Customer Reviews

GE 21006GE3 2.4 GHz DSS Cordless Phone with Dual Handsets and Caller ID

5 star:		(5)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(9)

 

 

Looks Great - Feels Good - Didn't Last! As stated from other reviews - poor reception, clicking sounds. Confusing Caller Id format. (Not to mention extremely small display window) And after 1 year of gentle use, on one of the handsets, the 1, 2, 3, 4, & 5, buttons no longer functions. What a waste! Avoid at all costs!

The reason I purchased a dual phone system was to avoid wiring a second wall jack to my bedroom.

I chose this particular phone system mainly because it was priced better than other similar phones. The better security of the 2.4 GHz frequency and especially the DSS (Digital Spread Spectrum) security feature were also a deciding factor.

My biggest concern is the sound quality. Though it has great range, I register a slight hiss as though I'm calling long distance. I also hear a few clicks now and then, though very infrequently. I cannot rule out my immediate environment as a possible cause, but since I am not in a densely populated area, I find my environment an unlikely candidate. The quiet hiss is present between handsets as well as on calls, ruling out my phone line. I've turned off all my electrical equipment with no improvement. The hiss is so slight that it is easily tolerated.

This would be a good phone system for both business and home use. However, I believe it is not expandable beyond two handsets. Both units have a nice small footprint. You can page both handsets from the base to find them. It has the typical functions of flash, redial, mute and hold. You can transfer calls from one handset to another, telling your co-worker who is on the line before he or she accepts the transferred call. Intercom and conferencing are also possible. The number pad and talk buttons are big enough for ease of use. The special function buttons are a little small.

There is a special walkie-talkie mode that allows you to talk to each handset independent of the base unit. The only benefit of the walkie-talkie mode over the intercom function is that it allows you to communicate between each handset even if your power is out.

Each phone is programmable independent. You can select from six different rings, or no ring at all. You can adjust the volume (four levels) during a call, though the volume control buttons are small and hard to adjust without taking the phone away from your face. You can label each handsets display (IE - Upstairs, Downstairs, John, Mary etc.).

It has 40 caller ID records and 50 programmable speed dials (max of 24 digits each). The 24 digits are not really a limitation however since you can cascade the speed dials (IE - press DIR 01 to dial your calling card 800 number, then press DIR 02 to dial your calling card access code and then DIR 35 to dial your party). Unfortunately you cannot toggle through the directory list after the first speed dial. In other words, you can toggle through the directory list to your first number (your calling card 800 number) but you have to remember the second and third speed dials by their corresponding number (02, 35).

The directory does not list the speed dial numbers alphabetically; the numbers are listed by their corresponding speed dial number (01, 02, 03, etc.). This is typical of business speed dials. You, of course, can edit the list to be alphabetical, but this is a hassle.

There is an interesting security function call registration, de-registration. This function allows you to de-register all handsets in case you lose one, then re-register only the remaining handset.

I was worried that my 2.4 GHz wireless router for my computer would interfere with this 2.4 GHz phone, but I found no related problems with the phone. However, I have not yet throughly tested my router/computer connection to see if the phone might interfere with it. I want to reiterate here that I disconnected all my electronic equipment in hopes of stopping the quiet hiss, to no avail. I hope this review was helpful.

Well pleased with both performance and quality of these phones.
Clear audio with good range.
Second handset does not require phone jack, nice feature extending primary base/phone. Good value for the price.

The reason I purchased a dual phone system was to avoid wiring a second wall jack to my bedroom.

I chose this particular phone system mainly because it was priced better than other similar phones. The better security of the 2.4 GHz frequency and especially the DSS (Digital Spread Spectrum) security feature were also a deciding factor.

My biggest concern is the sound quality. Though it has great range, I register a slight hiss as though I'm calling long distance. I also hear a few clicks now and then, though very infrequently. I cannot rule out my immediate environment as a possible cause, but since I am not in a densely populated area, I find my environment an unlikely candidate. The quiet hiss is present between handsets as well as on calls, ruling out my phone line. I've turned off all my electrical equipment with no improvement. The hiss is so slight that it is easily tolerated.

This would be a good phone system for both business and home use. However, I believe it is not expandable beyond two handsets. Both units have a nice small footprint. You can page both handsets from the base to find them. It has the typical functions of flash, redial, mute and hold. You can transfer calls from one handset to another, telling your co-worker who is on the line before he or she accepts the transferred call. Intercom and conferencing are also possible. The number pad and talk buttons are big enough for ease of use. The special function buttons are a little small.

There is a special walkie-talkie mode that allows you to talk to each handset independent of the base unit. The only benefit of the walkie-talkie mode over the intercom function is that it allows you to communicate between each handset even if your power is out.

Each phone is programmable independent. You can select from six different rings, or no ring at all. You can adjust the volume (four levels) during a call, though the volume control buttons are small and hard to adjust without taking the phone away from your face. You can label each handsets display (IE - Upstairs, Downstairs, John, Mary etc.).

It has 40 caller ID records and 50 programmable speed dials (max of 24 digits each). The 24 digits are not really a limitation however since you can cascade the speed dials (IE - press DIR 01 to dial your calling card 800 number, then press DIR 02 to dial your calling card access code and then DIR 35 to dial your party). Unfortunately you cannot toggle through the directory list after the first speed dial. In other words, you can toggle through the directory list to your first number (your calling card 800 number) but you have to remember the second, and third speed dials by their corresponding number (02, 35).

The directory does not list the speed dial numbers alphabetically; the numbers are listed by their corresponding speed dial number (01, 02, 03, etc.). This is typical of business speed dials. You, of course, can edit the list to be alphabetical, but this is a hassle.

There is an interesting security function call registration, de-registration. This function allows you to de-register all handsets in case you lose one, then re-register only the remaining handset.

I was worried that my 2.4 GHz wireless router for my computer would interfere with this 2.4 GHz phone, but I found no related problems with the phone. However, I have not yet throughly tested my router/computer connection to see if the phone might interfere with it. I want to reiterate here that I disconnected all my electronic equipment in hopes of stopping the quiet hiss, to no avail.

I just got this after having a HORRIBLE system from Bell Phones. For the money, it's not bad. In response to some other reviewers, no, it doesn't automaticaly add a "1" before a long distance number if you're returning a number from the caller id. However, all you have to do is press the "format" button while viewing the number, and the "1" is added. This is good for someone like me, who lives in an area where I always have to dial the area code when calling anyone (even within my own area code) I only have to dial a "1" when someone is far away (and they might still be in my area code. It's very confusing)
As far as the echo and the static goes, I haven't had a problem with that. Hopefully I won't. I agree with the other people about the caller id list, though. It's very confusing, it's not in order of calls. Also, there is no voice mail waiting notification. But other than that, it's not bad.

I have to agree with everyone else on the reception...i constantly have clicking sounds and 'white noise.' If an appliance is on (such as the microwave), the noise is unbearable. Also, I usually have to pick up the other handset after 30-40mins of a conversation because the low battery signal will start beeping in. Very, very annoying. My husband and I have had this phone for 2 years and if we didn't have cell phones we probably would have thrown this phone out the window a long time ago. This is the worst phone I have every owned.

This phone has absolutely terrible reception. There is a constant "white noise" in the background and a profound click that happens every 30 seconds. I have not had one conversation on either of the handsets without having to ask the other person to repeat what they have said because of this click.

Another severe disappointment is the caller id. The calls are not listed in received order. I have yet to figure out the order they are displayed, but there is no way to tell what the most recent call is without scrutinizing the date on the call.

The last disappointing aspect I am reporting is that on the caller id display, any call outsite of your area code is not displayed with the preceding 1 (for long distance). This means you may not simply hit the talk button to call back the caller on caller id. You have to punch in the number with the preceding 1+...

There is no redeming feature on this phone to make it a worth while buy for any reason.

Bought this set to replace 2 Panasonic cordless phones I had that for some reason have no battery life, even with new batteries...but that's a whole other story.

The features sounded great...ability to transfer calls from one handset to another, walkie-talkie type feature that would function even when the power is out, hold button. But I never got to try them out. These phones had the worst reception. For example...if I was in my kitchen with the exhaust fan above the stove on, I couldn't hear the person I was talking to. Even if I was in the living room sitting next to the base, the reception was horrid...static, volume changes. Even the loudest volume setting was no help.

The one thing I did like about it...the color combination. The green and grey was very pretty.

Needless to say, I returned it to Target yesterday.

I have had a great experience with these two phones after several trials with a variety of others. I am not wild about the color scheme (aqua green and gray - how exicting!) Also, not specifically high tech looking, but works great. Super range on these, the only drawback being that the directory in the phone is a little more limited on the number of spaces per entry, but I have a third party LD service that requires a lot of numbers, so probably not a factor for most. Overall, would most deifinitely recommend.

I have a lot of computer gear in my home and expect a little noise over cordless phones, however I have had no issues with this phone. There is no static or hissing or any of the other things complained about in other reviews. Great system for the money.