A Handset for Each Family Member (but the Pets Have to Share)
Written: Jun 28 '04 (Updated Jul 06 '04)
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Product Rating:
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Pros: Great signal and sound, awesome to have handsets off of a single base station.
Cons: expensive, menu system needs work.
The Bottom Line: If you need a phone system that doesn't tie you down, and offers multiple phones, this one will do the trick nicely.
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| martytdx's Full Review: 5830 5.8 GHz 1-Line Cordless Phone |
Hi, my name is Marty and I am a horrible phone talker - part ADD, part lack of patience. So being tied to a corded phone is a nightmare, because I can't even wander - even worse when the phone is in the kitchen. We had one Panasonic cordless phone but we spent more time charging it than using it. Plus, with 3 floors it invariably ended up the furthest possible place from where we were.
So, armed with a little over $100 in gift cards from Best Buy, we set out for a new phone, a master phone, a phone capable of Techno-godlike powers. Our requirements: cordless, digital, caller id/call-waiting id, multiple handsets, intercom system and NO answering machine. You laugh at the last one, but we like our voicemail and nearly all phones have an answering system now.
When we arrived at the store, we saw a bunch of phones. Step 1 - divide and conquer.
ME: "Here are the handset phones..."
WIFE: "Umm, not Uniden. They tend to be junk."
ME: "That leaves AT&T and Panasonic. And you know how I feel about the Panasonic."
WIFE: "How many don't have an answering machine?"
ME: "Two. The AT&T 5830 and the Panasonic POS-123."
WIFE: "How much are they..."
In the end, we decided on the AT&T 5830 Cordless Phone System, although it was slightly more expensive.
However, the features were better on this phone, and our previous Panasonic experience left us a little soured.
[ • technical SPECIFICATIONS • ]
Frequency band: Dual-band 5.8 GHz/2.4 GHz
Transmission type: Digital Spread Spectrum Frequency Hopping Technology (DSSFHT)
Auto-scan: Yes
Caller ID/call waiting capability: Yes
Caller ID memory: 50
Display and dial: Yes
Integrated answering system: No
Speakerphone: Yes (handset and base, with duplex speakerphone in base)
Dual keypad: Yes
Speed dial: Yes (50)
Handset LCD screen: Yes
Base LED/LCD screen: No
Multi-user expandable: Yes (up to 6 handsets)
Handset volume: Yes
Illuminated keypad: Yes
Belt clip: Yes
Headset compatible: Yes (2.5 mm)
Redial: Last 10 numbers
Hold: Yes (and mute)
Page/handset locator: Yes
Intercom: Yes (base to handset, handset to handset)
Wall mountable: Yes (mounting accessories supplied)
Hearing aid compatible: Yes
Low-battery indicator: Yes
Battery type: Rechargeable Ni-Cad
Face-up charging: Yes
Spare battery capability: Yes (not included)
Size (WxHxD): 8 inches x 9 inches x 5 inches
Weight: 2.4 pounds
Warranty: 1 year limited parts and labor
(Specs 'borrowed' from Amazon.com)
[ • cool FEATURES • ]
» Signal - The AT&T 5830 uses a 5.8GHz signal, which is great because we knew that a 2.4GHz can sometimes interfere with wireless routers for your computer (in fact, so can a 5.8GHz - but less often). Our signal comes in crystal clear even outside the house - 100 feet or more. Our range starts to fade from there, lasting until almost 200 feet from a base.
» Digital Spread Spectrum (DSS) Technology - The signal of this phone will operate on multiple channels to insure the highest quality sound for your call.
» Cordless Handsets - We wanted to have multiple handsets because we have 3 floors. This way, my stepson had 1 upstairs, we had one downstairs in the den, and then we had a pair in the middle - one in the kitchen and the main console in the living room. These handsets all come with their own charger stations (each about 4"x4"), which need to have a power source (only bad part). However, they DON'T NEED any other phone connections. Each one is given a number so that you can use them for an...
» Intercom - The intercom system allows you to make handset-to-handset calls, effectively creating an intercom system. We've found this incredibly useful to get a hold of my stepson when he's upstairs in his room, or if one of us is outside with a phone. It also serves as a great way to transfer calls - if we answered a call for my stepson, we can transfer the call to his handset, where it will ring again just for him.
» Caller ID/Call-Waiting ID - Each handset comes with both caller id and call-waiting id so that you know who's on the phone. You can even have it announce the number if you choose - we don't. It also uses those numbers to track your callers, up to 50 calls in total.
» Ringtone Customization - You can select from several ring tones on the phone, picking your favorite. I haven't really played with this one much, as the default was the best one. The phones also offer up other cues that the phone is ringing, such as vibrating and a flashing ring around the earpiece. This ring also lights up when a message has been left on voicemail.
» Display - Each display offers up a bevy of information, including both a digital and analog clock, how many new calls there have been and the menu system.
» Lighted Keypad - for when you are working the phone in the dark.
» Hold/Mute buttons
» Last 10 number Redial
[ • how they WORKED • ]
When we got home and plugged them in, we had to wait 24 hours for them to charge before use. Once we got to play, we were duly impressed. The phones are fairly light so they are easy to take with you from place to place. If you want to make a call, you can turn on the phone and dial the number or dial the number and then turn on the phone - each will dial the number for you. They also can function as hands-free, each having a speakerphone function, although the sound quality diminishes when you do this.
The sound on the phones has been above average - not the best sound I have heard from a cordless but much better than any we've had recently. The DSS Technology does seem to give a better quality connection and sound than previous phones, even when we are out in the yard.
If you miss a call, you can use the calls list to call the person back, although the menu to do this is a little more complicated than it needs to be. The first 10 numbers are easy to access and redial - simply scroll until you find the one you want and hit the phone button. But if you want older numbers, you have to do a little more. You can also pre-program numbers into the memory, although there is no one-button memory dialing.
[ • what we LIKED • ]
The fact that the phone was expandable was a key. We bought 3 handsets in addition to the one that came with the base station, but you can have up to 5 additional handsets (total of 6 phones). The handsets are, of course, the key to this system. Each comes with the normal functions of most phones Each of the handsets seems to have its own idea of how long its battery should last, but for the most part we have gotten great performance, with a charge lasting 2-3 days with moderate use.
You can change the sound settings on the phone, too. The volume can be adjusted by a switch on the side, but you can also change the bass/treble features of the phone, if needed - great for people with hearing loss who need to add more bass or reduce the treble to hear clearly.
The handsets come with clips so that you can hang them on a piece of clothing, nice for carrying them around. And the speakerphone option - although we don't use it often - is a great addition for when you need a hands-free experience without holding it between your shoulder and chin.
[ • what we DISLIKED • ]
The menu system on the phone is my only major dislike. The first 10 number redial is simple, as I said, so I have no complaints there. But if you want to go further back, it takes upwards of three levels of menu to reach those numbers. And if you want to call a number that registered without a "1" in front of it, you have to select an option to have that added to the number each time you call (no default).
The fact that you can't have memory dial on these phones is also a bit of a drag. You can save up to 50 numbers into memory, but must his the MEM command and scroll through to the appropriate memory spot. It's almost easier to dial it directly!
[ • final THOUGHTS • ]
For what we needed this phone system for - as a household cordless phone network, it works great. We've gotten multiple handsets that actually work with each other and sound better than most I've tried. We've gotten an intercom system to hit the farthest reaches of the house. And we've gotten a phone that keeps good sound and signal all over our home and into the yard.
The base stations for the handsets make having this system very convenient. They all have their own chargers, and the chargers are small enough to hide away when necessary. And they aren't needed often - the phones hold a charge very well, and last for days between chargings.
As a whole, we found what we were looking for in this phone. With the minor exception of the menus, it is a great deal for anyone who needs to have a multiple handset system in their home (or office, I suppose).
note: if you need this system WITH an answering machine, check out vemartin's review.
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Epinions.com ID:
martytdx
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Member: Marty
Location: New Jersey
Reviews written: 482
Trusted by: 179 members
About Me:
Doing what I can to try new places, restaurants, books and beers.
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