Drop, charge, and lose the cords
Entered CNET Catalog: 05/04/2003
SKU: DCT-5280
Manufacturer: Uniden America Corp.
Manufacturer description
Uniden is creating a World Without Wires. Which means it is building products that give its customers more freedom to enjoy life, solve problems and always stay connected with others. From cordless phones to two-way radios to radar detectors, it makes electronic wonders an everyday occurrence. PRODUCT FEATURES: 2.4 GHz Digital Spread Spectrum; 4 Handsets Capability; Digital Answerer; Caller ID/Call Waiting displays the name and number of the caller in Call Waiting even while you are on the phone; Base Speakerphone - enjoy the convenience of hands free conversations; Handset Speakerphone - this feature gives you the freedom to use the handset as a speakerphone; Handset-to-Handset Call Transfer; Trilingual Answering System; Trilingual Function Menus; DirectLink Technology; Quick Phone Book Access; Intercom/Conference; 100 Dynamic Memory Locations; Menu Driven 4-line LCD; Handset Clock Display; Remote Access to Digital Answerer; Handset Call Record; Personalized Handsets; Handset Status LED; New Message Waiting Indication (H/S LED); Headset Jack; Belt Clip - a sturdy belt clip is included for maximum mobility.CNET editors' review
- Editors' Choice: No
- Reviewed on: 03/13/2003
Menu navigation can be tough at times, but Uniden partially made up for the phone's unintuitive setup by packing it full of features. You get a speakerphone on the base and on each handset, a choice of eight ring tones and melodies, handset-to-handset call transfer, handset personalization settings, and an integrated answering system with 12 minutes of recording time. In addition, the phone offers a very readable four-line backlit LCD, three language options (English, French, and Spanish), a 100-number phone book, and caller ID with call waiting.
Setting up the DCT5280 was a tad more difficult than necessary (we had to consult the manual to register our second handset, which insisted on being known as Handset #1). Overall, however, we had few complaints about the system's performance. Even in our challenging LAN-based testing environment, we were able to get good distance with minimal breakup. We didn't get quite the same call quality from the second handset, but it wasn't horrible. Speaking of the additional handsets, it's a cinch to make global setup tweaks and tailor each handset's features.
Battery life was average. The phone held on for the rated 14-day standby time (which drops to a mere 24 hours if you're using the DirectLink mode), but it fell shy of the rated 7-hour talk time, giving out at just more than 5 hours. Note that if you activate the phone's Clarity Booster feature, which did decrease interference slightly in our tests, talk time is rated at 5 hours.
All told, we like the look and feel of this phone, and the price is right. But reader, beware: Setting up and using this phone has its trying moments. If Uniden simplified the menu navigation, we'd endorse the DCT5280 even more.
User opinions
Select a User Opinion to view: 1 2
User Rating: 
4/10
Horrible sound quality.
Pros: Many cool features. Price not too bad.
Cons: I couldn't hear on this phone. The sound would fade in and out. I would hear my own voice echoing back to me and the speaker phone was very bad also.
Review:
User Rating: 
8/10
One of the few phones with regular AA batteries
Pros:
Cons:
Review:
I have used this phone for a few days now and I am very muh satisfied with the sound quality and innovative features like DirectLink. One important feature that is not mentioned in the review is that the phone runs on regular rechargeable AA batteries which are a lot cheaper than propreitary batteries.
