General Electric Digital Answering Machine

While I love my cellphone, I keep a land line that's hardwired into the wall for emergencies. I try to keep the cost on this line as low as possible as its used primarily for emergencies. In order to keep the cost down, I have an answering machine rather than a voicemail. I really am cheap and just recently decided that my cassette recorder based answering machine needed replacing. Actually, the machine was fine, but the cassettes were worn out and I found them hard to find replacements for.

Thus I find myself with this GE Digital Answerer. This machine comes with an A/C power supply and telephone cord. It also has a 9 volt battery so in one of those emergencies I concern myself with, it still works. I have not as yet missed any messages called into this line. Though few friends use it, it seems that even when I get on a no-call list, there are days I get calls from sales folks. I know, therefore, it's still in working order.

This machine is solidly built, but still manages to be light weight. Though I don't use the land line much, the machine I got to answer it has a lot of great features. The machine's designed in a logical way that makes it easy and intuitive to navigate.
The memory limit for recording messages is about 40 minutes. I have yet to come close to having that filled. I think I would shoot any friend who did manage to fill it up. It's nice to know I have that much space on my message machine, but I can't imagine retrieving those messages.

The machine allows for two custom greetings in additiona to the default message and it is relatively easy to switch between these. This machine also has a feature which allows one to record both sides of a conversation. I'm not sure how legal that is without telling someone, but it certainly could have some advantages when dealing with corporate "help" desks.

I don't have need of the 4 voice mail boxes it has. As a single person, these don't really come into play. I can see them being useful for a family or for a person who is conducting a business from their home. There is a messaaage move function which allows one to move messages from one mailbox into another. Another nicety I have not made use of is the memo message which allows one user to leave a message for somone else in their mailbox.
The machine has more features than I need. That said, it is a good machine for all those functions I might need from it. The voice quality is reasonably good on this machine.
Changing the battery was not a big deal for me. The instructions indicated one needed a phillips head screwdriver, and I had one small enough to use. I recommend having a glasses repair kit will make this easier.
For the $24 I spent on this machine, I have been very happy. I wish answering machine makers would stop limiting themselves to ugly black and too-quickly dirty bone or white colors. Sadly, unlike cellphones, I can't find a skin for my answering machine.
When the worst feature I can find on an answering machine is the color, it's a pretty good machine. For the price, I can definitely recommend it.