Posts Tagged ‘Learning Curve’

Panasonic Dect 6 0 Metallic Gray Cordless Corded Phone with Answering Machine KX TG1062M


41RErUMcfaL. SL75  Panasonic Dect 6 0 Metallic Gray Cordless Corded Phone with Answering Machine  KX TG1062M

The Panasonic KX-TG1062M is engineered to work in 1.9GHz frequency, Panasonic’s DECT 6.0 phones wont conflict with common wireless devices such as 2.4GHz routers, wireless keyboard and mouse, microwave ovens and other household items. And because its digital, you’ll enjoy long range and clear sound while deterring eavesdropping.

User Ratings and Reviews

4 Stars 2nd eek review
I wanted a phone with high quality audio transmission and receive. This phone does that and I rate those performance features a 5 star! The true test came with calls to my very hard-of-hearing mother. She seldoms says “what?” when I call her now. My own hearing is far less than perfect, but this phone is very clear with adequate earpiece volume. I do wish the ringer volume adjustment was easier to access, for it takes seven key strokes to reach that function. Range was respectable, with indoor to unobstructed outdoor solid reception of 300′. Obstructions limit reception, but I managed an very undependable performance max. range of 500′ (200′ of that, wooded). The owner’s manual barely gets a 3 star rating from me. Menu and function navigation a 3 star. There is a learning curve with this phone. Speaker phone on the portables get a 4+ star rating. Battery type feature is a welcome innovation!

4 Stars Speed Dial!
Speed dial… Most of our calls are through speed dial. But we want to replace our aging 900MHz with a DECT phone. (The higher frequency 2.4/5.8 phones have a set of problems that kept us from buying them – DECT is on a lower frequency; 6.0 is a meaningless number.) It’s nearly impossible to find a modern cordless that has speed dial, but thankfully this Panasonic does.

Fewer and fewer phones have speed dial anymore. The phone makers are doing away with it in favor of a “directory dial” model where you scroll through a list of numbers and then call it. So what used to be about two button presses to call a number (speed dial) is now much less convienient, to the point that you may as well just dial the whole number.

The only reason I can think of for the phone makers’ move to directory dial is to mimick the user interfaces found in cell phones. That’s a terrible idea for two reasons: 1) the directory model is just bad because it’s slower to navigate, and 2) the users who are more familiar with cell phone interfaces than basic speed dial are moving away from landlines and not coming back – they have no interest in a phone like this. So why get rid of the speed dial we landline users know and love? (Note to the phone makers: you can offer both speed dial and directory dial.)

Anyway, go to the various manufacturers’ websites, dig up the PDF manuals to see which phones have speed dial. None of the Unidens do and none of the other Panasonics do. But the Panasonic KX-TG1061 series has it. It’s more like a business phone where you use a separate panel of buttons instead of the number pad, so it’s restricted to five entries instead of nine. But it’s there.

Let’s hope these phone makers return to including some of the common sense convenience features for their landline phones, instead of blindly adopting cell phone characteristics. I’d like to have a choice when shopping, but at least Panasonic still has speed dial on life-support for the time being.

I’m taking off one star because I really wish that there was a way to allow one of the cordless handsets to transfer a call to itself without involving the base, the same way the handset on the base does when you pick it up while the speakerphone is active. The satellite phones only enter a “conference” mode and require some sequence of button pressing between the new connection and the old one in order to transfer the call. I’m sure that’s helpful for large households where people mistakenly pick up the phone a lot, but I wish there were a “transfer call” by default setting. I may return it for the cordless version to get that feature, even if it means losing speed dial.

Otherwise it’s a good phone so far.

4 Stars Very nice, but complicated to run
This is a nice set up and I am happy to find a phone that works, and the answering machine and light to signal messages on my Qwest mailbox works. However, it seems that I have to reprogram the sound down each night, and I have to reprogram the sound up and down all day as it does not maintain those settings. In a clinic, that is a bother.

But I do recommend it. Also, the portables actually receive better than any ever have through my two-foot-thick adobe walls. I try to only use corded due to the health dangers of EMF signals from the portables, but they are nice for an emergency.

3 Stars Not perfection
This is my third cordless phone in three years, and it dissapoints me. I’m still looking for the perfect mix of features. The Displays on both the base and hand units are hard to read in poor lighting. Caller ID is very inconvenient to use. It takes three menu steps, it doesn’t display all of the information in a single screen. i.e. you have to switch between two screens to get the name and mumber. When you answer the call, the caller ID does not stay on the display so another user can see who the call is from. And finally, received messages on the answering machine are only indicated on the base unit with a hard to read small indicator. It should be more visible that you have a waiting message on the base unit. This alert should also be indicated on the portable units with a flashing light, not just a displayed message on the hard to read display. Overall, its missing a lot of user friendly Caller ID features that I had gotten used to on other brands.

4 Stars Almost perfect
Good:

Can be used as an intercom system.

Does not interfere with WIFI router.

Cordless units have great speakerphones.

Great voice quality.

Nice sleep feature: phone does not ring during specific days and time ranges.

Built-in call blocking for specific caller IDs.

Bad:

It’s pretty pricey for what it is.

The base unit works in an outage; but the cordless units, even if they have full charge, do not. It would have been nice if the cordless units were still able to function in a black out. They could have designed the base unit to take optional rechargeable AAs given the price of the system.

I may have missed this in the instruction manual, but it would have been nice to have custom ring tones for specific caller IDs.

Summary:

If you’re still into out of date landlines like myself, this is the phone to get. I do not know of any better landline phone on the market.

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Black and Decker NPT318 18 Volt Cordless Electric Pole Hedge Trimmer


31GE1NGR3XL. SL75  Black and Decker NPT318 18 Volt Cordless Electric Pole Hedge Trimmer

This quiet, clean-running cordless tool is ideal for anyone who needs to clip tall, awkwardly-sited, or hard-to-reach hedges and shrubs. It effectively trims to a height of ten feet, thanks to two interlocking components that form an extended pole shape. The hardened, machined steel 18-inch cutting blade is exceptionally durable and features dual action to minimize vibration and increase user comfort. The 180-degree pivoting head adjusts to five different positions for hedges both high and low and effectively trims branches up to 7/16-inch in diameter. A powerful 18-volt NiCad battery provides 2400 revolutions per minute and runs the trimmer for up to 50 minutes between charges, as well as starting up effortlessly with the press of a trigger. (A locking switch enhances safety by preventing accidental starts.) Without a cumbersome electrical cord to drag around, even big jobs feel easier, and there are never any oil, gas, or tune-ups needed.

The unit assembles and disassembles in seconds using locking collars to join the power end to the cutting head. A carry bag allows for easy transport and storage at home or to professional worksites. Also included are a battery charger and blade cover for increased storage safety. This trimmer is covered by a two-year warranty in addition to a 30-day satisfaction guarantee. It weighs just over eight pounds and measures 78 inches long when put together. –Mary Park

User Ratings and Reviews

4 Stars B+D Cordless Pole Trimmer
After a short learning curve this trimmer made short work of my tall bushes. The only negative I experienced was the weight and balance when trimming at the maximum reach. Heavy use of this item will give a great upper-body workout.Black & Decker NPT318 18-Volt Cordless Electric Pole Hedge Trimmer

5 Stars B&D Batt Pole Trimmer
This product exceeded my expectations. I now use it in situations where a standard hedge trimmer is used. I fin it easier to use. The length of the pole is proper for trimming most hedges tha in the past required a ladder to reach the top. Now, I can stand on the ground and reach the upper reaches. It does require some arm strength though the weigh tis balanced with the battery in the handle.

2 Stars good idea, but limited trimmer
This trimmer – does not extend – it is basically a trimmer on a non-extendable pole. This makes it pretty usless in tight spots. It’s balance is off, and the trimmer can not be used without the attached pole – it would have been simple to make it convert to a small trimmer (less the long pole). I like the convience of a cordless trimmer, and the trimmer does its job. I just think this product could be so much better. Pass on this until they do some redesign.

5 Stars NO CORDS!!!!!
This cordless hedge trimmer is totally wonderful. No cords and the 18V battery stays charged for a long time. So easy, no electrical cords, no gasoline………should had this for myslef years ago. Makes life so much easier.

4 Stars Not perfect, but pretty good and you can make it longer
I bought this device a few weeks ago and used it today for the first time. I bought it with a specific task in mind – a 15ft tall Japanese Maple in my front yard. I’ve trimmed this tree every year while precariously balanced on the top of a ladder and have always had visions of a long fall to the ground. I was quite dismayed when I first opened the box and figured out what others have mentioned, the working length of this tool is grossly misrepresented. B&D says “10ft reach” and they really mean that the average person standing on the ground can hold this thing up to reach to a maximum height of about 10ft. It is 6.5ft long, no more, no less. Given the task I had in mind, I was about to return it when I decided to see if there was a way to extend the reach. I did some poking around looking for B&D spare parts and found a middle extension pole for the similar B&D pruning saw. It can be ordered from the B&D spare parts supplier DeWALT ServiceNET ([...]), part number 622892-00. I ordered this pole and found when it arrived that the uphill end is a little different than hole it fits into on the end of the hedge trimmer, but a couple of minutes with a Dremel corrected that. By flattening a 1/2′ x 1-1/5″ area on the extension piece, everything assembled well and worked fine. I’m sure that this raises certain warranty issues, and there’s probably a reason that B&D didn’t make the pole to be used in this way, but I was not to be dissuaded. I now have trimmer that actually is 10ft long.

Actually using the tool went pretty well. The tool is no featherweight, and I’m sure that some NASA engineerng could make the business end lighter (and likely more expensive). Holding anything up in the air like that takes no small amount of upper body strength, even more so when you extend it. The battery still had plenty of oomph after I was done with the tree, and while I wasn’t off the ladder completely, I didn’t feel like I was a short breath away from an ambulance ride.

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Wireless Headset W Adapter for Cordless Telephones


513kP%2BQS0jL. SL75  Wireless Headset W Adapter for Cordless Telephones

Sound like the Pro you are with the Plantronics CS55H Home Edition Wireless Headset System for your home cordless or corded phone. Plantronics combined the clarity of traditional corded technology with the hands-free mobility of wireless, so you could move around your home (up to 300 feet) without interrupting or missing a call. The CS55H uses 1.9GHz voice-dedicated wireless technology, greatly reducing interference. Conversations are much easier and professional thanks to the noise-canceling microphone that filters out unwanted noises. You’ll come through loud and clear to your clients and colleagues while eliminating the distraction of barking dogs, the doorbell, or your family’s voices.

User Ratings and Reviews

4 Stars Just like the Avaya at work.
At work, we have the Avaya VOIP phone system and this headset is the exact same headset (under the Avaya name) as our company hands out. Well, my wife works tech support for our company and works at least 1 day at home every week. So when I was looking for a “practical” Christmas gift for her, I bought her this. It works just like the work system, which we already knew she liked and works with the home phone. Here are some pros and cons:

Pros:

- Comfortable. So comfortable in fact that I have to remind my wife sometimes that the day’s over and she can take off the headset – she’s just walking around after work with it on.

- Long battery life. They’re not joking when they say 10 hours on the box. It’ll easily last you all day – especially if you drop it back on its cradle during lunch.

- Good sound quality. Aim the boom at your mouth and it’s as good as a corded phone.

- Easy to use. Simple single clicks on the buttons pick up, hang up, and mute – about the flattest learning curve there is.

- No mucking about with mechanical handset lifters or other 20th century Rube Goldberg solutions they used to use – this is a simple, clean way to do a headset.

Cons:

- The instructions could be a little clearer. While they have pictures for everything, it’s not always clear what wire they’re talking about when you go to plug them into the base. Not horrible, but the drawings could be a tad clearer (after all, you’re trying to find a black hole on black plastic to plug a black wire into, so clarity is a plus here).

- Not really a con, but it’s odd that the manufacturer says it’s for use with “cordless phones”. Well, this thing works with any phone since it doesn’t even plug into the phone at all! It simply has a “Y” adapter that you plug into the wall, IP phone jack, or whatever and then you plug this system into one of the jacks of the “Y” and your phone into the other. Just think of this device as an additional phone that can’t dial (you use your regular phone for that) and you’ll have it.

- Again, not a con, but something to be aware of – this does not allow you to dial out; for that, you need a regular phone. The process is simple: pick up your other phone, dial the number you want to call, then push the pick up button on the headset and hang up your regular phone and you’re good to go.

2 Stars Not for cheap Radio Shack phones
Instructions were good. Headset comfort was great. Despite trying all of the steps for removing LOUD STATIC, I was not able to get equipment to operate well.

Used my sister on the other end while I tried all of the settings. I returned this item with no problem, but I think we should be told up front that it will not work with a Radio Shack 2.4GHz phone.

5 Stars Great Headset
I work from home and am on the phone 6 – 8 hours a day and the battery lasts with no problem. Good range, allows me to pace and waunder during boring meetings. I have a minor hearing loss and the headset compensates well for that by kicking up the optional advanced volume setting. I’ve never been able to wear an ear loop headset comfortably for long, which is why I selected this model. I did try the ear loop, and there are 3 styles, but it just doesn work for me after hours on the phone.

Great product.

5 Stars An excellent choice!
I have had this headset for about 3 months now. I initially went with the BlueParrot bluetooth headset to save some money but was unsatisfied and returned it.

This unit is not cheap but it works perfectly for me. I have DSL on the same line this headset is on, and even with a DSL filter I have had sound quality issues with various cordless phones I have used. This headset is essentially a phone with no dial pad. Sound quality and range are excellent. The volume can be controlled well and it gets loud enough, an issue I have had with other headsets. No interference with my wireless internet set up.

Other folks have commented on the “beeps” when the phone is muted. I personally consider this a very good feature. Because the headset is wireless there is no easy way to tell if you are muted when away from the base. (You can’t look for a blinking light.)The beeps are very faint and I personally do not find them distracting at all, although others have commented that they do.

The unit comes with multiple options to attach to your ear or with a headband. I had to experiment with these for a few days before I found one that worked. After the first day my ear was a little sore but after I used it for several days it felt like a perfect fit.

All in all I am very happy with this unit.

5 Stars Great addition for the home office
We bought this after reading the reviews at Amazon. We knew to buy the headset with the cordless phone adapter (yeah!!) and knew there were issues with the advertised range. We’ve used the headset for a month now and are happy with our purchase. We often work from home on our laptops. Calling in to participate in meetings that last anywhere from 10 minutes to 3 hours, this headset is an ergonomic and lifestyle lifesaver! We no longer use the speaker button on the cordless phone or waste valuable ‘prime’ minutes using the headset on our cell phones.

We’ve run into beeping in the headset that advises us that we are ‘out of range’ but we’ve never actually been cut off or had the sound degraded because we were out of range. The out of range notification beeps run about every 10 – 15 minutes so it isn’t so annoying that I have been unable to complete my business normally.

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Panasonic Dect 6 0 Silver Cordless Phone with Answering Machine KX TG1031S


51VxxHt41WL. SL75  Panasonic Dect 6 0 Silver Cordless Phone with Answering Machine  KX TG1031S

Digital Enhanced Cordless Telecommunications technology lets you move freely around your home with long range, reduced interference and amazingly clear sound.

User Ratings and Reviews

4 Stars No complaints – works great!
A bit expensive but the build quality is great! Good range, no interference with Wifi/etc. Using rechargeable AAA batteries is also great!

4 Stars Good phone :)
Just got this phone, and so far it’s great. VERY easy setup, nice ringtone options, excellent choice of AAA rechargables (no hunting for weird batteries down the line!). Lightweight, slim, and no protruding antenna to break when the kids drop it :)

5 Stars Great product, great service, FAST shipping!
Replacing an older Panasonic cordless w/ speakerphone and answering machine. This fits the bill perfectly. Great price, product, and FAST shipping. Definitely recommend.

1 Star Bad quality or bad luck
This product has a terrible connection problems. Signal gets lost easily. This “cordless” I have by Panasonic at home can’t be used as such since we have to stay over the base to have people understand what we say. The voice is heard as if is cutting off making impossible to have fluent conversation. May be this is the only product with this problem but I am returning this item and go for another kind.

5 Stars Panasonic Cordless Phone Excellent
I agree with the majority of reviews here. This is an excellent buy both for price and quality, & I recommend it. I had no problem with the user’s manual. Perhaps I’m more tech oriented, but if your familiar with the fundamentals of computer setup/navigation, you should have no problem, & the learning curve is short. I do agree that the sound level could be louder at ear level, however, the speaker phone is more than adequate & I use it most anyway, & both are adjustable. Sound is clear & sharp. I’ve had no problem with the mike sensitivity, speaking across the room without any problems, & listeners have reported no problems. As for the lack of a visible antennae, it does not make any difference in operation, the Panasonic is just as good as my old Motorola. I like the feather weight feel of the handset, & the keys are terrific, very easy to use and read, much better than prior models. The answering machine is also terrific & efficient, time levels are also adjustable. The ringer is very loud & will easily wake you up. It demands attention, also adjustable. Battery life is no problem & must better than my Motorola, which was always running down. This is an excellent product & inexpensive. Looking for a good basic phone, this is it! Thanks Amazon.

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