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alligator · Dec 12, 2005, 08:39 PM

My Panasonic cordless phones (not cell phones) at home (5.8 GHz) are dying a slow and painful death. Now I'm in the market to replace them. All of the cordless phones out there look like garbage and aren't very interesting. It looks like the biggest improvement in home phones has been new lights or ringtones. That's it? Come on - there are about 50 bazillion cell phones with new features added every minute. Why do I have such a limited choice in cordless phones?

Think about it, we spend more time talking on our home phones (at least some of us), and they have more size to innovate in - unlike cell phones. Why can't they build in digital video, color screens, text to speech, lithium batters, etc.?

What is everyone else using?

My only requirements: 5.8 GHz and expandable to multiple handsets.

The Godfather · Dec 12, 2005, 08:59 PM

It is because they cost $20, while cellphones cost $500.

Scotttheking · Dec 12, 2005, 09:06 PM

The Uniden phone I have meets your requirements. It was also $200 for a base and 3 handsets.

Doofy · Dec 12, 2005, 09:10 PM

Originally Posted by alligator

Why can't they build in digital video, color screens, text to speech, lithium batters, etc.?

You're at home. You're right next to your TV, stereo and computer. What would be the point?

Originally Posted by alligator

What is everyone else using?

I'm using a cheapo Southwestern Bell thing while I locate batteries for my BT-branded Sagem.

Sarc · Dec 12, 2005, 09:45 PM

Don't know about cordless phones, but Cisco integrates video and other services into some of their phone product lines.

Paco500 · Dec 13, 2005, 12:28 AM

I'm also searching for a decent cordless. The big problem I have is that all the ones that interest me have an answering machine built in. I have had voice mail from the phone company for almost 10 years, as do most people I know. Why the hell are there so many phones with answering machines grafted on. Do people really buy a new answering machine every time the phone dies?

Dark Helmet · Dec 13, 2005, 01:00 AM

I've been looking for one for years. This is the nicest looking and working one I have found.

I love my almost as sexy uniden though.
http://www.vtechcanada.com/en/produc...data/i5858.htm

subego · Dec 13, 2005, 01:18 AM

Originally Posted by Dark Helmet

I've been looking for one for years. This is the nicest looking and working one I have found.

Just pitched the Uniden for this. Only real problem is the software is windows.

My GF finds her mouth is too far from the speaker when she "no-hands" the phone between the ear and shoulder, though I don't have this problem.

The Uniden I used to have had a convex earpiece, which would smart like the dickens after awhile. I find the concave V-Tech way more comfy.

Excellent speakerphone.

Cubeoid · Dec 13, 2005, 02:07 AM

Uniden is teh bomb.

rasmusnet · Dec 13, 2005, 03:56 AM

Have you seen this one, the BeoCom 4?
http://www.bang-olufsen.com/web2/sys...amp;prodid=543

Or the BeoCom 6000?
http://www.bang-olufsen.com/web2/sys...amp;prodid=678

For this one you can buy extra handsets and chargers for around the house. I am not sure whether this is possible for the BeoCom 4 though.

screamingFit · Dec 13, 2005, 03:59 AM

I had an exciting wireless phone...

And ended up buying a regular corded phone to replace it.

Captain Obvious · Dec 13, 2005, 04:35 AM

Originally Posted by Scotttheking

The Uniden phone I have meets your requirements. It was also $200 for a base and 3 handsets.

Is that the one with Bluetooth that you can also use to connect to a cell line?
How's the quality and performance on that?

TETENAL · Dec 13, 2005, 04:43 AM

http://www.topcom.net/product.php?gr...4&catsub=9

I have this one and I'm very content. CT1+, caller ID, what more do you need in a phone?

alligator · Dec 13, 2005, 07:33 AM

Those phones look good, but what is everyone else using? Certainly there must be more of you using cordless phones.

Sarc · Dec 13, 2005, 07:50 AM

Siemens has some intresting phones, here.
Some are camera and SMS capable.

memento · Dec 13, 2005, 08:17 AM

I also ditched my cordless ones for corded. Can't seem to find any cordless ones that sound decent and without static in my house. I'm happy with corded.

Dark Helmet · Dec 13, 2005, 09:09 AM

Originally Posted by Sarc

Siemens has some intresting phones, here.
Some are camera and SMS capable.

Last time I checked not one of the cooler ones were sold in north America.

Diggory Laycock · Dec 13, 2005, 09:34 AM

I've used the BT Diverse ones (re-branded Siemens) for the last five years and they work well - there aren't that many features I need in a DECT phone. (except hands-free)

I wish someone would add DECT compatibility into a GSM phone so it would work at home too. (BT Fusion rubbish doesn't count.)

spatterson · Dec 13, 2005, 09:36 AM

Originally Posted by Dark Helmet

Last time I checked not one of the cooler ones were sold in north America.

They make beauitful phones, i've owned two of them, unfortunately they are hard to come by in the US, and I am not sure they are bringing them back.

http://gigaset.siemens.com/shc/0,193...rNrNrN,00.html

Doofy · Dec 13, 2005, 09:41 AM

Originally Posted by Diggory Laycock

I've used the BT Diverse ones (re-branded Siemens) for the last five years and they work well - there aren't that many features I need in a DECT phone. (except hands-free)

I wish someone would add DECT compatibility into a GSM phone so it would work at home too. (BT Fusion rubbish doesn't count.)

My BT-branded Sagem system could do that - BT marketed it as the "On Air", next one up from the Diverse series. I never got the GSM handset (I don't use mobile much), just got the DECT one, but you could definitely get them. About 4 years ago.

Maybe try eBay?

Diggory Laycock · Dec 13, 2005, 09:50 AM

hmm - you're right - BT Cellnet tried to sell a dual-mode phone back in about 1997 - didn't seem to take off.

Probably because it was a crappy model of GSM phone.

Yet again convergence fails.... your product is only as good as the least good part (but more expensive.)

I suppose the modern equivalent would be a GSM handset with wifi and VOIP - although this would piss-off the GSM network operators (and handset manufacturers can't really afford to do that...)

Doofy · Dec 13, 2005, 09:59 AM

Originally Posted by Diggory Laycock

hmm - you're right - BT Cellnet tried to sell a dual-mode phone back in about 1997 - didn't seem to take off.

Probably because it was a crappy model of GSM phone.

2001. At the time it was pretty good, so I hear. At least as good as the other GSM phones knocking around. I'm guessing it didn't take off because:

1) Nobody heard of it (really bad marketing - I didn't know it existed until I bought the base-station capable of handling it - info was on an insert card in the box).

2) It was expensive (the On Air series only appealed to those who wanted certain features - the Diverse was perfectly OK if you didn't need the bells and whistles). You know how cheap we all are here in Blighty.

analogika · Dec 13, 2005, 10:33 AM

I have a DeTeWe cordless DECT phone, and it is by far the shittiest piece of equipment I have ever bought.

Technically unreliable - software hangs, freezes, the works, even on the later-purchased second handset - and completely boneheaded in operation. I swear, it's worse than Windows.

Whoever heard of a built-in electronic phone book that cannot be sorted alphabetically?

Dark Helmet · Dec 14, 2005, 10:41 AM

I assume that if I order one of the cool Siemens ones off ebay Germany they will come with German power plugs, instructions etc.

****.

TETENAL · Dec 14, 2005, 10:52 AM

Originally Posted by analogika

I have a DeTeWe cordless DECT phone.

DECT is a stupid technology since it is constantly radiating pulsed radiation even when you are not doing any phone calls. I would always prefer a CT1+ phone where the base station only radiates while making a call.