Customer Reviews

Uniden TRU-4485-2 2.4 GHz DSS Cordless Phone with Call Waiting, Digital Answering System, and Speakerphone

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

 

 

I've been looking for an answering machine/cordless phone to replace my old AT&T 5635. I needed better quality message recording and a speaker phone option. Most reviews complained about recording and/or speaker phone quality problems from VTech, AT&T and Panasonic. The Uniden line did not suffer from this shortcoming in most of the reviews I saw. Initially I was looking at the new 5.8Ghz model, but the price was more then I wanted to pay. I bought this 2.4Ghz model and it is everything I needed and then some. The only limitation I have noted is that you cannot talk on both cordless phones at the same time, but you can use one cordless and the base speaker phone together. You can also transfer a call from one cordless to another or to the base. Record time is limited to 10 minutes and can be set to limit each message to either 1 or 4 minutes. Not really a big deal for me, but if you get a lot of messages get a phone with larger memory. Reception is good, as is speaker/mic quality on the handsets. No static noted in my area.

So far I have been pleased with this purchase.

Pros:
Great reception and range. Great battery life. I talk on the phone a lot and sometimes forget to charge it for a day or two and have no problems. Clear sound quality. Ability to access messages from the handsets as well as the base. I purchased my set with headsets included and use them every time I'm on the phone, definite bonus for busy moms! Preprogrammed outgoing message for answering machine, but you can also record your own without overriding the original. So if you ever want to switch between the two, you can.

Cons:
You do have to program each phone individually for storing numbers, changing ring tones, etc. Somewhat of a drawback, but not a major complaint.

If you are looking for a multiple handset system that you can have more than one person on the line at the same time, this won't work. Only one handset can be used at a time, and a call has to be "transferred" to the other handset. (for my purposes, this is not a big deal).

So far I have been happy with this phone. I'm still learning the different features that are available. It's not a complicated phone, but is definitely a lot different than my basic 900 mhz phone with no options.

I've read the other reviews. I did not encounter any of the problems that they have. My headsets both work fine and I haven't had any complaints about my voice not being loud enough on the other end.

The reception is very clear. I walked and talked from my apartment to my friends apartment 5 units away (all 2 bedroom units) with no static at all. The reception was lost when I went inside, but was clear until then. I've only encountered VERY MINIMAL static while using the microwave and near a computer monitor. It did not affect conversation at all.

I was a little disappointed when I found out that the answering machine only holds 10 min worth of messages, but then I realized that I have never received at most more than 3-4 minutes worth of messages in my life. One important note about the answering machine is that you do NOT lose your messages if there is a power failure. I tried unplugging my base unit for about 45 min. and the messages were still there.

I chose this phone above others with the same features for 4 primary reasons:

1) NiMH batties - last much longer and don't have recharge memory problems like the more common NiCad batteries do.

2) 2.4 GHz digital spread spectrum - From what I understand, the digital spread spectrum phones are much better for privacy concerns.

3) 2 Handsets - If one battery is dying in the middle of a conversation, I can just grab the other handset which is fully charged.

4) Great price!

This phone has the voice quality and sturdy build that we were looking for but has some key deficiencies:
1) If you recieve a call on one handset, the call can't be picked up on the other handset w/o 'tranferring' the call to the other handset- a serious annoyance.
2) It does not have speakphone capability on the handsets-only on the base.
3) The maximum handset capability is 2.
Other than that it's a good system.

The phone has all the features I want (dual handset, answering machine, sleek and simple). After reading the reviews and holding the handset in my hands, I thought it would be the perfect phone.

Unfortunately, the handset sound quality was not very good. I heard background static, that seemed louder than the caller's voice. The problem could have been due to the appliances I had in the house, because the other reviews did not mention the static. Unfortunately, I had to return the phone, although I wish I could have experienced the great performance others had mentioned.

I have another cordless Uniden phone in the house, and that phone has great sound quality, so I'm surprised to hear the static on the newer TRU 4485.

A definite thumbs up for these little gems.

Pros: Great sound quality; no static; incredible range; nice, long battery life; caller-ID right on the unit itself

Cons: Really difficult and time-consuming to program numbers; you can't transfer programmed numbers between units so you have to program everything twice; answering machine only holds 10 minutes worth of messages ... come now, memory is cheap, they could go at least 30 minutes I would think; your options for message length are a mere 60-seconds or no limit.

Bought this phone because I needed a cordless speakerphone with mute for my home office. Headset performance is important. Returned it because the headset performance was very poor. I tried three different headsets on both of the two included handsets, and with all three headsets, the person on the other end cannot hear you unless unless you shout. Tried the same with my other cordless, an older 900mhz Panasonic (no mute), and it works fine without me having to raise my voice. Also bought and returned a Panasonic (KX-TG2237S, which has mute + other great features) because of poor battery life (have to put it back on the base after use or it will run out quickly with use). I've been a loyal Panasonic customer because of the sound quality. I'll have to find one with decent battery life. BTW, I don't use the phone more than 1hr per day, so the battery life was poor.

I purchased this phone and returned it after two days. Programming the two handsets and base station separately was tedious. Of greater concern, however, was the static and "tinny" sound from the handset. I found the layout of the handet to be too awkward -- especially the small "end" key needed to terminate calls. I upgraded to Uniden's newer model and have been thrilled! (Be aware that the base station of this model is not wall-mountable!)

Sure it's got all the bells and whistles BUT...They forgot the most important thing. Sound!!! I don't understand how my 12 year old cordless actually sounds better that this new Uniden. It sounds like I am in a tunnel and I can hear my words echo while I am talking. If you want good sound, keep shopping. The bells and whistles are fun but not fun enough to overcome the frustration of bad workmanship when this phone was designed and built. Like I said, my 12 year old cordless sounds much better. Maybe I'll go to a yard sale to look for my next cordless.

Good sound quality, reception, standby & talk time. One handset went out of order within a month. Cleaning the caller id was a pain because even the calls received had to be cleaned on both handsets separately. Uniden customer service was disappointing. I will not recommend it to anyone because it is not reliable and simply not worth the money.