Minor but Consistent Problems Prove Annoying
Written: Sep 26 '00
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Product Rating:
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Pros: a competent performer at its basic job
Cons: minor but consistent problems that prove annoying
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| jamesmcook's Full Review: Vtech VT 1920 900 MHz - Cordless Phone |
Summary: The VTech VT1920 consistently carries out its basic task of making cordless phone calls. However, some minor problems occur again and again, making this phone annoying to use. Why should I have to avoid a phone in my own house?
Relevant Background
Before I bought my VTech phone, I had owned and used two other cordless phones (both GE models) that were plagued with problems. Batteries wouldn't recharge, the phones' range steadily diminished and, toward the end of their short (6 months!) lives, it grew increasingly difficult to hear whomever I was speaking with. Then they completely broke and wouldn't work at all. Yuck! I swore to myself that I'd never buy a cordless phone again in my life.
Then my wife said, "Honey, I'd really like a cordless phone." I'm a sucker for my lovely wife -- all she has to do is ask for something and I'll go out and get it for her. So out I went to the local mega-max-plaza-tech store. I asked the salesman what brand he'd buy if he were getting a cordless. His answer was immediate and clear: buy a VTech.
A Competent Performer
And so I did. I was looking forward to using this phone given its strong endorsement and the high price ($99) I'd paid for quality. And when it comes down to it, the phone does its primary job. I pick up the phone, dial a number, and talk to my friends for as long as I need to without any breakdowns.
However, there are some minor problems that have become annoying because they occur over and over again. For instance, while the other phones in the house ring immediately, the VTech phone won't start ringing for a few seconds. If I'm in the VTech room, that means I have to sprint for the phone to beat the answering machine before it turns on. If I come too close to some wires in my house, I get loud and ear-piercing feedback - no fun for anyone. The phone also has the bizarre tendency to pick up and amplify my young son's babble five feet away while muting the sound of my own voice. This makes it hard to talk when he's around my ankles (which, as any parent knows, is most of the time).
None of these problems are, by themselves, enough to make me avoid the phone. However, the prospect of each of these things happening during a conversation makes me hesitate before I pick the VTech up -- I just don't want to deal with the hassle. So sometimes I just don't pick up the phone.
In Sum...
In sum, the VTech VT1920 does its central job pretty well, but has little problems that, over time, really get on my nerves. Sure, I'll keep it that I've bought it, but if I had to buy a cordless phone over again, I'd skip this model. My recommendation to you, given that you have a choice, is to avoid this model and seek out a phone that can give you a better quality experience.
- James Cook
Recommended:
No
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Epinions.com ID:
jamesmcook
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Member: James Cook
Location: Columbus, Ohio
Reviews written: 167
Trusted by: 40 members
About Me:
I am a father, writer and gregarious gadabout.
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