150 of 151 people found the following review helpful:
Excellent Phone
When shopping for a phone system, I was looking for many specific features: one base with multiple cordless headsets, call conference ability, intercom, lighted display/keypad, speakerphone on each handset, and headset jack. I've discovered that most phones that have these features usually have a built-in answering machine, which I didn't need. If I wanted a phone system...
39 of 48 people found the following review helpful:
Disappointed
I bought this phone b/c I was having trouble finding an expandable set without an answering machine. The reviews were relatively good. They were easy to install and seemed to work fine at first. However, one of the handsets turned out to be faulty. The phones work fine to call out, but the person on the other end could not hear me. After troubleshooting the batteries,...
This review is from: Panasonic DECT 6.0 Expandable Cordless Telephone with 3 Handsets (KX-TG6413T) (Electronics)
When shopping for a phone system, I was looking for many specific features: one base with multiple cordless headsets, call conference ability, intercom, lighted display/keypad, speakerphone on each handset, and headset jack. I've discovered that most phones that have these features usually have a built-in answering machine, which I didn't need. If I wanted a phone system without an answering machine, I was disappointed to find that I would have to sacrifice some of the features I wanted.
Then I found this phone system, and after some consideration, purchased it. Having used the phone system for a month now, I have been very pleased with its performance, not to mention all the features I've been looking for but without the answering machine.
Calls are clear from any place in the house and outside in our yard, the intercom system has come in very handy in our two-story house (no more yelling our daugther's name to get her to come downstairs), and the batteries seem to last a long time. I work from home, and am on the phone a number of hours per day, using an attached headset (which is not included in this system). Speakerphones, found on each handset, are loud and clear.
Other features that have proven very useful are the "global" address book (add a name/phone number on one handset and it will show up on the others), and the "quiet time" setting (handset will not ring during specified hours of the day).
I am very satisfied with this phone system, and highly recommend it. In fact, we are about to purchase an additional handset to expand it even further!
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This review is from: Panasonic DECT 6.0 Expandable Cordless Telephone with 3 Handsets (KX-TG6413T) (Electronics)
I say so far because it's only been a couple of months, and in my experience the real Achilles Heel of any cordless device is the battery recharging. So far, we've not had one of the handsets run out of power, but I won't make a judgement on the battery behavior until I've had them a year. My last set were non-DECT Vtech phones, and the batteries stopped holding a charge after only 6 months.
So far, I'm very very happy with these. I wanted cordless phones that had reasonably good controls, caller id with at least some custom ring capability, and did _not_ have an integrated answering system (my phone service has one, and I prefer to use that).
The display is large and clear, the buttons are easy to use and backlighted well with nice large digits. The built-in directory is easy to program and shared between the handsets (the Vtech sets had to have the directory on each handset programmed separately - a pain). The custom rings are limited and not especially pleasing to my ear, but they are not obnoxious, and sufficiently distinctive that I have been able to set up rings so that I can tell family, friends, and others apart.
The in-handset speakerphone is very good - no one has complained about having trouble hearing, and the speaker volume is quite good.
I have not tested the range to failure - any handset works anywhere in my house and in all the nearer parts of the yard that I've tried, but I have not attempted anything all that far.
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This review is from: Panasonic DECT 6.0 Expandable Cordless Telephone with 3 Handsets (KX-TG6413T) (Electronics)
This phone system is just perfect. Small, lite weight handsets.
The bases' and AC adapter (very small) are also small and lite. Sound quality is clear (have not gone but 25-40 ft .from base). LCD on the handsets are large and bright. The intercom is nice. (a toy so far for our 4 year old). AAA NiMh batteries. That means a low replacement cost when that time comes. Program one phone with a ph. no. and all are synced. Lighted key pad.
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This review is from: Panasonic DECT 6.0 Expandable Cordless Telephone with 3 Handsets (KX-TG6413T) (Electronics)
Ok...here's the scoop. I am a review nut...I look at Consumer Reports first...then I look at Amazon...then I look at the product at the store. Let's say I am thorough.
Great design, clear controls, clear display and great sound. I could go on...but I won't. Maybe you could get a phone with similar qualities but you will not find one that is better.
If the price works for you then this is exactly what you want in a cordless phone.
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This review is from: Panasonic DECT 6.0 Expandable Cordless Telephone with 3 Handsets (KX-TG6413T) (Electronics)
We've have Panasonic cordless phones for years, and worn a few out. This newer version is very nice in that is has a great range and it doesn't "step" on the household WiFi. We especially like the fact that programming any one phone is propagated to the others and other than the base unit, no phone line is required for the companion units. Custom ring tones are a neat little feature. Overall we are very happy and the only issue we've had is just in the difference of programming/operating the units as compared older models. It's a learning curve...
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This review is from: Panasonic DECT 6.0 Expandable Cordless Telephone with 3 Handsets (KX-TG6413T) (Electronics)
We needed to replace our old 2.4 ghz phone as it was the victim of one too many drops onto the hard floor. Plus it was interfering with our wireless network, and you couldn't use it at all if the microwave was turned on. We've always had good results with Panasonic phones in our house, and I wanted to add a few more handsets, plus solve the interference problem once and for all. We already had an answering machine, so this model fit the bill perfectly. After almost two months of daily use, our family of 5 is very pleased with this purchase. Good sound quality, reaches all points of the house and our backyard, and programming one phone programs all the others.
UPDATE:11/3/09--Still loving this phone, no problems whatsoever, and just got the same in silver for my mom's use. The locater button is great for finding the phone when the teenagers leave it away from the charger, BTW!
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This review is from: Panasonic DECT 6.0 Expandable Cordless Telephone with 3 Handsets (KX-TG6413T) (Electronics)
I bought this phone b/c I was having trouble finding an expandable set without an answering machine. The reviews were relatively good. They were easy to install and seemed to work fine at first. However, one of the handsets turned out to be faulty. The phones work fine to call out, but the person on the other end could not hear me. After troubleshooting the batteries, bases, other handsets and a call to Panasonic it was determined the handset mouthpiece wasn't working. These phones are only 12 hours old. To fix it will require ME to PAY to ship it to the manufacturer and wait 10 days to get a refurbished repacement (provided it actually comes back). I'm very disappointed in Panasonic customer service and will look for new phones. When you spend this much money on a NEW product, I expect it to work and then to make it worse, I have to spend more money to get one that hopefully works. Wouldn't recommend Panasonic.
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This review is from: Panasonic DECT 6.0 Expandable Cordless Telephone with 3 Handsets (KX-TG6413T) (Electronics)
It has a frustrating menu structure, but this phone system works well and includes design functions that are important and often ignored by other companies.
THE GOOD:
If the number of the person calling is entered into the phone book, Caller ID displays the name as it appears in the phone book. This is such a no-brainer it's a wonder why it needs to be called out, but companies like Uniden and AT&T can't seem to grasp this concept. If you like seeing your friends' and family's cell phones show up as "Wireless Caller," get a Uniden or AT&T. If you want to see their names then get a Panasonic. (I think Vtech may also design this correctly.) Phonebook entries are shared among all phones, which may or may not be what you are looking for. For me it's a great improvement over Uniden's last design which required one to periodically "synchronize" the phones' address books.
Dedicated function buttons include Talk, Off, Speakerphone and Flash. The three soft keys display useful functions while in different modes. While on Standby the soft keys display Address Book, Menu and Redial. Pressing Talk displays a Voicemail soft key. The Mute and Hold buttons appear while making a call. For the most part basic operations on the phones are intuitive.
The system recognizes VoiceMail signals on both traditional phone lines and VoIP systems and an amber LED blinks on the handsets when there is a new message. Sound quality -- both incoming and outgoing -- is good and the range seems reasonable for a DECT phone. The handsets have large, readable displays.
Another nice function: Pressing OFF while the phone is ringing silences the ringer. My last (Uniden) phone did NOT do this but it has been included on every Panasonic cordless I have ever owned. I didn't know how important this feature was until I didn't have it and I'm glad to have it back.
THE BAD:
The menu functions are poorly designed. Example: Pressing Menu shows the first Menu item, Caller List. Entering this list doesn't show the most recent caller; you have to scroll up or down to see the list entries. Three button-presses to simply see your Caller ID log ... not good. Nearly all the menu functions are like this.
The phone is a bit large. While this is an acceptable trade-off for a readable display and dedicated buttons, some functions are squandered. While in Standby mode the Up and Down buttons both bring you to the same initial menu choice, Caller List, which is already available via the Menu button. While the phone is ringing you can adjust the ringer volume and while you are on a call you can change the speaker volume, but these functions are buried deep in the menu if you are on Standby.
You can't name the different handsets, something I miss from my Uniden phones. The handsets are self-named 1, 2 & 3.
THE UGLY:
There is no getting around it; the ring tones are perfectly awful. The chip providing the ring tones seems to come straight out of the 1990's.
Also, to make up for the poor menu structure the manual provides "Feature Codes," multi-number shortcuts to "quickly" change to different functions. I'm going to remember that pressing Menu-#-2-3-8-0 turns off the sleep function or Menu-#-1-6-5-1 turns on the key tones? Not likely. This feature is so 90's it's almost quaint, but it is also about as unintuitive as it gets.
IMPRESSIONS:
In some ways Panasonic is just not doing much innovation. The menu structure, the ring tones, the "Feature Codes" -- they all seem like they were developed in 1995. In other ways Panasonic got it right the first time and doesn't need to change. The sound quality, dedicated buttons and the intuitive layout of basic functions all work well. I'd like to see Panasonic's designers create a more updated phone but not at the cost of what they are doing right. It's not sexy and it's not perfect but it does a decent job on the basics and provides some nice additional features that other phone manufacturers neglect.
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This review is from: Panasonic DECT 6.0 Expandable Cordless Telephone with 3 Handsets (KX-TG6413T) (Electronics)
Have had this particular set for two months now, so can't speak on long-term, but so far, excellent!
I have used many different brands of cordless phones over the years, and their reception or battery-life always failed, way too quickly. However, the Panasonics have stood the test of time. I still use my Panasonic KX-TG2622 2.4 GHz Digital Cordless Telephone with Dual Handsets on my ooma VoIP system second line, and I use this newer set on my ooma primary line. This model is an improvement on the other because it has a headset jack, updates all handsets simultaneously, and does not get as grungy-looking, but the older set has served us for 3 or 4 years with absolutely no problems.
Pros for the Panasonic DECT 6.0:
- great color, black or grey
- buttons labeled with good contrast for those with low-vision, and numbers on screen are very large
- lightweight
- lighted keypad
- headset jack
- ringer volume range
- great reception
- battery life
- expandable
- my callers don't even realize they're on speakerphone
- ability to intercom another handset
- ability to put a call on hold, pick it up on another handset, and the first handset is disconnected automatically
- no interference with anything in my household, including my wireless network, even though the base is sitting right next to computer/modem/router/etc.
- program or edit a number in the memory of one handset, and it will update them all simultaneously
Cons (minor):
- Why does Panasonic not seem to understand that a simple ringer on/off button is so much better than surfing the menus?
- viewing missed calls could be made simpler, though it's not as many menu clicks as it is on my cell phone
- still has a limit on the phonebook of only 50 numbers
- ringer choices
- I tend to inadvertently hit the Talk and Off buttons which are right below the difficult-to-see softkeys when I want to use a softkey feature
- like my older Panasonic, the handsets do not seem to be designed for comfortable long-term use, though this one is more comfortable than the other.
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This review is from: Panasonic DECT 6.0 Expandable Cordless Telephone with 3 Handsets (KX-TG6413T) (Electronics)
I reviewed cordless phones for 5 days before finally deciding to buy these. I've had no problems and they work great. Reason for new phone is my elderly mother is hard of hearing and could not hear us on our Uniden phone. I thought possibly there could have been some interference with our router. I had had our phone lines checked in the house and there were no shorts. My Mother can hear us and is so glad we got new phones. My 5 yr old loves the intercoms on the phones and uses them frequently, possibly too much :o) I'm able to walk outside to feed the horses some distance from the house and still have great reception and clarity.
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