VTech i5866 5.8 GHz DSS Expandable Cordless Phone with Digital Answering System

Rating:
Summary: Decent sound, clumsy functionality
Review: I got this phone after three consecutive defective 5850/5825 sets. I haven't owned this long enough to see if it is as prone to defects as those models, but a few initial opinions.

1. The handset it too heavy for comfort in my view.

2. The keys are not easily pressed. I am having to double-push fairly frequently. The face of the keypad is convex, which makes the keys less easily located, and they are almost flush with the surface, which makes them hard to depress properly. Ease of use seems to not be on the list of important elements of phone design anymore.

3. Unlike the other models I owned, the handsets in this series don't all share phonebooks. You would think that a favorable feature like this, included in other models, would also be in this one, but you would be wrong. Instead they give you an equalizer. Big deal. To delete your Caller ID listings from multiple units is a major pain.

4. This company has tragic customer support. Expect to spend hours on the phone is you experience the slightest problem. And the it might get resolved.

5. To my midwestern eyes this phone is really gaudy and ugly. I wish Apple Computer designed home phones.

6. The base screen perpetually displays a message warning one to use rechargable batteries only, and a "charging" light is always blinking. It is very annoying in a bedroom at night.

7. It has decent sound coming and going.

Rating:
Summary: Not good for wireless networks.
Review: I rejected this phone because it uses both 5.8 ghz and 2.4 ghz frequencies and thus can interfere with 802.11 WIFI b and g type networks.

Rating:
Summary: Hi sound quality, Nice Features, Value
Review: I run an 802.11b network at home, the router is right next to the base station and I have no interference problems. Not sure that the reviewer who disparaged the phone for interference potential actually tried it.

The phone & base look stylish (not cheap like old vtech phones) and has great features:
- Orange backlit keys
- Speakerphone on handset.
- Ability to record custom ringers from any sound source having a standard mini-plug headset jack (cord included).
- Base can take two rechargeable AA batteries (about $8 at a Staples) and let you swap for dead batts in your handset OR talk for ~2 hours during a power outage!

Only thing I'd like would be ability to listen to messages from the handset. Didn't get the 5867 because I didn't think a color display was worth extra $20; I'm pretty sure that's the only difference between the two phones.

Oh, most importantly--sound quality is great both ways.

Rating:
Summary: ONE handset, not three
Review: I thought this was a great buy - base station and three handsets - until I realized that the picture lied: only ONE handset is included. Thankfully I could still cancel my order.
Amazon: please change the picture, it is misleading!
(By the way, this review system forces me to pick some number of starts, note that I have no idea how good or bad the phone is, so three was chosen arbitrarily.)

Rating:
Summary: get the old 2461
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. This is a comparison between the 2.
While loaded with silly features like a choice of ugly images, The unit is flashy, ugly and cumbersome. The 2461 neslted comfortably in the hand. The range is about the same, even though it is a 5.8g. The photo is deceptive, because the angle makes the phone look slim. The max volume is too low. The speakerphone max volume is useless with any ambient noise. Clarity is only slightly worse than the 2461. The handsets are not wall mountable, which the 2461's were. For the search through the phonebook for #s you have to press the advance key separately for each "next", which on the 2461 you just keep the key pressed. I hate it, and will try and find another of my beloved 2461s. Both phones keep the date and OGM through power outages, with the spare battery installed. 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.