Customer Reviews

AT&T CL82409 DECT 6.0 Cordless Phone, Black/Silver, 4 Handsets

5 star:		(102)
4 star:		(26)
3 star:		(8)
2 star:		(10)
1 star:		(9)

 

 

When researching our next cordless, expandable phone system, I found that AT&T and Panasonic phones were getting the best reviews. My requirements were as follows:

1. Phone system must not interfere with my wireless network;
2. Phone base must be wall mountable;
3. Phone base must have an answering machine that would also provide an audible message alert (and a message count would also be nice);
4. Speakerphone on the handsets and base;
5. A shared, central phone book.
6. A Voicemail indicator (for phone company/VOIP voicemail);
7. A lighted number pad.

I spend about 3 weeks researching over 30 models and browsing manuals. I originally was going for a 5.8GhZ AT&T model (#E5924) that I later found was also operating on a 2.4GhZ frequency that may have interfered with my wireless network, as my current 2.4GhZ cordless does (it slightly impairs my wireless network speed). So, I scratched that model, and all the 5.8GhZ category, and decided to find a Dect 6.0 just to avoid any potential problems.

Very feature-rich were nearly all of the Panasonic models, with Talking Caller ID and ringer ID. But, how they can advertise as wall-mountable I don't know. I checked the manuals for the models I was most interested in, and every single model mounted like a shelf. Very unappealing. And none had an audible message alert. Panasonic phones mostly have a blinking light to inform you of messages. I had an older Panasonic model years ago and always missed messages because of the lack of an audible alert. This combined with the ugly wall-mounting made me have to scratch Panasonic off of my list. Shame, because I really liked the features (Talking Caller ID, Ringer ID, Light ID, Caller ID Block).

I found many reviews touting the AT&T SL82418 Dect 6.0 system. Apparently Consumer Reports had highly rated this model and everyone ran out to buy it. It's wall-mountability was acceptable (still not flat on the wall, but not overly extending like the shelf-like Panasonics). It's features satisfied all of my requirements (though it did not have the bells and whistles of the Panasonics, which I still had on my mind). But -- and this may seem silly -- I found the phone system itself ugly. Silver and gray with black backs. Way too much going on.

Instead of looking new, to me they looked gaudy and old-fashioned. The phones themselves looked sleek and stream-lined, but AT&T's choice of using more than 1 color on the front just ruined it (in my opinion). Amazon informed me there was a newer model out, the CL82409, which was far more attractive to me. Simple silver handsets with black backs. Base is simple silver and black also. LCD screens and back light is orangey instead of blue. I was put off by the lack of reviews on the newer model, but when I checked the manuals, found very little difference between it and the previous SL82418 model, except:

1. No headset jack;
2. You CAN check the ans. machine messages from the handsets (cannot do this on the SL82418.
3. The base does not mount as flat and is a little shorter/more compact.

So, I canceled my order for the SL82518 (a five handset system instead of 4 handsets) and placed an order for the CL82509 system. Set up was simple (after 16 hour charging).

Pros:

*I use Vonage (disconnected the incoming Telco lines and have Vonage back-fed through every phone jack in the house) and the sound is crystal clear with these phones.

*You can check the caller id log when the phone is in use (not all phone systems allow this), and the display shows the time and date always (also a rarity).

*You can listen to the answering machine messages from any handset even when the phone is in use.

*The numbers are etched through the silver on the handset buttons, and the amber light shines through them clearly. Nice for nighttime dialing;

*No interference from the microwave, or network, and all phones crystal clear from the basement to the 2nd floor.

*Very easy to save caller id entries into the shared phone book. Saves the last 50 caller id entries and 50 phone book entries.

*I have the answering machine set to 4 rings, and if I don't answer the caller ID or the phone is busy, my Vonage voice mail will take the
message, after which the Voicemail LCD lights up on the base and there is an indicator on the handset LCD.

*When the answering machine takes a message, there is an audible beep every so often that reminds you of the message (you can disable the audible alert if this bothers you -- again, I find this useful and necessary) and the base will show you how many messages you have.

*Easy to do a three-way call using the flash button.

*Intercom is easy.

*Handset speakers are nice and clear with good volume;

*Handset ringers are nice and loud;

*This system is expandable up to 12 handsets, and the handsets themselves are decently priced.

Cons:

*No headset jack;

*No speakerphone in base (can only hear incoming messages and answering machine messages);

*Wall-mounting is not flat to the wall, extends approximately 4 inches at the bottom. Not a big deal if you have it mounted where no one will walk into it.

*Can not assign ring tones to names in your directory. Even my old Radio Shack did that. I could almost stop thinking about the Panasonics' Talking Caller ID if I were at least able to assign ring tones to certain names so I'd know who it was calling by the ring tone.

*Handsets feel light to me. That may be a Pro in time but still have to get used to it.

All-in-all, minor quibbles. I would recommend this system, unless you don't care about the audible message alert and/or wall mounting, in which case I'd try a Panasonic for the neat features (Talking Caller ID, etc.).

Whatever you decide, make sure you Google the manual before buying. I found many websites gave either incorrect information regarding features or left out key features entirely.

I am hearing impaired and could never find a phone that I could hear clearly on. I've used volume controls, speakers but nothing had the clarity to discern what someone was saying. The answering machines were the same way. It was as if I was listening to an order from a fast food vendor - who knew what was being said?

This AT&T fits my needs perfectly! I can understand messages; I can understand what the caller is saying; and my computer does not enterfere. And the price was excellenet!

I bought this after a disappointing trial of a similar Panasonic system. I am much happier with this cordless phone than any others that I've had over the past 7 years which includes Motorola, VTech, and Panasonic.

Pros:
- Great sound quality. No static during phone calls.
- Great range
- Easy to dial when holding in one hand with thumb
- Handset specific ringer/volume control
- Display on phone is informative. It includes:
- caller name
- caller phone number
- battery level
- time
- date
- Dedicated display icons for:
- microphone mute
- ringer off
- new voice mail message
- answering machine on
- new answering machine message
- dedicated buttons for:
- speaker phone
- mute
- redial
- intercom
- call history
- directory

Cons:
- no headset jack
- somewhat difficult to manually add numbers into directory
- no dedicated voice mail access button
- no way to globally "ignore" a phone call on all handsets using a single handset (e.g. hitting end when someone is calling only mutes the current handset)
- no global ringer volume control

I needed a cordless phone because my cat (who is really a dog) kept chewing through my phone wire. I needed a base unit that was wall mountable (to keep her away!) and three handsets. This one seemed to fit the bill so I ordered it.

Set up was very easy. I used one of the handsets to put in the time, date, and some directory numbers and it propagated to all the other handsets and the base station.

I was looking forward to using the intercom system on these phones because when I'm in the computer room with the door closed I don't hear anything from the other rooms and really hate shouting. It works great. I also found an alternate use that came in very handy for me:

The bell for my apartment is located in the kitchen and is on an inward facing wall. In other words, if you are in the computer room or bathroom with the door closed and running water or a radio on there is a very good chance that you will not hear the bell if it rings. This is a huge pain if you are waiting for UPS or other delivery.

Since these phones have a speakerphone built into the portable handsets, what I did was take Handset 1 and called Handset 2 (which is the computer room's phone) on the intercom. I answered Handset 2 and put it on speakerphone. I also had Handset 1 in speakerphone. I laid Handset 1 on the counter next to the doorbell and could hear it in the computer room through the speakerphone. This was huge for me since I like to play video games and am always worried if I have the sound on that I will miss the buzzer. I also keep that door closed because if the cat got in there she'd chew up all my wires!

The base station does stick out a bit on the wall but I put it in an out of the way place so it won't get bumped or anything. The handsets are very lightweight which I like and are crystal clear. I don't know about the battery life yet because I just got them.

I like that there is a pre-recorded voice saying "please leave a message" as I don't like the sound of my voice and recording a message always feels so awkward. The voice on this unit is much more human sounding than my last answering machine.

Another cool feature for the laziness in all of us is if I pick up a call in one room and it's not for me, I can transfer it to another handset rather than having to stop working or whatever and walk out to another room and say "it's for you." That might sound silly, but if you're in the basement doing laundry or whatever you don't have to shout upstairs and hope that your spouse or kid hears you and picks up the phone.

All in all I'm very impressed with this phone system and very happy that I purchased it.

My mom bought the old version with 6 handsets and was very happy with it!! I was going to buy the same version as hers but then I saw this one. I wasnt so sure because I was looking for something more stylish but I was very happy when the arrive!! They look so much better in person.In the picture they look bulky and almost white but that is far from the truth. The handsets are thin and very light and the color is a very nice silver. The light in the lcd display is very nice and not bright orange like in the picture. Besides the look this phone is very durable as well. I have a 17 months baby and he throw the handset on the floor all the time and it still like new!!

These phones were fine while they lasted. Had them about a year, sound is fine, range too, but the battery life is horrible!!!!! When I take them out of the base unit they last about an hour before they start chirping that the battery is low. Come on, I have an old Panasonic 900MHz phone that still works fine and the battery lets me carry the phone around for hours.

Nice unit if you don't mind the battery problem.

I am very happy with the AT&T DECT 6.0 answering system. It's so great to have a handset wherever I want one, the reception has been perfect, and it's got a lot of features not all phones have. For one, the answering machine tells you how many messages you have. Also, the phones are linked, so that if you erase a number on one phone, it will erase the number on all phones. Overall, a great product.

This phone is loaded with usful features. We appreciate the directory and lighted display and numbers. If you change the directory on one phone it's changed in all 4 phones.

Installed in our home equiped with a wireless router and the reception is crystal clear. With our previous phone system you could not be around the router with the hand set because of excessive noise. Easy to set up and use, backlit screen is great. Highly recommended!!

Easy to read display plus one directory for all the phones makes things uncomplicated when switching from a previous set to cordless phones. Great charging time and a long life away from the charger means I'm not running for a different handset halfway through a call. 6.0 makes sense because it doesn't interfere with my wireless network. A slightly longer phone helps me hold on when I'm trying to do more than one thing at once. The only thing that stops this phone from getting 5 stars is the lack of a jack for a headphone.