Vtech VT 2461 2.4 GHz 1-Line Cordless Phone

Pros: small lightweight
Cons: junk

I bought one of these last year. I loved the small size; I like to carry my phone in my shirt pocket ...

Pros: Can turn off low-battery warning beeps. Third party battery is available.
Cons: None

I have used this phone with two handsets for more than a year. I did not have any problem at all. I am buying a second set as a gift. It is possible to turn off the nerve-wrecking low-battery warning beeps that poke you every 5 seconds while talking. An audible low-battery alert would be useful when the phone is not in use. It is totally meaningless during a conversation. I just had to redial once a year or so, but I can avoid spoiled conversations. Unfortunately this Vtech series of phones are going away and their new phones dare to annoy.

I started to think that phone manufacturers are using this annoying low-battery beep-beep "feature" just to make people throw away their batteries (or even phones) sooner. I encourage everybody to write to phone manufacturers and ask them to eliminate this nonsense.

The handset uses Nickel-Metal-Hydride batteries that are environmentally safer than Nickel-Cadmium. You don't had to pay $25 for a GE-TL26511 battery pack at Vtech outlet store. Exactly the same part number is available for $5 at several other Internet stores.

Pros: Great reception, nice design
Cons: Breaks after 18 months.

I have the exact same problem as one of the other opinion writers. The answering machine clicks every 1/2 second. And I can't press any buttons on the machine.`` Customer Service told me that after 18 months of service, the phone is not under warranty and all they can do is offer me a 'discount' of $20. Besides the terrible quality of the answering machine, the rest of the phone is great.

Pros: It saved me $75.00 per location for pulling telco lines during our new home construction.
Cons: It has broken 2 times in 18 months with the EXACT same problem.

I have had this phone and 3 extensions for about 18 months. I like the phone, though I agree with those that complain of no central directory.

Aside from that for the 2nd time now, I unplugged the working VT2461 base station from power, and when I plugged it back in, all I get is a clicking noise (sounds like a 60HZ frequency) and the answering machine no longer functions. All other phone features are fine, except that the 60HZ clicking sound in the background is always on the line. (not enough to be unusable)

To their credit, I lost the receipt from Costco, and I contacted VTECH and they graciously allowed me to return it the 1st time. Now that it has happened again I wonder if the product has some sort of design flaw in either the power supply or other circuitry. Has anyone else ever experienced this?

Having an investment in 3 other satellite phones it doesn't make sense to dump the whole system. It really is not a bad phone.

Pros: Handsfree works ok.
Cons: Answering machine does not last.

I have now the second VT 2461. The first one was replaced after the answering machine stopped working and I heard only a clicking noise.

It took the replacement phone two weeks to end up with the same defect.

Luckily the cordless part and the answering machine are two totally different circuits, not integrated and glued together in a unprofessional and crude way. As such the phone itself still works apart from the annoying clicking sound.

The voice quality is also not great. The 60Hz noise is very noticeable.

Pros: clear reception; great features
Cons: does not last long

I bought this due to good reviews and the features: caller id on handset; speaker phone on handset; headset jack; answering machine. Luckily, for all of you reading this that have not bought it, it has been retired.

My first unit lasted 1.5 years and died. Of course, warranty was only a year. I paid $76 to get it fixed/replaced. That unit lasted 3 months and died. The next unit I received is still working (3 months) but the handset that came with the unit has never worked. Now that the unit is out of production, I cannot get it replaced. I can get a discount on the new model. yipee

Pros: Speaker-phone, range
Cons: Quality, usability, comfort

I bought this phone a year ago and I'm ready to throw it away. The "On" and "Off" buttons are failing to work; you have to press the button several times. The sound quality is mediocre. The speaker is uncomfortable against your ear. The user interface is not very intuitive.

Pros: Mobile second phone was convenient. Answering machine worked well.
Cons: Constant static.

Very poor quality reception. Base unit failed just after warranty (18 months). Range was acceptable but not great. We are now looking for a non-Vtech phone.

Pros: Multiple voicemail boxes impressive, handset reception good when it functions
Cons: Handsets seem to burn out a little over 1 yr, replacement parts are expensive

Had this phone for 1 1/2 yrs and the handset no longer works. Put new batteries in it and still doesn't work. Replacement handset is VERY difficult to find & is as expensive as a new phone...not worth the upkeep even though the base unit still works. Of course, the warranty is expired. I'm very disappointed in this model & wouldn't recommend it.

Pros: Clarity, convenience of not needing 2nd phone jack for add'l handset.
Cons: See above - answering machine/base does not last.

As many of the other opinions, my answering machine also decided to die after about 18 months, with the flashing lines in the LCD and the annoying clicking sound every 1/2 second.

I also called VTech Support also to get the same explanation that the base/answering machine is no longer working (duh, that's why I called in the first place) and is no longer available. They don't have any parts in stock since this model has been discontinued and have to "upgrade at a discount" to a new system, which only offers the base and 1 handset (at a $49.95 value, plus an add'l $19.95 for an add'l handset), and the working handsets I have are not compatible. Told the support person, no thanks since this phone didn't last me 2 years.

Pros: Great features. Battery backup.
Cons: Fails due to design defect. No support.

I have had three of these fail in the clicking mode described by many others over a period of about 3 to 4 years. Tried the "Reset" (unplug for 5 minutes)they suggested but didn't help. $49.95 plus 3 times $19.95 is outrageous for a replacement for a product with an obvious design defect. It seems there should be an internal reset or fix but I haven't discovered it yet. Went so far as to open up one of the three phones. Would join a class action lawsuit if anyone knows how to do that.

Pros: Good cordless phone, but buy a separate answerer.
Cons: Answering machine failed after 1 year. Vtech wont repair it. Must buy a new unit.

I have a V-tech 2461 DSS telephone with answering machine. This was a `quality priced item'. After 1 years of useful service, The answering machine failed, making a clicking noise every 1/2 second. The telephone still works, but the clicking noise is transmitted over the handset. V-techs customer service hotline tells me the phone is out of warranty and is an old model and will not repair it, but I can upgrade to a newer model with a sic. `discount'. They won't service a telephone model that they sold last year, now it's useless.

Pros: Answering unit, caller ID and multiple "cordless" units
Cons: Failure of answering machine as warranty expired, clarity

I bought the phone because of the features (ans machine, caller ID, and multiple "cordless" handsets).

The answering machine failed after a year with the now familiar (as per the other reviews) clicking. Phoned VTech Canada who said they would repair it for $150.00CAN plus shipping.

Found a "new" unit on ebay, bought it, plugged it in and it started clicking within an hour (it was in a sealed "new" box). To the sellers credit they refunded my money).

The clicking is very annoying when you are on the phone as it seems to amplify when the clarity of the line degrades. I thought it was my phone line but an old 900Mhz phone sounds great on it.

I would not recommend this unit to anyone. I gave VTech another chance with a single unit with built in answering machine which will soon be joining it's cousin in the garbage. Not sure what VTech is doing but they need to look at sites like this!!

Pros: 3 phones 1 base
Cons: breaks down after 18 months

I too bought a second base w/phone after my first one started clicking about 18 months after I bought it. Now I have the second base that does not work click-click-click.
It seems that after 18 months a time bomb goes off in these phone bases. I liked the phone and the idea of a Satellite system but I guess its time to buy another brand.

Pros: Great Phone when new
Cons: Short Lifespan

Like multiple users I two have the clicking failed answer phone saga. Sad for such a great piece of eqpt.

Well Sorry to V-Tech for not making good on this obvious design fault.