Electronics: Brian's Place

Consumer Reports – wireless phones

It is easier than ever to have a phone where you want. The new breed of mobile Wireless allows you to place a camera in any room of the house, even if no phone jack is located nearby.

However, manufacturers still offer an incredible number of phones: cheaper models that offer the basics; multi-handsets, feature-rich phones with a built-in answering machine, a single line and two line phones, digital phones and analog, and frequency bands different. In many cases, a phone will have a sibling phone-answering machine. Many telephone-answering machines are available in a version phone only. If you have a cordless phone for several years, it's probably a 900-MHz phone. latest phones use higher frequencies, namely 2.4 or 5.8 GHz. They are not necessarily better than older, but they can provide more calls security and a wider range of capabilities and useful features.

What is available

AT & T, Bell South, GE, Panasonic, Uniden, VTech and has more than 70 percent of the market. VTech owns AT & T Consumer Products Division and now makes phones under AT & T brand and his own name.

The current trends include phones that support two or more handsets with a base less costly and 2.4 analog 5.8GHz phones, and feature-rich 2.4 and 5.8 GHz digital phones. Some multi-handset phones compatible now includes an extra handset with charger. Approximately one third of wireless phones sold include a digital answering machine.

A main distinction between wireless phones is how they transmit their signals. Here are some terms you may see when purchasing and what they mean for you:

Analog. These phones are the cheapest available now. They tend to have the best quality voice and wide enough to let you chat anywhere in your house and yard, or even a bit beyond. They are also likely to cause interference with other wireless products. But analog transmission is not very sure anyone with a scanner or similar device without RF wire may be able to listen in. Analog phones are also more likely than digital phones suffer occasionally static and RF interference from other wireless products. Price: $ 15 to $ 100.

Digital. They offer about the same range than analog phones, but with better safety and less susceptibility to RF interference. And, as analogous, they are unlikely to cause interference with other wireless products. Price: $ 50 to $ 130.

Digital Spread Spectrum (DSS). Phone DSS distributes a call through a number of frequencies, providing an extra measure of security and immunity against interference RF. The range may be slightly better than analog or digital telephones. Note that some phones DSS – usually 2.4-GHz or multiple mobile-device compatible with the handset to handset talk capabilities – such use a broadband spectrum, even in standby mode they may interfere with baby monitors and other wireless products operating in the same frequency band. Price Range: $ 75 to $ 225 (for Multiple systems combined).

Frequency. Cordless Phones use one or two of the three frequency bands:

* 900-MHz. Some manufacturers are still cheap, 900-MHz phones, usually analog. They are fine for many households, and continue represent approximately one quarter of the market.

* 2.4 GHz. The group most phones now use. Unfortunately, baby monitors many other wireless products – from wireless computer networks, security monitors, wireless speakers, microwave ovens – use the same band. A 2.4 GHz analog phone is inherently sensitive to RF interference from other wireless devices and phones 2.4GHz DSS may cause interference in other products. However, DSS phones charged "802.11-friendly" are unlikely to interfere with wireless computer networks.

* 5.8 GHz. The group that the new phones use. Its main advantage is less chance of interference RF because few other products currently using this band. Some phones are dual band, but that only means they pass between the base and handset in one band and receive in another, you can not make or choose a band or another.

IMPORTANT DETAILS

Standard features on most cordless phones include handset volume control headset, handset ringer, last number redial, a pager to locate the handset, a flash button to answer call waiting, and a low battery indicator.

Some phones can support two or more units with a single core without needing extra phone jacks. handsets, including the charger are usually sold separately, even if more phones come with an additional handset and charging cradle.

A screen LCD found on many devices and some bases, can display a personal phone directory and useful information such as name and / or number dialed, the caller ID, battery strength, or how long you have been connected. Caller ID displays the name and number a caller and the date and time of the call if you use your phone company caller ID service. If you identify the caller with call waiting, the phone displays data on a second call when you're on the phone.

A phone that supports two lines can receive calls for two phone numbers – useful if you have, say, a sector and a personal line that you want to use from a single phone. Some phones have two fingers, each with a distinctive field to let you know that the line is ringing. The function of two lines also facilitates conference two people in three-way connections. Some phones Two data lines have an auxiliary port for connecting a fax, modem, telephone or any device that can also be useful.

A loudspeaker offers a hands-free way to converse or wait on hold and lets others chime in too. A speaker base allows you to answer a call without lifting, a loudspeaker on the handset lets you chat hands-free throughout the house as long as you stay a few meters from the device.

Base Keyboard supplements the handset keypad. This is handy for navigating menu systems, since you do not pick up the phone away from your ear to pierce the keys. Some phones have a lighted keypad that either glows in the dark or lights up when you press a button or when the phone rings. This makes the phone easier to use in low light conditions. All phones have a handset ringer, and many phones have a ringer of the base. Some allow you to enable or disable, adjust volume, change the tone or sound.

Many cordless phones have a headphone jack on the handset and includes a belt clip to carry the phone. This allows a hands-free everywhere in the house. Some phones have a headphone jack on the base, which allows hands-free conversation without any drain on the battery of the handset. Helmets are generally sold separately for about $ 20.

Other useful features include automatic answer, which lets you lift the handset from the base for an appeal incoming call and start talking without having to press a button, any key answer.

Some phones provide a battery backup for backup battery – a compartment in the base to recharge a spare battery or battery pack to hold alkaline batteries for backup power base that either of which could allow the phone to work if you lose power of households. However, it is wise to keep a landline phone, some somewhere in your house.

Some mobile multi-handset-capable handsets to enable conference call between handsets and intercom mode assist with third. In intercom mode, the devices must be within reach of the base using a handset to handset. Others have this ability to talk from handset to handset, they allow you to transfer calls from handset to handset, but do not use appliances the conference with an outside caller. Still other phones allow direct communication between devices, so you can take them with you to use as a walkie-talkie. Some phones can register up to eight handsets, for example, but this does not mean that you can use the eight at a time. You may be able to use two for handset to handset intercom, while two others conference with third.

HOW TO CHOOSE

Decide how much material you need. The basic options are a stand-alone phone, telephone with integrated answering machine, or a phone that supports multiple handsets from a database. A stand-alone phone is best suited for small Families or individuals in a small apartment with little need for more than a phone. The high-responder, a common choice, adds a large measure of convenience. A multi-handset phone is good for active families who need phones in the house, what kind of phone you can put handsets in a room has no phone jack.

Select technology and frequency band. A telephone 900 MHz should agree to most users, but this may be difficult to find because of 2.4 and 5.8 GHz models dominate. You're likely to find wider range of models and price with 2.4GHz phones. But if you want to minimize problems of interference with other wireless products, turn to a 5.8 GHz or 900 MHz phone. analog phones, may be less expensive than digital, are fine for many people. But if privacy is important to choose an SSD or digital phone.

To be sure you're get a DSS or digital phone for his safety voice, check the packaging carefully. Look for terms such as "digital phone", "Spread spectrum Digital (DSS) "or" frequency hopping spread spectrum (FHSS). "Expressions such as" Phone with Security Code Digital "," telephone with answering all-digital, "or" spread spectrum technology (no spread digital spectrum) all indicate that the phones are less secure.

Phones that use dual-band transmission may indicate the frequency higher in larger print on the packaging. If you want a true 2.4 or 5.8 GHz phone, check all the details. If only frequency is prominently marked on the package, it is probably analog.

Sit on the features you want. You can usually expect caller ID, a headphone jack, and a base that can be wall mounted. But the features do not stop there for two phones Stand-alone and the phone-answerer. Check the box or ask to see an instruction manual to be sure you get the skills and characteristics that interest you. In general, more features over the phone, the higher its price.

variations in performance. Consumer Reports "Tests show that most new cordless phones have a very good voice quality in general. Some are excellent, approaching quality of the voice of the best corded phones. In our latest tests, most fully charged nickel-cadmium (Ni-Cd) or nickel-metal hydride (Ni-MH) treated eight hours of continuous talk time before they need recharging. Most manufacturers claim that a fully charged battery last at least a week in standby mode. When they can no longer hold office, a replacement battery, usually proprietary, costs about $ 10 to $ 25, and can be difficult to find. Some phones use less expensive AA or AAA batteries. (To find a store that will recycle used batteries, call 800-822-8837.)

Give combined a test drive. In the store, keep your head up the handset to see if she feels comfortable. Should the contours of your face. The listener should have rounded edges and a recessed center that fits nicely in the middle of your ear. Check buttons and controls to ensure they are reasonably sized and legible.

Do not throw the phone wire. It is a good idea to keep at least one corded phone in your house, if only in an emergency. A wireless phone may not work if you lose power, and a cell phone does not work if you can not get a signal or the circuits are full. A landline draws power from the telephone system and can not work without power of households.

Centers messaging and voicemail

responders Digital on stand-alone devices or as part of a telephone / answering machine combo unit. The main advantage of a combo unit – less congestion – should be weighed against the loss of part of the combo if the other goes wrong. Responders generally standard characteristics and features as a selectable number of rings and one without saving the answerer on / off control, call filtering, access distance from a telephone keypad, and a variety of ways to navigate through your messages. Most were one day message / hour, may delete all messages or only those individual, you can adjust the speaker volume, and can keep the messages of good wishes and after a break temporarily.

Other features of voice you might want to consider are the number of mailboxes, read commands advanced registration of remote access call, a message display counter that shows the number of messages received, and a visual indicator or alert sound that lets you know when you have new messages.

In Consumer Reports tests, most responders delivered voice quality very good for recorded messages and good quality for the hello. Phones that allow you to record your greeting through the handset (ie, using remote access) usually sound better. Some allow you to listen your greeting through the handset, rather than listen for the speaker base, which gives you a better indication of how the host will hear the caller. Price: $ 20 to $ 80 (business units), $ 30 to $ 240 (combos).

Copyright © 2002-2006 Consumers Union of U.S., Inc.

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