Cordless phones Buying Guide
Today's people have become more and busier especially when it comes to doing financial business. But technology does not want to be left behind.
The use of cordless phones has made the lives of people more productive than ever. Instead of being stuck on a seat, people can roam around the house while talking on the phone with clients of loved ones. Cordless phones are wirelessly connected to the base so one can talk while doing common household chores.
Cordless phones first came out around 1980 with 27 megahertz band connecting the hand set to the base. With more people using them and frequencies experiencing overloads, the FCC assigned more bands from 46-49 megahertz to 900 megahertz, then 2.4 gigahertz and recently 5.8 gigahertz. And with security technology developing faster, new cordless mobile phones have features that helps keep users from being spied on.
If you wish to buy a cordless phone, many things need to be though of considering a wide array of brands to choose from and each of them has tons of features loaded. Of course, you also need to know how much you can afford and what the primary activities with you cordless phones are.
900 MHz
The main advantage of buying a cordless phone operating with this frequency is the low price. This can be ideal for household use. But these phones are old and may be phased out soon.
2.4 GHz
A lot of phones today operate on the 2.4 GHz frequency and they are apparently superior to the 900 MHz phones. It is important to note though that many electronic gadgets also like baby monitors work on this frequency and interference may occur. If you house is crowded with electronic gadgets working on 2.4 GHz frequency, then you will want to buy phones with 5.8 GHz.
5.8 GHz
As the frequency rating is higher, these phones offer greater range and clarity but the prices are higher as well. The main advantage is that traffic is less in this frequency and so is the interference.
DECT 6
DECT 6 is the newest technology in wireless phones and is the most superior of them all. Europeans have been using these phones for years already and have been happy with less interference from any wireless networks. Security features of these phones are also very good.
Analog
Analog cordless phones have continuous signals and the sets can be inexpensive. The drawbacks include poor security because a radio scanner can easily make another person eavesdrop and static problems when you are located farther from the base.
Digital
Digital cordless phones use the same technology used in computers and the internet. With a digital cordless phone, you get clear signal and good security while experiencing less interference. In fact, the phone detects impending interference; it can switch to another channel to avoid it.
DSS (Digital Spread Spectrum):
These phones are digitally capable of distributing calls across a range of frequency and since it continually channels, the possibility of getting eavesdropped is virtually zero. These phones are expensive so you have to look into your budget.
Caller ID
Caller IDs work as a separate service you pay to you provider. But the benefits can be great. With Caller ID, the phone base displays the number of the caller so you can have the option of answering, ignoring, redirecting to voice mail or permanently barring. This can also be important in deciding whether or not to take a call waiting.
Multi Lines
If you have more than one phone number, a cordless phone set can accommodate them all up to four lines. There even are multi line cordless phones that can work with as many as 12 lines but they tend to be very expensive.
Multi Handsets
Many cordless phone systems have one base and have as many as eight cordless handsets. This allows many people to use the handsets like intercom. Some of these cordless phone systems even have automated attendants and can accommodate up to nine mailboxes.
Conference Calls
This feature allows you to set up a three way conversation on multi line cordless phones.
Speakerphones
Speakerphones are a great way to communicate hands free. Speakerphones for cordless phone sets are located at the base. The best quality speakerphones are the digital duplex type. Some cordless phones have speakerphones both in the base and in the handsets.
Redial
This feature makes it easy to dial the last number (last number dial-LND) with one push of a button. Some models will keep on dialing a busy number until it is contacted.
Mute
This feature is perfect for privacy as it can be used to while talking to somebody in the room without being heard by the calling party.
Lighted Keypad
The keypad of the cordless phones automatically illuminates under dark conditions making you find the numbers you want to dial.
Hold
This is very useful when you have a multi line cordless phone and you want to switch to another caller without losing the other calling party. This can also be useful when you want to do something else like going to the bathroom in the middle of a phone conversation.
Dual Keypad
A cordless phone set with dual keypad has keypads both on the handset and on the base. This is useful when you have left the handset somewhere and you want to make an emergency phone call.
Headset Jack
This is useful when you want to walk and talking without holding a handset allowing you to multi-task like slicing a fruit while talking. These headset jacks come with belt clips and are designed to be used with 2.5mm plugs.
Memory
A memory is used in digitally storing numbers for speed dialing. Multiple numbers can be stored in memory so that when you want to make an emergency call, you only need to press a few buttons without scouring your phone notebook. Most cordless phones have navigator keys to make it easy for you to choose the numbers from the cordless phone's memory.
Handset Locator
If you are the type of person who easily misplaces small things, then make sure you get this feature. A single press from the base will let the handset give off sound so you can locate it.
Ringer Control
You can adjust the volume of your cordless phone with this feature. There are also several tones you can choose from and even has vibrating alerts similar to mobile phones. You can even assign ring tones for specific callers for easy identification.
LCD Readout
This is a very useful feature for visual aides and easy navigation with features and numbers. Most phones have LCD readout on both base and handsets.
Voice Mail Light Indicator
This cordless phone has a small light that alerts you when you have a voice mail arriving or when you have voice mails waiting to be opened.
Handset Battery
If you forget to put back the handset to the base for recharging, you might get disconnected in the middle of a phone call. Considering buying Nickel-Metal Hydride batteries for your handsets as these batteries can sustain up to three times the length of a standard Nickel Cadmium batteries.
Charging Cradles
Speaking of handset power, buying separate charging cradles may be practical if you have many handsets or you simply want less clutter in your base.
Answering Machines
In the past, answering machines were a separate device using cassette tapes for recording. Many answering cordless phones utilize the digital memory for storing messages for answering calls.
Call Restriction
This is a very useful feature if there are many people in the house who might be using unwanted long distance calls. The phone sets a password before anyone can make a long distance call and this will save you from high bills. You can even program the phone to prevent certain numbers from being contacted.
Date and Time Stamp
Some phones have this feature so that you can tell the date and time of any call and may be useful for monitoring charges incurred.
Toll Saver
Some phone service providers usually charge after several rings. The toll saver feature prevents you from paying unanswered calls by setting the phone to hang up after several rings.
You can read neutral reviews on BT, Panasonic, Siemens and Betacom Cordless Phones at Cordless phone reviews site.