Telephone Reviews

There are plenty of annoying features with this phone -- battery life is poor, menus confusing, etc. but my biggest complaint is reliability. I have TWO of them, and "menu" buttons are starting to breakdown on both, battery life pathetic on both, and both have poor call quality. Although there is a place to plug in the headset, after a month or so, the headsets wouldn't work in this phone. (the headsets themselves work fine in other phones).

I bought the MD 470 and 3 MD 40 extension phones. They have been returned. The sound quality is poor. The hands free volume is weak and unusable. The telephone book memory is awkward to access. The tech support is non-existent. It's off shore and they "have not a clue" as to this product. Save your money, don't buy

The features are great but my previous phone 900 MHz cordless had no background noise at all. The MD471 has an annoying amount of background crackle regardless of where it is placed in the house.

I've owned this phone for a little more than a year. At first I was very satisfied not only with the features, but also with the voice quality. Unfortunately, by now the phone is barely usable and I am already looking for a replacement.

First, the battery life was adequate for nearly the first year. I would get about 4 hours of talk time, which was okay. However, the standby time was not very good... If I left home for a weekend, the phone would inevitably be dead upon my return. However, after 1 year, the battery life has shortened significantly to about 2 hours of talk time. The indicator is also of very little use because it will go from 2 out of 3 bars to dead.

Secondly, the main reason I am replacing this phone (I could always buy a replacement battery) is that the phone randomly cuts out all the time. At first I thought it might be interference from my home wireless network, but I noticed this was also a common complaint from other users. Frankly, the frequent dead silences are too great of an annoyance for me and for the people I am talking to.

If this phone is still available for purchase, I would recommend against it.

I really wanted to like this phone. It has wall mount, digital spread spectrum, excellent sound quality, a comfortable handset, and a good feature list. After two days, I can't stand using it anymore.
- You can't dial the phone from the base if you are using the handset - defeats the whole purpose of multiple keypads.
- The caller ID won't stop blinking without picking up the handset and going through multiple menu items.
- The phone won't let you step through the names in the stored directory any faster than one per second.
- Speed dial only works on the base, not the handset.
- Speed dial and the stored directory don't work together.
- Transferring calls between the speaker phone and the handset is a tedious, noisy operation.
- No mute button.
- Too much loud beeping that you can't turn off.
In short - if you aren't a phone power user, don't pay for the extra features on this phone. If you are a power user, find a phone designed by someone with common sense. I'm still looking.

the volume on the handset is too low, especially when using a headset. Too bad because it would be a great phone. It has great range.

Bought the phone to use the mute feature (not very common anymore), but static and background noise is a little too distracting. Probably will return for a refund.

This phone offer mediocre sound quality. I sometimes could hear static on the phone at the far end of our 2 story house. I had the base station positioned in a downstairs office. I called Uniden for support because I could not figure out how to shut the ringer. After waiting on hold for an interminable period of time I come to find out that there is no way to shut the ringer off. That really ... and I guess this phone is for people who like to be awakened at anytime of the day or night. Look around and spend a little more money. In the end you will be glad you did.

I expected great things with this phone but when I first start using it in the day, I get static. I would like to send it back and will try to do so. I don't know what I could be doing wrong but I really don't like it.

I bought this phone and set it up as instructed. But, immediately it wouldn't charge correctly. Even though the phone was sitting in the cradle the charge light was blinking off and on. It didn't matter what I did, nothing resolve the problem so I let it charge for 24 hours instead of the 12 hours GE requires. I then proceeded to test the phone and notice immediately that the Caller ID was very difficult to read. And then on several other calls the Caller ID didn't work at all. Also had to have the sound up to maximum and still was hard to listen to callers (I have no hearing problems). Maybe all of these problems were due to the inability to get a good charge but anyways I still couldn't recommend anyone buying this phone!

I tried a number of phones before this one including some of the highly-rated Panasonic phones and this one sounds the best by far. Very clear at both ends of the line with little or no interference. The only negative I can see is that the caller ID is not very bright and is difficult to read. Other than that, it's great! I ended up buying a second one for my bedroom. Recommended overall.

I got this phone after my other GE phone's keys just stopped working. You had to press the button and hold it down for at least 10 seconds before the number would come up. But so far this phone after about 6 or 7 months, has been really great. I have only one complaint. The keypad doesnt light up at night, so it's sometimes hard to see.

I agree with the other reviewer who said the time "gets stuck". In one night, the clock became 45 mintues slow, causing me to wake up too late to catch my train. The time was accurate when I went to bed 7 hours earlier. While it is stuck, I noticed the colon in the time display blinks extremely slowly, and none of the buttons would respond. That is, I could not set an alarm, view the calls on the ID, or fix the time. I had to unplug it and quickly plug it back in to get it "unstuck". This has happened to me on several occasions while I've owned this phone this past year, but never has it caused me to be this late before. I'm going to write to GE to see if I can get some compensation.

I also agree about the flashing caller ID light. It is very bright. I saw the reflection of it on my ceiling, and I kept trying to close my blinds. I couldn't figure out where it was coming from! It was so annoying!

As a phone with caller ID, it works just as it should. Just don't count on this to wake you up or display accurate time.

While initially happy with this product, after about 18 months, the illuminated display became dim, making it very hard to see at night (which was the point of buying this). The LCD worked OK. Warranty is only for a year, so I'm out of luck. When I find something else with similar capabilities, I'll be buying that and putting this in my growing collection of old phones.

I've had this phone/clock for about a year. While I like the compact design, the actual performance left something to be desired. The clock sometimes "gets stuck" after the alarm goes off and then the clock time is off by several minutes. I had to double check the time every night before I went to bed to make sure the time was correct. The display is too bright for a night stand, even on the low light setting. The caller id indicator flashes if you don't review the new calls. It is very annoying to have a light flashing when you are tryijng to go to sleep. I had to put tape over it... Last but not least, the alarm sound was not pleasant to wake up to. I bought a new cd/clock radio that I am very happy with and I am going to get simple phone with no flahing lights. I would not recommend this product if you like to sleep in a dark room.

The phone works ok but the answering machine sound quality is very poor. I returned it. It is definately not worth the money.

I have searched about every phone looking for a replacement to our old Lucent tech phone. My mom's requirements were for a phone w/ built-in caller id and an answering system, and the phone had to be wall-mountable (the lucent was the same). I found several phones that were good, had caller id, but lacked the answering system or were not easily wall mounted...we bought this phone.

The answering machine sound quality is acceptable. Not great, but acceptable. The mic is on the backside near the bottom. THe sound IS a significant improvement over the Lucent phone which had a very bad mic and fuzzy playback. Using the answering system is easy enough. The manual really is a necessity though, in order to program some of the options, because you have to know the number code for the option u want to set (# of rings, etc...) But it is not hard. Inputing names/numbers into the directory is easy.

The real weakness is the 2.4 ghz transmission. I did a range test with my mom at work and me on the panasonic. I walked around the house and when I had a brick wall and one room between me and the phone (30 feet about) the signal got choppy and cut out frequently. The signal only had good range when the phone was divided by less solid materials (wood/glass) and even then, I got just beyond 120 feet or so (3 houses) when the phone cut out again and i had to run about 60 feet back to re-acquire contact with my mom...The 2.4 ghz phones seem to all have problems with reception and this one is no different. Do NOT buy 2.4 ghz phones! I will now order a 900 mhz digital phone of either sony or Sanyo (highest ratings on range/clarity) or something. This phone is going back ...! Useless piece of junk

Unlike the other reviewer of this phone. I have been pleased with mine. Sound quality rivals corded phones. The earpiece is comfortable and can provide long conversations with comfort. Caller ID is also easy to use on the lighted LCD. Lighted keypads are also nice.

Answering machine is reasonable also. Its not hifi or anything, but I'd put it in the top 75% in sound quality. It also takes a little bit to set up. I like the slow playback feature of the messages. I use it once in awhile on a person I know who talks really fast!

Responding to the range. Normally 3 houses either way is considered decent range. I don't know what the previous poster had for a criteria. If he wants to go a block, he's bound for many disappointments. I live in an apartment, so I don't need 300' of range. I did test the phone's range once. I'd say I got it to 1/4 of a mile (with choppiness). Anyone considering a digital phone of any frequency should keep in mind that digital is fickle when the signal gets weak or interfered with. Thats why the manufacturers say put the phone in a good central spot for optimum range. High intereference spots or bad locations just kill digital phones. Where as analog phones just get staticy, digital cuts out once it loses a viable signal. It either works, chops in and out or not at all. .

Anyhow, I've gotten away from my review of this fine phone. Only drawback I've really had is programming it. It does take some time with the manual to get it cooking. Thus the 4 stars. Once you have it set though, its a good working phone.

Another feature I bought it for - ringer high, low and off.

Well worth the buy and constructed well too.

The phone works ok but the answering machine sound quality is very poor. I returned it. It is definately not worth the money.

I have searched about every phone looking for a replacement to our old Lucent tech phone. My mom's requirements were for a phone w/ built-in caller id and an answering system, and the phone had to be wall-mountable (the lucent was the same). I found several phones that were good, had caller id, but lacked the answering system or were not easily wall mounted...we bought this phone.

The answering machine sound quality is acceptable. Not great, but acceptable. The mic is on the backside near the bottom. THe sound IS a significant improvement over the Lucent phone which had a very bad mic and fuzzy playback. Using the answering system is easy enough. The manual really is a necessity though, in order to program some of the options, because you have to know the number code for the option u want to set (# of rings, etc...) But it is not hard. Inputing names/numbers into the directory is easy.

The real weakness is the 2.4 ghz transmission. I did a range test with my mom at work and me on the panasonic. I walked around the house and when I had a brick wall and one room between me and the phone (30 feet about) the signal got choppy and cut out frequently. The signal only had good range when the phone was divided by less solid materials (wood/glass) and even then, I got just beyond 120 feet or so (3 houses) when the phone cut out again and i had to run about 60 feet back to re-acquire contact with my mom...The 2.4 ghz phones seem to all have problems with reception and this one is no different. Do NOT buy 2.4 ghz phones! I will now order a 900 mhz digital phone of either sony or Sanyo (highest ratings on range/clarity) or something. This phone is going back ...! Useless piece of junk

Unlike the other reviewer of this phone. I have been pleased with mine. Sound quality rivals corded phones. The earpiece is comfortable and can provide long conversations with comfort. Caller ID is also easy to use on the lighted LCD. Lighted keypads are also nice.

Answering machine is reasonable also. Its not hifi or anything, but I'd put it in the top 75% in sound quality. It also takes a little bit to set up. I like the slow playback feature of the messages. I use it once in awhile on a person I know who talks really fast!

Responding to the range. Normally 3 houses either way is considered decent range. I don't know what the previous poster had for a criteria. If he wants to go a block, he's bound for many disappointments. I live in an apartment, so I don't need 300' of range. I did test the phone's range once. I'd say I got it to 1/4 of a mile (with choppiness). Anyone considering a digital phone of any frequency should keep in mind that digital is fickle when the signal gets weak or interfered with. Thats why the manufacturers say put the phone in a good central spot for optimum range. High intereference spots or bad locations just kill digital phones. Where as analog phones just get staticy, digital cuts out once it loses a viable signal. It either works, chops in and out or not at all. .

Anyhow, I've gotten away from my review of this fine phone. Only drawback I've really had is programming it. It does take some time with the manual to get it cooking. Thus the 4 stars. Once you have it set though, its a good working phone.

Another feature I bought it for - ringer high, low and off.

Well worth the buy and constructed well too.

I purchased this phone and it has been a headache ever since I got it charged up. It has horrible static and clicks when in use. Those that I am talking with complain that they cannot understand me because it constantly cuts out. I have sent it back to the customer service to get it fixed, but who know what will happen with it. I'd recommend passing up this phone and going with a different one. Saving the lower price for a two line phone wasn't worth it.

This is my third Panasonic 900Mhz cordless phone and I have to say that I am sorely disappointed in it. I purchased this phone about 4 months ago. It seemed to have all the features I wanted in a phone; Two lines so I could answer both my home and office numbers, speakerphone in the hand unit for those times I have to call my DSL provider for support and get put on hold for a 1/2 hour... That stuff is real cool, except the phone itself is useless.
If I go further than 5 feet from the base station, the unit will emit loud pops and clicks. People are constantly asking my to speak up because they can't hear me. It is the most frustrating thing on earth to try speaking with someone while the phone is popping clicking and they can barely hear you.
I returned the phone in exchange for a new unit - I figured I may have received a bad one and it was past the 14 days I had for a full refund. The new unit had the same problem. I thought that maybe my other cordless phones were causing interference, so I unplugged all of them and even turned off all of my computer equipment - everything remotely electrical in the house had been turned off - even my cell phone. The KXTC1723 STILL has the same problem!!!
My other two Panasonic 900Mhz cordless phones are outstanding performers. I have had them for a few years now. I am very severely disappointed in the KXTC1723 model phone and will never purchase another Panasonic item again (so much for that HDTV I had my eye on).

This phone finally pushed me over the edge:

I was on a call earlier this morning with my mortgage agent and again had to play the repeat-myself game over the pops and clicks (as if refinancing isn't stressful enough). Mid sentence, I just could not take it anymore. I snapped off the antenna and threw the phone against the wall hard enough to send the battery into low-earth-orbit. I then courteously escorted the KXTC1723 unit to the garage where I introduced it to the business end of my Stanley 20oz Claw Hammer.

Problem Solved.

OK, I like cordless phones. Always have. When they work well they duplicate the functions of wired phones with freedom to move around the home or office. The problems with them can be: poor range resulting in static or dropped calls, short battery life requiring lots of time on the cradle, poor fidelity, interference with other devices (which I have experienced with some 2.4 Ghz models- so I came back to 900 Mhz). This Panasonic 2-line unit suffers from none of those shortcomings. In addition, the phone features are genuinely useful and work flawlessly. Line 1 and Line 2 indicators tell me which line is ringing, and when another extension is using a line elsewhere in the house (the Panasonic will automatically choose the free line for your outgoing call). Unlike other phones I have had, I can be on the Panasonic and my wife can join in the conversation from another extension (wired or cordless), just like picking up 2 wired extension phones. Caller ID features work well and quick saves from the Caller ID list to the Panasonic's internal phonebook are simple and intuitive. Even the speakerphone works well, so nice when multiple family members want to chime in all together from the patio when the grandparents call. The Amazon price beat everyone else when I bought this phone, but the price went up a little when I went back to buy a second one - I like it that much. It would be nice if Panasonic offered:
a) second battery to stay charged in the phone base to keep the unit operational during power failures. b) Speakerphone at the base station. c) microphone mute- conspicuously absent here. d) More range - they offer SST models they claim to quadruple the range at substantially more money - I may try one to see.
Bottom line- If... you have Caller ID service from the phone copmpany, this is the phone to buy.

I use this phone at work. I have been looking for a replacement. The features are nice and the headset holder is nice to have, but it has one terrible flaw - the clarity is non-existent! It sounds like the person on the other end is talking through a pillow. Turning up the volume doesn't help, either, it only amplifies the fuzz. We have another, older Plantronics phone that has much better sound quality, so maybe we just got a faulty one. I wouldn't risk it, though.

I needed a phone for a home office. This phone was recommended and I bought it through an Amazon affiliated merchant. It is my 1st handsfree phone and I love the convenience of it! No more neck aches. Sound quality is as good or better than my cordless phone and no interference so far from any of the other equipment in the office. Small size base, comfortable headset. I would change 2 things - the MUTE button is right above the ON/OFF button and could cause an embarrassing hangup. The other is a longer headset cord. It appears to be about three feet long. Otherwise very nice!

This is the second model of this phone I have purchased - I'm a repeat buyer because the first one worked out so well. Great, clear sound quality, and a comfortable headset. I prefer a corded phone to cordless for the security factor, and because in a power outage a cordless phone is not operable. If you want a corded phone with a headset, this is the one!

I bought this phone 2 weeks ago at wallyworld...it has nice features and is pretty easy to figure out how to set it up, but the sound quality is terrible..sounds very fuzzy ...people i talk to say it sounds real good at their end...but at my end i couldnt make out what they were saying....needless to say...." back it goes "

There is alot of background noise even when I switch channels. It would be ok for a back up phone if needed. I had a different Vtech phone for many years until I had to finally replace it. I should have got the same one. Don't waste your money, get a better grade of phone.

WHY I SAY THAT IT IS EXCELLENCT MINI-MACHINE? BECAUSE IT IS.
IT HAS ALL THE REQUIRED FEATURES...e.g. DIGITAL ANSWERING WITH 3 MAIL BOXES DEVICE, CALLER ID, ENOUGH CLEARITY IN VOICE AMONG THE 900 MHZ PHONES AND FOR THIS PRICE, EXCELLENT DESIGN, WALL MOUNTING, HANDS FREE OPTION WITH THE EAR PHONE...IN SHORT COOL PHONE.