VTech 1920c: A great deal!
Written: Feb 16 '00 (Updated Feb 28 '00)
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Product Rating:
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Pros: Inexpensive. Has Caller ID on handset
Cons: Must buy 2nd battery, if you want one
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| Woody35's Full Review: Vtech VT 1920 900 MHz - Cordless Phone |
Previous cordless phones owned by my family were much costlier than my VTech 1920c model. Boy, did I feel terrible when the other cordless phones died untimely deaths... it made me afraid to spend more 'big dollars' on a good cordless phone. I liked the convenience of cordless but previous cordless phone models (non-VTechs) never seemed to last as long as I thought they should.
VTech 900mhz models were recommended to me by more than one friend. Wow, what great friends! I REALLY like this cordless phone! Okay, so maybe that's because my other cordless phones usually cost at least $100 and this one didn't?! No, that's not the only reason but the lower price and great quality DOES assure me that I won't be buying $100 semi-worthless cordless phones anymore!
I purchased my 1920c model at Office Depot for $49.99. Add the $20 rebate to that price and this phone was a DEAL! (that $20 rebate is good until 3/31/2000 on the VTech 1920 or 1922 models, forms are in the store) My purchase included the base, handset, a wall mount, the AC adapter, and a belt clip. The only ones in stock when I purchased mine came in black. (don't know if it comes in any other colors)
Previous cordless phones I've owned didn't have Caller ID on their handsets. Since it's well known among my friends & relatives that I never answer my phone unless I know who it is, finally having Caller ID on the handset of my cordless phone has made them happy as there's a better chance I'll answer it faster than my answering machine! Also, the Caller ID info on this VTech phone comes up quicker than the info on my Caller ID box on my corded phone. (If you don't know, Caller ID is an optional service that your local phone company will charge you a small monthly fee for. It will identify many of your callers before you answer your phone.)
Other nice features on this phone:
20 number speed-dial memory (very easy to program)
50 number Caller ID memory on handset (with both name/number listed)
There's a spare battery charger located in the base, but it only comes with one battery. If you buy a second battery, you can have it already charged and ready to go immediately if your other battery ever goes dead. It's recommended that you wait 16 hours for the battery to fully charge before your initial use. This phone lasts longer on battery power than previous & more expensive cordless phones we've owned. (Having a teen can really suck the juice from your phone batteries!) We do usually replace it in the base at night (although not every night) but we had one Panasonic cordless that would run out of battery power in less than 36 hours if it wasn't recharged. (and it was NOT being used for hours and hours a day, either!)
You can choose between four different rings... they're not TOO different from each other, though.
On the side of your handset, there are easy-to-access buttons for volume control. You can adjust the volume as needed while the phone is in use.
There's also a handy mute button in case you want to shut off sound to the person on the other end of the line for a bit. (maybe while talking to your kid, etc)
This model comes with a 'page' button... this is always a wonderful feature to have if you have any teenagers using this phone! It allows you to press a button on the base to quickly locate the handset should it ever disappear into your teen's bedroom, inside the sofa, etc.
The reception so far has always been excellent, occasionally you can hear the phone locating a better channel. (slight but very quick drop there)
Sometimes with my other non-VTech cordless phones, I'd pick up the handset to use it, only to find out another family member was already on the phone. This phone's handset will say "Extension in use" on the display when someone is using another phone in the house on the same phone line.
It's also convenient to be able to pick up the handset on this phone and answer a call by pressing almost ANY button on the phone, not just one button designated for answering the phone.
The handset buttons/display will light up when you start to use the phone.
On the negative side, the incredibly thin 4" whip-like antenna on the handset makes me nervous... I just know The Teen is gonna whack that off or seriously bend it some day... that is definitely a Bad Incident Waiting to Happen.
All in all, I think this is an excellent cordless phone, especially for the under $50 price you can often find it selling for. (look for that $20 rebate before 3/31/00!) If you can't find it cheaper elsewhere, I saw it at Best Buy for $69.99 in early February. (they had the $20 rebate forms, too)
Recommended:
Yes
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Epinions.com ID:
Woody35
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Location: North Texas
Reviews written: 48
Trusted by: 71 members
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