Pls suggest cordless phones

[anm]

Hi,
I am looking for a cordless phone system with following features

a. supports more than one phone, one for each room. Upto 4 sets.
b. internal calling from one set to another, intercom if that the right word.
c. possibly, support two phone lines. Though this is not required, and I have already initiated disconnection of airtel, with BSNL alive and kicking.
d. secure wireless communication. I remember when I was a kid, I was able to hear everything my neighbor was talking on his cordless, on my b&w TV.
e. should not interfere with wifi, and should not get interfered by wifi, microwave etc. I intend to put the base station close to wifi router, and one handset in the kitchen.

 

[Audiodoc]

I have been using the panasonic. I purchased a 2 set one with built in answering machine for 5k. A 4 piece set is also available. Good quality only caveat is that it doesn't have inbuilt batteries so should need a ups backup for the master unit.

 

[anm]

doc, where did you buy it from? is it a god idea to buy locally or get it amazon way?
i saw few siemens' phones as well at a chroma but the sales ppl there were too busy.

 

[Audiodoc]

I bought it from a local shop. You can search on online stores like flip kart etc. you may find some deals. Amazon may be good but shipping and customs with equate to a higher price.

 

[musicbee]

+1 to Panasonic. Been using for years (we live in a duplex).

Just buy at any local "customs" shop. The unit will last... batteries will need replacement every year.

 

[anm]

remember that quote from The Matrix?
Not like this!

What is the fun buying without any research

 

[Audiodoc]

Other brands available are Philips and beetle.

 

[anm]

there are lot of frequency ranges like DECT6.0 .19, 2.8, 5.8GHz etc. Which one is better for good range, sound quality and less interference with microwave and wifi LANs?

 

[pkr]

+1 to Panasonic. If you are buying from US, you get more options (3 - 5 handsets) and cost lesser. 2.8 GHz may have inference to MW. Get a DECT, if possible. You will need converter or a modified adapter. I did not find any issues in Wireless and Cordless existing together.

If you are into conference calls like i am into, get a headset (~10$ in AMAZON) as well.

 

[anm]

DECT6.0 (US standard) is 1.9 GHz, right? Any links to good ones from amazon.com would be appreciated.
I was looking at these also Buy Telephones Online India | New Telephones Online | Online Shopping Telephones - Croma Retail , but they do not seem to have 3-4 handset deals. Have to figure out which one would support that many handsets, and which spare handsets to buy.

 

[theredcommando]

I am using panasonic for almost 10 years. Had earlier model with extendable antenna. Now have some DECT model. Exact model is - Panasonic KX-TG6461ET DECT
I bought it from ebay. It has base unit with handset, answering machine and cordless. Number of cordless unit can be expanded(upto 8 I think). It has intercom. Base units basic telephone works even in case of power failure. This was important for me as I wanted to completely replace crap(phone must have been white in its early years, now it has tanned at various places in various degrees) provided by BSNL.

Quality is ok. Works for 100ft at least(even with reflection). I can hear some noise, but its minor.

Other than that, some points to consider are -
1. Answering machine - In my opinion, its not very useful. Many people dont understand what happened. Just CLI(caller line identification) is enough.
2. Battery life is IMO excellent. Using same battery for more than a year and I can easily talk for 2hrs without depleting even half of the battery.
3. Intercom is not of much use, but paging can be used to get attention(frequently required if you use headphones)
4. Without mains power base unit operates or not.
5. If base unit has handset and not just speakerphone. Also some models have cradle embedded on main unit, and separate handset is missing on base unit which means you cannot use base unit easily.
6. Headphone out for base unit/cordless
Base unit does not come with batteries(and would not serve the cordless if there is power failure), which is alright for me.

I have placed router and base unit side by side and dont think they interfere with each other.
I have not seen any model with two line in.
About security, I am not very sure. But I think it has some security. Whenever cordless is placed on base unit, it exchanges some unique code with base set. Or it does that while registering the cordless. But I am not very sure about it.

 

[pkr]

Look at these...

I think this is what I have...6644

The last digit will tell you how many handsets are part of it. In 6644, it is 4. In 6645, it will be 5.

BTW, the power backup option is interesting. If you loose power, put one of the handset with the charged battery in the cradle, and the base unit will use that battery charge to power the base and continue operating.

Once you are there, you can look for other combinations.

Headset

 

[anm]

since I am in a duplex kind of setup, it is easier to have phones in each room than shouting. I can do with fixed line as well, and there is some internal wiring done by the builder as well, but I had the BSNL guy at home and he was not able to figure out the connection for the first floor.
Mobile phones tend to be anywhere in the house, and not necessarily close to you.

Cordless should work better I hope.

 

[anm]

how reliable is this - Brand New Panasonic KX-TG6644 DECT 6.0 Answering Machine Cordless Phone 6644 - Bill & Manufacturer 1Yr Warranty, prices - ShopMania

 

[theredcommando]

power backup option is interesting. If you loose power, put one of the handset with the charged battery in the cradle, and the base unit will use that battery charge to power the base and continue operating.

That is indeed useful. Only caveat is, if you pick base unit's cordless phone and power goes off then you are out of power.
So you should either avoid using base unit's cordless or always accompany base unit with cordless(so that you can always use cordless and never base unit's cordless) for real power backup.

@anm
That model looks good.
4 seems like a large number of cordless to me. IMO one phone for one floor/flat should be sufficient. Else it would approach cellphone hide n seek or you wont be able to make out which one is ringing

PS : Many cordless have set of(around 8) ringtones to choose from.

 

[anm]

I am all hooked on 6643 - but can't find out a place selling it.
Assuming the US one would need 240V adapters for each charging base. HELP!!

 

[anm]

ebay.in seems screwed up.

 

[Shivam]

ebay.in seems screwed up.

Totally agree.

 

[GeorgeO]

Undien and VTech DECT phones from the US are good.

 

[victor77]

I would recommend Panasonic or Siemens Gigaset.Although I have found the Gigaset models to be much better looking and last longer.