Uniden DCT 6485 2.4 GHz Expandable Cordless Phone with Base keypad, Answering System, and Caller ID

Rating:
Summary: Good at first, and then...
Review: I bought the two-receiver version of this phone, and really liked it...that is, until the base unit died. Sent it back under the one year warranty, it took them forever to replace it with a factory reconditioned one, (which came back with a 90 day warranty, cheating me out of a few months). It lasted a month and died again. Now they are telling me it will cost 48.00 to fix. No thanks. Lesson learned, I'm buying a Panasonic this time.
UDATE> I really like the Panasonic KX-TG2344B I got this time. I was able to set it up using the quick instructions, unlike the Uniden, which was overly complicated, and had an 80 page manual written by aliens (with an index that didn't match the pages). The Panasonic handsets are simpler, easier to use, do everything the Uniden does, and the speakerphone on them sounds better.

Rating:
Summary: A great phone for the cost
Review: I did a lot of research before buying this phone, and it is hard to compare apples-to-apples. Almost no two phones have the same features, and it seems the range of other buyers' experience with quality on the same phone runs the gamut. So, I ended up buying the 6485 because it had the features I needed, and I found a killer deal--a base unit, 2 satellite phones and a headset for the price of one phone.

After using the system for a couple of weeks I have to say I'm impressed. The features in this phone could be overwelming, but I use what I need and ignore the rest. It is very compact, and the fact that the satellite phones don't require phone jacks is handy. I considered putting one of the phones in my workshop where there are no jacks, but the units are so small I just tuck one in my shop apron. The 100 number memory is great (but would be better if I had caller i.d.), and the fact that you can transfer numbers entered in one phone to all the other phones in the system is very thoughtful design. Range is good--the system covers my house and the acre it sits on.

I would have given the phone a 5 star rating but for the sound. I have to say the sound is good, but not excellent. Through the hand set I'd say the system is about 8 or maybe 9 out of 10. The headset drops sound quality about a point. The speaker phone is, well, a speaker phone. It works fine but it sounds like you're talking on a speaker phone; it's what I expected for a phone in this price range. Overall I have no complaints about the sound quality--it wouldn't rate for a CD, but it's fine for phone conversations.

Rating:
Summary: Great features, but ...
Review: I purchased the unit with (1) additional headset for $120, waited overnight for the battery to charge up, and started playing with it, and MAN....this phone is packed with ALL the features you can imagine in a multi headset phone system, no doubts it is worth 6 stars !
However, no matter where I put the phone (I tried 4 different locations) this annoying background noise, which sounded like a bunch of bees were trapped in the headset, just won't go away !
If you are buying a phone just to play around with the cool features and a great appearance, go for it. I bought mine simply because I need a phone to call, to hear clearly what other party is saying, and Uniden fails to delivery that, so, minus 3 stars.
I am packing mine.

Rating:
Summary: Perfect Cordless Network
Review: My wife & I live in a 3BR/2Ba apartment and this was the perfect addition to our living space. The 2.4 GHz cordless frequency is crystal clear, by far superior to 900MHz. The answering machine is digital, so messages are clear & crisp. The speakerphones don't have that "open air", boxed sound like most speakerphones...in fact when I'm talking to people they're usually surprised to learn that it's a speakerphone. The phonebook feature is pretty cool too, I can make an entry into any one of the four handsets, and it changes them "globally". Finally, and not in any particular order...the "Do Not Disturb" feature is great when you come home and need a nap. Just push this button and it turns off all the handsets ringers so calls are immediately directed to the answering machine. The multi-handset system can support four handsets and no phone lines (except for the base unit)...just plug em into an electrical outlet and you're connected. No extra phone cords needed! Really nice if ya have cats!