Customer Reviews

Panasonic KX-TG6500B 5.8 GHz DSS Expandable 2-Line Cordless Phone (Black)

5 star:		(10)
4 star:		(8)
3 star:		(6)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(4)

 

 

There are, at this time, exactly two 5.8 GHz 2-line expandable phone systems -- this Panasonic and the Uniden TRU8866 -- and I found it frustrating to research them because they're new and there's not much information out there. So my two cents, should it be helpful...I bought this Panasonic 6500B and three handsets, played with them for a week, and called today for an RMA number to return them. I'm now evaluating the Uniden system, which I think I'll end up keeping.

(For reference, I'm migrating from a Siemens gigaset 2420, 2-line 2.4GHz system, amazon item B00004R7R1. It's noted for a few quirks, but it's been solid for 6 years and I'd easily favor it over the Panasonic.)

Pros:
-- you only have two options at present, so this phone does deliver 2-line 5.8 GHz functionality
-- blinking antenna for ringing/message was a nice touch
-- all of the basic stuff you'd expect...intercom, speakerphone, Caller ID, etc.


Cons:
-- poor sound quality, even compared to my 2.4GHz system -- there was a constant hiss even when standing near the base, and it wasn't line noise. (There is a voice boost/voice enhancer function, though even the manual notes that it might amplify any existing line noise you may already have.)

-- one 'feature' that tilted me toward the panasonic was a 'shared' phone directory among the handsets and base. It actually works like the Siemens - you have to manually copy phonebook entries from one handset to another, so keeping them all in sync is a pain.

-- The handsets didn't behave like extensions of the same line; when you answer a call on one handset, all of the others display 'missed call', which you must then clear from EACH handset. So I always seemed to pick up a handset with a few missed calls, which were actually answered on a different handset.

-- Lack of an aux port so the phone can catch the distinctive ring and shuttle a call to the fax (btw, the Uniden doesn't have this either)

-- Misc. minor annoyances: Panasonic still uses a two-digit code for the answering machine, as it did ~15 years ago. Only eight ring tones (4 ring/4 melody), none of which were great.

-- basic interface is just crude compared to other modern phones/cell phones (I'm a techie with a UI/usability background, so I do have bias there).

Overall, I found this Panasonic to be a step down from the Siemens. I've only had the Uniden for a couple days, and I'd certainly say it's the better option of the two.

I have the base unit (comes with 1 remote) and two add-on remotes (max of 3 add-ons for a total of 4 remote units).

A few things I find both invaluable and the phone definitely delivers:
1) 5.8GHz... My old 2.4 Siemens would frizz out when my wife punched up the Microwave to the full 1600watts and with this system, there's no interference.
2) Buttons have a good feel to them
3) Supports 2 lines on all phone units - you can isolate a phone to ONLY answer or dial out on a specific line (if you use the Talk button). You can override this with the softbuttons so you can still answer or dial out on the other line.
4) Solid construction
5) Decent backlight (although I'm still astounded none of these things systems use Indiglo)
6) All phones have a detachable belt clip
7) Speakerphone!
8) Intercom
9) Conference calling between two lines.
10) Hold - with transfer to any other handset, the base unit speakerphone or even to Voicemail!
11) Remote Voicemail retrieval
12) Phonebook transfer
13) Comfortable against the ear

Now for the bad and really some things are subjective, but that's what you want to read in a review, right?
1) It's not the cheapest thing you'll ever find. Go with the full setup, and it's around $400 depending on how you buy it.
2) Only 4 total phones? My old Siemens had a base handset (corded) and could go up to 8 cordless units. 4 is just sort of sad. You can't get a corded base.
3) Batteries are proprietary and Nickel Metal Hydride (not Lithium Ion). So, you can't toss in a fresh set of rechargeable AAs or an emergency set of alkalines. Though the batteries in the system do seem to last quite a while.
4) The menu is really poorly designed. I can't believe this thing was approved. You've been warned. It doesn't have every option under the sun, either.
5) Phonebook - This almost made me take the thing back. There are no dedicated contact list buttons. I have to navigate using 3 - *THREE*! buttons just to get into the phonebook. Adding new entries is 1 Name Per Number... there's no way to organize one person with several entries like home/cell/work. So you'll likely need the somewhat limited memory bank. Adding names is brutal. I've used a dozen different cell models and at least that many home cordless units and not ONE of them was this difficult to type in the names. The Alpha on this thing will make you wish it had a USB port. Which, by the way, for this price, it should.
6) Sound clarity... It's middle of the road and if you have a headset, don't expect to be heard very well. The Voice Enhancer does seem to make the other party sound stronger against a background, but at the cost of a "In a bathroom" feel. I rarely use this feature.
7) No battery backup. For this kinda of money and in this day and age, shouldn't these things have a base unit battery for power outages? I hate buying aftermarket products when it's so obvious that the main purchase should have a particular feature.
8) The base doesn't display callerID with the Messages... you have to use a cordless unit to see that.
9) The indicator lights could be a little bigger on the base
10) This may be a minor thing for most, but I telecommute and use a headset regularly. The protective rubber cover over the 2.5mm jack can get in the way of swiveling and it catches all the time. At least you can use any 2.5mm headset, although the manual says it only works with Panasonic headsets (nice wording guys!)
11) The Base unit doesn't tell you when someone has called (Caller ID) but not left a message. So, again, you have to pickup a handset to check. My 4 year old Siemens had a lot of these features! *sigh*

I wouldn't say to rush right out and get one. It's a decent phone and if you need a 2-line cordless system, your options aren't wide open - so you might end up in my boat and compromise on a 2 year investment.

It has a good size for your hand and the buttons are not all squished together like some other models from Vtech or Uniden. The backlight isn't the blinding neon orange like the Unidens either. Although it could stand to be a bit brigher (it's an amber color). You can adjust the contrast on the LCD.

Another thing that might matter to some is the pillar antenna - I don't mind it either way. The antenna does light up and I *think* it has green for one line and amber for the other line. It can also monitor a room if you want to use it for a baby monitor or just check on the kids, etc.

I'll just say I'm still searching for the perfect, end-all best system out there, but I think it's years off. I don't know why manufacturers don't think that consumers wouldn't want all of the modern conveniences of a cell phone interface, computer connect for address book, multiple lines, color LCD with picture identification, etc. in a larger more manageable formfactor for the home.

I've owned several multi handset systems over the last 4 years beginning with the product the started it all off, the Siemens 2420. Don't even get me started on how bad the Siemens cordless handset reception is. Everyone who uses one knows they are pathetic. Other than the poor reception, the Siemens 2420 and 8825 still have the best menu system and setup of any multi handset system, Panasonic 6500/6502 included!

Just so everyone understands, Panasonic, Uniden and most companies (I believe Vtech/AT&T included) use the same chipsets from www.dspg.com. This is why the ergonomics of most of these systems are the same or similar. I'll list the advantages and disadvantages I see in the DSP Group implemenation as compared to Siemens way of doing things....

Advantages:
-Excellent handset reception (even the 2.4Ghz models are OK and do not experience much interference) 5.8 is very clear with no interference in my home.
-handset range is actually better than I suspected at 5.8Ghz (remember the higher the frequency the shorter the wavelength
and generally the shorter the range).
-Room/baby monitor

Disadvantages:
-no handset naming
-handsets show missed call even if the call is answered by another handset.
-no password lockout for settings (such as answering machine PIN). Can't lockout the kids from being nosey.
-only supports 2 digit answering machine PIN
-When remote checking answering machine it does not support reading of caller ID info for message (how many people say "call me" but you don't remember their #)?
-overly complex menu to manipulate answering machine from remote phone.
-does not set time by using caller ID info
-4 handsets only
-True Speech voice compression quality is horrible even if set to "enhanced" mode.

So, reception alone is enough to convince me to keep this system and toss my aged Siemens. Ergo-wise, I will definitely miss my Siemens. Unfortunately Siemens Corporate tells me they will not have a new phone system until the second half of 2005.

Sorry that this review turned into a comparison to Siemens, however I feel that DSP Group, Panasonic, Uniden, etc. who support them need to get of their rocker and begin to expand the feature-set of the chipsets to support features that people can really use!!!

I bought this phone early on when it first came out. I have been a strong proponent of Panasonic cordless phones for at least 10 years, and this is at least the fourth or fifth one I have owned. I wanted this because it had 2-lines and worked on 5.8Ghz (and has speakerphones in the handsets).

It has all the right features, though it is a bit uglier than some of Panasonic's previous phones. Most importantly, PEOPLE DON'T HEAR ME WELL when I speak to them. The mic is not sensitive enough. I called Panasonic on this right up front, and they exchanged it no problem. But I continue to have the same problem. Especially when speaking in hushed (read tired) tones, people don't hear you at all. There is also a mild hiss in the background heard by the party you are speaking to (I know this since i have been on both ends of the line, e.g. when my wife calls me from home).

On the plus side, the battery lasts much longer than previous Panasonic models that were often sent out with substandard batteries in the box.

I am looking for a new phone now, since Panasonic hasn't come out with anything different. I have heard the Uniden is pretty good (I have a friend who owns it). But I really don't like the Orange screen, or the Black phone.

I wish we could get better 5.8Ghz phones multi-line phones, and better styled ones too. European phones look so much nicer (see Seimens products for England), but many of them have not been made to work with U.S. Frequency restrictions.

I wrote this review for the Panasonic 6502B, which is the same system with 2 handsets included, whereas the 6500B comes with just one. They both take the same 650 handset to exapand the system, Here is the reivew:
I've been researching the different phones quite heavily. Some of the more profound findings were from on the floor sales staff at major office supply stores. The first store, he mentioned that the Panasonic was the best, and that Uniden, and V tech were junk. The second store I went to, he was a lot more specific, and really knew his stuff. He said that Unidens were the best voice and transmission quality, but didn't hold up. He also said the V techs were junk. His comment about the Panasonics was, I am not going to lie to you, they last forever, and have excellent overall quality, but you are going to pay more for that. He was emphatic about explaining that, his comment was intended for the full size Panasonic 5.8s, not the new little tiny 5.8 Panasonics, that are having problems, more like the V-techs.
A friend of mine has the Vtech 5.8, and has already had to return two handsets due to malfunctions. He also mentioned that when he presses a number to dial, it doesn't always register, and he has to press it again. I speak with him on the phone though, and even though he is outside his house, the quality is great.
My personal comments on the Panasonic 5.8 6502B is that I love the whole system. The quality is great. I get absolutely no static, or noise, even when my head is practically inside the microwave. (Which is the first thing I wanted to check after using my 2.4 and 900 megahertz that way and got so much noise I had to leave the room) Going outside of the stone house, I went all the way past my neighbor's front yard, before I got noise, and that is about 100 feet. I can go anywhere in the house, which is a 60 foot house, meaning that 40 feet is the max distance from the base unit, and everything is crystal clear, no matter what floor I am on. I have the base unit sitting on top of a major subwoofer.
I am a Panasonic fan, because I have a 900Mghz dual line, and a 2.4Ghz single line cordless, both of them Panasonics, and I have owned them for 10 years or more, and they both work perfectly. I had to buy replacement batteries for the older 900, which is the one that is over 10 years old. I bought replacements-aftermarket from eBay and they work great. My 2.4 is still running off of the original batteries. Not a glitch with either of those phones. That is reliability.
Now I want to talk about headsets. The dream from way back was to be able to walk around cordless, and better yet, hands free. I can go out in the garage, out in the yard, (go to the bathroom) get something to drink, or whatever I want, without being tied to the cord, and just as important, not having to bend my neck to hold the phone up, or use up a hand. Total freedom is great. The problem is that my headsets for the 900 or 2.4 don't work properly with the 5.8Ghz. I tried the Plantronics 25 or 29-dollar model, and it was so quiet, when I left a message on the answering machine, it would hang up. I tried my old headset, and it did the same thing. So their is something about 5.8 systems that require more volume. The reviews on the Panasonic headsets were many, but not many on the 5.8 volume problem. Those that were happy didn't report what they were using them on.
Once again, my Staples expert, the rare sales person who really knows what they are talking about, pointed me away from Plantronics, and aimed me directly at the AT&T Executive headset model number EHS30 for only $19.95. He said they were loud, and when hearing, you have to turn down the volume. The Plantronics he stated were for business use, when you don't want the caller hearing ten other conversations going on in the background. On the AT&T headset pack, they say," Designed for the HOME office professional" Anyhow, I took it home, plugged it in, and it WORKS GREAT FOR THE 5.8. I sent a message to another answering machine in the house and the volume was greater than when using the regular phone, and without any distortion. It had great sound quality, and plenty of it. The AT&T has enough boom length, to get in front of your mouth. On the Plantronics, in frustration, I took the headset off, and spoke directly into the mic, but although I got more volume, there was distortion.
This paragraph is an edit to my original review. I have since received the Panasonic KX-TCA60 headset that everyone raves about, but others commented that they do not work with the 5.8s. Well they do. It does say on the cardboard plackett that the headset comes on, that they were meant for 900Mghz, and 2.4s but leaves out the 5.8s. BUT the owners manual for the 6502 says that headset works fine, and it does. The boom mic is crystal clear, just like the AT&T, and the volume on the ear piece is just the right volume. The AT&T goes above the normal volume, but gives you an adjustable volume knob to tweak it just right. The Panasonic TCA60 does not have a volume knob but is set at just the right volume already. The speaker on the AT&T is the same outside diameter cushion, but the actual speaker opening is twice the size of the Panasonic. That may help in part as to why the volume on the AT&T is greater. If you were in a really loud room, the AT&T has a higher volume adjustability. Both were perfect quality, sound and plenty of it. You can't go wrong with either one. The AT&T is twice the price of the Panasonic but is built a little more substantially. Hey get both, you have a lot of stations with the 6502.
One last comment is on looks. The picture of the individual handsets, the Panasonic 650 is more like the real look of the phone. If you look at the 6502B picture, it looks like pure black, which it is not. I prefer the pearl black metallic/off charcoal gray look, which it shows you in the 650 handset only picture here at Amazon, which is what it all is and has a black back. Also the LCD color they show in that picture is not accurate; it is more like a goldish yellow instead.
Overall, I find the 6502B or 6500 with a single handset, which are full size Panasonics, to be the best looking, most functional, and most reliable units out there. I have absolutely no complaints at all. Pertaining to the comments about the calls missed showing up on all of the handsets; when you have multiple people using the same system, everyone has a chance to review all of the incoming calls, and with the caller ID, they show up with the sending phone number and time of the call. If someone else like a brother or sister, erased your message at the base, or from their handset, you know what calls came in, and who to holler at :-)
Get the Panasonic 6502B or 6500, and get the AT&T headset EH530, which also works in your cell phone with the same 2.5mm plug. Buy it, you won't be sorry. I seriously feel a pang of love when I walk past the handset stations, especially, when I consider all of the old problems this new system solves.
Oh, one more thing, I have the primary line set up on my Lingo line, that I learned about here at Amazon. It's the new VOIP and costs me only $19.95 a month for unlimited long distance all over the US, Canada, and 17 countries in Western Europe. The included premium call services including Caller ID all work beautifully with the Panasonic system. I guess you could say, "I'm phone happy" Hope this helps.

Here is my quick review after using this phone for several months. I purchased it mainly due to the positive reviews (especially versus the other similar models) and the features it offers. My highest priority was a two line cordless phone that was 5.8Ghz so it wouldn't conflict with our wireless network at home. It has all the features that you would expect including a built in answering machine, speaker phone on handset and base, and good clarity and range.

I have two issues that you should be aware of. First some people report that the volume is too low. That is I can hear the person I'm talking to just fine, but the person on the other end has a little trouble hearing me. I called customer service for Panasonic and they suggested turning off the Voice Enhancer feature, which didn't really seem to help. That feature mostly affects the sound on my end from what I understand. However when I talk at a good volume the person can hear me just fine. The issue is a bigger concern when using a headset, so I always try to speak up when possible.

The other issue is the strange voice interface to the answering machine. You would think it would behave like a typical voicemail system at work, but the menu system is poorly designed. When I call in while on the road, I expect to be given a prompt with all the basic choices (e.g. push 1 for this, 2 for that, etc...), like an option to delete the message I just heard. Well that option is buried several menus deep, unless of course you remember that exact key to press on the phone. So it is a good idea to write down the basic command set on a card and keep it in your wallet.

Overall the phone quality is very good and meets our needs. I just think they could have done a little better at this price point, especially with the voice transmission volume. I don't know if there is a better model out there that will do better so shop around and decide for yourself.

The 6500B was the last one I tried of three. I've had cordless Panasonic phones break too often in the past so was reluctant to buy one again. But the other choices had major drawbacks. I really needed a two-line phone that wasn't 2.4Ghz.

The first I tried was the Uniden TRU8866. It had a bad echo on the extra handset and other people complained about that too. This phone uses phone company voice mail (no built-in ans mach) - which is fine - but I had the VM system go bonkers so lost all trust in it. For over a week messages accumulated but we got no stutter-tone so didn't know there were any new messages - arrgghh. Not the phones fault I know but it required VM for messaging so nope.

Next I tried the new Motorola MD7081. I really wanted to like this phone. It's a 2-line 5.8Ghz ans machine like the Panasonic 6500B. I liked it's simplicity and easy switching between line 1 and 2. Had battery backup for use during power outages and the best voice quality of the three. But, it's answering system has no message counter. That alone is no big deal but it didn't have any indicator to say whether you had any saved messages. When a new message arrived it blinked and such - all good. But, if I got home, say, and listened to a message for my wife, the blinking stopped and no indication of "1 saved message" or anything. So, I would have to write a note to her to check the messages. We're so used to relying on seeing a message counter and just listening to them if it's not zero that we thought this would become a nuisance. I also would have liked an auto-line-selection so it would automatically answer the ringing line or select a non-busy outgoing line. But, that would have messed up their simpler style button function - hmmm.

The Panasonic, I am surprised to say, ended up being my favorite. Hopefully it will be reliable. I was always bothered by Panasonic's phones losing the date/time with any little power outage. Happily, this phone sets its date/time from caller-id info even though the manual implies it wouldn't work quite that way. With the right settings and phone company options (busy-forward), it elegantly supports two lines as if they are one. I really like not thinking about which line is what - just pick up and talk.

The 6500B has good voice quality and reasonable range. It's much lighter than earlier caller-id handsets which I like. I also like their shape of handset the best. My gripes are the limit of 4 handsets - I would like 6 or 7. Also, can't name the handsets so with intercom you have to remember each number.

I have a VOIP line and a backup landline; I had been through the nightmare of having two separate phones, and of always having the wrong one to hand, so I decided I was set on having a two-line phone. The traditional landline was to be bare-bones, so the phone system needed to have an integrated answering machine (I've since turned off the voice mail on my VOIP line as well). And it needed to be 5.8GHz so it wouldn't interfere with the Wi-Fi reception (or vice-versa).

Turns out that those requirements narrowed things down quite a bit--all the way, in fact. And the phone is not cheap. Still, it was the only one that did everything I wanted, so I sprung for it. I've had no complaints, or at least no serious ones. The menu interface could be better, but I've never met a cordless phone that got this right. The sound quality has been flawless, the two-line implementation is terrific and the blinking antenna is nice when you're searching for the phone in a dark (or cluttered) room.

I think the handsets could look more attractive; there's something clunky and last-decade about the styling. But functionally, this phone has been everything I hoped for.

No interference at all with my wireless router, which was my greatest concern. Moreover, the sound quality is great!
I expected a somewhat greater range than I got (thus the 4 instead of the 5 stars), but it's not bad considering I live in a three story apartment with 100% concrete & brick walls (no dry-wall). The blinking antenna-tip instead of the annoying ringing is a big plus as well, and it's on-screen menu is very user-friendly. Bottom line... great buy, and great value for the money.

As other reviewers have noted, I encountered a problem with the unit receiving caller id. Even after disconnecting every other phone device in the house(all other telephones, computer fax modem, directv receiver, external caller id boxes) I still could not get the unit to receive caller id on either line. Previous cordless and caller-id units never had a problem

Customer support had me change a line setting (B to A linetype) which didn't help matters, so I packaged the unit up and returned it to staples. The AT&T EP5962 had no problem with caller id, but I would have preferred the Panasonic -- keys weren't as stiff as the AT&T.

A note for those looking at the AT&T EP5962 -- although the unit has a corded handset at the base, it does NOT function without power as a basic telephone. And for those with small kids, the corded handset can be removed with the base still functional (that is, no lines go off-hook)