Uniden TRU8885-2

Pros: Excellent voice quality, ergonomics and range

Cons: Not nearly a phone answering system

Summary: Uniden markets the TRU8885 as digital answering phone. However, anyone who buys it with the serious intent of using it as a home answering system will be disappointed.

To begin with, nowhere on the box does Uniden specify recording capacity. Only after opening the package and reading half way through the manual do you discover you're limited to a TOTAL of 12 minutes recording time. In a day when 16 megabytes of memory can be bought for pennies, this lapse is inexplicable. Forget that Uniden would like you to pay upwards of $150 for the phone.

The unit is not strong on answering features either. Start with a 3-digit pin (not very secure). Don't look for Remote Call Notification here (where the machine calls forward to alert you of a priority message). Similarly, don't expect to find an option for an alternate greeting, there's only one - unless you count the mechnical vioce. Also missing from the list is a Telemarketer Rejection tone that causes telemarketer calls to fall off before the phone rings. Most answering phones today support multiple voice mailboxes - not the Uniden. This is only the short list, as well. In fact, it seems Uniden tacked-on the "aswering system" nomenclature as an afterthought.

In summary: The Uniden TRU8885 is an excellent expansion phone for basic home use. However, if your looking for a "TRU" answering phone - you won't find it here.

Uniden would do themselves credit to let the "Digital Answering System" claim accompany the missing "Recording Capacity" specification off this package.