Customer Reviews

AT&T SL82518 AT&T DECT 6.0 5 Handset Bundle With Caller ID And ITAD

5 star:		(8)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(4)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

First and foremost, this line of AT&T DECT 6.0 cordless phones works extremely well, no background noise even with a home wireless system, great range, and very good sound quality both with the handset to your ear and on speaker phone. It does all that one should expect from a cordless phone system. Entering names and numbers into your directory is very intuitive, as is using the caller ID and changing the ringer tone and volume. You hardly need the manual. We use the "phone company" voice mail, so I haven't evaluated the "usability" of the answering machine, but it "talks you through" the setup steps, setting the clock, etc., and seems very user friendly to operate. Another nice feature is that directory and CID entries are maintained in the base station, so if, for example, you enter a name/number on handset #1, it is immediately available on all other handsets on your system.

The handset is quite lightweight and compact compared to our previous cordless phone, which took a little getting used to, but my wife and I adapted to it after one or two days. The handsets come with belt clips, which I use, not to clip them on my belt but because they raise the back of the handsets slightly if you lay them down, which I find improves the the speaker phone sound (the speaker is on the back of the handsets).

One minor drawback, compared to my prior cordless phone, which permitted each handset to be identified by location, e.g., "kitchen," "bedroom," etc., is that each AT&T handset has a number (and added handsets are given consecutive numbers as they are registered to the base up to the maximum of 12), so you have to remember the location numbers to call another handset on the intercom or to transfer incoming calls. Not a big deal, but being able to name each handset is a nice feature.

Be aware that the SL82(X)18 models are all the same, with the (X) indicating the number of handsets with that bundle. For example, SL82318 comes with three handsets, SL82418 with four, etc. I mention this because the various bundles appear to be different products, but they are all essentially the same, so keep this in mind when shopping for the best deal. The only exception seems to be that models SL82518 and SL82558 both have five handsets, but I haven't been able to find what the difference between them is, even on the AT&T site. Since my review applies to all bundles of this system, (if they let me) I will post this review under the several different model numbers.

All in all, I am extremely pleased with these purchases, first a four handset bundle, then three additional handsets for a total of seven. Hope this review is helpful in making up your mind about selecting a new cordless phone.

I have a computer wireless network which caused a lot of popping noises and static when I had a 5.8 GHz Uniden cordless phone system. After a lot of reading and research I bought this AT&T model. And guess what? It really IS clear! No more static. The people I call tell me that my voice is much clearer than before, too. I also like that you only have to enter each phone number into your directory once, and it is automatically added to every handset you own.

What are my quibbles? The answering machine is easy to set up and tells you how many calls you have, but I wish it had an audible beep to tell you that you have messages waiting. More than once, I have come home and forgotten to check it, only to realize, hours later, that someone had left a message I wished I had gotten earlier. However, my biggest complaint is that the volume is too low with many plug-in headsets -- it's fine in the handset itself, but you may have to try a few different models of headset before you find one you can hear with.

Pros: Works great. Excellent range. Excellent sound quality. Good battery life. Not a bad price considering all the features. Easy to understand instructions / quick set-up. Compact. Easy to carry around. Fit and finish / packing all first-rate. Handset speaker phone function is louder / better sound quality than any other small handset speaker I have heard. The "find the missing handset" feature is an easy, and in my house, essential capability.

Cons: Not all of the buttons on the handset are lighted, so you have to be in a lighted place to use some of them. The base station is not a speaker phone in itself - the handset that comes with the base station is the speaker phone, so you get the small handset speaker, not a larger one you would assume comes with a base station. The four hand-sets come already named, such as handset 1, 2, etc. You can't rename them "kitchen", "bed room", etc. Keep in mind, like all of these types of phones, if the power goes out - you're out of a phone. The base station has to have power for the handsets to work. I have an old-fashioned corded phone in my garage and a cell phone for back-up.

For the money, it's tough to go wrong with this system. If I could change something it would be to make the base station a "corded" phone so it isn't immediately lost by the kids, and to make the base station a true speaker phone with a big loud speaker that's easy to hear the "while you wait" elevator music across a room as you are on hold for something.

My wife says I do too much research before I buy ANYTHING. But then she's glad I do. I did my homework before this purchase too. I found some negative reviews and wasn't completely sure about this purchase. I also found negative reviews on every phone system I looked at. To make a short review long, we really like this system. We had an AT&T system before this one. We've lost three systems in the last four years due to lightning. We live on the peak of a mountain in NC. This time, there's a surge protector at each phone that includes protecting the phone line at the base unit. We'll see if this helps that aspect. Anyway, the phones are very clear and easy to use. I've walked quite a distance from the base unit without realizing what I was doing in respect to the phone transmission distance while outside and as yet have not had even a bit of static. Would I buy this system again? Absolutely. This is a good quality set. I like the prerecorded voice enough that we've not made our own. I read one review where the person said the unit didn't tell how many messages it had recorded. This one does indeed tell how many. So far I've not found any faults or anything I'd have different. I'd highly recommend this system to anyone.

I've owned this phone set for several months. The call quality and features are excellent. We use the intercom feature all the time. No interference with WiFi or baby monitors. Battery life has exceeded my expectations so far. I started using it with regular local phone company service. Later I switched to a VoIP service from T-Mobile. The phone worked flawlessly with both. My only complaint at all is that the keys aren't completely intuitive. It's not always obvious which button to push to perform a particular function so I sometimes push the wrong one. Overall, I highly recommend this phone.

Model Number: SL82518 / SL80108

Pros: Backlight comes on for secondary CID, press 1 to redial from CID screen, very clear, no interference, good range, extra handset was a breeze to add to the system

Cons: Ringtone selections could be better, no lighting for function keys

Wow! Set-up couldn't have been easier. Directions made sense (in my experience, this isn't always the case.) Functions on phones are similar to cell phones, therefore intuitively easy to use.

One thing I didn't like about my last phones: When I was on a call, and another call came in, the backlight on the screen didn't come on so I could never see who was calling in the dim evening light. The AT&T's light up when I'm already on the line so I can easily see the incoming CID info. I'm very happy about that!

Another thing about the old phones: When I would look at the CID history, I could not use the redial function because the "1" was always missing from the display (area code / phone number only). With the AT&T phones, I simply have to press "1" on the keypad while looking at the CID screen and the number is inserted, allowing me then to hit redial. SO cool.

Another great thing is the volume up/down button is on the side of the AT&T phones. That means while I'm talking, I don't have to tell the person I'm speaking with to "hold on" so I can pull the phone away from my ear and press the volume key on the front of my phone (which is where it was located on my old system.)

I'm not using the answering machine so I can't comment on that. And I have yet to have a long conversation, so I don't know how battery life will hold up. I'm hoping it will be much longer than the 80-90 minutes of talk time I'd get from my old junkers before having to recharge. Very frustrating having to rotate through handsets in order to have enough juice.

Likewise, I've not talked long enough on these new phones to know whether or not they get hot on the ear like my old phones did. I hope not! But even if they do, all the other benefits would still have me leaving them with a 5-star rating.

Speakerphone feature works well. Press the button once to switch from ear to speaker. Press the button again to switch back. I know that seems silly to point out, but believe it or not, on my old phones, doing this would disconnect my caller! I had to press the speaker button to switch the first time, but the talk button to switch back. Can't tell you how many times I accidentally disconnected a call ... or was disconnected by my friend who has the same old phones as mine.

Bottom line is, I can't imagine anyone not being really happy with these phones.

Consumer Reports gives high ratings to this phone, and it's a great phone, but it lacks to two critical features:

1) Callers who want to bypass the recorded announcement (outgoing message) by hitting the pound (or star) button can't. There is no mechanism that allows callers to bypass your outgoing message. I checked with AT&T, and they confirmed that this feature is missing from all of their answering machines!?

2) For $90, I would have expected one-touch speed dial. There isn't any.

Also, like many current answering machines, it lacks both speakerphone and keypad on the base station, so you have to use the handset for all calls.

I returned it.

Consumer Reports gives high ratings to this phone, and it's a great phone/answerer, but it lacks to two critical features:

1) Callers who want to bypass the recorded announcement (outgoing message) by hitting the pound (or star) button can't. There is no mechanism that allows callers to bypass your outgoing message. I checked with AT&T, and they confirmed that this feature is missing from all of their answering machines!?

2) For $90, I would have expected one-touch speed dial. There isn't any.

Product was easy to set up.
Performance is excelent.
Features that would make it even more user friendly:
Voice reconition
In addition to the hand set supplied with the base unit it would be nice to have a keypaid and speakerphone in the base unit. A base unit keypad would make dialing much easer then picking up the handset to dial a number.

I bought the SL82558(the one with five handsets) model for $100 at Sams Club about a month ago.

The phone works well but it offers limited advantages:

Pros:

1. All handsets have speaker phones and I can simply lay the phone down
when am on a long call with customer service.
2. Phone works well with my VOIP service.
3. Its light-weight.

Cons:

1. Phone entries(in the directory) are limited to 50 entries only.
2. The base pad does not have a keypad so, you have to use the handset
to make calls.
3. I wish the phone would display time and date at all times rather than
simply stating Handset 1, Handset 2 etc etc.

I have not used the built-in voicemail feature since I use VOIP at home.

Even though I only gave 3 stars I think this is a good product and recommend buying if you get it at a lower price!