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I have used the phone in my home office for several days and so far, I have only used some of the features. The Plantronics requires to push a tiny button from a few seconds to turn it on or off. The maximum volume available in either one is quite loud, which is good because it allows you to adjust it down to an adequate level. I have used it so far with two bluetooth headsets.
Likewise, you can not take calls on the handset while it's in the cradle. Not practical at all for home office use, plus it takes much looooonger to connect to the base than the Motorola.As much as I'd like to use the Motorola H700, several callers have told me that they could not hear me well, while with the Plantronics, nobody has made such comment on their own and when I ask callers if they can hear me well, they say that they do.So, while I don't want to turn this review of the AT&T phone (which seems to work quite well itself) into a review of headsets, but I think that potential buyers need to know that connection time from base-to-headset may vary from headset to headset and so will the sound quality.A WISH LIST feature for the phone. in the handset, but with the handset having the capability of dialing out when it's seated in its cradle.Explanation: The handset does not work when it is in the cradle. This may not be an issue for most people. So, you can not enter a number on the handset's keypad while in the cradle, push its dial button and have a conversation using the wired headset connected to it, unless you remove the handset from the base before pushing the DIAL button. So, this review is limited to the first impressions.If offers clear sound via the handset and the speakerphone.
Even when I bought it to use a Bluetooth headset, I would have liked it to have a jack in the base for the wired headset, in case the Bluetooth headset runs out of battery, or better yet, have the jack where it is right now. For me, it is not a problem either, but it would be a "nice to have" feature.That's it for today. I bought it to replace another AT&T phone which works quite well, but requires the use of a wired headset, and I wanted to be able to move out of my desk during calls and use a Bluetooth headset if possible. First, with the Motorola H700 Motorola H700 Bluetooth Headset, and second with a Plantronics Voyager 510 Plantronics Voyager 510 Bluetooth Headset [Retail Packaged], The Motorola H700 connects to the base quite fast, and is my favorite because I can turn it on or off, by simply flipping it open or closed, which allows to save battery easily.
We have multi-line phones and the AT&T unit does not do well for the answering process (there is no way to put a call on hold). This unit was purchased to enable me to have a land line phone to use with my bluetooth enabled hearing aids. As for return calls, I have started using my iPhone number as a 'direct line'.As for my particular need, there is a need for an instrument for multi-line installations as well as the need for a bigger range for the bluetooth feature. It does work well for out-going calls. A device sends the sounds directly into the aids which greatly improves my understanding of incoming calls as well as enable me to make calls with the ability to better understand the conversation.I also use an Apple iPhone with its bluetooth features enabled. The land based phone was to enable me to pick up incoming calls at my business location.
System works as promised and then some. Cell quality through the connection is super clear. Sometimes reconnect takes a few minutes. Looking forward to my next stimulus package so I can buy one - two remotes for the convenience.
Keep your established current number for all incoming calls, 411, and toll free outgoing for only $10 more than DSL only. ATT could save a printing bundle and just give us a video web site with focused simple hands on instructions. Oh yeah, the money angle. I took way too long to complete a "thorough analysis" of the available systems, prices, concepts, etc. Switched to Windstream Greenstreak with the 3Mb package and cut my phone bill in half. Creates a whole new communications flow.
But hey, putting the book in the drawer and being intuitive is what digital life is all about. Mission Accomplished.at least for this small household. However, I have a four year old cell. System is feature rich and there's always another trick around the corner.
That shortcoming killed the whole reason to "upgrade" to bluetooth. I bought this phone for my parents, along with a bluetooth headset, thinking they could roam the house while talking handsfree, as long as they had a handset in the room. But that's not the phone's fault.). (Another mistake - thinking my 70-something parents would be able to operate a bluetooth headset. When I got the thing unpacked, I learned that the bluetooth was only in the base unit, which seems silly to me, because I consider those headsets to be the handiest thing about bluetooth. So to use the headset, you are basically tied to the base unit - and the range wasn't great.
Consequently, this pet peeve continues since I have to hold this "medium" phone below the half up point to avoid volume problems, but at least it's easier than the small ones I dreaded being forced to use. the alternatives for both wall mounted & desk phones. Happy Hunting. The installation was surprisingly very intuitive for this high-tech challenged front-line Baby Boomer. It turned out that an experimental phone "play session" is the fastest way for learning all the Menus & Settings ins and outs, using the booklet only for some lucky skimmed-out clues & selection descriptions when stumped.
And I finally opened the booklet for a serious look this week. Adding the BlueTooth feature back in for weight, though, brings in another priority layer vs. Since installation, I tried to see how long the charge would hold with only light use, but gave up after 48 hrs or so. However, if you can break down their "meth-user proof" target-customer system and then cross out all the mind-numbing junk BEFORE you start, you'll save yourself a boat load of wasted time. Only very nominal instruction reference was needed to get the basic features up and going. although the "base unit's" screen (for Settings Menu, Caller ID, etc). Very cool.
and also my review is 90% biased with the severely limited "wall mount option" availability. The receiver sound for me is "outstanding". There isn't any way to prevent one of two fingers from landing on the volume "button" located on the side. Conversely, the "handset's" screen contrast is great (similar to a cell phone's).Moving along. My "must haves" were simply to replace what I had: a "wall" mounted cordless with message recorder & base speaker. Also, the interface (correct lingo, I hope) on both the base and handset are not too difficult for me.
And it'll be a bigger "pain" for Caller I.D. One other practical criticism. But I digress.There's one significant annoyance with this handset for border-line (). So, if you don't mind the way the small handsets have to be more gingerly held onto, this medium handset surely shouldn't disappoint you. I had periodically given up the search for replacing my malfunctioning 8 yr.
on the base unit unless it's placed where you'd naturally view it close up & straight on. Bizarrely, "wall mount" phones of any kind have become nearly extinct. My old cordless actually stands out from the wall only 1" less, including handset. even with the aid of an adult beverage. At the top, it sticks out 2 1/2" from the wall with the handset in place (1 1/2" without). If I had time on my side to wait it out for another year or two, I'd hold out for a cordless wall phone without my two pet peeves but otherwise very close to this one.
Looks like they may be trying to ape cell phone instruction booklets but doing an inferior job of it. I hope my info contribution helps someone. HOWEVER, this handset is one of the best user-friendly interface designs I've seen in a long time, with it's bigger dial buttons & overall more generous operational space. Overall, however, I'm pleased much more than I anticipated, considering I didn't want to part with my older phone style & the pickings being so "slim to none".For me, this phone's technology set up, it's interface design & it's "look" is exceptional compared to all cordless phones I've seen under about $120. the overall foot print of the unit on the wall is a bit smaller than older cordless wall phones, so the angled "wall mount" style, jutting out 4" at the bottom, appears less than you'd suppose.
Warning: my review does "not" include the BlueTooth feature which I haven't set up yet. Worse case, I could keep pressing all buttons & eventually figure out what I needed for almost all initial settings,, only worsening my progress a couple times. old kitchen cordless wall phone for over a year. At this location that button should be a stiff "slide" because slight finger pressure over this button inadvertently changes the volume too easily. Feedback from my callers say the sound on their end is "perfectly fine", nothing to criticize. All the features work very nicely.
(I looked at the new large phones now designed for use by the very aged or handicapped but those are "one size fits all" basic features, so that's out). the small ones, because you can cradle the large ones in the whole palm of your hand with fingers splayed, a much more comfortable, relaxed, & safe grip. Then I stumbled on the reviews for this phone which looked like a good bet to me, marinated on it, ordered it, and installed it one month ago. two things that never occurred to me would be sources for annoyance due to "common sense". I was so relieved this phone had the rare new "medium" sized handset, hopefully large "enough" to be able to cradle, but it turned out to have a defeating hitch. I have no clue if this is "status quo", but it's annoying for me more so because my phone is located on the wall end over my kitchen peninsula counter, requiring me to "lean over to it" too much in order to read it's generously sized screen. It's workable, but the contrast control range is just wimpy enough to be annoying.
I was nervous about the angle profile, but it looks just fine & the angle makes it easier to use & to read over a counter too, besides making the handset secure. fuddie duddies like me who prefer the relative hand-comfort of full-sized handsets vs. However, if I were looking for a cordless "desk" phone, either one of my annoyances with this phone alone would have me searching farther since desk phone choices are much more plentiful.
But if you're the type who still determines to read even today's excruciatingly asinine, "lawsuit resistant" instruction booklets that would drive even a computer programmer to the nut house, plan on at LEAST a day to get through this one. The extra inch on this AT&T could be problematic in a fairly narrow passage way, though.As long as there continues to be a lack available alternatives for a cordless "wall" phone with this combination of features, I think this one is, at minimum, satisfactory. No major complaints, but a couple somewhat significant issues for someone my age.
is a very nice size, it's a bit of a challenge to read easily even when set on high contrast. Errrrr. Visually, it looks good on a light colored wall, and I love the larger clear keys with electric blue back-lighting combined with the adjacent silver case color.
The instructions look plenty adequate but are in too dumbed-down detail for my patience.
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