Customer Reviews: Read 552 more reviews...
 Finally! A really good cordless phone April 14, 2007
625 out of 627 found this review helpful
I have gone through more than 15 types of cordless phones in the last several years. Some of them very good, but not perfect, others fairly awful. When I was doing my research this time for a new phone, I came across DECT 6.0 technology. It claims no interference with WiFi networks, greater range, clear transmission and extended battery life. Bottom line, it's pretty much true.
I've used this phone for a week and it is crystal clear, no interference with my WiFi network, no "hiccups" with a call, like static or audible digital artifacts. My 5.8 Ghz phone would let me talk with a range of maybe 100 feet outside of my house with the front door closed. This telephone lets me go to the end of my driveway, across the cul de sac, and into my neighbor's driveway without sound degradation. I'd guess that I'm getting about 3x the distance of my 5.8 Ghz phone in a real world situation.
The great thing about this phone is that the battery life is awesome. The phone claims up to 17 hours of talk time and several days of standby. I make a lot of conference calls from my home, and I'm on the phone about 6 hours per day. I'd have to switch cordless phones during the day with ANY 5.8Ghz phone, as they'd last anywhere from 3 to 5 hours. I've made 2 days of calls, for a total of 11 hours, and the battery indicator still shows a full charge, without being placed back into the charger. I'm going to keep it out of the charger in standby and talk until the battery runs down, to accurately gauge the battery life, but it would appear that the 17 hours of talk time is a realistic estimate. By the way, the phone uses traditional AAA rechargeable batteries (x2), for each handset. My 5.8 Ghz phone used 3, and had a max talk time of about 5 hours.
The keys on this phone are bigger than other phones, another plus in my book. I'd always misdial a number with smaller buttons. I have yet to misdial with these keys. They're the perfect size.
I don't use the answering machine, as I have telephone company voicemail. The only downside to this phone is that the message waiting indicator for telephone voicemail, doesn't work. I've set it to "on", on every phone, and my 5.8Ghz phone will flash the voicemail alert, but these handsets aren't flashing. I've had this problem with other phones, especially VTech, so I'm thinking that most phones work, there must be something about the connection into my house that doesn't get the call message alert to the phone. I have DSL and filters in the house. Maybe this is the cause?
Anyway, overall, this is a really good set of phones, they work great, have great sound, and the battery life is stellar. I'm really happy with this purchase. You should probably consider DECT 6.0 going forward. It's MUCH better than 5.8Ghz technology, in my opinion.
UPDATE:
As an update to my review, the phone is now in it's 16th hour of talk time, with 5 days of standby (no charging) and it's still working on the last bar of the battery indicator. I'd say that the 17 hours of talk time is a conservative number. As stated previously, the battery life is the best that I've ever experienced with a cordless phone. Actually, incredible by today's standards.
Outstanding call clarity + software...but no visual display on answering machine August 8, 2007
151 out of 152 found this review helpful
For those who think all cordless phones are alike, au contraire. I've struggled with crackly 900 mhz lemons, 1.8ghz with non-existent range, 2.8ghz housed in faulty answering machine units, and 5.8ghz paperweights where every call was a lesson in hearing impaired.
The KX-TG1033S, however, is a refreshingly great wireless phone system that finally gets it right. Extremely intelligent software plays messages through every unit when call screening, likewise playback of the answering machine is available from each handset. Related, the LCD display is very sharp, ring (and tones) very customizable. (If you're so inclined, each of the 3 units can play a different tone upon ring.) Love the detailed status information when the phone is not in use.
Most importantly, call clarity is outstanding. Standard and speaker are both surprisingly strong, crystal clear over digital phone service. There is no disparity across any of the 3 units based on physical location and/or being housed in the base answering machine. (A common flaw in other expandable wireless phone systems.) I've likewise encountered no range difficulties even when fielding calls in the front/back yards. Not a hiss, signal loss, nothing. The ability to transfer calls, intercom to other units is nothing short of awesome.
A couple of minor glitches worth noting: The Panasonic Menu IS as complicated as advertised. There is a learning curve -- albeit small -- in how to navigate them before features can truly be maximized. You will be reading the instruction manual, unfortunately. Moreover, the initial charge/battery calibration takes FOREVER. ((Be prepared for a half a day (or more) without your new phones.)) Battery life, however, seems infinite following this early lesson in patience.
Second, there is no graphical display on the answering machine. Thus, number of missed calls/messages becomes unfortunate guesswork. Arguably the greatest tradeoff of a system this high in quality.
These misgivings aside, the KX-TG1033S comes very highly recommended, at a very attractive price point to boot. Sister, high quality expandable systems can cost upwards of a hundred dollars more.
FYI: You might find yourself unable to pull caller ID up on your phones if attached to a fax machine. This is easily remedied via a cheap splitter (despite contradictory info from Panasonic tech support).
Excellent cordless phone with great features October 13, 2007
48 out of 49 found this review helpful
I love so many things about this phone:
* Great value for base unit and three handsets (expands to up to 6).
* We had new phones installed and working in less than 10 minutes.
* Good ergo design lets you cradle phone between shoulder and chin.
* Large number pads for clumsy fingers.
* LED lights up for use in the dark.
* Record and pick up messages using any handset (not just the base).
* Screen calls from anywhere in the house (as long as a handset is with you, you hear a message being left).
* Good range -- I am able to talk over 100 feet from the base unit.
* Zero interference (so far) and excellent clarity on incoming calls.
* Very long battery life both in talk mode and in standby mode.
* Easily store numbers and transfer them to *all* handsets from menu.
* Handsets all have a speakerphone, which sounds very clear.
* Handsets all have a clock and caller ID display.
* Phone menu easy to figure out (don't really need the manual).
* Message indicator setting is a neat feature; light on phone flashes for new message.
* Handsets display message when you missed a call.
* Great intercom system lets one phone call any other in the house.
* You can leave handsets on the charger at all times; won't affect battery life.
Only negatives I have found so far, in 3 months of daily use:
* Even if you have 3-6 handsets, only two can talk at one time to an outside caller.
* Sometimes calls placed from our phone to others sound faint. Call recipient has to turn up volume of their handset.
For the price I paid and the value I received, I would buy the Panasonic KX-TG1033S cordless phone system again in a heartbeat.
Buy it! May 21, 2007
56 out of 59 found this review helpful
I understand that getting used to the Panasonic mindset on how to use their phone products can be a challenge the first time. So, if you're new to Panasonic, take a deep breath, slow down, and read carefully. This is no GE system you're dealing with.
And, if you're thinking of upgrading from a present Panasonic system -- do it! We upgraded from a 2.? (something) system and WOW! Crystal clear, easy to use, and it even has an easy intercom.
The system came out of the box and was operational with 10 minutes. Best phone system we've ever had. Highly recommend!
Great Phones August 13, 2007
25 out of 26 found this review helpful
Overall we're very pleased with the Panasonic DECT 6.0 phones system. They are very easy to set up as each phone in the package was already pre-registered to the base station. They hold a charge very well. Probably over a week of standby. We don't use the answering system, so cannot comment on that. The reception is crystal clear. Range does not seem to be an issue inside the house. Have had no hint interference. I got a set for my Mom and she really enjoys them, too. She does use the answering system and it works very well. I like how when a call goes to the answering machine, you can hear the message left by the caller on the other handset's speaker automatically. It really simplifies where you put the base station with the answering machine since each handset can interact with the basestation and control all of it's functions.
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