Telephone Reviews

I really wanted to like this phone, but here are the problems:

1. When a headset is plugged in, the volume (for listening) is too low and can't be turned up sufficiently. (This is not a problem with the headset.)

2. No mute button. Terrible if you use the phone for work/meetings.

3. Limited speed dial. I like to program access codes (like mailbox number and password), since I use my phone for work purposes. I can't do that with this phone.

4. The buttons are not very responsive and there is a delay until you hear a "beep" indicating that you pressed a button. Sounds petty but the result is that, when dialing, you often miss a number but don't realize it until it's too late. Then you have to start over.

5. The size and shape of the phone are not conducive to holding it between your head/ear and shoulder.

I just discovered in another review here that there truly is no mute function. I had been searching the Web for advice on how to do just that. With small children and regular concalls, I need to be able to mute. Ack.

I am happy with this phone otherwise.

I bought the 4000 as a remote to my 4210. It was a mistake. The 42XX series will automatically download your adddress book. The 4000 does not have this feature. You will have to input you phone numbers again. The 4200 adds voice dialing and called ID. For a basic remote in a Siemens phone network, this phone will be fine. I use mine with a Vonage VOIP (cable) phone system and it works great. It broke my heart to say goodbye to Verizon. NOT!

From the first, the sound quality on this phone was poor, and we had some trouble hearing people, even on the highest volume setting. Sound quality on the digital message recorder was also wobbly. Now the head phone jack is loose, and it's causing us to be unable to use the handset -- sound cuts in and out during phone conversations. In short, it's junk. I've heard that Uniden is one of the better brands, but not with this model!

I bought this phone a week ago and have gone through every feedback I could find about it on the net before doing so. Some of the comments about the phone made me think twice before getting this particular model but some of them who had good experiences with the TRU3485 made me try it out for myself. After all, I thought, I can always return it if it proved worthless.

Worthless is hardly what this phone is. This phone proved to be all function and performance. Let me tell you some of the TSU3485's nice perks:

The Base / Speaker Phone:

Set-up was simple and quick. Plug it in set up the day and time and you're set! The other settings are in simple toggle switches all around the phone which makes it really easy to set i.e. number of rings before answer, toll saver feature, message length, base ringer and the tone/pulse select switch. Other base features that I've tried include the intercom/page which allowed me to talk to my wife from the garage calling her on the base from the handset & vice versa, the speaker phone feature which has the useful mute button, the memo feature which allows you to leave a reminder message to yourself or other members of the household, the answering machine feature and the 20 number speed dial memory. I did not avail of the caller ID feature hence have not tried that function.

The Handset:

The handset feels great, has the right weight and is quite sturdy. I dropped it a couple of times by accident of course and it did no harm to the phone. I'm talking about carpet flooring though. So don't start dropping it on granite or any stone floor! The handset is filled with features too! I noticed that when you get a call it lights up when it is on it's base which makes it ideal if you're listening to loud music, have headphones on or switched the ringer off so as not to disturb a sleeping partner or child (I'm not sure if it will light up when it rings out of the base). It also has auto answer mode which allows you to simply pick it up from the base and answer a call without having to press any key. Another cool feature is the 20 number memory that you can use to store names and numbers on the handset which allows you to input names and numbers which you can scroll through later on using the 3 line LCD display. Scroll to the name you want and hit "talk" and it will dial the number stored for that particular name! I also like the headset compatibility! One user commented about wishing they had it in alphabetical order... good suggestion, but for now since it isn't, just arrange it so that you have the most important names and numbers on top of your list. Make sure it's your wife's office or cellphone number on the number 01 slot if you work from home or you'll have to explain many many times why pizza hut is on the number 01 slot!

The timer is a great feature on the handset. It helps in keeping track of those long distance or overseas calls and the lighted display and keypad helps when dialing in dimly lit areas. Using the functions on the handset is relatively easy if you take some time to read the simply written manual. Battery life is good and audio quality is I think loud enough even at medium setting. Range is excellent! Signal goes thru walls and floors without any problems.

The minor Issues:

You can hear a noticeable static noise if you really listen for it. I tried the phone near the microwave and YES there is noise when you talk near an operating microwave oven. The question is how often would you want to talk to someone on the phone at the exact same time you're near an operating microwave oven? No noise next to a TV or computer though. Another issue I found about this unit is that sometimes when my wife calls me from home she seems like she was calling from a cell phone. There was ambient noise and a little echoing but most of the time she comes in clear like she was on a normal corded phone. No choppiness or clicks.

The sound quality of the base and message playback needs improvement and I would suggest the following enhancements: The base could use a 3 line LCD for caller ID users and to make it easier to use the speed dial numbers stored in it, lighted keypads and a headset socket. Other than that it truly is a wonderful phone, packed with features to have for your home or office. Stop hesitating! Buy one and try it out for yourself!

I'm 45 years old and just a couple of months ago had to start using eye glasses. Now I'm searching for a cordless phone that has a lot of volume.....I think my hearing is the next thing to go. This Uniden has tons of volume if your looking for a phone that need this. I would rather have a phone that has to much than not enough that way I can turn it down if it's to loud. But a cordless phone cannot be judged only on volume alone, it has to be clear and this one is definatly that. The speaker phone also a plenty of volume and callers on the other say it sounds pretty good.

This phone works very well with call waiting caller ID and another plus with call waiting caller ID with options. If you have this feature with your phone company you can (while your on a phone call) send a message to the caller trying to call you to hold, or that your busy, or you can conference them with the current call or you can drop the first call and answer the second....very handy and something I wish more phones had.

My only complaint about the phone is why only 20 directory numbers on the handset and why not in alphabetical order? Twenty numbers just isn't enough nowadays and if they were in alphabetical order it would be easier to locate the person that your trying to call. If the phone had at least 50 directory slots and was capable of putting them in alphabetical order I would have given this phone 5 stars. I noticed Uniden is getting ready to come out with a new line of phones, hopefully Uniden has addressed this short comming. The answering machine part works well and is easy to set up. Checking messages can only be done at the base unit, no part of the answering machine is accessable from the cordless handset.

Conclusion:

If your looking for a cordless phone with clarity and an abundance of volume and can live with the 20 number directory limitation than this is the phone for you.

...send it to me rather than buying a phone made by Uniden. I bought this phone and it never worked. This phone's range in my home was completely limited to the room where the base was situated, and the reception was horrible even while standing next to the base. It's not even like it was a little bit of fuzz or static on the line, it would cut out completely and explode into this wild and disturbing noise (similar to the noise you hear when you dial a fax number on your phone...horrible), and the sound is even worse on the other end of the line as I learned after calling home to my wife. We bought a 5.8 GHz by Uniden to replace this one, thinking that maybe we need a more powerful phone, but we had the exact same results...extremely limited range and horrible clarity. We have since purchased a digital cordless phone/answering system by V-Tech and have had ZERO PROBLEMS. I'm not trying to say that V-Tech makes the best phones because I'm sure that there are many other quality brands, but from my very recent experience, Uniden phones are garbage. I encourage you to buy a different brand of phone so that you can avoid the trips back and forth to your electronics store returning terrible, worthless phones made by Uniden. I wish I could give this phone 0 stars.

I have found this phone to be near perfect. The quality reception is the best I've had. I live in a 2 story home and have clear reception from the basement to the 2nd floor. The digital answering feature has worked well.

My only complaint would be the lack of a speaker phone. Like most cordless phones, there will be a time when the handset is not around and the phone is ringing. Without a speaker phone at the base you cannot answer the phone and must find the handset. Since there is a speaker and a mic at the base I imagine it would be easy to do if Uniden wanted to add this feature to future phones.

Overall I am very pleased with the quality I have seen so far...good luck with your phone!

As many revewiers have stated before, you'd be hard pressed to find a better deal. The quality is outstanding, and with this price--it's a must. Don't pay attention to any complaints about interference--it has nothing to do with the phone's quality. With any wireless device there's always a chance it will pick up some noise, but all you have to do is switch it to a different channel (which is not difficult at all, unless you're completely technologically challenged). Oh, and Caller ID *does* work when connected through a modem. All in all, it's sleek, it's inexpensive, and, most of all, it's reliable. Get one.

...send it to me rather than buying a phone made by Uniden. I bought this phone and it never worked. This phone's range in my home was completely limited to the room where the base was situated, and the reception was horrible even while standing next to the base. It's not even like it was a little bit of fuzz or static on the line, it would cut out completely and explode into this wild and disturbing noise (similar to the noise you hear when you dial a fax number on your phone...horrible), and the sound is even worse on the other end of the line as I learned after calling home to my wife. We bought a 5.8 GHz by Uniden to replace this one, thinking that maybe we need a more powerful phone, but we had the exact same results...extremely limited range and horrible clarity. We have since purchased a digital cordless phone/answering system by V-Tech and have had ZERO PROBLEMS. I'm not trying to say that V-Tech makes the best phones because I'm sure that there are many other quality brands, but from my very recent experience, Uniden phones are garbage. I encourage you to buy a different brand of phone so that you can avoid the trips back and forth to your electronics store returning terrible, worthless phones made by Uniden. I wish I could give this phone 0 stars.

I have found this phone to be near perfect. The quality reception is the best I've had. I live in a 2 story home and have clear reception from the basement to the 2nd floor. The digital answering feature has worked well.

My only complaint would be the lack of a speaker phone. Like most cordless phones, there will be a time when the handset is not around and the phone is ringing. Without a speaker phone at the base you cannot answer the phone and must find the handset. Since there is a speaker and a mic at the base I imagine it would be easy to do if Uniden wanted to add this feature to future phones.

Overall I am very pleased with the quality I have seen so far...good luck with your phone!

As many revewiers have stated before, you'd be hard pressed to find a better deal. The quality is outstanding, and with this price--it's a must. Don't pay attention to any complaints about interference--it has nothing to do with the phone's quality. With any wireless device there's always a chance it will pick up some noise, but all you have to do is switch it to a different channel (which is not difficult at all, unless you're completely technologically challenged). Oh, and Caller ID *does* work when connected through a modem. All in all, it's sleek, it's inexpensive, and, most of all, it's reliable. Get one.

I have never left a negative review on Amazon before, but this is a terrible phone. Sound quality is miserable as it cuts in and out as described in other reviews. Also has echo and severe static at times. I've had the phone for 5 months and the battery is already to the point where it only lasts 15 to 20 minutes after a full charge. This appears to be a problem with MANY of the panasonic phone models - just read the other reviews. Best advice is to just stay away from this brand altogether. I thought Panasonic was a quality brand; however, they have proved me wrong. I will NEVER buy another Panasonic phone again. This has been a terrible experience - worst of all, I have come to learn from other reviews that this is typical of the brand and not just a fluke as I had originally thought.

This phone is terrible. I was excited when I bought it because of the some of the reviews I read, but when I got it home, it was nothing but trouble. The sound is garbled and you cannot hear the person on the other line. It cuts in and out like a cell phone would. I cannot even talk to someone on this phone for more than a minute before massive amounts of static clog up the line and I have to switch phones.

Please do yourself a favor and buy any other phone but this one. The Uniden is a little more expensive but much much better

6 months! That's how long it lasted.

The GOOD
The phone is lovely, looks good and operated well. Nice features, built-in phone book was really convenient. The charge on the phone lasted a few days, no need to be constantly recharging it.

I ESPECIALLY liked the VOICE MAIL LIGHT flashing when you have a voice mail message. Then with the press of 1 button the phone dials and accesses the voice mail account. A real JOY!

Excellent range. All over house and outside. No interference with other equipment.

Now the PROBLEMS:
ECHO..ECHO ..ECHO..
There was an echo with the voice enhancer. Turning off helped somewhat but then there was loss of clarity sometimes.

BEEP...BEEP
and an infrequent beep while talking making one lose bits of conversation.. Auto frequency changes maybe?

POWER LOSS
The power went off when I accidentally unplugged the phone thinking it was my shaver and the phone RESET AND NEVER WORKED AGAIN! How ridiculous!

I have another cordless, a Toshiba, I unplugged that to test and it continued to work after I plugged it back in. All the programmed memory buttons still retained their numbers.

With the Panasonic, I tried resetting the phone but alas ... there are NO instructions on how to reset if the power is disconnected. The manual simply said replace handset on cradle and let charge for x hours. Still the thing wouldn't work. flashing lights and beeps! Amazing!

I would have returned the thing but decided that I would simply get another phone of a DIFFERENT brand that actually WORKS AFTER BEING UNPLUGGED.

My new phone, a GE, has instructions on resetting the phone if accidentally unplugged or power outage. 6 months and it is still working, and no beeps! Unfortunately it doesn't have the voice mail light. I really liked that light!

So, if you accidentally unplug your phone beware....all may not be as it seems!

It has very nice features but the sound quality is very poor. You can't hear a thing. It is very muffled. I am going to try the AT&T 1760 Digital Answering System and see if that is any better.

I had this machine for about a month now.
Just two things that I don't like:

The sound could be improved. I can certanly understand the messages but my former 10 year old tape based answering machine sounded better.

It would be nice if they added a built in light in the Caller ID screen (like in cell phones)

Other than that not bad for what it costs.

I must confess that I am prompted to write this review mainly because my experiences with the Panasonic KX-TM150B telephone answering machine are in sharp contrast to some of the other users' stated findings.
My main disagreement is in the matter of the unit's ease of use. Although this is a highly subjective area to comment on, I believe that here in the 21st century we can make a few generalized assumptions and judgements about the user interfaces of consumer electronics products, because we now have a fairly long history of consumer products with which to compare against.
When you consider the spectacular array of useful features that this device provides, I feel that it would be extremely difficult to design it with a more straightforward layout. All of the buttons are clearly labeled, and the LCD display as well as voice prompts guide you through all of the setup and operation functions. If someone finds the labeling and pleasant voice prompts insufficient, the instruction manual that comes with the unit takes every setup and operational function and provides a crystal-clear step-by-step guide that anyone who can read English at the fourth-grade level and above will have absolutely no problem in comprehending.
The frequently-used buttons are quite large, and the less-used setup buttons are smaller, as one would logically expect. ALL buttons are placed over 1/2 inch apart when measured from their centers. I would very much like to meet a person who is unable to press the buttons independently, as this person would likely need to be about fourteen feet tall in order to have fingers that are so large as to be unable to independently press the buttons.
Anyone who is still unsure about the unit's ease of use is welcome to download a free .pdf copy of the instruction manual at Panasonic's website. I am confident that a quick glance at the manual will alleviate any fears that may remain regarding this unit's stunningly simple and logical control layout.

Regarding the unit's overall quality, it is in keeping with Panasonic's well-deserved reputation for excellence in consumer products. After several months of use it has yet to have the slightest problem or generate any error whatsoever.
Naturally, when you have a company like Panasonic that produces millions of products every year, every now and then one might have a problem. If you are the unlucky person who gets the extremely rare defective unit, just return it to Amazon and let them help you with a replacement....pretty simple, right?
Buy it with confidence.

bought three within 6 months 2 of the headsets were broken

I use to have the Bell Sonecore BE-100HT until I dropped it one two many times and pulled the cord out of the headset. Just got the BE200HT today. Seems to work just fine. I am happy with it. Minor cons. Display contrast is low and hard to read straight on. It seems to be made to read at a low viewing angle. The volume control range is limited. It can be adjusted to between loud and near loud. It just does not have the range from low to high that my previous BE100HT did. The "belt clip" on the back is still the cheap plastic design that broke on my last one. I expect it will not last long on this one either. The write up on Amazon at the time I posted this still mentions cordless/cell/2.5mm jacks. All wrong. The picture is correct though. It is basically a hands free headset that connects with the phone cord and needs 4 AAA batteries. It is worth the ...price though. I am happy with it.

I really enjoy using this phone. It is really durable and the batteries seem to last forever, I just wish it was cordless.

This was my first vid cam so I didn't have anything to compare it with. The only person whom I talked with previously on vid conference had an old vid cam so I didn't see a big difference. Then a family member called and said he just bought a new vid cam (a Logitech Quickcam 4000) and I couldn't believe the difference. I can see now why the Veo Velocity is getting such a bad rap. It's well deserved. It's very grainy and jittery, and doesn't work consistent in any light, not to mention very poor in low light, even with the 2.0 USB card. I'm not much into the vid conference thing, but since it looks like I'm going to be in touch with my family member now on a steady basis, I went out and snagged a Logitech 4000 and am very pleased with it.

Don't settle for the Veo Velocity cam. If you are communicating with someone who is using a Logitech, it will only remind you what poor quality your Veo is.

Just got the camera and read the fine print found only on the bottom of the box. It says, "Resolutions supported by hardware for third party software compatibility. Not supported by Creative Studio." The software it comes with only supports the usual 640x480 resolution. I didn't see any advantage from the optics or the USB 2.0 functionality, but then mine came with a busted focusing lens. I'm sure Amazon will take the return no problem, and the free shipping that was supposed to take 5-7 days miraculously brought me the camera in a single day, but I won't be ordering another one all the same.

The previous reviews for this product are right on the money... This cam looks great in the daytime with the shades open, but once night falls, in order to use it , my computer desk has to look like a photographers studio.. I have several lights blinding me just to get a decent picture.. also I find I am constantly having to adjust light to make my image viewable. When I bought this cam, I also fell for the impressive stats, but they all go out the window at dusk..

Once again 3Com has demonstrated they are more concerned with wrestling your money away from you than they are with your satisfaction with their product support. I bought 2 of these cameras in 1999 and have been using them to video conference with my kids while I'm away at my remote work location. They work great and the capture cards and software provided allow you to easily capture and edit video from a VCR. But I recently purchased new replacement PC's that run Windows XP and none of the application software or installation drivers will work. Nor is there any assistance for this product available at the 3Com product support web site. I applaud the high quality and service life of the 3com product, but really, what good is it if the drivers and applications aren't going to maintain compatibility with Operating System revisions? For product durability, ease of use, and application software I would rate this product 5 stars, but for customer support, or the total lack of, which has ultimately rendered my purchase unusable, 3com earns a big "Zero."

I purchased this cam several years ago and worked wonderfully in Windows 95 and 98. However, Windows 2000 will not recognize the driver. I contacted 3Com and was told that this product has reached the end of its life and they do not support it. If your OS is Windows 2000 (and probably XP too), do not buy this product. It will not work!

I'am sorry to said that 3 com drop the ball with a good product.If the company had any brains they would pick up this product and run with it.This camera has the highest quality and frame rate out of all cams out there.The problem is that 3 Com wont support the drivers for XP.So all I can say is that for a big company like 3Com wakeup and smell the coffee or in time you'll be out of business to.

My brand new phone wouldn't even allow me to set up basic features. I tried many times to change the dialing from pulse to tone, to no avail. It would say "ok" and then just automatically go back to pulse. The phone rang while I was sitting in front of it and then stopped ringing ... but I could hear it still ringing unanswered in another part of my house. I could not answer it because the call was no longer available on this phone ... it simply said "C4 Call Blocking". Tech support didn't have any suggestions other than unplugging it for ten minutes to allow the phone to reset. I decided to unplug it for life and try another brand.

I've had several problems with this phone. First is the speakerphone volume, turned all the way up, you still have trouble hearing. When the headset is plugged in and you try to use the handset, I pick up some radio talk show. So I have to plug and unplug the headset all the time. Lastly, after having to plug and unplug the headset. (I'd say 30 times) I now have to play with the connection to get it to switch back to handset or speakerphone use. Hard to explain. But I'm sure it's a loose connection in the phone. Wish I'd bought a different phone.

I do not understand the negative comments. I have tried several 2 line home phones and like this phone the best.