Uniden TRU5885-2 5.8 GHz Cordless Phone with Caller ID, Answering System, and Dual Handsets

Other products by Uniden

Product Details

Product Manual [3.77mb PDF]

• Item Weight: 4 pounds
• Shipping Weight: 4 pounds
• Shipping: This item is also available for shipping to select countries outside the U.S.
• ASIN: B00006JSV6
• Item model number: TRU5885-2
• Average Customer Review: 3.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (73 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank

  Popular in these categories: (What's this?)

  #9 in	Electronics > Office Electronics > Telephones & Accessories > Cordless Telephones > Speakerphones
  #20 in	Electronics > Office Electronics > Telephones & Accessories > Cordless Telephones > Extra Handset Included
  #23 in	Electronics > Office Electronics > Telephones & Accessories > Cordless Telephones > Expandable Multi-Handset

• Discontinued by manufacturer: Yes
• Date first available at Amazon.com: September 24, 2002

Product Description

Amazon.com Product Description

Note: The Uniden TRU5885-2 is no longer being manufactured. You may want to consider purchasing instead the newer Uniden TRU8885-2 5.8 GHz Digital Cordless Phone with Dual Handsets and Answering System.

Some of us need much more from our phones than just a little redial button. Sometimes a flash feature simply isn't enough. For users who demand extensive features, Uniden's TRU5885-2 delivers. Functioning at a quiet, nearly interference-free 5.8 GHz, the two handsets use digital spread spectrum transmission for exceptional range and minimal static. The three-line handset LCDs work in conjunction with caller ID services, storing 100 names and numbers in addition to the speed-dial presets.

The dual speakerphones (both on the handsets and base) let you talk hands-free or get the whole family in on the conversation. The phone also features an integrated digital answering machine with all the features you'd expect, like remote message check. And yes, the phone does feature the basics, like flash, pause, hold, and redial with memory storage of the last three numbers dialed. In addition, you can dial either from the handsets or from the base. Note that this phone is not expandable beyond the two included handsets and chargers. NiMH batteries and a one-year warranty are included.

What's in the Box
Base with built-in charger stand, additional charger stand, two handsets, two rechargeable batteries, two AC power supplies, two belt clips, one telephone line cord, instruction manual, warranty information

Product Description

Uniden is creating a World Without Wires. Which means the company is building products that give its customers more freedom to enjoy life, solve problems and always stay connected with others. From cordless phones to two-way radios to radar detectors, Uniden makes electronic wonders an everyday occurrence. As one of the world's largest manufacturers of cordless phones and consumer communications devices, chances are there's a Uniden product that's already making things more convenient in and around your home.Uniden TRU5885-2 phone features 5.8 GHz Digital Spread Spectrum technology for extra-long range; a dual handset system; a digital answering system that handles your calls while you are away as well as a handset speakerphone.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

155 of 158 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars The best available, but not perfect, November 18, 2002

By	J. Jones "gadget guy" (California, USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

After trying AT&T, Siemens, and Uniden, this one is the best. I had been using a Siemens Gigaset 2400 system for the past few years and it quit working so I embarked on a quest to find the perfect new cordless multihandset w/answering machine phone system.

First, I brought home the AT&T 5480 5.8GHz system. I really wanted to like this phone. I liked the 3 mailboxes, something most other phones lack. I loved the simple intuitive design, but it suffers from some drawbacks: it was the most expensive of the three, has separate phonebooks on each handset, the recorded messages are recorded at a very low volume, cannot access messages from handsets only the base, and the Call ID logs must be cleared individually from each handset as well as the base unit. But worst of all, the range was terrible. When using either handset from a back room in the house, the sound would cut in and out making it's use near impossible.

Next I tried the latest 2.4GHz system from Siemens. The answering machine is now included in the handset, not on the base. This made using the phone very confusing and difficult for my wife, also there is no plug for using a headset. Back it went.

Then I brought home the Uniden TRU5885-2. I like the high tech looks of the phone but my wife did not, it is a bit "techy" for her tastes. The good: The range is excellent and sound is very clear from anywhere in the house. Messages can be retrieved from the base or a handset. Distinctive ring tones can be assigned to stored phone numbers, this is a nice feature and usefull at times like dinner when you would rather let the answering machine get the call unless it is from someone important. Can store up to 10 speed dial numbers accessible by pressing and holding a number 0-9 (the other phones do not have this). Areas for improvement: button layout and use is a bit confusing (especially for my wife) but you get used to it after a few days. Uniden could learn a few things in this area by looking at the Siemens or AT&T phone's menu system. Separate phonebooks and Call ID logs on the handsets, why? You should not have to enter stored phone numbers twice, it gets very tedious and time consuming. Should have the option to delete the Call ID logs fromindividual or all handsets. Ringer volume needs more settings, can only choose off, low or high. Needs more and/or better choices for ring tones, some of the included ones are just plain annoying. Would like to see downloadable tones made available, just like on my cell phone. Lastly, I would like to see an indicator on the display showing the amount of charge in the battery.

Overall, this is currently the best of the multihandset answering machine cordless phone systems and the one I am keeping.

90 of 94 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars Beauty Is Only Skin-Deep. Don't Waste Your Money., December 10, 2002

By	A. Murphy (Up-Up-Upstate New York) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

I'm notorious for having bad luck with phones: VTech, Uniden, and now Panasonic are on my "Never Buy Again" List. However, I simply couldn't resist the appeal of the new Uniden 5.8Ghz; so against my better judgment, I bought the Uniden's Latest and Greatest Effort two days ago. It only took about a dozen calls for me to decide that this phone is going back!

First of all, I have to say that this phone is very attractive. With a striking appearance and features such as speakerphones on each handset, and distinctive rings, it's just, plain cool! But...FOR THE PRICE, I strongly feel that the negative outweighs the positive. The range on this phone is SUPPOSED to be more than TWICE that of a 2.4Gz phone. NOT AT ALL! Not only isn't it BETTER than my 2.4Ghz Panasonic, but it's actually MUCH WORSE! I can take my Panasonic to a neighbor's house a few doors down the stret. The Uniden crackles the second I step foot in the backyard! And not only is it static-y, but people I'm talking to actually miss chunks of what I'm saying. My 900Mhz BellSouth LITERALLY has better reception in my yard than this piece of junk!

There's more, too. Something I was willing to overlook to have the best was the fact that you cannot expand this "expandable" system beyond two handsets. I've also discovered that (like Sony's expandable) you cannot use more than one handset (or base unit) at once, so if two people want to talk to Grandma on Christmas, you'd better have a backup phone available. Additionally, (like AT&T's expandable) when you enter information into one handset, it does not automatically transfer to the other one, so you must enter your phonebook in TWICE!

Folks, I know that this is a great looking, and very tempting buy....especially for all you techy, gadget-loving people (like me). However, my recommendation would be to stick with a 2.4Ghz model until the 5.8Ghz technology has been perfected and prices come down. I wanted VERY much to love this phone, but there's simply too many negative points to overlook. I have NO PROBLEM spending [$$$]on a phone that works well. However, this phone is does not deliver on the performance end, and in my opinion, in not worth the money.

PROS:
Great, Sleek appearance
Unique, soft-red backlight
Speakerphone in each handset (though of questionable quality)
Good sound quality close to base unit
One-touch auto-dial
Buttons have nice feel
Ease of operation

CONS:
Extremely poor range - especially for what it's SUPPOSED to have
Only expandable to two handsets
Cannot use more than one handset (or base unit) at one time
Cheek hits "Talk" button when resting on shoulder
Hand covers speaker when talking
(Speculation, but looks/feels like the paint will wear-off easily)
Price

28 of 28 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars Severe limitations...., December 10, 2002

By A Customer

Limitation #1: A maximum of two handsets for the entire system. Limitation #2: only one handset can be in use at a time. If someone calls in and two people want to talk, forget it with the UNIDEN TRU5885-2 system. Poor design compared to others on the market. Limitation #3:The preprogrammed phone numbers have to be programmed into each handset separately and the Caller Id Numbers have to be cleared on each handset individually.

On the positive side it has the best backlight display of any phone available, uses NIMH batteries.

The limitations were to great, so I returned the telephone.