Uniden DCT 648-2 2.4 GHz Expandable Cordless Phone with Dual Handsets, Answering System, and Caller ID

by Uniden

Product Details

Product Manual [4.48mb PDF]

• Product Dimensions: 7 x 6 x 8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 3 pounds
• Shipping: Currently, item can be shipped only within the U.S.
• ASIN: B0000WZZRQ
• Item model number: DCT648-2
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (35 customer reviews)
• Date first available at Amazon.com: October 15, 2003

Product Description

Amazon.com Product Description

Uniden's DCT 648-2 comes with a number of useful features, including an extra handset with charging cradle, expandability (one or two additional model DCX640, sold separately), and an all digital answering machine. Ideal for any large home, this stylish phone set allows you to place handsets in multiple locations so you never miss a call.

Caller ID/call waiting compatible, the DCT 648-2 can store up to 100 calls, while the display-and-dial feature lets you easily scroll through the list of calls and dial with the touch of a button. An auto-scan feature automatically detects the best channel available, while handset and ringer volume controls allow you to easily adjust the phone's settings to your liking.

The DCT 648-2 is headset compatible (a belt clip is provided for hands-free operation), while a room/baby monitoring setting lets you hear audio from another handset location. A page button on the base makes finding a lost handset quick and painless, and the menu-driven handset LCD makes operation easy. A redial button lets you easily call one of the last three outgoing numbers, while both tone and pulse dialing modes are provided in case you need to switch to one or the other.

With the auto-talk feature turned on, you can answer calls simply by removing the phone from its cradle, and the flash/talk button lets you switch to an incoming call (requires subscription to a fee-based service) and put the current conversation on hold. A handset-to-handset call transfer function is provided, as is a memory location transfer feature. With four-way conferencing (two handsets plus base plus outside call), multiple users can easily converse, and the intercom feature lets you communicate with another handset location.

The digital answering system features full remote operation, allowing you to check messages while away from the home or office. Voice prompts help guide you through setup, while play/stop, skip, delete, and repeat keys help you navigate through your messages. A memo record feature is provided, and the conversation record feature lets you record important conversations or information such as driving directions.

Twenty distinctive ringer options are provided, and a visual voice mail indicator on the base lets you know when you have message waiting. Wall mountable, the DCT 648-2 also comes with both a handset and base speakerphone. It is backed by a one-year warranty on both parts and labor.

What's in the Box
Base, two handsets, extra charging cradle, phone cord, two AC adapters, two battery packs, two belt clips, user's manual, warranty information

Product Description

2.4GHz Dual Handset/ITAD/CID- Uniden 2.4GHz cordless expandable system with digital answering machine- Caller ID, call waiting caller ID- 4-Way conferencing- Mute and hold functions- Alphabetical search- Transfer memory between handsets- Eng/Span/French menu support- New message waiting indicator with alert tone option- Intercom/call transfer between handsets- 20 Ring options (10 melodies/10 ring tones)- Donot disturb setting- 10 Handset speed dial locations- Headset compatible- Clarity booster- Room/baby monitoring capability- Last 3 number redial- Earpiece and ringer volume control- Ringer off option- Paging (find lost handset) key- Desk/wall mountable- Record conversation capability- Remote message retrieval- Expands to a maximum of 4 handsets (4 handsets can be run from a single phone jack)- Silver with orange LCDACCESSORY HANDSET: DCX640 BATTERY: BATT-446Package Contents:- Base unit (a base with its handset)- 1 extra handset and charger- AC adapters- Rechargeable NiMH battery packs- Telephone cord- Belt clips- Manual

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

81 of 84 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Sound issues detract from an otherwise great phone!, February 9, 2004

By A Customer

This review is from: Uniden DCT 648-2 2.4 GHz Expandable Cordless Phone with Dual Handsets, Answering System, and Caller ID (Office Product)

Uniden DCT648-3HS

Pros

* Bright easily read display
* Phone is small and fits in hand nicely
* Message notification light on handset and blinking led on base
* Messages can be accessed on any handset as well as base
* Handsets can be named (example: bedroom, living room, etc.)
* Speakerphone in handset and base
* When using the speakerphone on handset and base the other caller couldn't tell that I was using a speakerphone
* Very good volume on handset, and equally as good using the speakerphones on both handset and base
* Speed dial numbers can be assigned to numbers 1 thru 0 on the keypad
* Battery condition icon
* DirectLink Mode (a pair of handsets can work like walkie talkies away from the base unit)
* Room Monitor (one phone can call another and the second phone will turn on the speakerphone allowing you to listen in that room)
* Different ringers can be assigned to a phone number in the directory, so when that particular person calls that melody or ringer will sound.

Cons

* I was frequently getting a tinny sound coming from the handset. Also was hearing my voice in earpiece on the handset which is quite annoying.
* In the speakerphone mode on the handset the sound is constantly getting low then comes back.
* Only a 2 digit pin code for accessing messages (I wish phone manufacturers was use at a minimum, 3 digits. It wouldn't take much for somebody to guess a two digit number)

Conclusion

Uniden seems to have done their homework when designing their new 2.4GHz phones, but the issues with the handset and speakerphone detract from an otherwise excellent phone in my opinion.

Other Uniden phones that I've tested in the past have never had the issue with the tinny sound. I'm not sure if this tinny sound and the problems with the fading sound from the handset speaker phone are some how related. I originally thought that extra noise in my home office were causing the handset speakerphone fading, but when I went into another room that was quiet it still faded. I then thought that maybe the handset I was using was bad but I checked the other two the system came with and they also faded when using the speakerphone. Whether or not you can live with these shortcomings is up to the individual, but obviously sound is the most important aspect of a phone. If a phone cannot deliver good sound then all of the other extra's it comes with are pretty much useless.

So, can I live with the sound problems! I just don't know at this point. They are great phones..................but!!!!!

13 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great phone for the money, July 9, 2005

By 

Green Family (Maryland USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Uniden DCT 648-2 2.4 GHz Expandable Cordless Phone with Dual Handsets, Answering System, and Caller ID (Office Product)

I have two phone lines, and each has one of these Uniden systems with a base unit and 3 handsets. The base units sit next to each other, over the top of my computer, and there is no interference.

There are a number of specific things I really like about this system:

- The built-in answering machine can be accessed from any of the handsets. If there is a new message waiting, a light flashes on the handsets to alert you. The base unit also has the option to beep at you until you listen to the message. The answering machine is very customizable

- The handsets have a speaker phone, and I can switch back and forth from speaker phone and I have never had someone on the other end say "are you on a speaker phone? you sound like you're in a tunnel" (like they always did on my old phone)

- You can send the phonebook entries from one handset to another.

- There are lots of ring tones to choose from. You can set up different ring tones for different callers (if you have caller-ID)

- When you want to add a handset to the system, you just place it in the base and voila it's registered.

- You can use the handsets as walkie-talkies away from home. You also use them as a baby monitor.

- The handsets are small and lightweight and accept a headset. I put on my headset, clip the phone to my belt, and can talk for hours.

- With my previous phone, I had constant problems with accidentally hitting the mute button while I was talking. I have never had any such problems with the uniden.

- The battery life seems great. I recall one marathon 5-hour phone call, and the battery was fine.

- The sound quality is great.

- The display is very easy to read. You can name your handsets.

I can only think of one complaint. When on a call, if you want switch to another handset, you can't just pick up another handset and push Talk... you have to transfer the call to that handset. That is not that big a problem, but it has taken some getting used to, and has resulted in hanging up on people a few times.

All in all, after 4 months I am very happy with this phone system.

15 of 16 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Surprisingly good for such small phones, October 31, 2005

By 

TC "Tom" (Kansas City, MO) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Uniden DCT 648-2 2.4 GHz Expandable Cordless Phone with Dual Handsets, Answering System, and Caller ID (Office Product)

I initally bought these phones before and took them back to the store, thinking I didn't like the small size, in large part because they could never sound as good as 'normal' sized phones. (I have a big head, so there's a long span for a phone to cover. :) So I finally settled on the AT&T E2715B/E1215B, a 2.4 G set with two handsets. However, I kept coming across these Unidens and re-reading the reviews and finally broke down and tried them again.

As a comparison test, I switched back and forth between AT&T and Uniden in both receiving and making calls (left myself messages at work). In normal handset use, the Uniden blows the AT&T away! It has much fuller sound and 'presence' in both listening and speaking, whereas the AT&T sounds like a radio using only a little tweeter. However, I thought the AT&T's speakerphone to have a little better sound. The headset quality is comparable between the two, although each has different tone - the AT&T being more treble, the Uniden having more bass.

That said, I actually prefer the AT&T phone's ergonomic shape and the way it fits my hand, simple uncluttered layout, larger buttons, and green backlight (over the Uniden's garish orange). Just not sure I'm ready to switch to a cell sized phone permanently.

Since I like talking on a headset more than a handset, I did one more comparison test of the Uniden against the 900 Mhz GE cordless headset phone I've used for a couple of years. Both come across with a quite decent sound, but the Uniden comes across a bit louder and clearer.

Some negatives of the Uniden, most not unique to this brand of phone:
1. As noted by others, I've noticed 'burps' with 2.4 GHz phones while using the microwave, not too surprising with both devices working on the same frequency. Not a big problem, unless you normally talk and cook at the same time.
2. I'd like a better selection of ringtones. The selection of 20 just isn't that great. (How about a sound clip that mimics the old ringing phones, for us geezers old enough to remember when most phones had cords and dials? The AT&T even has that!)
3. This last one is a stupid, *stupid* design mistake made by practically every brand of cordless phone with a caller ID display: The readout is right next to the receiver output; after every call, the display is smeared with skin oils; I can only wonder how many times of wiping this off it will take for the display to become scratched and hard to read! Manufacturers, please recess the displays or put more space between them and the receiver area!

(I haven't used the intercom feature yet and did not get the model with the answering system, so I can't comment on those features.)

In sum, I have to agree with most of the reviewers here that these phones appear to be a surprisingly good buy. I hope they hold up over time as well as my old stalwart 900 Mhz handset phone they replaced.

Update: My GE answering machine kicked the bucket, so I took back the pair of Uniden phones and picked up the version with the answering machine. Big mistake! While I can't say enough good things about the audio quality of the handsets themselves, messages on the answering system sound like a 25 yr. old cassette tape - a little muffled and slightly garbled (like a very low bitrate digital recording). I know it wasn't the connection because the prerecorded voice that guides you through the options came through loud and clear. So once again, I returned the phones. If you want small, cell-size phones with excellent sound quality, get these Unidens. But skip the answering system!!