This phone sits in a real sweet spot between capability and complexity. The button layout is clear, and each button does exactly what you'd expect it to. And unlike many phones these days, it seems some attention was paid to ergonomics and sound quality. It is no slouch in terms of features either. I shopped a long time to find a phone with the right combination of features. Nothing quite did it until AT&T finally released this model.
I'll try not to repeat the basic specifications, you can look that up easily. I'll tell you what's not already obvious from looking at the box:
Initial setup is a snap. There is literally nothing to do other than plug it in. Additional wireless handsets are nearly as easy -- just type in the code number from the base, and give the handset a name (such as "Jonny's Room"). Wireless handsets stand alone -- just set up a charging cradle wherever you want a phone.
Here "digital" actually means something. The handset and the base share data, including the names of other extensions. So you can page "Jonny's Room" rather than some cryptic code number. In general everything you want to do is a single button push, or 2-3 easy menu steps. The phone's features all seem useful: such as setting different ring volume for each of the two lines (including, setting some extensions to off).
The answering machine is basic, very simple to set up. It is also low on features. There are only two mailboxes: line 1 and line 2.
Digital Quality?
The phone operates on 5.8Ghz digital. This means it does not interfere with common wireless computer networks. But don't get too excited about 5.8Ghz -- the only good thing vendors can say about this band is that it is 'uncrowded'. How long's that likely to be the case? But good phone design is dead anyway. The people who really know how to design phones all retired, or were downsized, after the breakup of AT&T. These days phones are a cheap consumer item, with quality to match. Still, the AT&T EP5962 seems to be among the best of this breed. The unit sounds OK in all modes: the corded handset, the cordless handset, the speakerphone, the headphone jack on the base, and the headphone jack on the remote handsets.
Batteries
If you bought a spare battery, pop it in the base to keep it charged. This spare battery also acts as an emergency power source -- letting you make calls even if power is out. This is a good thing. But buying a spare battery is hard. The manual cheerfully instructs you to buy AT&T Model 102 or 103 battery ("any other model can explode!").
Yet the battery itself is labeled 89-1342-00 and, as far as I can tell, is not stocked by anyone anywhere (as of Jan 2006 this battery is not even listed on AT&T Telephone's own site). Fortunately you can use a commonly available Panasonic generic instead: the Panasonic HHR-P103, GE GE-TL26413 or the Energizer ER-P507 or STB-103. Check eBay for deals, and get the thrill of ignoring a safety warning. Oh? Did you think AT&T actually made the phone? You're wrong. The only thing AT&T makes these days is the AT&T name. AT&T licensed their name to 'Advanced American Telephones', a Chinese company who, as far as I can tell, buys guts from Panasonic. So much for brand names.
Downsides and Complaints
The phone is not perfect. Expect to encounter the following:
* The phone has just 8 ring tone options, all of them sound alike, and all of them are a kind of electronic warble that's far from pleasant. For a two line phone you'd expect that they'd have at least two distinct ring sounds, eh?
* Each handset has its own separate address book. This is lame. Who wants to type an address in up to 9 times (once at the base, and once for each of 8 handsets)?
* Despite the clearly labeled 'off' button on the handset, handsets can't be turned off. Your only option is to yank the battery.
* While the remote handset display dims after a few seconds of inactivity, the same can't be said of the base unit. Your base unit will glow orange (and possibly red) 24/7. It's like little eyes in the dark.
* In too many cases your options are limited. For example: you can set the answering machine to pick up after 2, 4 or 6 rings. Why not 5 rings? Or 7? Why not 10 volume steps rather than 5? Options in some case seem pointlessly limited.
* The base and handset have the same display and button layout, but different operation of common features like hold. Not nice. Both ways of doing things are fine, but why make them different?
*The time is not displayed or easy to see and check.
*The caller-ID display goes away too soon (before you can get a good look at it, if you pick up the phone).
Update #1: 15 Jan 2005
The belt clip broke, and no wonder. Advanced American Telephones says this model is too new, no replacements are in stock.
I've realized the battery backup on the base is less useful than I first thought. It powers the phone, at full feature level, for one hour after the power failure. I'd expected it would power the phone for one hour of actual calling. A longer standby life on batteries would be better. A two hour power outage and you're out of luck.
