Customer Reviews

Uniden DECT 6.0 Black Cordless Telephone System with Interference Free Digital Technology (DECT3080-3)

5 star:		(13)
4 star:		(6)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(3)
1 star:		(21)

 

 

(SEE UPDATE BELOW REVIEW)

I have used mostly Panasonic telephone systems in the past. This is my first Uniden product. I have used this telephone system for over 3 months. I have not had ANY drop-outs or "Out-Of-Range" errors that others have reported. I would assume that there may have been an early production line issue. I would be curious to see how others would have rated the phone if that issue were taken out of the equation. I have categorized my review features into Good, Bad and Ugly.

The GOOD:
-Terrific sound quality
-Stylish design
-Lightweight handsets
-Speakerphone feature on each handset
-Ability to add 3 extra handsets (6 total) simply by dropping them in the base for 5-10 seconds.
-Ability to customize the name of each handset for intercom ease-of-use
-Ability to page all handsets via intercom at once or one at a time
-Multiple ringers
-Organized menu interface and button icons
-Message indicator light on each handset
-Ability to check your messages from any handset
-Ability to send your address book entries to each of your handsets without re-entering them.


The BAD:
-The handset will not turn on the back light of the display until it is taken off the charger. This makes it difficult to see who is calling until the handset is lifted off the charger and activates the back light
-Only a 2 digit code for answering machine message retrieval...not that secure
-Price
-The handset volume and speaker phone volume are very audible; however, I do tend to use the highest setting on both. It would be nice if there were a louder setting but I doubt anyone would complain the volume is not high enough.
-No talking Calling ID (though I have usually turned that feature off on my Panasonic phones because it gets annoying).
-No use of speaker phone with intercom. I'm not sure if there is a phone system that does this, but it would be a great feature (like a quick & easy baby monitor)


The UGLY:
-I have two least favorite attributes of this phone system:

-There is the "extra" bottom row of buttons on the handset that have the same look and feel as the number buttons (This is the reason for the 4 star rating). Every other phone I have owned has the * key, 0 button and # key on the bottom. Or, if there are other buttons beneath this row, they look or feel very different or are spaced further down on the phone. This phone has another row of buttons directly beneath * key, 0 button and # key. This extra row of buttons is for redial, mute and speaker phone. Uniden should have made this row a different size or spaced it further down on the handset. When a telephone number has contains a zero (which is usually the button found on bottom center of a handset), it is too easy to hit the MUTE button instead since this is the bottom center button on this handset. This takes some acclimation.

-The answering machine recorder does not cut off when you pick up a phone that is not part of the Uniden system. For example, if someone is calling and you pick up another phone after several rings (a Panasonic phone on the same line for example) after the answering machine has already picked up, it will not cut off the answering machine recorder. You then need to manually delete a "message" of you talking to the person on the answering machine.

SUMMARY:
-I have not had ANY drop out issues reported by others
-If you can live with the "extra" row of buttons at the bottom of the handset and frequent need to delete "messages" of you talking to someone else on the answering machine, this is really a great looking and great performing telephone system. Overall, I would recommend it without hesitation.

UPDATE MARCH 2009:
For about a month, the handsets have developed an annoying problem. All 6 (the 3 original handsets from 3 expansion handsets) have randomly started resetting the time. After a while, one by one (never all at once), the handsets will reset the time to 12:00. I have tried resetting the time manually, unplugging and re-plugging in the battery and placing different handsets on different chargers. I have not lost power in the house and this problem occurs regardless of whether the handset is on the charger. There is no other power related issue. That is, the battery holds a charge fine for conversations. I am starting to think that there is some production run issue with my phones. I doubt it is a battery problem but that is where Uniden Customer Service wants to start. Uniden Customer Service is responsive, though their number was difficult to find: 800 297-1023. I would be interested if anyone else is having this issue with the handsets losing the correct time and randomly resetting to 12:00, especially those that have expanded the number of handsets.

UPDATE JULY 2009:
Uniden Customer Service came through and replaced the entire system with a new set free after we collectively could not figure out why the handsets were acting possessed. The replacement set has not exhibited the problem. I have really grown to like this phone and I even got another set. It seems Radio Shack had a unique version of this phone that came with 4 handsets. I got it on clearance for about $85. This new set has not exhibited the random time reset issue either. If anyone is experiencing this, I would recommend that you unpair and re-pair each handset to the base. I never tried this and it was not suggested by Uniden but, in retrospect, I bet it would have worked.

Kudos to Uniden for standing behind their products too!

I have purchased DECT3080-3 thinking it is the top of the line phone Uniden offers. My previous model is Uniden DCT648-3 which I used for 2yrs w/o an issue.

Just using the new phone DECT3080-3 for 15mins today, I have already found couple major Problems:

1) LCD on handset do not lit up when there is a incoming call when the handset is on charging base - MAJOR ISSUE!

2) The call speaker & earpiece volume is pretty low compared to my existing DCT648-3 - - MAJOR ISSUE!

3) I get static (or buzzing) noise before even I dial the call. This is in both ear-piece and speaker on handset -- This doesnot exist on my current DCT648-3, which is super quiet.

4) Last night got message "Too far from base unit" .. I was talking for 45mins upstairs and recieved the above msg. Base unit was downstairs in Kitchen.. I never ever had this problem since 6yrs w/900Mhz phones.

Did I actually degrade my existing phone by buying this new one???? To be honest, I do not see any major changes/improvements from upgrading from DCT648-3, except the color LCD and less weight handsets, but its a downgrade since the handsets are much wider than previous models..

I've been using the Uniden DECT 6.0 Black Cordless Telephone System with Interference Free Digital Technology (DECT3080-3) system which comes with an extra handset for a total of three. I hope that my experience with product may help others decide whether this is the set worth buying or they should be looking elsewhere.

I see that some have experienced problems with dropped calls and 'out of range' issues. This is not my experience but my review is only based on the set I purchased (as 'new' from a third-party Amazon seller).
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It is expandable to 6 handsets per base (that would be the answering machine) but each handset could, in fact, be registered to up to 4 different bases which would make everything extremely complicated if it was actually done.

I ended up with the Uniden DECT set after a sad experience with 'brand X' or, shall we call it 'brand V'? :) Their (more expensive) offering was so bad, I had no choice but to return it so, I'm using the Uniden now.

For efficiency sake, I will start with the negatives so that anyone who cares about these (lack of) features can quickly decide that this set is not for you. Here they are, the negatives:

- The speaker volume is low. This probably has some advantages when it comes to battery life (see below) but anyone who must have a loud speaker should be warned that these phones' speakers are anything BUT loud.
- The ring volume is also low. Seriously, anyone who has a hearing problem should NOT buy this set. I do not mind the low ring volume because too loud rings bother me but I am listing this as a negative because some could mind.
- The intercom can NOT use the speaker. It's the earpiece only for the intercom.

The features that made me decide that this is the set for me include:

+ Long battery life. Possibly because of the low-volume, these phones seem to last forever on a charge. The manufacturer claims up to 10 hours of talk time. I'm not sure if that's the case but, so far, I haven't seen the 'low battery' warning yet and I am spending many hours, almost every day, on conference calls.
+ Good reception. With the base in the basement, I was able to use the phone, outside, some 30 feet away from the house which I can not do with my great Motorola 5.8 MHz sets.
+ Great design. These phones and the base are actually pretty in an unobtrusive, minimalistic way. They are a little bit on the small and light side but they can hold their own in a room full of gadgets.
+ Easy access to voice mail from the handsets. The handset keys actually have the remote-like symbols for play/stop/fast-forward, etc. so, if anyone does not feel like reading the menu options from the phone's display, you can simply use it as if you were using a remote. Very nice.
+ Belt clip - my wife loves this more than I do because I tend to be at my desk when I talk on the phone.
+ Headset jacks on all handsets - another feature that my wife loves.
+ 50 page, VERY thorough manual that was written by an English-speaker. This may sound like a trivial thing but I was actually impressed by how easy to use and how comprehensive the manual was. Every feature appears to be covered.
+ Easy to navigate, simple menus
+ Privacy mode - once on a call, you can block all other registered sets to listen on your conversation.

Other features, which I expect in any phone in this class and are well implemented include:

= Caller ID
= Call waiting
= 3-way calling
= 70 phonebook entries per set with the ability to copy individual entries or the entire phonebook from one set to another (I tried it and it was very easy)
= The ability to personalize each phonebook entry to show name (can keep the caller ID name if you don't want to complicate your life), wallpaper, ring style and display style (can't see myself doing that a lot)
= 30 caller ID number per set, in addition to the phonebook entries
= 5 'last dialed' numbers availalble to redial
= 10 ring tones (in fact 5 rings and 5 melodic tones)
= 10 display styles
= 5 wallpaper styles
= English/Spanish menus
= Independent volume controls for headset, speaker and ringer.
= The ability to set the time/date on all sets and base from one handset.
= The ability to control the answering machine, including turning it off from any handset.
= Intercom.
= Paging a lost handset from the base.

I am overall happy with these phones but I must take off one star, mostly for the 'low volume' issue. Other than that, they come as close to 'perfect' as anything.
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Just in case anyone cares to know what DECT is about.

DECT (Digital Enhanced Cordless Telecommunications) is a relatively new (2005) standard for cordless phones, initially developed in Europe.

Some of the advantages of DECT 6.0 include:

- easier to implement multiple handsets sharing one phone jack connection via one common base (have it on a 5.8 GHz set as well)
- easier to implement intercom features between individual handsets (have it on a 5.8 GHz set as well)
- extended range, up to 300 feet
- low power consumption and, therefore, extended battery life
- better performance in areas experiencing heavy radio traffic
- not affected by Wi-Fi or Bluetooh signals (neither are the 5.8 MHz)

After our 5.8 GHz Phones died due to our little kids abusing them, I bought this system based on Uniden's "precieved" high quality.
This system is a waste of money. It is really the worst cordless phone I have owned:

o The Main base unit fails to charge the handsets. Must use the other bases. This is a design and quality control problem.

o The phones must remain in the base stations otherwise they will take about 5 minutes to "reconnect" to the system. The whole point of a cordless phone is to be able to leave it lying around the house whereever you are, to answer it when the phone rings.

Anything else? Not really since the phone is useless as a cordless phone witht these two major problems. Look elsewhere but my experiece shows me that any of the DECT 6.0 phonese by any manufacture (Phillips ) is junk. Hang on to what you have until something else replaces the DECT 6.0 systems

I have to admit that I didn't do my research before buying this phone. I went to the store expecting to get the phone that I did do research on and when I got there I found they no longer carried it and came home with these instead. What a mistake!!!! I won't be doing that again.

I don't normally write reviews for things but I'm making an exception in the case of this phone. I have to admit that I've read the other reviews and I'm not having some of the major issues that others are having. They aren't dropping calls and the sound quality is usually good although I have experienced some echoing at times. I'm not using a wireless router so that may be part of the reason why.

The phones no longer keep time and lately don't always connect with the base. This is a recent problem and not an ongoing one. I can have the handsets in the same places they have always been and now they aren't connecting with the base. I get a "searching" message. Nothing has changed, the base hasn't been moved, there's no WIFI in the area, etc, to suddenly cause this problem.

The major issue I'm having is with the batteries charging and holding a charge. I've been using cordless phones pretty much since they first came out. I know the proper procedures in discharging/recharging to make the batteries last. The phones aren't placed on the charger until either the battery low indicator comes on or they are dead and they aren't used until they are fully charged, usually overnight. I have never had to replace batteries within a year in any of my cordless phones. I have had phones with their original batteries last for years in the past. It is outragous to me that you can't get a years' worth of use out of a cordless phone battery. I'm having the same issue with all three of the handsets. Then there's the fact that they don't always charge when they are properly placed in the charging units. These phones get used, at most, maybe a couple of hours a day.

At first I thought these phones were great but after having them for about a year I wish I hadn't bought them. I will be replacing them with another brand and for ones that I have done research on. I used to think that Uniden made a quality product but now I'm rethinking that. What ever happened to the times when if you spent decent money on something it lasted for years not months?

If you're considering buying these phones you may want to rethink it.

After having good luck with Uniden cordless phones in the past I decided to try out this three pack.

The down and dirty:
- In less than a year all three phones quit working!
- None of the phones will hold a charge for more than 10 seconds.
- The phone are very "cute" for hand held home phones.

I will never buy another Uniden product as long as I live. This product has frustrated me and my wife so much.

We have owned these phones for about a month now and I absolutely love them! Compared to our old Vtech system, these much better quality in numerous ways. The phones come with a NiMH battery that allows more than 10 Hours talk time. I have had 1-2 hour conversations with no visible drain on the battery whatsoever. With our old phones, I would continuously have to trade out handsets because my battery would die after an hour or so. Days of buying very expensive rechargeable batteries at Radio Shack are over!

These phones also have a headset jack and a very slim sleek plastic clip that is a must have for me, as I like to walk around the house with both hands free.

This phone has an ultra thin design, I am not bothered by the placement of buttons or the overall layout. The digital answering machine has the best reception of any phone I've ever owned. I love being able to check messages from any handset. When you are away, you can also check messages remotely.

Some other very cool features are:

The capability to assign ring tones and color schemes for each individual number in your phone book. There are also 4 wallpaper and numerous other display options. The phone book allows you to store up to 70 numbers and has shared capability with other handsets (this was another pet peeve with our Vtech phones!). In addition, there is also an intercom and a transfer call feature, which comes in extremely handy in my four story house with WAY too many stairs.

Some owners have complained that the ring isn't loud enough, I have no problem with the ring volume. I do experience an occasional dropped call, although, it is difficult to determine if this is caused by our VoIP or the phone itself. I also do not notice any significant decrease in volume when I have a headset on. Others voiced concerns regarding the row of keys at the bottom, however, they are not bothersome to me. The one and only downfall is they are not wall mountable, which fortunately was not an issue for us.

I recall reading in the manual for this phone that you can connect multiple bases to each other. For each base, you can connect up to 6 handsets. That would make these great for small businesses as well.

I purchased these phones at Meijer, they were marked down by $30. I purchased DECT3080-3, which consists of the answering machine and three headsets for $89. I found additional handsets on eBay for $25 with free shipping.

I can't say enough great things about these phones, I highly recommend them!

We've been using these phones for about a month after struggling with a multi-handset Seimens system for the past few years. One of the best things about these phones is the nicely designed bases and phones, with only a few simple buttons and nice, clean finishes. The handset menu structure and number directory are straight-forward. One of the greatest things is the built in answering machine, which works really well and is equally easy to check messages from using either the base or the handsets. When you have a message waiting, you get both a red LED and an occasional beep, so you can't miss a message. Listening, skipping, rewinding and deleting are all one-button operations. Sound quality and range is excellent. We have experienced no dropped calls, out-of-range errors or interference. The only thing I don't like is the choice of ring tones, which are not very pleasant.

Overall I like this phone a lot. The call quality and features in general are fine, and the styling is much better than that with the generic/ugly Panasonic, etc. choices.

The only disappointment is that incoming calls do not match entries in the phone book (so, it doesn't show the name you've entered, but only what the phone co sends in CID). Uniden confirms this with:

"The caller id will only display the information how it is sent from the phone company. It will not display how it is stored in the phone book."

This is pretty lame since (a) none of the CID entries I've seen so far include any name whatsoever, and (b) the five-year-old Sony I replaced did this properly.

I have kept this phone system for a couple of years. I bought it because I loved the design and all of the customizable features I was looking for. However, those things are absolutely useless if I have to constantly run to get another receiver when I'm in the middle of a conversation. I can be sitting right next to the base and it will fade out and display "out of range". I knew if I contacted the company about it I would get the same crap that others here have gotten. There is no such thing as really taking care of the consumer anymore when it comes to electronics. It is easier and I save myself some annoyance to just shop for a new phone system.