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Panasonic DuraMax (discontinued)

Panasonic DuraMax

Entered CNET Catalog: 11/08/2002

SKU: 797553006763

Manufacturer: Panasonic

Manufacturer description

DuraMax stands out as one of the most durable and resistant wireless phones. The special rubberized coating protects the phone from life's little "bumps" and is molded to fit your hand for sure-grip comfort and ease-of-use. The Panasonic DuraMax EB-TX220AS digital multi-network phone features the ability to talk hands free with a built-in speakerphone, T9 technology for quick text entry, a stylish lightweight design, easy operation and many other state-of-the-art features.

User opinions

Select a User Opinion to view: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21

User Rating: 8/10

Lives up to its name! I wish there was something like it today.

Pros: Tough, simple, reliable, (Do you need more than that?)batt life, reception. I broke three entry level phones in three months before going in and asking for a "Max-proof" phone. I have had this one now for almost 31/2 years and just now had to replace th

Cons: Hard to hear over car noise (or in a server room) w/o headphone. Accessorie jack prone to bad connection. When you throw it accross the room to show people how tough it is sometimes the battery cover will fall off! If I could add one thing today, it wou

Review:

User Rating: 8/10

indestructable

Pros: takes a beating, easy to use, great reception, comfortable to use, dropped it in a puddle, threw it on a concrete surface, stepped on it...never stopped working and still doesn't have a scratch on it.

Cons: limited features, but what do you use a phone for?, not as colorful, not as fun to play with, but I only need it to talk and listen

Review:

User Rating: 7/10

I wish they still sold this one...

Pros: While I don't recommend it, my phone did go swimming (accidently) in a glass of water for 45 min. It took a week of drying out, but the danged thing still works! Only one key (* key) was nixed by it.

Cons: Very bare bones phone compared to all the gizmos on new ones. Also very very difficult to find accessories.

Review:

User Rating: 8/10

most durable cel phone I've owned

Pros: Went through 5 phones in one yr due to breakage...have had this one for 1.5 years with no issues.

Cons: Limited features, but who cares...it doesn't break. They should make one with more features and charge a fortune...I would buy it!

Review:

User Rating: 9/10

Great phone, didn't notice limitations

Pros: Reliable, rugged, kept a good charge. I use a cell phone as a portable phone, not a laptop computer. As such, this phone is outstanding. I am notoriously tough on my electronics, and have never had a problem.

Cons: Only with peripherals: the earphone sucked (fortunately it came with the phone), the belt clip sucked (I paid $20 for THAT piece of crap). The phone is a bit uncomfortable to hold on my shoulder with my ear.

Review:

User Rating: 7/10

The ONLY phone for parents

Pros: 1. Indestructable. Battery is enclosed behind shock-resistant rubber case. 2. Better signal. Enhanced antenna since phone is designed for construction zones, etc. Better in far-out suburbs, rural areas. 3. Battery Life. I've left it unplugged for a mo

Cons: Subjective. For what it is? None. If you want games, cameras and cappucino dispensers on your phone? I doubt you'd even notice this phone on the shelf.

Review:

User Rating: 6/10

It takes-a-lickin' but that's about it!

Pros: Heavy-duty exterior, 5 volume levels, built-in speakerphone, and easy-to navigate menu

Cons: Minimal features including phonebook size and ring tone options; and the availability of accessories.

Review:

User Rating: 7/10

Best phone i have had!

Pros: It doesn't break, a plus. Coverage quality is great. Easy to use.

Cons: Heavier than new phones. Not enough features.

Review:

User Rating: 8/10

Perfect outdoor phone.

Pros:

Cons:

Review: Works in my area better than the Nokia. I can get calls where other ATT phones won't. If it breaks I will buy another one just like it.

User Rating: 9/10

Washer Proof!

Pros:

Cons:

Review: During the last snow storm, I left the phone in my pants and ran it through the washing machine. After two days of drying time, the phone still worked!! It may not be the flashiest or biggest on features, but its the best phone I've ever owned!

User Rating: 6/10

Good phone,but not the type I wanted.

Pros:

Cons:

Review: The Panasonic TX220 Duramax is my first cell phone.I am a 14 year old girl....I tend to be a little clumsy and it has held up pretty good.But there are many things I like and dislike about the phone.For starters...it is made where you cant change faces...which I really dont like because its always the same.I like change.Its just always boring and black.It also doesnt have games.

User Rating: 8/10

Tough

Pros:

Cons:

Review: This is one tough phone. The guy at AT&T told me it was the most durable so I tested it out by throwing it at a brick wall and stepping on it. It still works great!

User Rating: 8/10

Excellent phone!

Pros:

Cons:

Review: I've owned many phones in the past, but this one is by far the best. The battery life is outstanding ( 6-7 days between charge ). There are no features with the exception of the phone book and alarm, but if you dont need games and all you want is good reception and long battery time, this phone is for you.

User Rating: 8/10

The Jeep of cell phones.

Pros:

Cons:

Review: I picked the Motorola Duramax because it was recommended when I asked which cell phone I could drop or throw and it would last. I am a young chick who is hard on products, but prefers what will last over some pretty little flip phone. I haven't had my Duramax that long, but I don't plan on trading it in any time soon. Because I'm girl, I have smaller hands and the buttons aren't a problem. Also, I drive a noisy off-roading style Jeep Wrangler, and I can hold a conversation a little better with this phone than the last, which was an Ericsson RLX 289 model. My only complaint is that I don't like the selection of ring tones (last phone had "Popeye the Sailor Man ;)

User Rating: 8/10

I got what I paid for

Pros:

Cons:

Review: This phone is durable as others say. I have dropped it a few times without any problems. I have almost never dropped a call since I switched from sprint pcs and that was two years ago. Like the background colors long battery life.

User Rating: 3/10

Buttons too small

Pros:

Cons:

Review: Tuff phone but the buttons are too small for a guy with big hands. Also this phone has poor reception at the best of times. I have had this phone for a year and have had it replaced once because of the poor reception. I wouldn't reccomend this phone to anyone

User Rating: 5/10

Well made but buttons too small

Pros:

Cons:

Review: I've had this phone for a year now and really want to replace it. The quality of construction is excellent and all durability claims are accurate. However, for me the buttons are just too small for easy operation. I also have serious concerns about it's signal quality. My provider is AT&T and I've tried other manufacturer phones (also with AT&T) against my Duramax and the difference in sound and signal quality is dramatic. If you are involved in an occupation where the phone gets banged around the Duramax is a great choice. Otherwise, I'd go with something more ergonomic for people with larger hands and fingers and more importantly a phone with better reception quality.

User Rating: 7/10

"Man-Phone"

Pros:

Cons:

Review: Maybe it's cuz I'm a guy but if you want games and gimmicks buy a gameboy. I have dropped this phone every day for two years and beyond some scratches and scuffs it still works perfectly. If you are going places with electronic equipment you want it to be durable. This phone was built to be used. The signal is great and the phonebook and text messaging easy to use. Far, far superior to my old startac and nokia phones, and it always gets me compliments (at least from other guys)

User Rating: 9/10

One Tough Nugget

Pros:

Cons:

Review: I have had over a dozen phones over the years, and this is my phone of choice. No fancy gimmicks (want games? buy an x-box)or needless features. This phone is all business and perfect for the outdoor enthusiast.

User Rating: 7/10

Next to Bullet proof!!!

Pros:

Cons:

Review: As a protective services specialist, I need a phone that is going to work when and where I need it , this phone is the next best thing to kevlar!

User Rating: 8/10

Pickup-truck tough

Pros:

Cons:

Review: My wife dropped this phone in a parking lot and someone ran over it with a pickup truck. The phone worked fine, but the socket for the recharger was slightly compressed. I bent it back and it's still working great a year or so later. Reception seems good, too. One nice feature is that you can assign specific ring patterns to numbers in the directory (which my Motorola v60i won't do), so you often know who's calling without looking at the screen. The top-end volume in standard mode could be louder, which can be a problem over road noise, but the speakerphone helps to overcome that.

Tips on Panasonic DuraMax

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Panasonic DuraMax specifications

  • General
  • Product Type Cellular phone
  • Width 2.0 in
  • Depth 1.1 in
  • Height 4.8 in
  • Weight 4.9 oz
  • Body Color Dark gray
  • Body Material Plastic , Rubber
  • Cellular Phone Cover Themes / Designs No
  • Localization English
  • Cellular
  • Technology AMPS / D-AMPS
  • Band D-AMPS 800/1900 / AMPS 800
  • Phone Design Open-faced
  • Antenna External
  • Vibrating Alert Yes
  • Ring Tones 20.0
  • Automatic Redial Yes
  • Speed Dial Yes
  • Voice Dialing No
  • Call Divert Yes
  • Call Barring Yes
  • Call Hold Yes
  • Call Timer Yes
  • Call Waiting Yes
  • Conference Call Capability 3-way
  • Voice Mail Capability Yes
  • Caller ID Yes
  • Volume Control Yes
  • Ringer Control Yes
  • Speakerphone Yes
  • Computer Link Yes (cable)
  • Additional Features Intelligent typing (T9)
  • Phone Memory
  • Phone Book Capacity 100.0 names & numbers
  • Missed Calls Memory 10.0
  • Dialed Calls Memory 10.0
  • Received Calls Memory 10.0
  • Messaging & Data Services
  • Short Messaging Service (SMS) Yes
  • Messaging Services Yes
  • Data/Fax Capability Yes
  • Internet Browser No
  • Organizer
  • Alarm Clock Yes
  • Alarm Clock Modes Once , Daily
  • Calculator Basic
  • Display
  • Type LCD display
  • Line Qty 5.0
  • Contrast Control 5-level
  • Display Indicators Voice message waiting , Battery meter , Silent ring signal , Signal strength , Digital clock , Alarm clock indicator , Keypad lock , Text message waiting , Divert indicator
  • Display Illumination Color Green , Amber
  • Display Languages French , Spanish , English
  • Features Backlit
  • Display (2nd)
  • Display Illumination Color Green
  • Memory
  • Flash Memory None
  • Security Features
  • Phone Lock Yes
  • Keypad Lock Yes
  • Restrict Access to Phone Book Yes
  • Miscellaneous
  • Resistance Dustproof , Shockproof
  • Included Accessories Hands-free headset
  • Power
  • Type Power adapter
  • Battery
  • Battery 1.0 x battery
  • Technology Rechargeable - Lithium ion
  • Capacity 1400.0 mAh
  • Talk Time Up to 240 min
  • Standby Time Up to 400 h
  • Recharge Time 200.0 min
  • Audible Battery Alert Yes
  • Manufacturer Warranty
  • Service & Support 1 year warranty
  • Service & Support Details Limited warranty - Parts and labor - 1 year
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