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Landline Cordless Phone System - Suggestions?

Jaxidian

Jaxidian

Platinum Member
I'm just now getting a landline put in place (going DSL instead of Cable internet) so I'm looking for a good system. I'd like one with 2-4 handsets and a single, centralized base (of course with multiple chargers). I'd also like one that's cheap but good.

Any pointers or suggestions? I've only had a cell phone (no landline) for the past 7 years, so I'm a bit out of it as far as the trends and technologies go.

Also, I do have a wifi (g) network so I'd like something that won't interfere with that.

Thanks!
 
May I slightly hijack here, while we're on the subject? I bought a couple wonderful Panasonics quite a few years ago. 900Mhz 2-line units, KX-TC1709B. Sound quality on both ends is perfect. Nobody can even tell I'm speaking to them on a cordless.

Since those performed so well, I bought a couple more sets of Panasonics for my sons. The old models were discontinued, so I got them similar units, KX-TC1703B. Their sound quality is not as good by a long shot, and battery life is less. I'm about ready to replace all four phones. The LCD display in mine is faint, which is reason enough to move on for me, but I'll be happy to pay the premium for that sound quality again. Who makes the best sounding phones, with no regard for price. I don't give a damn if it's 900Mhz or eleventy billion Mhz, I just want great sound!
 
Originally posted by: Ornery
May I slightly hijack here, while we're on the subject? I bought a couple wonderful Panasonics quite a few years ago. 900Mhz 2-line units, KX-TC1709B. Sound quality on both ends is perfect. Nobody can even tell I'm speaking to them on a cordless.

Since those performed so well, I bought a couple more sets of Panasonics for my sons. The old models were discontinued, so I got them similar units, KX-TC1703B. Their sound quality is not as good by a long shot, and battery life is less. I'm about ready to replace all four phones. The LCD display in mine is faint, which is reason enough to move on for me, but I'll be happy to pay the premium for that sound quality again. Who makes the best sounding phones, with no regard for price. I don't give a damn if it's 900Mhz or eleventy billion Mhz, I just want great sound!
Click to expand...

5.8 has better range and I really think that it has superior sound quality if you buy a descent set
 
I got a set of 2.4 GHz Panasonic KX-TG2770S (come with 1 corded & 1 cordless handset with the option to add 7 more cordless ++ caller ID & digital answer) 3-4 years ago and it serve me very well. I enjoy the corded hand set because it produce extreamly clear voice transmission, and for the odd time if the battery ever fail on the handset (I change out the crapy Cadmium that failed and install my own set of Nimh battery modified to fit the casing) . The cordless produce the clearest voice transmission out of all cordless that have ever hear, and just about as good as Panasonic corded phone.

IMHO, any dual or more hansets 5.8 GHz Panasonic phone would be a good choice.

[add]

My GF once dropped the cordless into the bathtub full of water (with my mod Nimh batteries) then put it into the charger, hoping that I wouldn't find out. She fest up 8 house latter when I tried to use the phone and found it is dead with a messed up LCD. Latter that weekend I got the phone working again by opened the casing and dry it out with a hair dryer set at air dry setting.

 
I'm a panasonic fan myself, but they're starting to get up there in price. Like paying for the name now.

EDIT: Personally, if you get one with an answering machine, make sure the base has speakerphone, or some way to "beep" when you have a message. The one I got only has a flashing light and sometimes I go days before I realize someone left me a message.
 
I just bought a 5.8 Ghz Panasonic on the Office Depot deal last week and love it so far. The best thing about it is the speakerphone. This really comes in handy when I'm on the phone to tech support or customer service.
 
Originally posted by: Ornery

Ooh, this one's pretty... I'd be pissed if I bought it, and it sounded crappy, though.

Looks to me like buying them separately isn't much more expensive than buying an "expandable" system, so what's the point? 😕
Click to expand...

Think it depends on which system you hook into. Buying the expandables to the ones I looked at anyway were usually 20-40 bucks less then the starting system, and the "expanded" handsets didn't need to be plugged into the wall. You just put em where you want, although you still needed to be next to an outlet for the charging.
 
I only charge mine when they NEED charging, which was every 20 days with my custom NiMH packs. Stupidly, I switched back to NiCd because I figured the chargers weren't made to accomodate NiMH batteries. Now, they only go about a week!
 
Originally posted by: Ornery
I only charge mine when they NEED charging, which was every 20 days with my custom NiMH packs. Stupidly, I switched back to NiCd because I figured the chargers weren't made to accomodate NiMH batteries. Now, they only go about a week!
Click to expand...
NiMH & NiCad difference only at the storage power therefor a NiCad charger might undercharge NiMH batteries due to NiMH greater power storage.

Many newer chagers are design to accomodate both NiCad & NiMH power storage differences.

 
Originally posted by: Ornery

  1. Holy crap, where's all the opinionated, phone fanbois when ya need 'em? 😕
Click to expand...

Ironically we were shopping at CostCo and just got home. I also vote Uniden or Panasonic from CostCo.
 
Who cares, just go to Costco and buy what looks good. Go home, try it out. If it sucks, go return it, try another one.

Costco return policy FTW!
 
Originally posted by: JinLien

Many newer chagers are design to accomodate both NiCad & NiMH power storage differences.
Click to expand...
I guess it would be worthwhile to see what battery packs come in these new phones. You'd think they'd upgrade the batteries as well as the Ghz, eh?

I was hoping Ross would have a specific model to snag. It's true you can return one easy enough to a B&M, but the prices are lower via the Web.
 
Originally posted by: Ornery
Originally posted by: JinLien

Many newer chagers are design to accomodate both NiCad & NiMH power storage differences.
Click to expand...
I guess it would be worthwhile to see what battery packs come in these new phones. You'd think they'd upgrade the batteries as well as the Ghz, eh?

I was hoping Ross would have a specific model to snag. It's true you can return one easy enough to a B&M, but the prices are lower via the Web.
Click to expand...

If I had seen this thread before heading to CostCo I would have definitely written down some model numbers and prices.
 
Originally posted by: Ornery
Originally posted by: JinLien

Many newer chagers are design to accomodate both NiCad & NiMH power storage differences.
Click to expand...
I guess it would be worthwhile to see what battery packs come in these new phones. You'd think they'd upgrade the batteries as well as the Ghz, eh?

I was hoping Ross would have a specific model to snag. It's true you can return one easy enough to a B&M, but the prices are lower via the Web.
Click to expand...

My 2 year old Uniden (2.4GHz)has 2 AA Ni-MH batteries in it. I think it depends on the brand/model, but I would imagine most, if not all 5.8 phones have Ni-MH. Some really fancy ones probably have Li-ion by now. As for the expandable system, not sure about others, but my phone had a "direct link" mode where the base was not needed.(for handset to handset communication, obviously) Kind of like 2-way radios in a pinch. Other than that, I can't think of much of a reason if costs are the same.
 
If I had seen this thread before heading to CostCo I would have definitely written down some model numbers and prices.

My main concern is sound quality, so I'm more interested in personal experience with particular newer models. I've already been burned by Panasonic when they "upgraded" from one generation to the next.
 
(just getting back to this thread)

One of my requirements is that it be an expandable system with a single base station. I only have 2 phone jacks in my house and I specifically want 1 of those to be used for a generic corded phone (for when electric is out) and the second one is going to be split for DSL and my single base station. I mean, sure I could keep splitting these and have 3 different base stations all next to each other but no thanks. I want 3 cordless phones in chargers in 3 different rooms.

Sorry to be picky but that's what I want. I'll try the Costco/Sam's route if they have anything that look good and I'll try to stick to Uniden/Panasonic. 🙂

Thanks!
 
Oh, I hear that. I want my phone right in a certain spot where I can easily reach it at all times. It damn well better be there too! However, I've got jacks all over the house, so that's not an issue for me.

If you buy local, you can return them easily enough if the quality is poor, but chances are you won't get the best price.
 
Ended up finding a Uniden 3-pack (1 base, 3 handsets) that operate at 5.8GHz for about $60 at Fry's so I went with that for now. Like Ornery said, if they suck I can return them but it sounds like most ppl here were recommending Uniden or Panasonic.

Sam's didn't have much for less than about $90 so I didn't grab anything from there.

Thanks for the help!
 
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