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VTech i5881 5.8 GHz DSS Expandable Cordless Speakerphone with Answering SystemBrand: VTech
Binding: Electronics
Features: - 5.8 GHz digital spread spectrum operation
- Digital answering system with 3 mailboxes
- Expandable to 6 handsets, 1 included; dual keypads
- Speakerphone in handset and base; remote charger stand
- Supports caller ID with call waiting, 50 name-and-number memory
Do Not Buy this phone... [Posted on 2005-03-31]
I've had this phone for 6 months and the handset that came with it won't charge anymore. A new battery didn't solve the problem. A quick call to VTech for a replacement handset reveals that they don't make this phone anymore and the only option I have is to buy a completely new setup. Don't waste your money.
Looks better than it works [Posted on 2006-06-13]
In my experience with this phone, here's what I've found:
Pros:
* Separate base (w/ speakerphone) and handset units allow you to be flexible with where you place them.
* Blue-lit display and buttons are easy on the eyes while remaining visible.
* Nice, simple, modern look and feel.
* Speakerphone on handset is very convenient.
* Optional backup battery in base allows talk time during a power outage. Comes in handy during storms.
* Handset can be set to vibrate instead of ring... useful for when the baby's sleeping, or when you have cell-phone withdrawals while at home and the cell is charging.
* Range is pretty good (but see interference caveat, below).
Cons:
* Heavy static and interference (other phone conversations, what sounds like a radio station, potential extraterrestrial communications, etc.), though not constant, are common. Using an alternate cordless phone under the same circumstances reveals the problem lies with the VTech.
* Listening to messages on the answering machine is an exercise in patience. At low volumes, the messages are difficult to hear (somewhat obviously), but turning the volume up only makes things worse. Messages sound very electronically distorted... much like a $4 radio shack walkie-talkie from the 80s. I often had to play messages 3 or 4 times to get enough info to call people back and ask them directly what their messages said.
* The call log is nearly impossible to purge... with caller ID, it keeps track of the names/numbers of the last 50 callers (whether or not they leave a message), so that when you get home from work, say, the handset will read "5 new calls." You can then scroll through the call log to see who rang you. Viewing each call listing is supposed to reset the log so that the phone doesn't report any more "new" calls. It rarely works, though, and I've often had to scroll up and down the log several times to reset it. I resolved to just let it be, but it's just annoying, is all, because whenever you look at the phone, it makes you think you missed a call.
* The thing beeps like crazy. And loudly. Every time you try to play a message back, etc., you have to wade through a symphony of beeps and then have your finger on the delete button, ready to go. If you don't hit delete while the person is still talking, the machine moves on to the next message, and you'll have to wait for it to beep all over again to get rid of the first one. Again, annoying.
Overall:
I bought this back when 5.8s were the next big thing in phones, but I think VTech released this one prematurely... without enough bug testing, and without making some of its "features" more user friendly. It has some useful innovations which made me keep it around for awhile, but the static and poor recording quality of the answering machine seemed to increase over time (despite new batteries, new locations for phone, etc.), so I've moved on from this nifty-looking model to something that actually works... and that I don't want to smash into a million beeping pieces.
A bad product [Posted on 2006-06-15]
I have had problems with this phone since recieving it 2 weeks ago. The hand held battery provides only a few minuted of use. It has to be recharged every day. The speaker in the hand held is really bad quality. The main unit speaker phone is bad sound quality. A person cannot talk to a customer support person. ALL the various phone are computerized.
Best phone I have ever had!!!! [Posted on 2006-06-21]
I have gone through them all and just wanted to comment how fantastic this one is. I know it is a little old now but awesome. I have had for two or three years now with 0 problems, great range, great sound quality, and the best speaker phone on a handset I have ever seen. I wish I could get an extra expansion handset but the price is too high for it and it's age.
Best phone I've ever owned [Posted on 2007-06-17]
I've had this phone since 2003 and have never had a problem. In fact, I'm here looking for additional handsets today.
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