20 out of 20 people found this review helpful.
Me, a bowl of popcorn, and my new phone.
Date of Review: Jul 21, 2005
The Bottom Line: I got a great deal on this phone, and I have gotten my money's worth.
I purchased the AT & T 1465 2.4 GHz Cordless Telephone/Answering System with Caller ID and Call Waiting from Amazon.com for $39.99. We currently had an answering machine via the phone company that was costing $3.50 a month, so I thought this phone would help us by cutting out the answering service. Plus, our other cordless phone was acting nuts, so I knew it was time for a new cordless phone. I wanted something inexpensive with an answering machine and caller ID, and I happened across this phone and got it.
Now let me warn you on the front end, I am no electronics guru. I just want a phone I can pick up and use, and I want to be able to get my messages without any particularly hard process.
Also, I'm not a big phone talker; I don't get much time to due to my busy life. But, when I do talk on it, I'm on there for an hour. I'm usually eating popcorn in my pj's on Saturday night calling folks (yeah, I have no life).
This phone is black, with grey/silver accents (such as the front of the phone and base). The whole phone base measures about 8 ? inches long and about 7 inches wide. The actual phone measures 8 in. long and 3 in. wide.
As far as setting up the phone, it was no big deal. Just plug in the phone line and ac plug, and let the phone charge for 12 hours. This phone may be wall mounted also, but I use it on a table. Also, I had to place the phone battery in the handset, which was no big deal either, just pop it in and put on the cover. Also, this handset has a belt clip that can be attached, and it also has a headphone jack (use a 2.5 mm headset with it, not included).
Now then, onto the phone functions. First of all, there are 4 different ringers you can choose from for the handset, and you can also choose for the base to ring or not to ring. Me, I have the base ring option on. All of the 4 different handset rings are easily heard, and the base ring is also easily heard. Also, you are able to select your language (English, French or Spanish), and tone or pulse dialing. On the handset, there is the time and date that must be set manually. I noticed when I unplugged the unit; I had to reset this function. Also, if you'll notice in the picture, there is a clock that is located on the base. This is another reason why I bought the telephone. This clock is operated by electricity, and you have to hold down the button until it reaches the correct time. Of course, when I got the phone the clock was not right it was on 2 and it was twelve, so I had to hold down the button about 2 minutes to get it to the correct time. No big deal, in fact I like the clock feature a lot.
As far as answering calls, when it rings, you may push any key but the off key to answer. I also need to note here that you may only talk on the handset, the base is not a phone, and there is no speaker phone feature. You may program up to 9 numbers in your speed dial, where you can also add names to the numbers. I don't use this feature; I'd rather just dial the number. This phone also has last number redial, and a ring silencing, where you can press the off button while the phone is ringing to silence the ringing. By doing this, it will not disconnect the call; you are able to let them leave a message.
As for options while on calls, if you have the caller ID service, the name and number will pop up when the phone rings. Also, if you are on a call and you have call waiting ID, the name and number will pop up also. Just hit the phone button, (the green one located on the left) to answer the other call. You may also adjust the volume while on the phone, with the up and down arrows on the left and right sides of the phone. These buttons are also used to look through the numbers on caller ID. When you have a call that you have not looked at on the caller ID, there is a light on the base that will light up until you view it. Also, this phone has a hold button, and you are able to change channels if it sounds fuzzy. I looked in the manual to see how many channels it had, but it was not listed. Also, if you misplace your handset, there is a page button on the base to locate it. Also, the handset will light up when it rings, or when you dial.
As for the answering machine, it is also easy to operate. The manual says the system can record up to 99 messages, depending on the length of each message. Individual messages can be up to 4 minutes long, but total maximum recording time is 15 minutes. Messages will be available for replay until you delete them. Now, there is no answering machine tape like those answering machines of the past, it's some sort of space age stuff (I told you I was no guru).
Located on the base is a little window with green numbers in it to tell you how many messages you have. The base will also beep and the play/stop button will flash when you have a new message (you can choose not to have this function). There is also an on off button to the upper right of the window, where you can choose to have the machine on or off. Directly above the window is the delete button, where you delete your messages. To skip through messages, there are buttons located on the left and right sides. Directly under the window, there is a play/stop button that is used to play/repeat and stop messages.
When you play a message, it will also announce the date and time the message was left. You may make your own outgoing message for the answering machine, or use the one that is programmed in it that says: "Hello, please leave a message after the tone." Beep. I use the programmed one, because I sound funny on answering machines. You may also choose how many times the phone rings before the answering machine picks up. There is a choice of 2 rings, 4 rings, 6 rings, or 4 for the 1st call and 2 for the rest of the calls. There is an announce only feature, where just a message can be played, but no one can leave a message. I suppose you could use this if you were going to be away an extended period of time, and did not want to fumble through a bunch of messages. Also, if you are away from your home phone, you can retrieve your messages via any other phone. There is an access code you can dial to get messages. Also, you are able to leave a memo message, which is the electronic version of leaving post-it-notes for yourself.
Experience
This phone has been great so far. I have had it about a month, and I have had no problems getting my messages or getting the phone to operate. I have no trouble hearing on it, or any fuzz problems. I think I got an excellent deal for just $39.99, and I love the clock on the base. Everyone that has seen it always say they like the clock feature also. I recommend this phone to anyone.
Here is a link:
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/B0001W9HM4/qid=1121978791/sr=8-1/ref=sr_8_xs_ap_i1_xgl23/102-4030907-1565744?v=glance&s=electronics&n=507846
