Rating: 
Summary: my favorite so far
Review: I was promised a cordless phone with CID for my birthday. Unfortunately, I had to return quite a few phones before I found this one. This one has quite a few cool features to it. One of the unique features is a talking CID that calls out the number of the person calling so you don't have to have the phone or get up to look at the caller ID to know whether or not you want to get up and answer the call. (A couch potato's dream.) Also, the talking caller ID voice message is fun because you can record an announcement to play when certain numbers call your house. It turned out useful when I started using that feature to record a SHORT message when I wanted to remember something to tell the person calling (for example, a question to ask the contractor next time they called). The message is tied in with the CID so that it only plays when the call is coming from that number. Useful for those with no short term memory, like myself. I also like the other features, speakerphone in the handsets, and vibrator ringer (doesn't wake up the kids). I found the menus to be fairly easy to operate, and have very little complaints about the phone. I LIKE the feature that the phone book does not share between phones because my husband and I don't call the same people, and I don't want his buddy Ed's phone number taking up MY memory. I guess it would be nice if it could give a choice. Also, there is room to charge a battery in the base so that you always have a fresh battery in case you forget and let the one in your handset go dead, and also if the power goes out it supplies power to the base so that you can still use the phone. Handy. Overall I don't regret spending the extra cash I paid for it. My only complaint is that there is no volume control on the talking caller ID so if your base is in an out-of-the-way position it can be hard to hear the talking CID.
Rating:
Summary: 5.8 is really an improvement.
Review: I've been a cordless phone fan since the days of sub-50 mhz frequencies, and I've been using 2.4 Ghz phones around the house now for more than 2 years. They were really only a bit clearer than the 900 mhz phones they replaced, and their range was about the same. However, this high frequency seems to find itself isolated enough from household interference (lights, cell phones, etc.) to achieve real quiet! I would say the quality of the connection is almost identical to that of a corded phone. The 5830 setup was simple: Plug it in to the phone line and power plug (the fairly small transformer is nice too), enter the base ID # from the sticker under the phone, and you're ready to use the phone.
The menus are just okay; they may be a bit less than perfect but they're usable without instructions. Anyway, from the menu, you may (but do not have to) select ring style, ring volume, vibrate or no, and enter the time digitally.
I've added 2 extensions (5800) and these are set up just as the base is, but the number you register on each handset is that of the base unit. Range and intercom on the handsets are great, and the voice quality again is comparable to corded phones.
In both cases, the called ID display is very nicely done. It is lit in a very attractive and functional blue with a large enough display to read both the name and number without (my) glasses.
Lastly, the message waiting light (I use the phone company's voice mail svc) is easy to see from across the room, it too a cool neon blue that illuminates an "O" around the ear piece. The effect is quite techno-hip, as well as being highly functional.
In short, the 5800 series is a very nice execution of a very good new technology.
Rating:
Summary: Finally, a phone that sounds ok
Review: I've read dozens of reviews and have even purchased several different models including the VTEC T2426 2.4GHZ & 5381 5.8GHZ. It is amazing how bad the sound quality was for every phone I tried, perhaps due to my wi-fi network. While this ATT model is basically the same phone as the VTech 5.8 (with the addition of talking caller id) it does not have any of the crackling that the VTech had. I think I have finally found a phone I can live with. A key factor for me is the voicemail indicator as I tend to let messages sit for days. Now I can't see how I could live without that flashing light. I can't say that I am particularly fond of ATT, but if you want to avoid the mild headaches associated with returning annoying phones, this is the one for you.
Rating:
Summary: Finally, a phone that sounds ok
Review: I've read dozens of reviews and have even purchased several different models including the VTEC T2426 2.4GHZ & 5381 5.8GHZ. It is amazing how bad the sound quality was for every phone I tried, perhaps due to my wi-fi network. While this ATT model is basically the same phone as the VTech 5.8 (with the addition of talking caller id) it does not have any of the crackling that the VTech had. I think I have finally found a phone I can live with. A key factor for me is the voicemail indicator as I tend to let messages sit for days. Now I can't see how I could live without that flashing light. I can't say that I am particularly fond of ATT, but if you want to avoid the mild headaches associated with returning annoying phones, this is the one for you.
Rating:
Summary: Finally, a phone that sounds ok
Review: I've read dozens of reviews and have even purchased several different models including the VTEC T2426 2.4GHZ & 5381 5.8GHZ. It is amazing how bad the sound quality was for every phone I tried, perhaps due to my wi-fi network. While this ATT model is basically the same phone as the VTech 5.8 (with the addition of talking caller id) it does not have any of the crackling that the VTech had. I think I have finally found a phone I can live with. A key factor for me is the voicemail indicator as I tend to let messages sit for days. Now I can't see how I could live without that flashing light. I can't say that I am particularly fond of ATT, but if you want to avoid the mild headaches associated with returning annoying phones, this is the one for you.
Rating:
Summary: Excellent Phone
Review: If you have been looking for a 5.8 GHz phone, the AT&T 5800 series is the best on the market, period. I have been doing extensive research for a new 5.8 GHz phone for about 6 months and have read almost every single review for 5.8 GHz phones. There are currently six 5.8 GHz cordless phones on the market right now. 1. AT&T 5.8 GHz
2. GE 5.8 GHz
3. Motorola 5.8 GHz
4. Panasonic 5.8 GHz
5. Uniden 5.8 GHz
6. V-Tech 5.8 GHz Of these 6 phones, I have found that the AT&T is the best all-around. The AT&T offers the best sound quality, ease of use, design, and displays. One thing that must be noted is that the AT&T 5800 series is not a true 5.8 GHz system. It is a full-duplex 5.8/2.4 GHz phone system. Phones that use a dual system 5.8/2.4 GHz still have great clearity and security, but better battery life than true 5.8 GHz systems because of lower power output and lower energy consumption at the 2.4 GHz frequency. PROS: 1. Excellent build quality
2. Superb clearity
3. Easy to use and setup
4. Great caller-ID functions
5. Great battery life
6. Nice lighting and displays
7. Good working speakerphone
8. Good looking high-tech design CONS: 1. The only thing I would change about this phone is the antenna. On the next redesign of this phone, AT&T (Advanced American Telephones) should make the antenna smaller and not integrate it into the plastic body of the phone. Or, they should get rid of it completely like Uniden has done. If you are looking for the right 5.8 GHz phone, this is it. I have the 5830 model and couldn't be any happier. The talking caller ID is such a nice feature to have. I don't even have to get up or pick up the phone to know who is calling. I have a 802.11b wi-fi network in my house and this phone doesn't cause any problems at all. All of the reviews I have had read on the internet were correct. This is pretty much the best cordless phone to come out on the market for a long while now.
Rating:
Summary: Best 5.8 GHz phone on the market!
Review: If you have been looking for a 5.8 GHz phone, the AT&T 5800 series is the best on the market, period. I have been doing extensive research for a new 5.8 GHz phone for about 6 months and have read almost every single review for 5.8 GHz phones. There are currently six 5.8 GHz cordless phones on the market right now. 1. AT&T 5.8 GHz
2. GE 5.8 GHz
3. Motorola 5.8 GHz
4. Panasonic 5.8 GHz
5. Uniden 5.8 GHz
6. V-Tech 5.8 GHz Of these 6 phones, I have found that the AT&T is the best all-around. The AT&T offers the best sound quality, ease of use, design, and displays. One thing that must be noted is that the AT&T 5800 series is not a true 5.8 GHz system. It is a full-duplex 5.8/2.4 GHz phone system. Phones that use a dual system 5.8/2.4 GHz still have great clearity and security, but better battery life than true 5.8 GHz systems because of lower power output and lower energy consumption at the 2.4 GHz frequency. PROS: 1. Excellent build quality
2. Superb clearity
3. Easy to use and setup
4. Great caller-ID functions
5. Great battery life
6. Nice lighting and displays
7. Good working speakerphone
8. Good looking high-tech design CONS: 1. The only thing I would change about this phone is the antenna. On the next redesign of this phone, AT&T (Advanced American Telephones) should make the antenna smaller and not integrate it into the plastic body of the phone. Or, they should get rid of it completely like Uniden has done. If you are looking for the right 5.8 GHz phone, this is it. I have the 5830 model and couldn't be any happier. The talking caller ID is such a nice feature to have. I don't even have to get up or pick up the phone to know who is calling. I have a 802.11b wi-fi network in my house and this phone doesn't cause any problems at all. All of the reviews I have had read on the internet were correct. This is pretty much the best cordless phone to come out on the market for a long while now.
Rating: 
Summary: very disappointed
Review: If you think that a 5.8 ghz is better you might be as disappointed as I was. There were a lot of interferences, couldn't go more that 10' from my front door and the volume keys are located in a very rediculous place. They are located at the side where you hold the phone, and without knowing it you lower the volume. I returned it.
Rating: 
Summary: DISCO PHONE
Review: If you want a fairly up to date functioning cordless that won't mess with your wi fi---and you can put up with its single line only capacity, and don't mind SIGNIFICANTLY SIZED BRIGHT BLUE LIGHTS FLASHING ALL OVER YOUR APARTMENT OR HOUSE ALL THE TIME, this is the phone for you...but buy some black electrical tape and headache medication just in case the disco theme gets to you like it has me---and my poor wife...(Sony, can you hear me---please come back---with 5.8 multi-lines with little blinking lights...) The accessory most needed for this new line is a phone bra. Didn't anyone else ever get a message on their 5830/5800 install?
Rating:
Summary: Insufficient range
Review: The AT&T 5.8 ghz cordless expandable phones are nice, but don't have enough range for a large house.
If range is what you need, save yourself the time and trouble and get the Panasonic. Over the past month (August 2004) I have tried the latest models of just about every major brand that offers 5.8 ghz multi-handset cordless phones - Uniden, V-Tech, AT&T (made by V-Tech), Motorola, and Panasonic. Each of these phones is nice in its own way, but only the Panasonic had enough range to receive and send clearly from one end of the house to the other. Granted my house is big (3,600 square feet, all on one level), but the other brands maxed out about 2/3rds of the way through the house. I have a WiFi network in the house, and had no interference issues from that with any of these brands. I do wish the Panasonic could expand to a total of more than just 4 handsets, but that is a minor issue. Those big honking twin antennae on the base unit seem to actually work. Please note that I tried the versions without answering machines, so I can't offer any opinions on that part of this.
| 
