We've been using the VTech 6041 for two months now and are quite happy with it. There are a few things we could wish for, were we the designers, but ultimately, it works for us.
First, let me give you our "phone requirements" that lead us to the VTech 6041:
1. Cordless
2. Won't interfere with (or be interfered by) home wireless computer network (or other RF emitting devices, like the baby monitor, fan controls, garage door opener, etc.)
3. No need for answering system (use phone service voicemail)
It was requirement number 3 that really did in the majority of phones out there. The instant you go "high tech", you get a digital answering machine shoved down your throat. We didn't want to pay for a feature that we would not use. At the time we made the purchase, VTech had the only model that did not include an answering system.
The VTech 6041 comes with two handsets & two base stations. Both stations charge the handsets, only one station plugs into your phone jack.
The low-down (Pros):
The VTech uses DECT 6.0 technology. DECT is a highfaluting acronym that stands for Digital Enhanced Cordless Telecommunications (check out http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Digital_Enhanced_Cordless_Telecommunications for more information). Basically, DECT uses a radio frequency recently set aside (in the U.S.) for personal wireless communications. Your phone won't be competing for airspace with your other wireless devices. No harmful interference, yay. The standard also describes other nice features.
The phone has good reception range. While we haven't tried to push the limits on distance, we have never experienced poor reception while walking around the house, basement, or out in the yard.
Battery life is good. As with any phone, how much you talk impacts battery life. We can go several days between charges.
Each phone has it's own phone directory that you can program. You can program numbers by hand, or store the numbers of people who have called you (if you have caller ID). That's nice. No fumbling for phone numbers, they're at your fingertips.
The handset is rather stylish -- very sleek & lightweight. Many reviews make mention of the "RAZR-esque" look/feel of the handset.
You can talk from one handset to another, page each other, conference call, on and on...
The low-down (Cons):
The phone directory idea is nice. It would be nicer if you could share your phone directory between handsets. It just seems like a waste of time to me to program the same numbers into two handsets.
You can use the caller ID log to store new numbers into your phone directory, or call them back directly from the phone log. The only snag comes when the number you are storing/calling is long distance. You have to push the '#' key to toggle between adding/removing the area code and the "1" (for long distance in the U.S.). An older competitors phone we used to have handled this nicely. When you first set up your phone, you enter in your area code. Any calls to numbers stored in the caller ID log that didn't match your area code would automatically get the 1 prepended to the number. Nice. Wish VTech had done that!
The handset lights up so you can see it in the dark. However, it would be nicer if every button lit up (only the numbers light up, the four function buttons do not). If it's dark and your phone rings (or you want to make a call), you have to guess which button to push.
The phone feels a little flimsy to me. OK, this is probably a product of days gone by when heft meant quality. The handset is very lightweight. Most other people would probably list this as a pro rather than a con.
