Uniden DCT5285 2.4 GHz DSS Expandable Cordless Speakerphone with Answering System

by Uniden

Product Details

Product Manual [1.52mb PDF]

• Shipping Weight: 3 pounds
• Shipping: Currently, item can be shipped only within the U.S.
• ASIN: B00008Y2EH
• Item model number: DCT-5285
• Average Customer Review: 3.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (17 customer reviews)
• Discontinued by manufacturer: Yes
• Date first available at Amazon.com: October 2, 2001

Product Description

Amazon.com Product Description

An expandable 2.4 GHz phone from Uniden, the DCT-5285 has good looks, a fully integrated answering system, and a reasonable price tag. Using the 2.4 GHz frequency and digital spread spectrum technology, the DCT-5285 offers clear, intelligible reception even at a distance. Users can access information such as the call record, internal clock, and caller ID through the four-line LCD on the handset, and a page button on the base ensures that you can always find a lost handset.

The fully digital answering machine has a 12-minute maximum record time and features remote operation, so you can check your messages while you are away. A new message waiting indicator lets you know when you have received new calls, and the internal phone book can store up to 100 numbers.

The Ni-MH battery provides up to seven hours of talk time, and up to 14 days of standby. The intercom function and handset-to-handset transfer feature let you communicate with other handsets, up to three of which can be added to your system for a total of four. Plus, DirectLink technology lets you use the handsets as two-way FRS radios.

The DCT-5285 is headset compatible (a belt clip is provided) and also comes with a speakerphone button on both the base and handset, providing hands-free operation and saving your neck from the strain of cradling the phone. The DCT-5285 is backed by a one-year parts and labor warranty.

What's in the Box
Base station, handset, NiMH battery pack, AC adapter and charger, telephone line cord, belt clip, instructions, warranty information

Product Description

Uniden DCT-5285, 2.4Ghz Expandable phone w/Caller ID CW, Ansering, Dual Speakerphone - 2.4 GHz Multi-Handset Technology provides the convenience of having multiple handsets with one base unit.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

19 of 20 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars Great features, poor sound, August 7, 2003

By A Customer

This review is from: Uniden DCT5285 2.4 GHz DSS Expandable Cordless Speakerphone with Answering System (Office Product)

Being a very jaded consumer of cordless telephones, my expectations were not real high when I bought this phone from a local retailer. We have a 2.4GHz DSS Uniden with digital answering machine that is over 3 years old (TRU248). It's taken a lot of abuse, and yeah it breaks up around my wireless router and microwave, but otherwise it's been a good little unit. This Uniden has way cool features that you can read of for yourself, but the bottom line is sound quality, and this unit is a big step backwards. After about 5 minutes of talking to someone, you find yourself wanting to say "over!" at the end of your talking, it's really that bad. When the other person isn't talking, you think they have hung up, and when they do talk, the static level is unacceptable no matter what volume level you use on the handset. It was also MUCH worse about dropping out around my router and microwave than my old 2.4, and the "Clarity Booster" (cranks up the transmit power according to the manual) did nothing of the sort.

I really wanted to like this phone, but in the end, it went back. We got an AT&T 2325 instead which tolerates the router and microwave much better, and the voice quality is ten time the Uniden. I haven't been an ATT fan in the past (they're no longer made by who you think they are) so we'll see how life goes with it.

16 of 17 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great phone!, March 4, 2004

By 

D. Gove "quadzilla" (Byram, CT USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Uniden DCT5285 2.4 GHz DSS Expandable Cordless Speakerphone with Answering System (Office Product)

I ended up keeping the Uniden DCT5285 after trying several phones including the Uniden DCT6485 and AT&T 1475. What attracted me to the Uniden models was the speakerphone on both the base and handset. I've got limited dexterity and had a hard time pushing the very small buttons on the DCT6485 and so tried the DCT5285. I'm very happy I did!

The speakerphone clarity on both the base and handset of the DCT5285 is excellent as is the clarity of the handset earpiece. The phone has a one-button speed dial function that can store up to 10 separate phone numbers although the base and handset have to be programmed separately. The handset has a last-three number redial function but unfortunately you have to go through the menu to use it. The Uniden DCT6485 has a separate redial button. The handset also has a phonebook the can store a persons name
and phone number. The number can be automatically dialed by pressing the "talk" button after accessing the contact in the phonebook. The phonebook on the DCT5285 is accessed though the menu while the DCT6485 has a separate button for it.

The answering machine has a 12-minute capacity with very good clarity. A very convenient feature is the ability to listen to messages on the answering device from the handset. The phone has distinctive ring tones but I can't comment on it because I don't have caller ID. The batteries seem to hold a charge very well although I don't have many long phone conversations. I live in a small apartment and so haven't really gone far from the base with the handset but so far the range is fine. I've gone about 20 feet from the base.

Overall, I think the DCT5285 is an excellent phone. I think it's got the same functions as the DCT6485 but with the DCT6485 you don't have to go through the menu to access the redial and phonebook functions. Again the only reason I returned my DCT6485 is because the buttons were very small, like a cell phone. I would have kept it otherwise. If you've got a problem operating a small keypad I'd say go with the DCT5285 as it's keypad is larger. Otherwise go with the DCT6485. Both are excellent feature packed phones with great clarity.

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Good phone, very bad for wireless lans, August 4, 2004

By 

E. Torretta (Seattle, WA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Uniden DCT5285 2.4 GHz DSS Expandable Cordless Speakerphone with Answering System (Office Product)

The phone looks and feels good, has good features, and no sound problems. The downside is that it uses the same frequency (2.4 GHz) as 802.11b/g wireless lan cards. Because it is a spread-spectrum phone, meaning its signal hops around the full range of the 2.4 GHz band, it isn't possible to set your lan to a specific channel to avoid interference (although in my case channel 1 seemed to get slightly less interference). During a phone call the lan throughput drops to zero; the interference is so bad that my combo wireless dsl modem/router actually pauses and my cat-5 connection briefly dies too. This interference occurs regardless of where the phone is, although in a house (this is a one bedroom apartment) the interference might be attenuated by distance. You definitely will not sit at your laptop and talk on this phone. Any attempt to use your wireless lan will also cause clicks and pops in the phone's sound, although this aspect of the interference isn't too bad. There is of course no phone noise if you're not actively using the network at the same time (e.g., browsing or downloading).

In summary, definitely do not get this phone if interference with your wireless lan will bother you. On the other hand if your lan is 802.11a (5 GHz) you'll be fine, and even with 802.11b/g if you use the phone lightly or don't mind brief network interruptions, the $55 price of this phone is a good deal.