Cordless phone advice

[Scooby]

Hey guys. Need some advice.

Our cordless phone/ answering machine unit is in need of replacing. I need some recommendations for a replacement. The current unit is a Uniden 900 mhz unit. I don't use wireless internet currently, but might in the future, and heard that the 2.4 G units might interfere. I suppose I'll go ahead and gat the 5.8G. Need recommendation for a good phone/ answering machine unit. Would like to spend less that $75, if possible.

 

[medic]

I have a GE that I bought at K-Mart. I think it was around $30 to $40. I has a built in digital answering machine. Its 900 mhz, and has digital encoding so the people who enjoy listening to cordless phones with their scanners can't understand what is being said.

I'm really not sure about wireless internet interference.

 

[Jelly]

http://www.louisville.edu/~jlells01/CR Cordless Phone Review.pdf

 

[kenw]

We have several 2.4 phones and have no problems interfering with our wireless internet which operates at the same frequency.

my recommendation is to get separate phone and digital answering machines. any brand can have problems.

I recently set up a multi-set VTech system in my parents' house, it allowed me to place a second phone where there was no phone line, all it needs is AC. It has been a godsend with dad's knee surgery and mom's heart surgery.

[ January 12, 2005, 03:57 PM: Message edited by: kenw ]

 

[Matt_S]

My wife and I recently got a Uniden 2.4 GHz set from Sam's Club. It comes with a base unit and three hand sets. You only need one phone line, which plugs into the base unit. There's a digital answering machine built in and you can page between any of the handsets or between the base unit and any handset. It's got a baby monitor feature and you can work the answering machine from the base or any handset. It's a really cool deal. About $100, IIRC. I'd highly recommend it. Reception on the phones is clear as a bell.

 

[seotaji]

I also have a Vtech phone with the multi-handset feature. It's got DSS which is a better encryption than the usual 'pick your security code' versions.

It's great.

It's also designed not to interfere with wireless networks (says so on the box

).

The 5.8Ghz phones only recieve at that frequency, they send using 2.4G. I'd read the fine print on the box. It would use up too much juice to have it full on each way.

The last Vtech phone I had was crap though, just FYI.

 

[keith]

quote:

---

Originally posted by seotaji:
The (Vtech) 5.8Ghz phones only recieve at that frequency, they send using 2.4G.

---

Time to upgrade to a Panasonic then:

Panasonic 5.8GHz

"Long Range, Clear Sound, Minimal Interference.
Our 5.8 GHz Frequency-Hopping Spread Spectrum technology operates on a different wavelength with much less traffic than the 2.4 GHz technology while maintaining the great security, incredible clarity and long range. Have a wireless computer network, or thinking about getting one? 5.8 GHz technology will not interfere with wireless networks such as 802.11b or 802.11g WiFi."

 

[T-Keith]

The worst portable phones I have ever used were Panasonic, not user friendly at all.

Our Southwestern Bell phone is great, but I don't see them around any more.

-T

 

[keith]

quote:

---

Originally posted by T-Keith:
The worst portable phones I have ever used were Panasonic, not user friendly at all.

---

I've had a 2.4GHz Panasonic cordless / answerer for so long I don't remember. Even the wife can use it, and she is the type to have a VCR blinking "12:00" for ever. The Panasonic still works perfectly, but it does drown out the IEEE 802.11b network so I am looking at 5.8GHz phones.

 

[tmorris1]

quote:

---

Originally posted by seotaji:
I also have a Vtech phone with the multi-handset feature. It's got DSS which is a better encryption than the usual 'pick your security code' versions.

It's great.

It's also designed not to interfere with wireless networks (says so on the box

).

The 5.8Ghz phones only recieve at that frequency, they send using 2.4G. I'd read the fine print on the box. It would use up too much juice to have it full on each way.

The last Vtech phone I had was crap though, just FYI.

---

5.8Ghz isn't going to draw any more "juice" than a 900MHz or old 47MHz phone for starters. The digital encoding on cheaper phones is just between the base and handset to prevent you from making calls on your neighbors base unit. To get true protection from scanners you need a full digital phone preferrably a Spread Spectrum model (DSS).
I have an old Sanyo model 900MHz DSS model (don't even know if they make phones anymore?) that is like a tank. It has been left in the rain, dropped, etc and keeps working. The newer phones have great features, but they seem to be made so cheap that if you drop them once they are done.

 

[srivett]

I have a Blitzz 802.11G router, a blizz USB connector, and a Linksys USB connector. My network was having fits with my parents 2.4 GHz phones until I switched the network to Channel 1 instead of 10. The phones we have do not allow you to choose a channel so I'm afraid I'll be having more problems.

My brother actually gave us the phones because his 802.11B network would not work around them. The problem we had is that the network crashes every couple of minutes if somebody is on the phone. It would cause the Blitzz router to reboot which takes the entire network down, not just the wireless.

Steve

[ January 14, 2005, 07:41 PM: Message edited by: srivett ]

 

[labman]

I have a cheapie GE 900 Mhz phone. We have never noticed any problems when my son in law is here with his wireless router plugged into the spare port in our hardwired router.

 

[seotaji]

quote:

---

5.8Ghz isn't going to draw any more "juice" than a 900MHz or old 47MHz phone for starters

---

Must have been the limited to the AT&T 5.8Ghz they were selling at sams club then.

Died very quickly compared to most phones. Would only recieve in 5.8.

 

[JohnnyO]

V-Tech with a built-in TeleZapper. I think we got it at Wal-Mart. Last two machines we only bought because the battery died in the handset and we couldn't find a replacement.

 

[labman]

quote:

---

Originally posted by JohnnyO:
snip....Last two machines we only bought because the battery died in the handset and we couldn't find a replacement.

---

I found a battery for my GE, but it was $12 for a $15 phone. It is almost like the the one thread here, where somebody said throw away your printer when it runs out of ink and buy another. At least you don't have to install a driver for a new phone, not even if you go VOIP.

 

[seotaji]

i realize that rebates are bad, BUT if you price match kmart / use a coupon $10 off $40 / AND get the $30 rebate, staples has a white 5.8 Ghz cordless for $6.99.

it'll take some doing, but it works.

sale ends sunday.

if you read this in the afternoon, it's probably too late.

sorry.