some other Uniden (not to mention many other brands') models. And so I decline to downgrade my rating of this generally full-featured model for its exclusion of a feature that almost nobody actually uses.

All in all, this spiffy unit's digital answerer component is eminently easy-to-use, dependable, and gratifying. It warrants some pretty high praise!


6. The cordless handset: noteworthy features and performance

First, note that the Uniden DECT2088 is "expandable" insofar as it allows you to use up to six compatible cordless handsets at a time with its base unit. [One such cordless handset is already included with the DECT2088; still more can be purchased separately. Better still, if you're sure you'll want more than just one cordless handset, consider Uniden's other "bundled" versions of this product that already include two or more cordless handsets; buying a pre-packaged "bundle" is generally always cheaper than buying extra handsets one-at-a-time.]

While listening to callers via the cordless handset, I found the sonic clarity to be excellent. It was more than "close enough" to the very high quality of the corded handset (of the base unit) to satisfy this reviewer's "somewhat picky" sensibilities.

With its battery pack installed, the included DECT 6.0 (1.9-gigahertz) cordless handset weighs 4.5 ounces and measures about 5.55 (L) x 1.75 (W) x 1 & 1/8 (D) inches. A transparent, hard-plastic "belt clip" is also included in the product box for (optional) attachment to this handset. Additionally, any (widely available) 2.5mm headset can be plugged into a corresponding jack on the side of the cordless handset to allow hands-free headset conversations.

I'm quite satisfied with the performance of the cordless handset. I've tested it in all areas of my multi-level suburban house (including the basement, garage, and back yard), and I never noticed any diminution of volume or sound clarity in any of those locations. I've enjoyed using this handset.

The cordless handset's built-in speakerphone works very satisfyingly in terms of loudness and clarity. I experienced no problems with it.

I appreciate this cordless handset's illuminated keypad, which makes nighttime dialing easy.

Regarding the "phonebook" (directory) of up to 70 names-and-numbers, each "station" (base unit or cordless handset) can have its own, discrete entries. However, it's also easy to wirelessly copy any or all of the entries from one station to another. For example, I easily and quickly copied all 70 of my base unit's phonebook entries into my cordless handset's own phonebook. This simply entailed pressing the "phonebook" icon (i.e., the left edge of the cordless handset's conspicuous "Four-way Function Key," whose configuration and labels exactly correspond to those of the base unit's own "Four-way Function Key." Thereafter, via following the LCD menu's simple instructions, four more keypresses were required to complete the process of copying those phonebook entries.

This handset's illuminated LCD display is sufficiently sizable (about 1 & 1/8 inches wide x 11/16 inches high) and has agreeably crisp resolution. Indeed, when (for example) I behold a directory number on the cordless handset's backlit LCD, it's essentially the same fully pleasing experience as I derive from the base unit's own, somewhat larger display. The alphabetic characters include both uppercase and lowercase letters, making this unit more appealing than some other comparably "integrated" products.

However, unlike some analogous competing "integrated-phone-bundle" products' cordless handsets' displays (and unlike the LCD display of this Uniden product's own corded base unit), the standard display mode of this cordless handset doesn't include the current time, day or date information, though you can always "manually" display the day-and-time data by pressing "menu" and selecting "day & time" from the resultantly displayed menu options (the cordless handset then takes a couple of seconds to download and display that information from the base unit).

Initially, you should allow the cordless handset to charge for at least 15 to 20 hours before using it. Although I very possibly might be overlooking something, I don't see any mention (in the owner's manual or elsewhere) of maximum estimated "talk time" for the cordless handset after removing it from its charger base. I did notice that, when the cordless handset was left in standby mode, nearly a week passed before the almost fully charged battery was virtually discharged.

In any case, a "low battery" indicator will appear in the handset's LCD display whenever the handset needs to be retuned to its charger base. To be on the safe side, whenever you're not using the cordless handset, consider returning it to its charger base.

Also note that when you're initially preparing to install the included battery pack inside the cordless phone, you must first press down (inward) on the rear door of the battery compartment. If you merely try to slide that door toward the bottom of the handset (without first/simultaneously pressing down/inward), you won't be able to remove that little door!


7. The Owner's Manual

Uniden did a nice job on the "Owner's Manual" included in the attractively designed product box. This 70-page booklet measures about 7 inches wide by 5 inches high, is entirely in English, and is well-illustrated with black-and-white sketches and line drawings. The logically presented, step-by-step instructions for setting up and operating the base and cordless units are easy-to-follow.

But you likely will find yourself resorting to the manual only occasionally, given that the base unit's own excellent built-in "help" instructions (simultaneously visible/audible via the system's LCD and its articulate, synthetic, "male" voice) should answer the vast majority of your questions regarding how to use the various features.

In any case, you can also peruse the complete manual on-line. Here's the web address for the authentic "PDF" edition:

http://uniden.com/pdf/DECT2088om.pdf


8. The upshot:

Here's a summary of the tiny handful of things that a minority of consumers might somewhat rue about the Uniden model DECT2088:

1. The corded base unit (unlike the cordless handset) only has one "tone" for its fairly typical-sounding ringer. (You can, however, select from among three volume levels for that ringer.) I don't see why the base unit doesn't include the same assortment of widely differing, selectable ringer tones as are included in the cordless handset.

2. The cordless handset's default LCD display (unlike that of the base unit) doesn't include the current "time and day (of the week)" information. [Some, but by no means all, competing products' cordless handsets do include such information on their default displays.] In order to see the current day and time on the cordless handset's LCD, you must press the "menu" key and then select "day & time" from the resultant menu. (The cordless handset then takes a couple of seconds to download and display that information from the base unit.)

3. The digital answerer doesn't allow you to record (and playback) "memos." (But few consumers will care.)

4. The base unit's modish, silvery, numerical keys might prove a bit too petite for users having uncommonly large fingers.

Otherwise, there's scarcely anything not to savor about this distinctively stylish, high-quality product. Both the base unit and its associated cordless handset are well-made, reliable performers.

Available for about $69 at certain on-line and bricks-and-mortar vendors, this product represents good value. Some of its most noteworthy virtues include the essentially distortion-free, high-quality sound of its answerer's recordings, as well as that of the user's own recordable "greeting" (outgoing announcement). The easy-to-use, capacious "phonebook" of (up to) 70 names-and-numbers (even if you don't subscribe to caller-ID service) is significant. And, regarding the base unit, there's simply no other corded "integrated-phone/answerer" at this (or perhaps any) price level to combine such diminutive dimensions with such sportily sculpted lines.

Encompassing a fully excellent corded phone; a superb speakerphone; a first-rate answering machine; and one cordless handset (of up to six possible cordless handsets) that's "almost perfect" in its own right, the Uniden DECT2088 is a gratifying, beautiful, and dependable product that I can unreservedly endorse, provided that its strikingly chic keys aren't a tad too dainty for your digits.

Recommended: Yes