Customer Reviews

Uniden DCT5285 2.4 GHz DSS Expandable Cordless Speakerphone with Answering System

5 star:		(7)
4 star:		(5)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

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.

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.

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.

After returning an(different brand) that didn't have the right features and an SBC-branded phone that had absolutely horrible sound quality, I bought this one and am happy. It has a little static, but I think that may be very difficult to avoid in a 2.4 GHz phone. I have an additional handset and the range is good. I've got the base unit in my office (next to my computer, router, fax, printer, monitor -- so maybe a little static is to be expected) and the extra handset out in the garage. The speakerphone is good quality--easy to have a clear 2-way conversation. the placement of the mic (on the underside of the unit) makes this possible (avoids feedback) but makes your voice sound a little far away to the person on the other end.

I had some trepidation at first due to some of the negative reviews. I can only say that I'm impressed. Easy to set up easy to use, the voice quality is excellent. The handset is also a speaker phone making this thing doubly versatile. It has a mute button which allows me to type while on conference calls.. They thought of everything. Excellent answering machine. I don't have a single negative comment. I've had it for a few months now..It was money well spent.

This is a great cordless phone and answering system. I had to replace a GE model and looked for weeks to find features I wanted at the price I needed. There are many useful features on this phone you would usually only find on much more expensive higher end models. Lighted keypad, speakerphone, speaker on the receiver, 16 ringtones, 2.4 GH DSS, and many more features. Sound quality and range are good and the style of the phone is very attractive. If you are looking for a quality phone at a very reasonable price, this is it.

Excellent product. Very easy to set up. I purchased base unit and three extensions. Could not have been easier to set up without any gliches. As a result am buying more of the same for other phone lines.

Pros: Great phone with Cell Phone like features on the headset.
Cons: No redial button on the headset or the cradle, to redial one has to go through options menu similar to the cell Phone.

This phone system works very well in all catagories. It is a bit on the noisy side, but the range and voice quality are excellent. The answering machine is great and I like the keypad/speakerphone in the base, though I wish it included a caller ID display. I have it maxed out with 4 phones, each with its own speaker. Every one can be programmed to identify the phone's base location and each phone can operate the answering machine remotely. You can even use them as 2-way radios. This is a sleek, feature-packed system at a reasonable price.

I bought this phone with trepidation but I have been satisfied so far. The phone clarity is great and the answering machine was easy to set up. I am glad that I bought this phone. I would recommend it to anyone.