I used to have a phone on the bedside table. It died, and I replaced it with a Uniden TRU9460 Digital Cordless Phone. This phone is designed to sit on a flat surface.


Why I Chose This Phone

Deep Base -- The first thing that caught my eye was that this phone sits in a deep base. I have several cordless phones that rest on bases just a tiny bit deeper than a coaster! This Uniden phone looks as though it is resting in a mini-armchair. Since the phone rests in a deep base, it is less likely to topple out of it.

Caller ID -- Part of my Comcast phone service includes Caller ID, so I wanted a phone that would take advantage of the service.

Illuminated Display -- This phone has a great illuminated display. The keys are illuminated as well as the LCD display … in orange. Definitely eye catching.

Speed Dial & Phone Book -- I don't need a phone with tons of speed dial options. This one has 10 speed dial entries, which is perfect for me. The Phone Book holds up to 100 numbers, which is excellent.

Personal Ringers -- This was a Bell & Whistle feature. I didn't even think I would use it. But it's nice assigning a special ring tone to a phone number to audibly identify who is calling. There are 20 choices (10 ring tones and 10 music choices), plus "no selection" and "ringer off".

Speaker Phone -- The phone also has a speakerphone button. This is great for conversations involving a group of people in a room and then the person on the phone.

Headset Friendly -- This phone is headset compatible. I often work on the computer while talking to clients on the phone. I don't want to be intrusive with the family, so a headset is a convenience.

Ability to Grow -- If I wish, I can grow this phone into a phone system. "Slave" units can be purchased. The manufacturer says that up to ten handsets can be connected. (This means this Master unit and up to nine slave phones -- model TCX905.) Also, the phones can link to form an intercom system without tying up the phone line. Just call another handset, and have the person answer. If you have additional handsets, you can also arrange up to three-way conference calls. If you have additional handsets, you can place the phones to act as a baby monitor.


What Comes in the Box

This 5.8 GHz digital phone is well packaged. Everything is wrapped well and cushioned with cardboard inserts. The box contains:

* Base (black)
* Handset (silver)
* Rechargeable Battery
* AC Adapter
* Belt Clip (plastic)
* Telephone Cord
* "Start Here!" Setup Guide (English & Spanish)
* Owner's Manual (English Only)


Initial Setup

If you own a cell phone, you'll find much of the setup similar to cell phone operation. First, though, the phone needs to be charged.

The first step is to insert the rechargeable battery into the handset. Next plug in the AC adapter cord and charge the phone for 15-20 hours before using it. I waited after the phone had charged before attaching the telephone cord. However, this phone is located on the opposite side of the room from the jack. The supplied cord wasn't nearly long enough, so I had to purchase a 25' telephone cord.

Basic operation is easy. Press the button on the left to talk (has a green phone icon), and press the button on the right to end the call (has a red phone icon).

The first thing I did was to enter the Speed Dial numbers. It's simple once you understand the basics. Press the button that has a book icon on it. Press the Store button. Use the telephone keys to type in a name ID, enter the phone number, select a distinctive ringer (optional), and assign the Speed Dial number.

Other setup features include setting the language (English or Spanish). Set the Day and Time. Activating the Caller ID and Call Waiting features (if desired). You can also set up access to a Voice Mailbox if you have one.

The Owner's Manual also instructs how to set up "slave" handsets, which are purchased separately.


My Experiences

This phone was a great purchase. It is sitting on a phone stand that has a slight slant to the surface. The deep base insures that the phone won't fall out of the stand. I had problems with previous phones that had too shallow a base, so this deep base is terrific.

There are two phones in this room. So I installed a "splitter" into the phone jack. The splitter enables two phone cords to plug into the one jack. I was concerned that the 25' phone cord might cause problems with phone reception, but clarity is great. I didn't have to worry.

I find the handset easy to hold. It's a bit heavy, but manageable. If I'm on a long phone call, I can press the Speaker button and set the phone down. Or I can don a headset and remain hands-free. The handset is also small enough to fit inside a large coat pocket if you are outside in the yard.

Reception is good, too. Being a cordless phone, I can wander around the house and yard without losing the connection. The house sits on a half-acre of property. I can even wander a bit beyond the property before hearing the call break up. When in the house, reception is perfect. Outside, the person on the other end of the phone sometimes tells me that the line is "crackly". That's because the phone is picking up wind noise or outside activity that transmits through the phone. The person on the other end can still hear me fine, but the crackling noise is a bit distracting to them.

The speakerphone works great. I can hear the person I am speaking too very well. If I want to be picky, I can hear a hint of fuzziness in the sound, but it does not affect audibility. I also have a Radio Shack headset that I use with this phone. On the right side of the phone is a headset jack with a small rubberized cover. Headset sound is clear. I can see, though, where the rubberized cover will eventually break off through wear and tear.

Volume control has six settings. I have the volume set to just above the middle bar (the fifth setting), and it is perfect for me. I have excellent hearing. You might want to consider another phone if someone in the family using it has hearing problems.

At first I wasn't 100% sold on whether the orange-lit display would bother me. I really like it, though. The keys in the keypad are also completely illuminated so that they are easy to view.

An additional Bell and Whistle is that I place calls on Hold for five minutes. If I have to yell a question at someone in the house, this gives me a quick chance to do so. If you don't pick the phone up within five minutes, the call disconnects. I also like the timer that lets me know how long a call lasted.

I rarely misplace the handset, but should I need to track it, I can. There is a button on the base that triggers the phone to beep.

Not that I'm clumsy, but I have dropped the phone. It dropped about three feet onto a carpeted floor. No problems. The phone works fine despite my unintentional abuse.


Purchasing

I bought this phone at Staples. It sells for $39.99, and I had a coupon for 12% off. Additional handsets sell for $29.99 each. The instruction booklet says the battery has a life of about one year with standard use. Replacement batteries have to be purchased through Uniden, and customer service needs to be called for pricing.


Summary

I am very happy with this Uniden Digital Cordless Phone. It's great having a deep base that will help prevent the phone from falling over. The phone is working well, and I am enjoying all its features.

I hope you found this review useful.

Enjoy the day,
Dawn
http://dlstewart.com


Please read my other reviews:

Clear Acrylic Telephone Desk Stand Organizer

Southwestern Bell 25' Telephone Cord

Belkin UPS Backup – model # F6C550-AVR

Belkin UPS Backup – model # F6C750-AVR

Belkin Flip 2-Port KVM Switch


Copyright 2007 Dawn L. Stewart


Recommended: Yes