slc7's Full Review: Vtech i5871 5.8 GHz 1-Line Cordless Phone
After reading reviews, I was all set to buy a Panasonic 5.8 GHz phone, that is, until this baby caught my eye. Wow--what a sharp looking phone!
Its sleek, Star Trek-like design is beautifully engineered, offering a very small footprint on a desk or countertop. It has some very cool, but frivolous features, such the handset's beautiful color screen, being able to download your contacts from your PC as well as downloading your own pictures and ringtones. And that, my friend, is about all that I found 'cool' about this phone.
The Handset;
Perhaps the most disappointing aspect that I experienced was the poor audio and connection quality. The handset was full of white noise, and had a slightly tinny sound when the caller was speaking. I thought maybe it was just my house, but I purchased a different 5.8 brand (uniden), and have not experienced any connection problems.
If you wish, you can download and personalize your ringtones. Unfortunately the default tone rings before the handset realizes it has been programmed to recognize the caller and play a different ringtone. Then both rings compete for your attention, with the default ringtone eventually dropping off. That is not only annoying, but defeats the purpose of a personalized ringtone. I usually picked up and read the CID or answered the call before the personalized ringtone started.
Another annoyance--if the handsets are left off their base or charger overnight, their batteries were dead the next day. I was surprised that the battery life was not longer in a standby mode.
Also, though the charger was very compact and attractive, it did not support the handset well. The cat was constantly knocking it off the charger......and then I would have a dead phone.
I did not try downloading my contacts, pictures or ringtones to the handset. I was waiting to see if I was going to keep it before I fully personalized it.
The Base
The base lies parallel to the counter or desktop on cute little silver feet. To be able to read the display, I had to pick u[ the entire base and tilt it. The old-fashioned monochrome LCD is still used on the base, and unless it was tilted, I found it hard to read. The base also doesn't have a keypad, (which I am sure they excluded to reduce the size). I missed being able to dial from the base.
There is no battery back up. In case of a power outage, phones become inoperable until the power is back on.
I did not program and use the answering machine, so I can't comment on it, other than to say that the same viewing problems would exist that I discussed in the previous paragraph.
In closing, as I mentioned earlier, I returned this phone and replaced it with the much less inexpensive Uniden 5.8 Powermax. While this phone lacks the petite size and 'coolness' of the Vtech, it is very functional and performs well.
* 5.8GHz Cordless Phone * Single Line Operation * Picture Caller ID / Call Waiting * Expandable Up To 8 Handsets * Digital Answering System * Dual Spe...More at 101phones.com
* 5.8GHz Cordless Phone * Single Line Operation * Picture Caller ID / Call Waiting * Expandable Up To 8 Handsets * Digital Answering System * Dual S...More at FactoryOutletStore
VTech i5871 5.8 GHz Phone System w/ Answering Machine - This Digital phone system is perfect for a large home. With the ability to expand to 8 handset...More at Buy.com Marketplaces
Epinions.com periodically updates pricing and product information from third-party sources, so some information may be slightly out-of-date. You should confirm all information before relying on it.
- Add to My Yahoo!: 
- Add to Google Homepage: 
© 1999-2009 Shopping.com, Inc.