People tend to think higher numbers mean better
performance.
While a 12-cylinder engine will probably make a
car go faster than a four-cylinder engine, and a four-legged horse will usually
outrun a two-legged human, higher frequency radio transmissions generally gave
shorter range than lower frequencies.
This means that 900MHz cordlesses usually go
farther than 2.4GHz cordlesses, and 2.4GHz cordlesses go farther than 5.8GHz
cordlesses.
Most phone makers have been pushing 5.8 lately,
particularly because they are unlikely to interfere with 2.4GHz wireless
networks, or pick up noise from microwave ovens. While it's nice to be
interference free, we've generally been quite disappointed in the performance of
5.8GHz phones.
The first generation 5.8 Giggers from some highly
respected makers could barely work 50 feet from their bases. Even now, in the
third generation, many models will barely go 100 feet.
That's why we were so pleasantly surprised by
this new model. We had no trouble with conversations going up or down stairs, or
passing through the walls of five rooms on one floor. Outdoors, in "a typical
suburban environment, " we were able to maintain good voice quality at over 300
feet -- more than the length of a football field.
While this is not a long-range phone like our
EnGenius DuraFon, its
range is
significantly better than any other 5.8GHz cordless we've tried, and the voice
quality, features and price make it an excellent choice for most homes and many
small businesses.
CLICK to download manual
- 5.8 GHz Digital Spread Spectrum Frequency
Hopping transmission for extremely high security against eavesdropping.
Expandable system (connect up to eight cordless handsets, use up to four at
one time.) Only the base phone needs a phone jack. Two-line operation (but
will work on one line). Hands-free speakerphones in base phone and cordless
handsets. You can record up to four minutes of a phone conversation.
Call-on-hold reminder ringback. Very helpful displays will assist you with
conference calls, paging and other operations. Phones can be identified with
numbers or names, for intercom calls and transferring.
- Conference calls with up to seven people. 50
Name/number speed-dialing. Battery backup for power failure operation. Call
transfer with or without announcement. If a transferred call is not answered
within 30 seconds, it will ring back to the originating phone. Data Port (on
line #2).Handset volume control. 2.5mm headset jacks in base and handset.
Intercom from phone to phone. Last five number redial. Lighted displays in
handsets and base with large easy-to-read text. Adjustable contrast. Lighted
keypads. Microphone mute. On-hook dialing. Ring page to one or all phones
(not voice announcement). Selectable ring tones. Low battery warning tone.
- Base phone has battery charging compartment
to charge a spare battery for handsets, and also to provide power-failure
operation for the base phone. Wireless-network friendly. Caller ID/Call
Waiting (with phone company services). Pre-dial display. Base phone can NOT
be wall-mounted. Handset cradle/chargers CAN be wall-mounted. Cordless
handsets are supplied with belt clips. Cordless handsets can stand up by
themselves. NO music-on-hold input, but
adapter is available.
- Answering features: Digital answering
system with two voice mailboxes (one for each phone line). 25 Minutes
recording time (up to 99 messages, up to four minutes each). Messages can be
retrieved from base, cordless handsets, or external phones. Call
Screening/Intercept. Time/Day stamp. Optional audible message-waiting alert.
Memo recording. Changeable four-digit security code.