Panasonic KX-TC1731B 900MHz Cordless Phone - Analog Is Better Than Digital
Written: Nov 27 '02 (Updated Mar 27 '09)
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Product Rating:
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Pros: Excellent sound quality, fast charging, features, long talk and standby time
Cons: LCD on the rear of handset, no "Navigator" key
The Bottom Line: The Panasonic KX-TC1731 is an excellent phone with fast charging battery, excellent sound quality and backlit keypad. I got ...
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| dkozin's Full Review: Panasonic KX TC1731 900 MHz 1-Line Cordless Phone |
I recently bought the Panasonic KX-TC1731B (black) for my mother on eBay for $33 (shipping included). The KX-TC1731 is an analog 900MHz cordless phone and answering machine with call waiting caller ID.
Call Waiting, Caller ID, Call Timer And Battery
The TC1731 had caller ID functionality and its handset’s LCD screen displays names and numbers of callers after the first ring (even if you are on another line). The display also shows the battery status the same way cell phones do. The problem is the LCD is on the back side of the handset – easy to see when the phone is on the base, difficult to see when you are talking on the phone.
The phone can charge the battery much faster than my, supposedly more modern, TC1733. The ability to assess the charge status of the battery by looking on the LCD is very important if you want to conserve the battery life. With Ni-Cad batteries, it is better to not charge them until they are almost fully discharged. Which means that keeping the handset on the base all the time to have it fully charged shortens the life of the battery.
If somebody called you and you didn’t pick up the phone, you can review all callers’ numbers and names by pressing blue up and/or down buttons below the LCD. The LCD and these blue buttons also have limited use while you program the phone.
Digital Answering Machine
The built-in digital answering machine stores your messages in flash memory. You can play back new messages only by pressing the “Play” button or play back all messages by pressing and holding it. The volume can be controlled using two buttons on the base. There is a small display on the base that shows the number of messages you have and a red LED that, when flashes, shows you have new message(s). Another LED, when flashes, shows you have new Caller ID entries, which you can view on the handset’s LCD.
Sound Quality
Get this – the TC1731 sounds better than my, supposedly newer and better, TC1733. The new TC1733 is digital and is more secure, but it sounds worse than this model and consumes the battery faster. This was one of the reasons I got my mother an “older” TC1731 model.
How did I know? I used to have another Panasonic 900MHz analog phone with answerer (but without caller ID or lighted keypad). I remembered that its sound quality was better than my newer TC1733 and that it charged faster. I was right.
In fact, the sound quality of this phone approaches the sound quality of the corded phone. The progress is not always good for the basic functionality, after all. If you don’t need extra security of the digital transmission, this model is a better choice over newer digital models.
Features
The volume of the speaker can be adjusted using the LOUD button (3 levels) and you can also adjust the ring volume using RINGER button (2 levels). The phone has the clock and adjusts its clock using Caller ID information after the time is initially set. The handset’s keypad is backlit (very helpful in the dark) and the base features intercom. There are many more features, which I am too lazy to list here.
Battery
One of the coolest features of this model is the charging time of the battery. It can fully charge the battery 3-4 times faster than my “newer” TC1733. Taking into account that the battery capacity is the same 600 mAh, they seem to cut corners with newer TC1733. In addition to faster charging, the TC1731 lasts longer in both talk and standby times. Another reason to like this phone!
Durability
As of 04/2009, the phone still works fine overall (after 6.5 years!). But the age affected one of its areas - the keypad. Now, the keypad works, but each button push requires a lot of effort. Maybe it needs a cleaning.
Conclusion
The Panasonic KX-TC1731 is an excellent phone with fast charging battery, excellent sound quality and backlit keypad. I got it for $33 on eBay and I am happy with it.
See my review of the new Panasonic KX-TG2226SV 2.4GHz GigaRange Cordless Phone with Digital Answering Machine and Caller ID here
Recommended:
Yes
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Epinions.com ID:
dkozin
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Location: California
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About Me:
I love to push buttons on electronic (audio and video) equipment. It makes me happy.
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