Rating: 
Summary: Disappointing Sound Quality
Review: I was excited to get this system (2461 + 3 extra handsets). I thought there were lots of great features -- good ergonomics, the ability to intercom among handsets, good battery life, etc. All the good features were overwhelmed, however, by the very poor sound quality. People thought I was on a cell phone, and in some rooms of the house, it was almost impossible to have an intelligble conversation. I'm reluctantly returning it -- I tried for almost a month to make it work -- and trying something lower tech.
Rating:
Summary: Great promise, huge let down…
Review: I ordered this system (a 2461 and three 2420s to go with it) from Amazon a few days ago and have been playing with it since. Unfortunately I am sending it back tomorrow... VTech has done a GREAT job with this phone system in many respects. However there are a few serious flaws that lead me to this rating, and to my feeling of no choice but to return it. I’m actually pretty bummed because the system is freaking cool save for these killer issues. The most serious issue for me is the memory dial design of the handsets. For anyone (like me) who uses deep discount long distance from services ... this system is not a realistic option. This is because you cannot "chain" memory dial numbers together. I.e. you can't press "speed dial" #1, wait for the 'bong' and then press "speed dial" #2, etc. The VTech system does provide a generous 32 digit allowance per item however even 32 digits does not cut it for services .... Even if it were 64 digits the solution really isn't optimal - you really need to be able to 'chain' speed dial settings together, and this system only allows you to dial ONE number from memory (once the call starts you can’t get back to the memory screen to dial a second number). Another significant drawback for me (which I was willing to overlook until I discovered the memory dial issue) is the limit of four handsets. That limit DOES include the handset that comes with the 2461 Answering Machine. E.g. you may add only THREE handsets to the 2461 for a total of four handsets. I would really like to have eight handsets. Hopefully VTech will increase the total record capacity for messages. The Digital Answering Machine apparently can only hold a stingy 15 minutes of recorded messages. For my use 30 minutes is minimum. One final issue of note is the wall mount design. The Digital Answering Machine has a very goofy design - you get a "T" thingy that you mount to the wall such that the answering machine itself is sort of suspended away from the wall, by far the most odd design I have ever seen. It works but it isn't great. The handset doesn't fit super securely into the based and this does not improve in the wall mount configuration. Anyone planning to wall mount this phone many feet up a wall should think twice - the handset is likely to fall to the floor frequently. Finally, the individual handsets (2420s) do not have a wall mount option at all – thought the bases do have a very small footprint. This system has great promise. Nice form factor. Easy to use menu system in the handsets. Very cool set of features (save the issues noted above). I’m honestly very bummed to be sending it back. I’m going to check out the Siemens system but from what I have read it doesn’t really look too great. I may just hang on for another 12 months in the hopes VTech will improve this system… it is very close to ideal for my purposes. Huge disappointment it has these critical (for my purposes anyway) flaws. ....
Rating:
Summary: White Noise, UGH!
Review: I just bought this phone and discovered much to my annoyance that it doesn't matter where you put the base you get static. It is irritating to say the least. This over-priced phone will be heading back were I purchased it.
Rating:
Summary: static
Review: After reading many favorable reviews, I decided to purchase this phone. After using it, I'm sending it back. I've moved this phone to many different locations in order to get rid of the constant waves of static coming from the receiver, but nothing worked. I have two 900MHz phones that were under sixty bucks that work better than this phone. Unless you like static, do not buy this phone!
Rating:
Summary: Nice but not nice enough
Review: I bought this phone because I was disappointed with AT&T 9370 (to much noise). This phone has about half the range as my AT&T 9401, and about 20% less sound quality. This phone has gotten good reviews else where, but I was disappointed. If I could have gotten the AT&T 9401 with the answering machine, I would gladly paid $150. I have no complaints about the answering machine. I would not buy this phone (or the AT&T 9370) again.
Rating: 
Summary: Too much background noise
Review: This phone looks good and is easy to use, especially in speakerphone, however there is significant white noise present both close and far from the base and it doesn't matter where the base is either. I did significant research and found this phone to be very favorably reviewed, but it's not quite good enough yet as far as the 2.4 technology goes. If you buy this phone, I recommend not taking to much out of the box before you test the reception. The people on the other end didn't hear the static, but a 30-60 minute conference call will have you climbing the walls with annoyance. Funny however that there is very little problem and no static in speakerphone mode, however, the people on the other end commented that I sounded quite distant (don't know if this is a really accurate analysis of the speakerphone part). Best of luck, I'm still searching for the right cordless/speakerphone combo.
Rating: 
Summary: compact
Review: I bought this phone to replace a sony and I am not the least bit sorry. First of all this phone is compact - looks great - easy to operate and sounds great. It has three mailbox and you can leave personal messages in them from the base unit. Caller ID / NAME gives you time and date also. I soon to have the other two extensions in this house replaceing my other phones.Total of 4 you can have and I have 4 phones in my house.
Rating: 
Summary: Great all-in-one phone
Review: We bought this one because it looks cool and the fact that it's a cordless phone with answer machine and Caller ID all in one, a big space saver! One of the features we really like it the "hand free" option on the handle, you can put it on the table or on your belt while talking and people seemed to hear fine on the other end. We do however noticed some static from the earpiece. After reading reviews on Vtech 2431, we'll try to move the base to a different location to see if the noise will go away.
Rating:
Summary: Still the best simple, basic phone
Review: I'd gone through about 8 phones before finding v-tech generally to be the best and most logical. I had the 2461 system which I adored, but after 4 yrs, had to replace, so I upgraded to the 5866, which I hate, and I will try and find another old 2461.
The 2461's design is simple and sleek. The hand set nesltes comfortably in the hand. The range is about the same, as the 5866, even though the 5866 is a 5.8g.
On the 2461 the normal, headset & speakerphone volume and clarity are excellent. The handsets are wall mountable. For the search through the phonebook for #s you just keep the key pressed to advance.
Both phones keep the date and OGM through power outages, with the spare battery installed in the base unit. This is an important feature if you have "spotty" elect service, which I've only found on V-Techs, and is not mentioned in any phone specs. Both also do not display the incoming phone #, even though I have caller ID, and the #s are in my phone book.
If you want to "play" with your phones, and don't mind spending a day programming each one, this may not be the phone for you, but for a good looking, simple, basic, ergonomic, easy to use phone - the 2461 is still the best.
Rating: 
Summary: Don't get this model VTech
Review: We have used VTech phones for years with excellent performance. However, this model/unit was a terrible disappointment. The answering machine base unit failed within 1 month after purchase. The handset is not compatible with other VT2400 series model base units, so we can't use it with our other base. Go ahead and get a VTech system, just not this one.
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