Panasonic DECT 6.0-Series 3-Handset Cordless Phone System with Answering System (KX-TG1033S)
011 4 Wow , this system works great . The clarity is top notch and has a great range . I bought this system to stop getting bumped off of my wireless network . When I hooked it up and used the second phone in the set , it bumped me off the wireless network . I figured out that was happening because I had the phone and wireless router sharing an electrical outlet via the surge protector . As soon as I moved the plug for the phone off of the surge protector , the problem disappeared . Answering machine sounds good and is easy to set up as well .
058 4 I ordered this telephone / answering machine with multiple handsets to replace an older Panasonic model and I am very pleased with the sound quality and ease of use . I never learned how to use all the special features on my old phone but this one is much more user-friendly .
085 4 Like some other reviewers , I have had tons of issues with cordless phones . Interference , short battery life and complicated menus have been my complaints . I have only had this for two weeks but have had no issues . The menus are different from Uniden but I think they are better .
116 4 Best phone system I have ever seen . The only minor fault is the speaker phone is not as loud as it could be and I like an audio message alert option .
123 4 easy to install ; good , easy-to-see LCD display ; very good , clear accoustics ; brother said he could not tell he was on speaker phone when I called him .
126 4 Our house is somewhat sprawling and unfortunately the range will not allow use in the master bedroom upstairs . I think because of that , the way we feel about the phone is tainted . We do like that it no longer picks up the static from the microwave .
156 4 It is a great phone - especially I like the sound quality and battery life .
158 4 I searched and looked around at various options . I am happy to say that I made this purchase . Easy to use , great range , and all the features needed . I spend countless hours on confrence calls when I work from home and this answers the needs that I had which were excellent range , great clarity , mute , speakerphone , battery life . I couldn't be happier with this choice .
174 4 I purchased this item because i was fed up with my earlier cordless phones . this phone works great . It lies close to my computer , yet there is no disturbance . lines are clear . i have had it only for a month so I hope it lasts . but it is a good product .
021 4 Bought this and 3 additional handsets - ended up being cheaper than 1035s and adding one . Great phone all around . The lack of a message counter is only drawback . The intercom / transfer feature is especially nice - you answer a call ( for your wife upstairs ) , you press transfer ( puts the caller on hold ) and press the handset you want , ( you can hang up and the call is transferred OR wait ) she answers the page - you tell her who it is - when you hang up the call is transferred to her . It is also very nice to screen calls ( you can listen to the message someone is leaving on the answering machine on a handset in another room ) . Another reviewer thought the handset volume was low . I have some hearing loss and with it turned all the way up I thought it was better than just adequate . Speakerphone on the handset works great .
181 4 We bought these to replace a 3 - 4 year old VTech dual set that had dead spots in our house and to add a unit . The Panasonic with Dect 6.0 solved the dead zone issue and seems to have great range inside and outside . In the deal , we also got : ( 1 ) better sound quality , ( 2 ) a lighter phone , ( 3 ) bigger buttons , ( 4 ) an decent sounding speaker phone , ( 5 ) erasing missed calls on one unit does it on all three , ( 6 ) longer battery life . Only negatives going thru more menus to erase ( but that is more than offset by #5 ) and we didn't like the wall mount . Since we have voicemail I haven't used the answering machine , but am considering going to that for ease of use and ability to hear message being left and interrupt if desired . We are very pleased with this phone system .
030 4 I bought this cordless phone set to replace another Panasonic 5.8 Ghz cordless phone . I need more than two handsets but my old one was not expandable . the order was placed with Amazon .
The KX-TG1033S is a very nice phone . the voice is very clear , handsets are light in weight , good ergonomics with big buttons and the base station is small in footprint ; expandable to a total of six handsets is also very nice .
It is not water-resistant , though I am not sure if water-resistant is that important for a phone .
The use of rechargeable AAA size battery instead of proprietary battery is a major improvement . The menu system is more complex and less friendly than my older phone , therefore I rated it as a 4 star product . speaker volume is a little lower , but handset volume is much better than my older phone .
The phone was shipped by Beach Camera . The ordering process through Amazon is very simple and smooth . Beach camera did keep me updated on order confirmation and product shipping . Product came in exactly a week after I placed my order . Overall a nice experience .
Price is fair . I highly recommends this product and buying it from Amazon .
053 4 Panasonic KX-TG1033S Dect 6.0 Cordless Telephone w / Digital Answering machine , 3 Handsets Total
I'm very pleased with this phone and recommend it . The voice clarity is great , including the speaker phone , and it works well outdoors . I have a vtech phone which I don't recommend , and would stay away from that brand again . I also have uniden cordless phones , and just got rid of one because of static when away from the base . My other uniden is ok , but doesn't do well outdoors . Hopefully this is the end of my crusade for a decent cordless phone for a long time ( anyway my husband hopes so ) .
076 4 The Panasonic Dect 6.0 Cordless Telephone with Answering Machine Model KX-TG1033s is an outstanding phone . The sound clarity is great and the answering machine also has very good sound . Wonderful for the money spent .
Fred Hunt
Pennsylvania
107 4 The KX-TG1033S was recommended by Consumer Reports - and I had previous problems with our 2.4 GHz phones ( whenever they were in use my wireless network was interrupted ) . Based on general impressions ( no elaborate testing on my part ) , these phone work well . The price for 3 handsets was barely above the price for 2 , which worked well for our house . Overall , this phone set appears to be a good deal . Just minor issues ( the message light could be brighter , the announcement of how many messages there are could be count both new and saved , etc . ) so I rate it 4 stars .
133 4 Panasonic KX-TG1033S Dect 6.0 Expandable Digital Cordless Phone System with 3 Handsets
The phone replaces a Panasonic 5.8GHz phone that worked perfectly in the same location . Handset #1 keeps contact with the base station no matter where I walk on my property . Handset #2 cuts out in the kitchen . Handset #3 cuts out outside the back door . Too bad I have to return it . It has nice features but I don't have confidence that another sample would have three working handsets , so I'll have to look for another brand . Panasonic quality control has really failed here .
037 4 Had it about three weeks and completely satisfied with this system . Had a 2.9 Ghz phone system that was cutting out on me ( wasn't aware of the interference issues until it showed up on mine after over a year of very good service ) . These phones have very nice voice quality ( including the speaker phone ) , very LONG battery life , excellent range ( I used one over 150 feet away from the base unit ) , decent caller ID visibility , large phone book capacity , pretty good answering machine quality / capabilities and NO interference issues . About the only thing I might have asked for that it doesn't have would be a few more built-in ringer options . Nothing wrong with the two it comes with , but that's really about the only thing I could recommend to improve it . Some folks may find the handset's many Menu's a bit complex , but I found them pretty easy to navigate and really excellent as far as controlling the features of both the handset and answering machine . Excellent job by Panasonic on this product ! ! !
013 4 One of the best cordless phones I've purchased as far as sound quality is concerned . It is stylish and loaded with features . The down side is that the features are difficult to set up and are not intuitive to use . Particularly difficult is trying to review the Caller ID information stored in the phone - this is an easy task on every other phone - but not on this one .
025 4 I admit it . I am a techie fellow who actually hates techie things that go way way too far in their techiness . I sometimes just want to simply do a basic function with a device and never have to ply thru layers of menus , screens or widgets in order to do it . On the other paw , I sometimes enjoy having access to neato-keeno functions , so I can ring the bells and blow some whistles . I rarely find these devices in real life , most are hopelessly mired in needless complexity , but boy oh boy . . . if you are anything like me , you will totally go wacko with delight with these Panasonic phones ! The voice and signal quality is the best I have ever experienced . You want to make a call ? Dial the number and press talk . Yeah , I know , just like a cell phone . Old School ? You hit the talk button and dial the number . Guess what ? Yeah , unbelievable , it still works ! Here are the added super gotta have functions : each handset is totally independent , but can page any other handset ! Each has caller ID , and that is sooo smart . . . instead of on the base station . Oh , and sure , you can load in all the memory numbers , etc . , and they can be independent , too , for each handset user . I am sooo impressed , I am buying a couple more handsets for other rooms . . . yes ! They are easily expandable . Does not interfere with my WIFI service . . . I have tested that and it's as they claim . The public is so often promised the world and delivered with a moon or a shooting star at best . This time a company really listened and gives us a world , a big , shiny , easy to use , sophisticated world . . . and the world is a beautiful thing !
032 4 Excellent reception and features . Our previous Panasonic had a slightly different menu , and the caller ID missed calls showed immediately by scrolling . On this phone you press menu twice and after a brief pause the caller ID memory begins , that's the only thing that isn't excellent . We love the price for a 3 phone system , and only have to have the phone jack on the main phone , the others work just by plugging into the electrical outlet . It's great we can have a phone down in the basement without any special wiring . Great phone !
065 4 I purchased this phone because I had a problem , when I would use 5.8GHz wireless phone it would knock all computers off the wireless internet for our home . Now we can talk on the phone and use wireless at the same time . This is especially important for me since I utilize vonage for my home phone line . the only negative would be the user interface for the answer system and caller ID . It is not intuitive and requires way to many steps . However , after a couple of days I have decided I can live with it because the sound quality is excellent .
122 4 I read all the excellent reviews here , and was still impressed by these phones . We have been using them for about 3 months now . One feature I really love is that I can edit the caller ID name and number ( remove the area code , for example ) and store the result in the phone book . You can also edit the name of the person calling to something like Amy's Cell and the next time Amy calls me from her cell phone the caller ID reads Amy's cell . Just as useful is the ability to then push that phonebook entry to the other 2 handsets of my 3 - handset system . Like the other reviewers have mentioned , range , voice clarity and battery life is outstanding . You won't be disappointed .
177 4 I quickly went through a couple of other phone systems ( one from Uniden , one from AT & T ) and with each one , the ( corded ) base unit worked just fine but the cordless extensions went belly-up after a few weeks . Replacing the battery , reading and following the troubleshooting tips in the manual , etc . did not bring the dead handsets back to life . Finally , I did what I should have done first - checked the ratings at Amazon . The Panasonic KX-TG1033 was the clear favorite with people who left comments , and the price was right , so I took the plunge . I have been very pleased with these phones ! The base unit is wall-mounted in my kitchen and the two other handsets are conveniently located elsewhere . They all work ! I don't use all the gadgets on this phone system , but the most useful items to me are : 1 ) The handsets are pre-registered : just juice ' em up , plug ' em in and they're ready to go . 2 ) Caller ID is easy to read and identifies the caller on the first ring ( not the third or fourth ) ; 3 ) It is easy to send saved phone numbers from handset to handset ; 4 ) I can check phone messages on ANY handset , not just at the base , and 5 ) I can keep a handset by my computer and it works flawlessly . I should have gotten this phone system FIRST !
039 4 In selecting this phone system I decided that Panasonic was probably the highest quality , and the premium for the quality wasn't significant . Turns out , that was a good choice . The phone works perfectly , no noise , no issues with range or interference . I use the speakerphones regularly instead of a headset - I just set the phone down with the speaker on while I type into my computer and no one seems to mind . I love the fact that the batteries are rechargeable AAA's instead of some specialty battery pack that no one carries . I use this system for my home business ; I always have a phone handy , usually hooked in my pocket while I'm checking something in the garage . I will probably buy another set for my home line - the only problem is recognizing the different handsets ; perhaps a red dot on the hot-line business phone ?
048 4 I spent an incredible amount of time reading reviews before I bought this phone and should have actually paid attention to the bad ones . I was very happy with the phones when I first purchased them - - great clarity , range was comparable to what I had before , good battery life , good price , etc . Now having owned them for a couple of months I find that they are dropping calls for no apparent reason . I had seen reviews in which people reported problems that only began after a few months and thought they had to have been a fluke but now it has happened to me too .
117 4 Pros : Good and useful features such as phone book copy , speaker phone , ability to call the other handsets , headset plug ; fair price ; uses standard NiMH rechargeable AAA batteries .
Cons : Nothing relevant . Could have more ring tone options .
040 4 The Panasonic 6.0 works well and has big buttons but - - big buttons don't help in the dark ! I returned this and bought an
AT & T 6.0
- - also with big buttons and that light up . . .
I suspect that all 6.0 cordless phones are good . I am only prejudiced against Vtech due to experiences with previous models .
Maybe I am incorrect . Maybe the Panasonic 6.0 keypad does light up . But mine didn't seem to and so I returned it before it got used . Can you find ' lighted keypad ' listed here ? Well I can't .
Therefore we went with the AT & T 6.0 and turned the volume up to maximum . Wow what a difference from all previous cordless phones .
Incidentally , the AT & T 6.0 boasts in writing , on the box , to have the best range of any cordless phone due to a unique antenna design . I believe that the Panasonic 6.0 range is just as good , judging by the reviews . However only the AT & T 6.0 puts such a claim in writing .
018 4 5 / 10 / 07 - This is an excellent cordless phone . Easy to use , very clear reception . I have had the phone for about a month and couldn't be happier thus far . A couple of small negatives , small font on the phone screen and no amount of old messages indicator on the answering machine though there is an indicators on the phone itself so it took me awhile to get used to . All in all , a great phone at a great price .
6 / 30 / 07 UPDATE : After 1 1 / 2 months one of the handsets is not charging properly . Overheats and never shows as fully charged . Good luck finding warranty info . on www.panasonic.com . VERY DISSAPPOINTED !
7 / 10 / 07 UPDATE : Received a refurbished replacement phone pretty quickly to replace the bad one . So far so good .
098 4 We bought this to replace an AT & T digital answering system that stopped taking messages . The Panasonic phones are easy to use . Setup was very simple as the instructions are will written and easy to follow .
We have used the phone outside over 100 feet from a base and it works fine with no signal drop . The intercom feature is very helpful from upstairs to downstairs . No more yelling across our home . The ability to pick up messages from any phone is great as our answering machine base is in an upstairs office .
045 4 Just got these phones from Amazon , then they go on sale , of course . Great phones . Clarity of reception is great . Set up takes a little while but is not a problem once you get a feel for how the menus work . Transfering phone book info . and deleting caller i.d . ' s from handset to handset is a great feature . Also , conferencing with an incoming call and 2 handsets is nice . Not all multiple handset phones like this allow that , be sure to read the list of features closely before you buy . Now if this set of phones is just durable . I haven't found a phone that will last more than two or three years . I recommend this phone , especially at the price it is now .
020 4 I never got a chance to try this phone in a functional mode . It was faulty out of the box ; I understand that can happen to any product . I had a case # with Panasonic , called at least 4 times in 10 days before I requested a replacement . They said I had to pay shipping and insurance and they would either fix it or replace it with a refurbished unit . I insisted on a prepaid pickup label and a new phone and they told me to forget it . Thank goodness for Amazon , I was astounded by the attitude of Panasonic . A definite factor when I buy a 50 plasma in a couple months .
132 4 Works great for the first few months and then you lose reception 10 feet from the base . Not worth the money . I have used Panasonic for years but these phones are lousy . My daughter bought the same ones and has had the same trouble . I will try another Panasonic phone system because I have had good phones from them but not these ones .
049 4 I am so disappointed with this phone . I did a lot of research before buying this at the beginning of January and this one kept coming out on top . It has gotten overwhelming positive reviews so I decided to buy it . From day one the static has been awful , to the point where I've had to end calls because I couldn't hear the other person . I've moved the base away from all electronic devices and the static still continues . Since I'm still within the 30 day period this is going back and I'll go back to the drawing board on researching another phone .
140 4 This was the worst phone I've ever owned . One of the handsets broke right after the 30 day return window was over . The other handsets don't work well either . They keep cutting out during calls and there is a clicking noise when I'm speaking on the handset . Yes , I'm very close to the base when speaking on the handset , and yes , it's not near any other electrical equipment . It's simply a TERRIBLE PHONE . So , after 3 months , I'm tossing in the trash and buying a different brand .
188 4 this is a great phone , very nice sound quality . the only down side is while people are leaving a message on the answer machine you can't hear it . my other panasonic let you listen to the message as people were leaving the message . otherwise its a very nice phone for the price . oh and there are many ringtones to choose from .
080 4 I hate this phone ! I've had it since April and , hard-head that I am , thought it would get better , it did not !
Pros-easy to transfer phonebook to other handsets .
Cons-no way to turn off the ringer at the base . Each handset must be programmed to not ring but you still get the greeting blaring everywhere . I want an simple way to silence all my phones and still receive messages .
It loves to lose the base connection in the middle of a phone call . Lovely when you've been on hold with , say an airline or credit card company for a half hour . Just queue back up !
Bottom line , I hate this phone so much it is going in the trash ! I'll recycle the batteries but would not pay someone to take this phone system much less donate to a charity .
I've just placed an order for another brand that I've had good results with in the past . I researched more and hope they deliver .
055 4 After reading all the great reviews of this phone I decided to go ahead and get one myself . So far I'm extremely pleased with the purchase . It was very easy to setup , call clarity and battery life are both excellent . Some have mentioned the menu's being a bit complicated but I guess since I work with computers I'm used to this kind of thing . I had little problems navigating them without the manual .
One nice feature was the ability to replicate the phonebook to all the handhelds . I really didn't want to have to enter the numbers 3 different times so it was cool to see they included the option .
078 4 Just purchased this phone system and have the same postive comments that other reviewers have listed . The negatives I see are : no speed dial capabilities which I love to use for my frequently called friends , range is not great outside , no message count or displays on base , menu system could be more streamlined for quicker access .
All in all , a good phone system though .
081 4 I am so frustrated with the static on this phone . I bought it thinking I would not have this problem and all I get is static . It drives me nuts . . . I can't figure it out . . . . .
I wish I could because I don't know what my options are as far as another phone . . . .
084 4 This is by far the best phone I have owned . Everything about it is great , pleasant keypad beep , large keypad buttons , great quality speaker phone ( my wife doesn't even know when I switch back and forth between phone and speaker ) , only needs one phone jack for all three phones , you can set the answering machine message from one of the phones , crystal clear audio on both ends , worth the price . We tried a cheaper GE cordless system and it was quite terrible . The phone would pickup interference from our overhead fans . As with all cordless phones , they will not operate during a power outage ( we just have a cheapo corded phone in our just bedroom for Hurricane season ) .
092 4 The Panasonic phones I purchased through Amazon is an excellent product . I am disabled and found it easy to dial , programming is simply ( the instructional booklet is consumer friendly ) , the phones are very lightweight but sturdy , the intercom system is user friendly and finally , the clarity of sound is exemplary . I have recommended purchasing products from Amazon , especially the phones , to several people and shall continue to use your site .
104 4 Phones arrived within reasonable period of time ( good service ) . Easy setup , especially with saved phone numbers transferring to other phones with prompt . Good reception and great battery life . No interference with LAN . Would recommend ! !
136 4 I've been using this set for about 3 weeks and most features are decent . However , I wished the backlight stayed on longer and I am very disappointed with the 2.5mm earphone plug-in's . Once the earphone is connected you cannot move the phone , this is if your lucky . Two of our phones will not allow movement and with one phone a person may be able to
move the phone on the desk , certainly not walking with the phone . I have tried 3 different sets of earphones with the same success , in fact the panasonic headset was ordered with this phone . All phones still act up .
Soooooo , if use of the headset feature is important I would skip getting this phone ; however , all other features work well and the phone should be a good purchase
137 4 Delivered on a timely basis . Every aspect of the transaction and the product have been outstanding . Excellent range , tone , clarity , etc . . . . - - - - - - - Every expectation I had for the product have been met or exceeded .
Would purchase the product again .
RB
150 4 I've had this phone system for a couple weeks now and so far I love it . Each handset speaker phone acts as a speaker for the answering machine , so if you are in the bedroom and the base station is in the living room , you still hear the message as callers leave them . A very nice feature if you work at night and sleep during the day like I do .
I haven't had the phone long enough to know how well the batteries hold up . Each handset uses two rechargeable AAA batteries so if they do develop a memory they should be easy to replace . I've walked out into the back yard , across the yard past a wrought iron trellis and behind a metal shed to get firewood and the phone never lost reception .
I would say that this phone is worth purchasing .
160 4 I have no patience with electronics that don't work , because I know so little about them and how they work . This is a product I have never had any problem with and it is so satisfactory I bought one for friends who are very difficult to buy for . I tend to take the phone off the charger and leave it lying somewhere else for long periods of time . Occasionally I pick up one of the recievers and find that after two days the battery is half down . One of my friends tha = inks the phone should be used only when you intend to talk for an hour and a half to two hours . Plase don't tell him I sometimes say , I have to cut this short ( only an hour and a half ) because my batery is going dead . If this remains the extent of my problems with this phone system , I will buy it again when I have to .
162 4 It was delivered sooner than scheduled which was a good start . I am a 71 year old senior and I appreciate the ease of setting up the Panasonic Cordless Phone . Set the whole thing up and never had to use a ( * # $ ) * ? ! @ word . Programmed all the features and everything worked . I like the fact that you can do everything from the hand set . Record a greeting , check messages , modify all your settings etc . A great buy for the money . When using the speaker feature the phone can be set upright on an end table between my wife and I and heard and understood by all parties on both ends of the call .
168 4 I purchased this system for home use . I love it so much that I put it to use in my Detective Agency [ . . . ]
The features are everything I needed except the number of ring before the answering machine kicks in cannot be less than 3 times . I wanted 2 times .
190 4 While highly rated , this phone does not live up to expextations . The extension downstairs in our house often is lost and cand't find it's base . We have moved it several times to no avail .
Also , there is not an adequate notification system when we have voice mail from our local phone serivce . . . no flashing lights , etc . The script notiifying us that we have a message is small and dark . Not as good as the old Panasonic that this one replaced .
196 4 Sound quality so far is night and day compared with the 2.4GHz Panasonic cordless phones these replaced . I was also beginning to have disconnections with the previous phones , possibly due to either wireless network interference or old batteries .
Some reviewers here mentioned difficulty with headset volume . The TCA92 headset that I used with the previous phones works fine with these .
After I first charged these phones , I could not get a dial tone . I am not sure why this was , but when the first outside call came in , that seemed to activate the phone connection . So if you do not get a dial tone initially , call yourself from a cell phone or whatever before giving up .
103 4 After numerous tries with various cordless phone systems , including about $1000 spent on a Siemens system some years ago , I had about concluded that none would work in our home . However one of my children gave his brother one of these phones as a Xmas present and he had high praise for it so I decided to try one more time . I was very pleased with its performance and have subsequently purchased two additional handsets for use in the basement and both work extremely well and one is located a considable distance from the base as well as being on a different level . This is as good of cordless phone system as I have ever used and I highly recommend it .
038 4 This phone is everything that the manufacturer said that it would be : easy controls , good audio , signals are clear at a distance , and stays charged . In addition , it is compact and fits nicely into small spaces . We are very pleased with it . Also , Amazon got it here about two weeks before the scheduled shipping date .
054 4 This is the first time that I have owned a cordless phone from Panasonic . This set is by far the best that I have owned . The phones are interference free and have outstanding clarity.These phones do not interfer with my wireless network which was the main reason that I choose the Panasonic Dect 6.0
072 4 After doing much research on this type of phone system I purchased the Panasonic unit . It had all the features I wanted including call transfer which is not listed as one of it's features in its descripton . I saw this in a retail store for $50.00 more than Amazon had it so I know I got a great price . The volume and clarity is way better than I expected and creating our phone directory and transferring it to the other 2 units was easy . Phone feels good and looks good . Our voice mail is thru our local phone company and it is easy to access . Altogether a great phone at a great price . Highly recommend it .
110 4 The Panasonic Dect 6.0 phone is great . The sound is very clear and background noise is gone . The phone has lots of great features one of the best is the phonebook where you only have to enter the information into one phone then transfer it to the others , many ring tones to choose from .
115 4 Great phone . good reception , no static , and cheap price.over all Amazon experince was great . keep up good work .
109 4 I would just like to suggest to anyone who is looking to spend considerable amount of money on phones you really need to do you homework . I just plain love these phones . Never having to add phonebooks to each handset is very nice . The speaker phone option does not sound like you talking or listening through a speaker . Very light and work at long distances .
062 4 This set of phones is fantastic . Clarity is wonderful . Reception is very good . They hold a charge for a long time . Very handy to use . The answering machine works great . They are tops in my estimation . I would recommend them to anyone .
144 4 Very easy to hear and understand voices even for my husband who is hard of hearing and wears hearing aids . The answering machine is also very clear . There is no feed back noises when wearing hearing aids .
198 4 The highlight is the voice clarity and quality . The con is the assignment of features through the menu . It takes a while to get the phone the way you want it to perform .
187 4 I have been using Panasonic phones for about 20 years . They simply work well AND take a beating . My old Panasonic cordless two line phone at work is great . The range is fantastic and the phone suffers no inteference even in a busy urban area . The phone is tough it has fallen onto concrete many times and still lives . Also , get this , it floats ! Not that I suggest trying it at home but I dropped it into the pond recently . I quickly disassembled the phone and the water had not reached the electronic components . Left to dry overnight and reassembled it works as well as ever . I now have the Panasonic DECT 6.0 system at home and could not be happier . It is SO easy to use and works great . The speaker phone ( on each of the 3 handsets ) sounds like you are not even using it . People often ask me are you still there sometimes , it is so crystal clear . You can retrieve your messages from any of the handsets , view caller ID from each one as well . My favorite feature is the locater feature where you send a signal from the base to locate the phone that fell down between the cushions or left in the shed or whatever . Also there is a headset jack that I use all the time . Oh did I mention that the unit takes rechargeable AAA batteries too ( included ) . There is no expensive specialty battery pack to purchase when you need more juice . Personally I do not like talking on the phone very much , however Panasonic makes it easy for me to do it when necessary .
019 4 Although I'm not easily impressed , I really like the Panasonic DECT cordless system . If you have never used a multi-handset style cordless phone system , you'll be impressed how convenient it is to only plug in a phone line to the base station and have other chargers throughout your home .
The voice quality is great . I've never had static or lost any calls . I assume this is because DECT is using a different frequency which doesn't interfere with WiFi devices . Even with the speaker phone , it sounds really good .
It uses standard Ni-MH AA rechargeable cells . Nice when the batteries wear eventually wear out . I haven't really tested the battery life , but being on conference calls all day doesn't seem to bother it .
It supports either private phonebooks for each handset , or you can copy between them easily to keep them up to date . One minor complaint is that the phonebook only permits 100 numbers .
The integrated answering machines works well and you can check messages from the handsets .
It includes some nice to have features like belt clip and a headset jack .
129 4 This review is from :
Panasonic DECT 6.0 - Series 3 - Handset Cordless Phone System with Answering System ( KX-TG1033S ) ( Electronics )
I'll give it to you quick , and dirty :
This phone solves 3 annoying problems with cordless phones .
1 ) On most , you can ONLY pick up ONE extension at a time . This set lets you use 2 at once .
2 ) Speaker Phone Rocks ! Outstanding speaker-phone function from hand-sets . Best I've ever used .
3 ) Battery ! ! These use wonderful STANDARD 500ma AAA NiMh cells ! ! None of those goofy little pre-soldered packs that cost so much , and burn out so quickly .
A huge bonus is if you have your own chager , you can refresh these cells when they grow weak , AND you can replace them cheaply with higher rating . The stand-by time is already great , but upping those batteries to 1,000 or 1,500ma , and you'll get 2 or 3 times the durations , and still be 100% compatible with the built-in chargers .
Standard stuff : It has the all-important Panasonic ear-feel to it .
CONS : ( what good is a review if I don't complain about SOMEthing . . . ) There is a wall-mount bracket for the base , but the design of the base just isn't right for wall mounting . Jutts out quite a bit . It's much more at home on a table top . ( side note : mine IS wall-mounted . I can live with it . )
- berk
197 4 This is by far the best designed and engineered portable phone I've ever come across . For example , when a call comes in and is picked up on another phone , you can access it on your own just by pressing talk . This way , as many people can participate in a call as you have handsets . You can program the system from each handset . The volume in the earpiece makes it easy to hear . Each handset has a speakerphone capability . Transfering a call to another handset is a two step breeze . I haven't had a need to use all of the functions of this phone , but the longer I have it the better I like it .
067 4 Not as good of range as some less expensive phones I've owned but rates 5 stars for features and clear reception . You can presceen calls from any of the handsets , if the caller leaves a message . The intercom feature is nice for larger homes . If you plan on taking the phone very far outside your house ( 35ft . + ) you may have reception problems .
119 4 Wanted to get my review added to the positive feedback . Phone does as advertisied . Great feature is that you can buy the replacement batteries anywhere and at a much lower price than the mfg . If I changed anything it would be ( 1 ) message counter and ( 2 ) choice of colors . Minor points and so I am keeping this phone for reasons already stated by others and it gets my five * * * * * .
135 4 These phones are terrible ! I thought I was getting a top of the line system and I am so disappointed . Phones do not hold a charge like they should , two of the three developed shorts in the phone . You will be talking to someone then all of a sudden the phone just clicks off . When they were still under warranty I sent in the phones to get replacements . Which I had to pay to do ! The replacements were not any better . I will never buy another Panasonic cordless phone . Terrible phone , terrible customer service , worthless warranty !
139 4 Everything about these phones - range , clarity , non-interference with Wi-Fi - is great except one . The menus could have been simplified . Non-intuitive , I think would be a good description . Of course , I already knew that from the other reviews before I ordered . Would I buy the same phones again now that I have experienced them ? Sure ! It only takes a while to learn the menus and the phones work very well .
Interference Free . Uses little used 1.9 GHz frequency .
Large long full sized handset , comfortable and attractive .
Large keypad and display .
Non Proprietary Batteries - uses common AAA rechargeable batteries . Very long talk time ( 17 hours ) before needing a recharge due to the higher milliamp hour rating of common rechargeable batteries as opposed to the expensive and weak proprietary junk batteries that most manufacturers force you to buy as replacements .
Handset speaker phone . The speaker phone is remarkably loud .
Handset to handset intercom .
Headset jack for hands free conversations .
Wall mountable base . Surprisingly some manufacturers are no longer including wall mount bases .
Generous 50 number phone book .
Expandable up to 6 handsets .
Menu programming can be done from any handset .
There are many other features too numerous to mention and which I will most likely never use .
CONS :
Receiver volume is not quite loud enough . Other reviewers have complained about the receiver volume dropping off . This happened to me . The cause ? I had shifted the receiver speaker slightly off my ear canal . The volume and the narrow design of the receiver hole pattern is such that you must keep the receiver speaker directly over your ear canal .
NUMBERING SEQUENCE OF PHONES - How To Correct :
The Panasonic KX-TG1033S refurbished ( three handset ) units are so popular that some sellers are running out of these and are taking KX-TG1034 refurbished ( four handset ) units and removing one of the handsets and shipping it as a three handset unit . This is what happened to me . After opening the box I found that the plastic wrap had been broken open and one of the handsets was loose . Depending on what numbered handset model you purchase , the handsets come with a factory preregistered number . For example : handset [ 1 ] , handset [ 2 ] , etc . The handset number is shown on the upper right corner of the handset display . When I programmed the unit I discovered that the handsets were numbered out of sequence - Handsets [ 1 ] , [ 2 ] and [ 4 ] . Handset [ 3 ] had been removed from the package . There are UPC stickers attached to the base unit and handsets . My base unit had a KX-TG1034S sticker indicating that it was factory programmed as a 4 handset base unit . All three handsets had the same sticker number KX-TGA101S . Regardless of whether your base unit sticker is a 1032 , 1033 or 1034 it is the same KX-TG1031S ( 1 handset base ) factory programmed to be a 2 , 3 or 4 handset base . If you have one of these cordless phones and the handsets are numbered out of sequence it won't matter because they will function perfectly regardless of how they're numbered . However , if your finicky like me , here's how to renumber them . In my case I wanted to change handset 4 to number 3 . In the ' Panasonic Operating Instructions ' manual you will find instructions on how to Register or Deregister ( number or denumber ) each handset . One would think that I could deregister number 4 handset , and press the locator button , and handset 4 would be automatically changed to 3 . Not so . Remember the base unit was factory programmed to see 4 handsets . It still thinks handset number 3 is there . Using the number 4 handset I deregistered number 3 and pressed the off button . Still using handset number 4 I re-entered the ' Menu ' and then deregistered number 4 . I then followed the instructions on the handset display and pressed the ' Locator ' button on the base unit for four seconds after which I heard a beep and my handset number 4 was changed to 3 .
I highly recommend this unit . Panasonic consistently builds quality products . This is the best cordless phone I have ever used .
029 4 I'm very happy with this phone . I love the address book feature . It lets you add numbers from your caller id list . You can even change the caller id name ( ex . WIRELESS CALLER to DOE , JOHN ) so the next time that person calls it will list the caller's name stored in the address book . Each handset has it's own address book , but you can easily send address book entries from one handset to another . Also , we use the phones upstairs and downstairs so the walkie talkie feature is very useful . . . . my kids love it .
I use AT & T's CallNotes for may answering service so I don't use the built-in answer machine . The user's guide says the phone supports phone company message services and will indigate when you have messages , but it doesn't work for me . Oh well , nobody's perfect and I don't like to give perfect scores anyways .
044 4 Pluses ( in my opinion ) :
1 . Has mute button on each handset ( e.h . )
2 . Has speakerphone built-in in e.h . ( awesome ! )
3 . Uses standard AAA NiMH rechargeable batteries . ( no proprietary crap )
4 . Message light works with Vonage message system .
5 . Long battery life . ( really good )
6 . Big buttons . ( very easy to click with my big hands )
Minuses :
1 . You can't block second handset from joining the conversation .
2 . Only two handsets can be used simultaneously ( in the conference mode ) , not three , not four .
3 . Menu is slightly awkward . ( you can do almost everything you want to , but you might need to click for a little bit . ) .
4 . Conversations are not encrypted over the air .
5 . If you choose English language for the menus , you are stuck with US date format on the phone display ( f.e . 9 : 53PM Nov .22 ) . I would love to get ISO date format supported ( f.e . 2007.11.22 21 : 53 ) .
Summary :
In my opinion it is one of the best and adequately priced DECT phones on the market . Minuses are quite minor . And I already bought two sets ( one for me , one for the parents ) .
172 4 I've had this phone for almost two years . I am happy with it , overall .
PROS :
* The battery life is excellent , and having 3 handsets is very convenient .
* The reason I bought a DECT 6 phone was so I could be on the phone and on the internet at the same time , and this phone does a great job with allowing that .
PRO-CON COMBO :
* There is no interference in it when I use my microwave and the reception is great . Except every so often , while I'm speaking with someone the line will get suddenly quiet for a few seconds , as if the call has been disconnected . Although the calls haven't actually been disconnected , it's irritating because I never now if the call is still connected or not , so I have to ask , Are you still there ? This seems to happen more frequently during long conversations ( over 10 - 20 minutes ) .
CONS :
* One of my big complaints with this phone is that the buttons don't light up . I tend to get many calls late at night / early in the morning and have to fumble in the dark to try to find the right button to answer the phone ( and then again to find the right button to hang it up ) .
* Also , with my last phone I was able to save messages as new once I listened to them , with this phone all messages go directly to the end of the line as soon as you listen to them . To better explain what I mean : with my old phone , if there was a message for my bf , I could press the save button and the message would stay right there at the front of the line , with the red light flashing , so he could play it when he got home . With this phone , as soon as you hit the play button , that's it - you can not save the message as a new one for the next person to listen to . It goes directly to the end of the line of messages that have already been played and not erased . This is a huge hassle for me because my bf never erases messages , so when I come home after him , he'll say , Oh you have a message from so-and-so , and then I have to play though ALL the saved / not-yet-erased messages on the machine to get to the newest message .
185 4 This is my first review of a product through Amazon . I decided to wait a few weeks and see how this cordless phone performed before leaving a review .
Over the last twenty years I have used Uniden 900MHz , Sony 2.4MHz and Motorola 5.8MHz cordless phones . All three had their pluses and drawbacks . All suffered interference from outside sources - CB's , neighbors cordless phones , WI-FI units and last , the worst of all , Cellphones . My last cordless phone the Motorola MA560 was truly a piece of $80 junk . The Motorola MA560 suffered from incessant cellphone interference making conversations a nightmare of frustration . Once I even picked up a radio station broadcast on this strange turkey .
After years of aggravation I've finally found an interference free cordless phone in the Panasonic KX-TG103xS series of phones .
After doing much internet research I settled on the Panasonic KX-TG1033S ( three handset ) Model which was the highest rated and most purchased model ( 85% ) by Amazon customers .
I purchased a refurbished Panasonic KX-TG1033S through Amazon from Worldwide Distributors . It seems strange that a phone this good is being sold by the thousands as refurbished units . I've even seen these refurbished phones offered in local retail stores . I don't hesitate to buy refurbished merchandise since they usually undergo a triple quality check before being re-offered to the public .
PROS :
Interference Free . Uses little used 1.9 GHz frequency .
Large long full sized handset , comfortable and attractive .
Large keypad and display .
Non Proprietary Batteries - uses common AAA rechargeable batteries . Very long talk time ( 17 hours ) before needing a recharge due to the higher milliamp hour rating of common rechargeable batteries as opposed to the expensive and weak proprietary junk batteries that most manufacturers force you to buy as replacements .
Handset speaker phone . The speaker phone is remarkably loud .
Handset to handset intercom .
Headset jack for hands free conversations .
Wall mountable base . Surprisingly some manufacturers are no longer including wall mount bases .
Generous 50 number phone book .
Expandable up to 6 handsets .
Menu programming can be done from any handset .
There are many other features too numerous to mention and which I will most likely never use .
CONS :
Receiver volume is not quite loud enough . Other reviewers have complained about the receiver volume dropping off . This happened to me . The cause ? I had shifted the receiver speaker slightly off my ear canal . The volume and the narrow design of the receiver hole pattern is such that you must keep the receiver speaker directly over your ear canal .
NUMBERING SEQUENCE OF PHONES - How To Correct :
The Panasonic KX-TG1033S refurbished ( three handset ) units are so popular that some sellers are running out of these and are taking KX-TG1034 refurbished ( four handset ) units and removing one of the handsets and shipping it as a three handset unit . This is what happened to me . After opening the box I found that the plastic wrap had been broken open and one of the handsets was loose . Depending on what numbered handset model you purchase , the handsets come with a factory preregistered number . For example : handset [ 1 ] , handset [ 2 ] , etc . The handset number is shown on the upper right corner of the handset display . When I programmed the unit I discovered that the handsets were numbered out of sequence - Handsets [ 1 ] , [ 2 ] and [ 4 ] . Handset [ 3 ] had been removed from the package . There are UPC stickers attached to the base unit and handsets . My base unit had a KX-TG1034S sticker indicating that it was factory programmed as a 4 handset base unit . All three handsets had the same sticker number KX-TGA101S . Regardless of whether your base unit sticker is a 1032 , 1033 or 1034 it is the same KX-TG1031S ( 1 handset base ) factory programmed to be a 2 , 3 or 4 handset base . If you have one of these cordless phones and the handsets are numbered out of sequence it won't matter because they will function perfectly regardless of how they're numbered . However , if your finicky like me , here's how to renumber them . In my case I wanted to change handset 4 to number 3 . In the ' Panasonic Operating Instructions ' manual you will find instructions on how to Register or Deregister ( number or denumber ) each handset . One would think that I could deregister number 4 handset , and press the locator button , and handset 4 would be automatically changed to 3 . Not so . Remember the base unit was factory programmed to see 4 handsets . It still thinks handset number 3 is there . Using the number 4 handset I deregistered number 3 and pressed the off button . Still using handset number 4 I re-entered the ' Menu ' and then deregistered number 4 . I then followed the instructions on the handset display and pressed the ' Locator ' button on the base unit for four seconds after which I heard a beep and my handset number 4 was changed to 3 .
I highly recommend this unit . Panasonic consistently builds quality products . This is the best cordless phone I have ever used .
Panasonic DECT 6.0 - Series 3 - Handset Cordless Phone System with Answering System ( KX-TG1033S ) ( Electronics )
I have gone through more than 15 types of cordless phones in the last several years . Some of them very good , but not perfect , others fairly awful . When I was doing my research this time for a new phone , I came across DECT 6.0 technology . It claims no interference with WiFi networks , greater range , clear transmission and extended battery life . Bottom line , it's pretty much true .
I've used this phone for a week and it is crystal clear , no interference with my WiFi network , no hiccups with a call , like static or audible digital artifacts . My 5.8 Ghz phone would let me talk with a range of maybe 100 feet outside of my house with the front door closed . This telephone lets me go to the end of my driveway , across the cul de sac , and into my neighbor's driveway without sound degradation . I'd guess that I'm getting about 3x the distance of my 5.8 Ghz phone in a real world situation .
The great thing about this phone is that the battery life is awesome . The phone claims up to 17 hours of talk time and several days of standby . I make a lot of conference calls from my home , and I'm on the phone about 6 hours per day . I'd have to switch cordless phones during the day with ANY 5.8Ghz phone , as they'd last anywhere from 3 to 5 hours . I've made 2 days of calls , for a total of 11 hours , and the battery indicator still shows a full charge , without being placed back into the charger . I'm going to keep it out of the charger in standby and talk until the battery runs down , to accurately gauge the battery life , but it would appear that the 17 hours of talk time is a realistic estimate . By the way , the phone uses traditional AAA rechargeable batteries ( x2 ) , for each handset . My 5.8 Ghz phone used 3 , and had a max talk time of about 5 hours .
The keys on this phone are bigger than other phones , another plus in my book . I'd always misdial a number with smaller buttons . I have yet to misdial with these keys . They're the perfect size .
I don't use the answering machine , as I have telephone company voicemail . The only downside to this phone is that the message waiting indicator for telephone voicemail , doesn't work . I've set it to on , on every phone , and my 5.8Ghz phone will flash the voicemail alert , but these handsets aren't flashing . I've had this problem with other phones , especially VTech , so I'm thinking that most phones work , there must be something about the connection into my house that doesn't get the call message alert to the phone . I have DSL and filters in the house . Maybe this is the cause ?
Anyway , overall , this is a really good set of phones , they work great , have great sound , and the battery life is stellar . I'm really happy with this purchase . You should probably consider DECT 6.0 going forward . It's MUCH better than 5.8Ghz technology , in my opinion .
UPDATE :
As an update to my review , the phone is now in it's 16th hour of talk time , with 5 days of standby ( no charging ) and it's still working on the last bar of the battery indicator . I'd say that the 17 hours of talk time is a conservative number . As stated previously , the battery life is the best that I've ever experienced with a cordless phone . Actually , incredible by today's standards .
001 4 This review is from :
Panasonic DECT 6.0 - Series 3 - Handset Cordless Phone System with Answering System ( KX-TG1033S ) ( Electronics )
I have gone through more than 15 types of cordless phones in the last several years . Some of them very good , but not perfect , others fairly awful . When I was doing my research this time for a new phone , I came across DECT 6.0 technology . It claims no interference with WiFi networks , greater range , clear transmission and extended battery life . Bottom line , it's pretty much true .
I've used this phone for a week and it is crystal clear , no interference with my WiFi network , no hiccups with a call , like static or audible digital artifacts . My 5.8 Ghz phone would let me talk with a range of maybe 100 feet outside of my house with the front door closed . This telephone lets me go to the end of my driveway , across the cul de sac , and into my neighbor's driveway without sound degradation . I'd guess that I'm getting about 3x the distance of my 5.8 Ghz phone in a real world situation .
The great thing about this phone is that the battery life is awesome . The phone claims up to 17 hours of talk time and several days of standby . I make a lot of conference calls from my home , and I'm on the phone about 6 hours per day . I'd have to switch cordless phones during the day with ANY 5.8Ghz phone , as they'd last anywhere from 3 to 5 hours . I've made 2 days of calls , for a total of 11 hours , and the battery indicator still shows a full charge , without being placed back into the charger . I'm going to keep it out of the charger in standby and talk until the battery runs down , to accurately gauge the battery life , but it would appear that the 17 hours of talk time is a realistic estimate . By the way , the phone uses traditional AAA rechargeable batteries ( x2 ) , for each handset . My 5.8 Ghz phone used 3 , and had a max talk time of about 5 hours .
The keys on this phone are bigger than other phones , another plus in my book . I'd always misdial a number with smaller buttons . I have yet to misdial with these keys . They're the perfect size .
I don't use the answering machine , as I have telephone company voicemail . The only downside to this phone is that the message waiting indicator for telephone voicemail , doesn't work . I've set it to on , on every phone , and my 5.8Ghz phone will flash the voicemail alert , but these handsets aren't flashing . I've had this problem with other phones , especially VTech , so I'm thinking that most phones work , there must be something about the connection into my house that doesn't get the call message alert to the phone . I have DSL and filters in the house . Maybe this is the cause ?
Anyway , overall , this is a really good set of phones , they work great , have great sound , and the battery life is stellar . I'm really happy with this purchase . You should probably consider DECT 6.0 going forward . It's MUCH better than 5.8Ghz technology , in my opinion .
UPDATE :
As an update to my review , the phone is now in it's 16th hour of talk time , with 5 days of standby ( no charging ) and it's still working on the last bar of the battery indicator . I'd say that the 17 hours of talk time is a conservative number . As stated previously , the battery life is the best that I've ever experienced with a cordless phone . Actually , incredible by today's standards .
043 4 The 1033 series is still a great phone , but for a few dollars more , the 9334 series is far better . My neighbor has the 9334 series and when I bougth the 1033 phones , I did not realize my error - I wanted the same phone set she has . However , the 1033 is still an excellent choice , but spend the extra $10 - $20 and get the 9334 phones .
You do not get automatic copying from one phone to the others , call blocking , nor night-time mode .
056 4 After buying several phones in the past few years , this has far exceeded my expectations ! Not only does in NOT interfere with all my wireless gadgets in the house , it has the coolest features that I haven't found on any phone yet . My personal favorite is the call screening feature which allows you to hear a caller leaving a message through ANY phone in system . You don't have to run to the base phone to hear who's calling or what they are saying . The message comes across any phone . LOVE THAT ! Also , you can retrieve any message from any phone in the system . Again , you don't have to go to the base phone . It also has an intercom system should you have to buzz someone on a different level or room in your house or business . I strictly bought this because I was tired of static from our routers , but all the extras are just too much fun !
060 4 These phones do have great design and features , but I have to send them back . Although I couldn't hear the audio cutting in and out during a phone call , everyone I called reported this to me . ( Even two feet from the base ! ) I called Panasonic , who told me to install a filter in my phone jack because this cutting in and out was due to interference from my DSL . I installed the filter ( another $15 ) , reset the phone and base , but it didn't fix the issue . So much for digital being better . I'm going back to 5.8 Ghz .
113 4 I bought this product having purchased several Panasonic phones-answering machines in the past . My former phones let me wander over my 3500 sq ft house and worke everywhere . I expected to be able to put the base unit in a central location and use the satalite units anywhere in the house . I could not use them that way . The the units cannot be more than about 50 feet away from the base unit and still communicate . The units work fine but have to be a bit close for my house .
170 4 I just wanted a decent , reasonably priced phone . My family has spent money on expensive phones that do not last . Finally , we started spending less on cheap phones that were decent . After many years , these cheap , decent phones finally gave out . Anyhow , we use the phone for its basic purpose - which is to talk on it . I'm not aware of any fancy features though I'm sure there are some . I like that the secondary lines do not need phone jacks . The volume is fine and the phone serves its purpose , so I'm satisfied . I would recommend it if you need multiples phones .
Panasonic DECT 6.0 - Series 3 - Handset Cordless Phone System with Answering System ( KX-TG1033S ) ( Electronics )
I've had this phone for almost two years . I am happy with it , overall .
PROS :
* The battery life is excellent , and having 3 handsets is very convenient .
* The reason I bought a DECT 6 phone was so I could be on the phone and on the internet at the same time , and this phone does a great job with allowing that .
PRO-CON COMBO :
* There is no interference in it when I use my microwave and the reception is great . Except every so often , while I'm speaking with someone the line will get suddenly quiet for a few seconds , as if the call has been disconnected . Although the calls haven't actually been disconnected , it's irritating because I never now if the call is still connected or not , so I have to ask , Are you still there ? This seems to happen more frequently during long conversations ( over 10 - 20 minutes ) .
CONS :
* One of my big complaints with this phone is that the buttons don't light up . I tend to get many calls late at night / early in the morning and have to fumble in the dark to try to find the right button to answer the phone ( and then again to find the right button to hang it up ) .
* Also , with my last phone I was able to save messages as new once I listened to them , with this phone all messages go directly to the end of the line as soon as you listen to them . To better explain what I mean : with my old phone , if there was a message for my bf , I could press the save button and the message would stay right there at the front of the line , with the red light flashing , so he could play it when he got home . With this phone , as soon as you hit the play button , that's it - you can not save the message as a new one for the next person to listen to . It goes directly to the end of the line of messages that have already been played and not erased . This is a huge hassle for me because my bf never erases messages , so when I come home after him , he'll say , Oh you have a message from so-and-so , and then I have to play though ALL the saved / not-yet-erased messages on the machine to get to the newest message .
164 4 my phone's work great they are easy to use and the range is good . the battery last a very long time , overall a very good product .
171 4 This review is from :
Panasonic DECT 6.0 - Series 3 - Handset Cordless Phone System with Answering System ( KX-TG1033S ) ( Electronics )
I've had this phone for almost two years . I am happy with it , overall .
PROS :
* The battery life is excellent , and having 3 handsets is very convenient .
* The reason I bought a DECT 6 phone was so I could be on the phone and on the internet at the same time , and this phone does a great job with allowing that .
PRO-CON COMBO :
* There is no interference in it when I use my microwave and the reception is great . Except every so often , while I'm speaking with someone the line will get suddenly quiet for a few seconds , as if the call has been disconnected . Although the calls haven't actually been disconnected , it's irritating because I never now if the call is still connected or not , so I have to ask , Are you still there ? This seems to happen more frequently during long conversations ( over 10 - 20 minutes ) .
CONS :
* One of my big complaints with this phone is that the buttons don't light up . I tend to get many calls late at night / early in the morning and have to fumble in the dark to try to find the right button to answer the phone ( and then again to find the right button to hang it up ) .
* Also , with my last phone I was able to save messages as new once I listened to them , with this phone all messages go directly to the end of the line as soon as you listen to them . To better explain what I mean : with my old phone , if there was a message for my bf , I could press the save button and the message would stay right there at the front of the line , with the red light flashing , so he could play it when he got home . With this phone , as soon as you hit the play button , that's it - you can not save the message as a new one for the next person to listen to . It goes directly to the end of the line of messages that have already been played and not erased . This is a huge hassle for me because my bf never erases messages , so when I come home after him , he'll say , Oh you have a message from so-and-so , and then I have to play though ALL the saved / not-yet-erased messages on the machine to get to the newest message .
Panasonic DECT 6.0 - Series 3 - Handset Cordless Phone System with Answering System ( KX-TG1033S ) ( Electronics )
This is my review of the Panasonic KX-TG1033S set after owning 2 other systems , including the Uniden TRU8885 - 3HS 5.8Mhz . In fact , I'm comparing it to the Uniden TRU8885 - 3HS in parts of this review because I know some of you are probably considering that other set . For those of you that are looking at the Uniden set and this one and trying to decide , let me just say this - I kind of wish I'd stayed with the Uniden TRU8885 , but it's a tough call because this has some things better implemented . Here's more details :
PROS :
Excellent battery life .
Very lightweight / comfortable handsets . Definitely lighter than my Uniden TRU8885 - 3HS handsets and better overall design .
Great reception distance .
Well-sized / well-placed buttons . Easy to press for those of us with big hands / fingers , unlike my Uniden TRU8885 - 3HS which has buttons so small and cramped that it's easy to mis-dial .
Headset jack does not create static when moving the headset cable around , unlike my Uniden TRU8885 - 3HS which makes a ton of crackling noise at the slightest movement when the headset is plugged in .
When you receive a long-distance call , the caller ID retains the 1 in front of their area code so that can easily call someone back by just looking at the caller ID . My Uniden TRU8885 - 3HS could do this , but I had to press the * key to bring up the 1 . ( Not a big deal , but I'm being thorough here ) .
CONS :
The headset feature , while having a better input jack than any other set / brand I've tried , is way too quiet . I can barely hear the person on the other end when I plug in my Panasonic KX-TCA60 headset ( and also my Pantronics and Uniden headsets ) . Out of all 3 headsets the Panasonic KX-TCA60 worked best ( both speaking and listening ) , but it's still too hard to hear the other person on the line . Any background noise in your room , and forget it . You'll be struggling to hear them . My Uniden TRU8885 was way better on headset volume .
The menuing system is a bit cumbersome to navigate , and although for the most part it's decent , a couple of the basics are really annoying . For example - if you like to use your handset to view the time , it's there only after you've viewed all your missed calls . If you've missed a call , the time goes away from the screen and it just says Missed Calls until you navigate to the Caller ID screen and scroll down 1 by 1 through all your missed calls . Only then will the clock / time display come back . Annoying to say the least . My Uniden TRU8885 was better in this way - it still showed all the other normal display stuff even with missed call / voicemail indicators showing .
There is no speakerphone on the main base ( and no dialing from the base obviously ) . The only thing the main base is good for is checking / erasing voicemail . The Uniden TRU8885 blows this out of the water obviously , with an excellent fully functional dialing / speakerphone / control system all right in the base .
While the overall sound is good , it's definitely not quite as good as my Uniden TRU8885 was . There seems to be a bit of jitter on the line with these , even when your close to the base . Most people won't notice this , and those of us who do notice it won't care too much because it's almost negligable , but still I miss the better clarity / volume of my Uniden TRU8885 set .
So this is a tough call for anyone trying to choose between these two similar systems - there's a lot to like about this Panasonic KX-TG1033S set , but after using it for a couple weeks now I wish I'd stayed with my Uniden TRU8885 - 3HS set .
If you spend a lot of time on your phone each day and you depend on it for important business communications , I'd say go with the Uniden TRu8885 . However , if you are a normal use kind of person and don't care about things like headset volume or a full-featured base , then the Panasonic KX-TG1033S is still an excellent choice . I honestly go back & forth on which I like better still , but I'd have to say the Uniden wins for my purposes .
Still , this is an excellent system overall , so 4 stars it is !
UPDATE 9 / 6 / 07 - CHANGE OF HEART :
After more extensive use I've changed my mind about these , and wish I'd kept my Uniden TRU8885 ' s . Here's why ( I'll use Pana and Uni abbreviations since we already know which two brands / sets I'm comparing ) :
Range - The pana's have nowhere near the range of the Uni's . I've called people from my firepit in the back yard with the Uni's and there's no signal there with the Pana's . Also , I could transfer my phonebook from my Uni handset in my basement to the Uni handset up in the 2nd floor bedroom , and the Pana's won't reach it ( it'll send to the one in the 1st floor living room but not the one upstairs in the bedroom ) .
Volume and Clarity - The Uni's can go way louder than the Pana's at all devices - the handset , the handset speakerphone , the base speakerphone / voicemail , and the headset ( most important one ) . I've tried 3 different headsets with the Pana's , including Panasonic's own KTX series , and they're all way too quiet . The Uni's were not only louder , but definitely clearer sounding too , even on the speakerphones .
Menuing / navigation / features - At first I thought I liked the Pana's menu / nav system better , but over the past week I've discovered that the Uni's were actually a lot easier with better features . There are too many little details to point out , and most of which you might not care about , but just for example - many times the Pana's can only handle one function at a time , like when you're on a call you can't play back a voicemail from the base . With my Uni's I could be on a call with someone and still play back messages from the base . This was helpful if I wanted to put someone on hold and verify a message that was left , and also for stupid stuff like playing back a funny voicemail for a friend to hear while we're on the line together .
Another IMPORTANT example is I could scroll through my caller ID while on a call with the Uni's , no can do with Pana's .
Base features - I didn't think I'd miss it too much , but having the full dialing system and control center as well as caller ID and speakerphone on the base was a great advantage with the Uni's . With the Uni's I could do everything from the base that I could do from the handset , plus more . The Pana's base is only good for charging and voicemail .
Dialing - this is a trivial / small issue , but the Uni's dial in real time ( in other words , fast ) , while the Pana's have a delay when you punch in the numbers on the keypad . Some people won't care , others will be annoyed to madness .
Answering system - without going into details , the Uni handsets provide much better / fuller / easier control over the entire voicemail system . Also , you can record greetings from the base on the Uni as well as the handsets . The Pana's can only record greetings from the handsets , not as clear , and more difficult to work the answering system from the handset than the Uni's .
Room monitor - again , another trivial / small issue for most people , but somewhat important for me - not only did the Uni's have intercom ( like the Pana's ) but also the Uni's had a room-monitor feature . For example - I could set a handset next to the front door , then go down to the basement and tell it to room monitor the handset up by the door . This was really helpful when I was expecting a delivery because I can't hear the doorbell upstairs from the basement .
There are a few more things better about the Uni's that I've skipped over but most probably won't matter to you .
I'm returning these and going back to my Uniden TRU8885 ' s . Wish I could change my vote to 3 stars .
DECEMBER 2007 UPDATE - I'm not going to delete any original comments , but let me just add that I have found the ULTIMATE solution - the new Uniden 9485 system The Uni 9485 ' s have far surpassed the shortcomings of the Uni Tru 8885 and this Pana set . I switched to the Uni 9485 ' s about 2 months ago and what a difference . The base is better . the buttons are better , the menu is better , and they finally fixed the crackling noise problem that the 8885 headset jacks had . Definitely without a doubt go for the Uniden 9485 ' s instead of the original Pana's and Uni's I reviewed above . Major improvement in all aspects . The Uni 9485 handsets are even an improvement over the 8885 ' s , and the base is way better as well . Sound quality cannot be beat . There's no way I'd go back to the Pana's or Uni 8885 ' s again , these 9485 ' s are a massive improvement over both .
005 4 This review is from :
Panasonic DECT 6.0 - Series 3 - Handset Cordless Phone System with Answering System ( KX-TG1033S ) ( Electronics )
This is my review of the Panasonic KX-TG1033S set after owning 2 other systems , including the Uniden TRU8885 - 3HS 5.8Mhz . In fact , I'm comparing it to the Uniden TRU8885 - 3HS in parts of this review because I know some of you are probably considering that other set . For those of you that are looking at the Uniden set and this one and trying to decide , let me just say this - I kind of wish I'd stayed with the Uniden TRU8885 , but it's a tough call because this has some things better implemented . Here's more details :
PROS :
Excellent battery life .
Very lightweight / comfortable handsets . Definitely lighter than my Uniden TRU8885 - 3HS handsets and better overall design .
Great reception distance .
Well-sized / well-placed buttons . Easy to press for those of us with big hands / fingers , unlike my Uniden TRU8885 - 3HS which has buttons so small and cramped that it's easy to mis-dial .
Headset jack does not create static when moving the headset cable around , unlike my Uniden TRU8885 - 3HS which makes a ton of crackling noise at the slightest movement when the headset is plugged in .
When you receive a long-distance call , the caller ID retains the 1 in front of their area code so that can easily call someone back by just looking at the caller ID . My Uniden TRU8885 - 3HS could do this , but I had to press the * key to bring up the 1 . ( Not a big deal , but I'm being thorough here ) .
CONS :
The headset feature , while having a better input jack than any other set / brand I've tried , is way too quiet . I can barely hear the person on the other end when I plug in my Panasonic KX-TCA60 headset ( and also my Pantronics and Uniden headsets ) . Out of all 3 headsets the Panasonic KX-TCA60 worked best ( both speaking and listening ) , but it's still too hard to hear the other person on the line . Any background noise in your room , and forget it . You'll be struggling to hear them . My Uniden TRU8885 was way better on headset volume .
The menuing system is a bit cumbersome to navigate , and although for the most part it's decent , a couple of the basics are really annoying . For example - if you like to use your handset to view the time , it's there only after you've viewed all your missed calls . If you've missed a call , the time goes away from the screen and it just says Missed Calls until you navigate to the Caller ID screen and scroll down 1 by 1 through all your missed calls . Only then will the clock / time display come back . Annoying to say the least . My Uniden TRU8885 was better in this way - it still showed all the other normal display stuff even with missed call / voicemail indicators showing .
There is no speakerphone on the main base ( and no dialing from the base obviously ) . The only thing the main base is good for is checking / erasing voicemail . The Uniden TRU8885 blows this out of the water obviously , with an excellent fully functional dialing / speakerphone / control system all right in the base .
While the overall sound is good , it's definitely not quite as good as my Uniden TRU8885 was . There seems to be a bit of jitter on the line with these , even when your close to the base . Most people won't notice this , and those of us who do notice it won't care too much because it's almost negligable , but still I miss the better clarity / volume of my Uniden TRU8885 set .
So this is a tough call for anyone trying to choose between these two similar systems - there's a lot to like about this Panasonic KX-TG1033S set , but after using it for a couple weeks now I wish I'd stayed with my Uniden TRU8885 - 3HS set .
If you spend a lot of time on your phone each day and you depend on it for important business communications , I'd say go with the Uniden TRu8885 . However , if you are a normal use kind of person and don't care about things like headset volume or a full-featured base , then the Panasonic KX-TG1033S is still an excellent choice . I honestly go back & forth on which I like better still , but I'd have to say the Uniden wins for my purposes .
Still , this is an excellent system overall , so 4 stars it is !
UPDATE 9 / 6 / 07 - CHANGE OF HEART :
After more extensive use I've changed my mind about these , and wish I'd kept my Uniden TRU8885 ' s . Here's why ( I'll use Pana and Uni abbreviations since we already know which two brands / sets I'm comparing ) :
Range - The pana's have nowhere near the range of the Uni's . I've called people from my firepit in the back yard with the Uni's and there's no signal there with the Pana's . Also , I could transfer my phonebook from my Uni handset in my basement to the Uni handset up in the 2nd floor bedroom , and the Pana's won't reach it ( it'll send to the one in the 1st floor living room but not the one upstairs in the bedroom ) .
Volume and Clarity - The Uni's can go way louder than the Pana's at all devices - the handset , the handset speakerphone , the base speakerphone / voicemail , and the headset ( most important one ) . I've tried 3 different headsets with the Pana's , including Panasonic's own KTX series , and they're all way too quiet . The Uni's were not only louder , but definitely clearer sounding too , even on the speakerphones .
Menuing / navigation / features - At first I thought I liked the Pana's menu / nav system better , but over the past week I've discovered that the Uni's were actually a lot easier with better features . There are too many little details to point out , and most of which you might not care about , but just for example - many times the Pana's can only handle one function at a time , like when you're on a call you can't play back a voicemail from the base . With my Uni's I could be on a call with someone and still play back messages from the base . This was helpful if I wanted to put someone on hold and verify a message that was left , and also for stupid stuff like playing back a funny voicemail for a friend to hear while we're on the line together .
Another IMPORTANT example is I could scroll through my caller ID while on a call with the Uni's , no can do with Pana's .
Base features - I didn't think I'd miss it too much , but having the full dialing system and control center as well as caller ID and speakerphone on the base was a great advantage with the Uni's . With the Uni's I could do everything from the base that I could do from the handset , plus more . The Pana's base is only good for charging and voicemail .
Dialing - this is a trivial / small issue , but the Uni's dial in real time ( in other words , fast ) , while the Pana's have a delay when you punch in the numbers on the keypad . Some people won't care , others will be annoyed to madness .
Answering system - without going into details , the Uni handsets provide much better / fuller / easier control over the entire voicemail system . Also , you can record greetings from the base on the Uni as well as the handsets . The Pana's can only record greetings from the handsets , not as clear , and more difficult to work the answering system from the handset than the Uni's .
Room monitor - again , another trivial / small issue for most people , but somewhat important for me - not only did the Uni's have intercom ( like the Pana's ) but also the Uni's had a room-monitor feature . For example - I could set a handset next to the front door , then go down to the basement and tell it to room monitor the handset up by the door . This was really helpful when I was expecting a delivery because I can't hear the doorbell upstairs from the basement .
There are a few more things better about the Uni's that I've skipped over but most probably won't matter to you .
I'm returning these and going back to my Uniden TRU8885 ' s . Wish I could change my vote to 3 stars .
DECEMBER 2007 UPDATE - I'm not going to delete any original comments , but let me just add that I have found the ULTIMATE solution - the new Uniden 9485 system The Uni 9485 ' s have far surpassed the shortcomings of the Uni Tru 8885 and this Pana set . I switched to the Uni 9485 ' s about 2 months ago and what a difference . The base is better . the buttons are better , the menu is better , and they finally fixed the crackling noise problem that the 8885 headset jacks had . Definitely without a doubt go for the Uniden 9485 ' s instead of the original Pana's and Uni's I reviewed above . Major improvement in all aspects . The Uni 9485 handsets are even an improvement over the 8885 ' s , and the base is way better as well . Sound quality cannot be beat . There's no way I'd go back to the Pana's or Uni 8885 ' s again , these 9485 ' s are a massive improvement over both .
007 4 This review is from :
Panasonic DECT 6.0 - Series 3 - Handset Cordless Phone System with Answering System ( KX-TG1033S ) ( Electronics )
I love so many things about this phone :
* Great value for base unit and three handsets ( expands to up to 6 ) .
* We had new phones installed and working in less than 10 minutes .
* Good ergo design lets you cradle phone between shoulder and chin .
* Large number pads for clumsy fingers .
* LED lights up for use in the dark .
* Record and pick up messages using any handset ( not just the base ) .
* Screen calls from anywhere in the house ( as long as a handset is with you , you hear a message being left ) .
* Good range - - I am able to talk over 100 feet from the base unit .
* Zero interference ( so far ) and excellent clarity on incoming calls .
* Very long battery life both in talk mode and in standby mode .
* Easily store numbers and transfer them to * all * handsets from menu .
* Handsets all have a speakerphone , which sounds very clear .
* Handsets all have a clock and caller ID display .
* Phone menu easy to figure out ( don't really need the manual ) .
* Message indicator setting is a neat feature ; light on phone flashes for new message .
* Handsets display message when you missed a call .
* Great intercom system lets one phone call any other in the house .
* You can leave handsets on the charger at all times ; won't affect battery life .
Only negatives I have found so far , in 3 months of daily use :
* Even if you have 3 - 6 handsets , only two can talk at one time to an outside caller .
* Sometimes calls placed from our phone to others sound faint . Call recipient has to turn up volume of their handset .
For the price I paid and the value I received , I would buy the Panasonic KX-TG1033S cordless phone system again in a heartbeat .
014 4 This review is from :
Panasonic DECT 6.0 - Series 3 - Handset Cordless Phone System with Answering System ( KX-TG1033S ) ( Electronics )
I just received this set with three handsets and it is chock-full of useful features . Here are some that are important to us : mute button ( as opposed to muting thru a menu which is impractical when on conference calls ) , rechargable batteries with a long charge hold ( 7 + hours ) ,
call waiting caller id ( with subscription to this service thru your carrier ) , shared phonebook , three handsets , fantastic price , message retrieval from the handsets , belt clips , and Amazon's quality assurance policy . There are other features less important to us , but great nonetheless like conferencing , caller ID edit , etc .
There is one flaw , and I actually returned my first set , only to have the same thing happen on my replacement set . When I speak into the handset , I occasionally get feedback that is a hollow , tinny sound . This is at a normal speaking tone . I'm female , and it may be my higher-pitch registers some feedback problem , but it's obviously a bug . I'll live with it , because the merits outweigh this annoyance , and I find that using my headset eliminates the problem , which will force me to take care of my neck and use my headset .
All in all , I recommend the phone for the great features and great price , but I'd be interested to hear if anyone else is getting this strange feedback , or maybe I don't realize I squeak like Minnie Mouse and that's the problem ! !
024 4 This review is from :
Panasonic DECT 6.0 - Series 3 - Handset Cordless Phone System with Answering System ( KX-TG1033S ) ( Electronics )
I admit it . I am a techie fellow who actually hates techie things that go way way too far in their techiness . I sometimes just want to simply do a basic function with a device and never have to ply thru layers of menus , screens or widgets in order to do it . On the other paw , I sometimes enjoy having access to neato-keeno functions , so I can ring the bells and blow some whistles . I rarely find these devices in real life , most are hopelessly mired in needless complexity , but boy oh boy . . . if you are anything like me , you will totally go wacko with delight with these Panasonic phones ! The voice and signal quality is the best I have ever experienced . You want to make a call ? Dial the number and press talk . Yeah , I know , just like a cell phone . Old School ? You hit the talk button and dial the number . Guess what ? Yeah , unbelievable , it still works ! Here are the added super gotta have functions : each handset is totally independent , but can page any other handset ! Each has caller ID , and that is sooo smart . . . instead of on the base station . Oh , and sure , you can load in all the memory numbers , etc . , and they can be independent , too , for each handset user . I am sooo impressed , I am buying a couple more handsets for other rooms . . . yes ! They are easily expandable . Does not interfere with my WIFI service . . . I have tested that and it's as they claim . The public is so often promised the world and delivered with a moon or a shooting star at best . This time a company really listened and gives us a world , a big , shiny , easy to use , sophisticated world . . . and the world is a beautiful thing !
031 4 This review is from :
Panasonic DECT 6.0 - Series 3 - Handset Cordless Phone System with Answering System ( KX-TG1033S ) ( Electronics )
Excellent reception and features . Our previous Panasonic had a slightly different menu , and the caller ID missed calls showed immediately by scrolling . On this phone you press menu twice and after a brief pause the caller ID memory begins , that's the only thing that isn't excellent . We love the price for a 3 phone system , and only have to have the phone jack on the main phone , the others work just by plugging into the electrical outlet . It's great we can have a phone down in the basement without any special wiring . Great phone !
042 4 This review is from :
Panasonic DECT 6.0 - Series 3 - Handset Cordless Phone System with Answering System ( KX-TG1033S ) ( Electronics )
The 1033 series is still a great phone , but for a few dollars more , the 9334 series is far better . My neighbor has the 9334 series and when I bougth the 1033 phones , I did not realize my error - I wanted the same phone set she has . However , the 1033 is still an excellent choice , but spend the extra $10 - $20 and get the 9334 phones .
You do not get automatic copying from one phone to the others , call blocking , nor night-time mode .
046 4 I've been using the Panasonic KX-TG1033S DECT 6.0 phone system for about a month , and I'm very impressed . Great voice and sound quality , better than average speaker phone , very easy to use , and most importantly - NO interference and very good quality at distance and through walls !
The minor quirks I've found are with the answering system . It's too easy to delete messages inadvertantly .
I've always enjoyed the quality of the Panasonic wired phones , but for some reason never developed the same attachment for their prior cordless versions . I've used Uniden , Siemens and VTech cordless , and I'm glad I came back to Panasonic . This phone is a winner in my house !
050 4 This review is from :
Panasonic DECT 6.0 - Series 3 - Handset Cordless Phone System with Answering System ( KX-TG1033S ) ( Electronics )
Mine arrived a couple days ago . I don't have vast experience with remote phones , but have previously owned a Sony remote for many years . Then a Radio Shack remote for a few years . Pleased with both , but the Shack went under so I bought this . . . based on a Consumer Reports review and the user reviews on Amazon . Both have been fairly reliable guides in the past .
Setup is easy . Basic features are fine . Haven't tested the extremes of range but that seems fine too . I especially like being able to share a conversation on up to 3 handsets .
I do miss one feature of the Radios Shack phone very much . . . . thought it was commonplace nowadays but apparently not . The RS phone had a wide variety of great musical ring tones which you could meld with particular numbers calling in . . . so you could tell who was calling just by the Beethoven Ode to Joy theme or any of many other etceteras . None of that on this phone .
Now to the sound of voices on calls . Substandard . Very poor . Much worse than either the Sony or Radio Shack phone . . . . to a really irritating degree . And all the handsets sound the same both in normal and speakerphone operation . Not good . No static present but lots of grunge . Anything but clear . Very disappointing . One star by modern standards .
It arrived in fine time from Electronics EXPO ( via an Amazon order ) . Well packed BUT the base power source was already plugged in , which is very unusual . So I might have received one that had already been returned once before . No way to be sure . Returning it pretty much a main pain for me , but I might do that .
Now I realize this is at odds with the testimony of many others - so it is more than a little possible I received a unit that is defective in one way or another . I ordered a 25 foot run of phone line cable so I can try setting the base in another location . Will add a comment later if that improves the sound at all .
May grit my teeth and keep this phone . It's adequate for my needs . But I sure wish it even began to have the voice clarity other folks have experienced .
057 4 This review is from :
Panasonic DECT 6.0 - Series 3 - Handset Cordless Phone System with Answering System ( KX-TG1033S ) ( Electronics )
I ordered this telephone / answering machine with multiple handsets to replace an older Panasonic model and I am very pleased with the sound quality and ease of use . I never learned how to use all the special features on my old phone but this one is much more user-friendly .
061 4 This review is from :
Panasonic DECT 6.0 - Series 3 - Handset Cordless Phone System with Answering System ( KX-TG1033S ) ( Electronics )
This set of phones is fantastic . Clarity is wonderful . Reception is very good . They hold a charge for a long time . Very handy to use . The answering machine works great . They are tops in my estimation . I would recommend them to anyone .
063 4 This review is from :
Panasonic DECT 6.0 - Series 3 - Handset Cordless Phone System with Answering System ( KX-TG1033S ) ( Electronics )
We've been having problems with the phone ( s ) cutting out . We can hear the other parties but they can't hear us . It's not due to being too far away from the bases either . We'll be within 10 feet of the base the whole time . There will be good connection for 5 - 10 minutes and then it will cut out . It comes back after about 10 - 15 seconds ; just when you're ready to hang it up as a dropped called . We do have great clarity hearing others when it's working though . Everything worked for about two months before the trouble started . I have received complaints that I can hardly be heard when using the matched Pansonic headsets too .
With all the Christmas calls today it just became too much to sit by and not do anything about it . It's too late to return it to Amazon ( 3 months ) . I guess my next step is to see what Panasonic will do about it .
066 4 This review is from :
Panasonic DECT 6.0 - Series 3 - Handset Cordless Phone System with Answering System ( KX-TG1033S ) ( Electronics )
Not as good of range as some less expensive phones I've owned but rates 5 stars for features and clear reception . You can presceen calls from any of the handsets , if the caller leaves a message . The intercom feature is nice for larger homes . If you plan on taking the phone very far outside your house ( 35ft . + ) you may have reception problems .
068 4 This review is from :
Panasonic DECT 6.0 - Series 3 - Handset Cordless Phone System with Answering System ( KX-TG1033S ) ( Electronics )
After nearly two months of ownership and daily home and business use , I must say I'm quite pleased with the Panasonic KX-TG1033S phone system .
I work mostly from home for one of the largest phone companies in the world , and spend probably 20 hours a week on conference calls , so I'm picky about my phone quality . Buying the Panasonic was a leap of faith because I figured a good-quality speakerphone could only be mounted in a base station , and that only a corded handset could truly avoid sounding like talking into a tin can .
Turns out I was wrong on both counts . The handset-mounted speakerphone sounds great and is plenty loud to compensate for my partial hearing loss from too much rock-n-roll . I've never had anyone on a call complain about sound quality when I'm talking , either using the speakerphone or talking directly into the handset .
My corded-handset bias has vanished as I've discovered the convenience of being able to continue a call while walking to the coffeepot , the kitchen for a snack , the couch to stretch my back , or the living room , where all the test equipment for my job is stored .
Other niceties include conveniently located speaker and mute buttons , which I use all the time ; an easy-to-use speed dial directory ; an intercom feature ( I can now talk to my wife , who also works at home , phone-call style instead of hollering down the stairs ) ; and an overall nice ergonomic handset design .
My biggest issue is that I find myself wishing for a ' mute ' indicator light . When you mute a call , the LCD lights up and says ' mute ' and then goes dark after a few seconds . Some minutes later , when you wonder whether you're still on mute , you have to pick up the handset and turn it toward a light source so you can look for the ' mute ' indicator on the dark LCD . Not a deal-killer , but it'd sure be nice if there was just simply a light indicating ' mute ' status .
Another minor beef is that directory entries are stored separately in each handset - - this might be a good solution for families who want separate numbers on each handset , but I want the same numbers available on all handsets . No big deal , because you can copy one or all numbers to other handsets , though it took a little digging in the manual to discover this feature . You just have to remember to take the extra step to copy a newly entered number to other handsets if you also want it available on those handsets . The best way to handle this would be to have a sync / don't sync feature to serve either preference .
Other minor complaints include voice mail access from the handsets being a little non-intuitive ( though it's fine when using the base station ) ; needing to specifically turn on the ' flash a handset light when a voice mail is waiting ' feature ( this should be ' on ' by default ) ; not allowing calls while the handset is mounted in the base station ( no big deal - just pick up the phone and put it on your desk ) ; and the base station looking downright silly wall-mounted using the included bracket ( my wife made me take it down immediately upon sighting it ) .
Overall , I'm quite pleased with this Panasonic phone system and have certainly put it through its paces with my home office and home usage . The minor beefs listed above are indeed minor , and I'd certainly recommend this system .
070 4 This review is from :
Panasonic DECT 6.0 - Series 3 - Handset Cordless Phone System with Answering System ( KX-TG1033S ) ( Electronics )
Panasonic KX-TG1033S Dect 6.0 Expandable Digital Cordless Phone System with 3 Handsets
This is an OK product , probably good if you did not compare with others .
Pros : large buttons , no sticking out antenna , long battery life ( not as long as advised though )
Cons : Range is not better than 5.8GHZ , speaker volumn not loud enough , more difficult to navigate through menus , cannot customerized ringtone and led colour for individual callers .
I am using the 5.8GHZ Panasonic ( 2 years old ) and need a couple more handsets , so I thought I'd try out the DECT 6.0 , big dissapointment . I have assigned rington and colour so I know when marketing is calling or family member but I cannot do that with these new phones other than physically look at the phone .
071 4 Panasonic KX-TG1033S Dect 6.0 Expandable Digital Cordless Phone System with 3 Handsets
This is an OK product , probably good if you did not compare with others .
Pros : large buttons , no sticking out antenna , long battery life ( not as long as advised though )
Cons : Range is not better than 5.8GHZ , speaker volumn not loud enough , more difficult to navigate through menus , cannot customerized ringtone and led colour for individual callers .
I am using the 5.8GHZ Panasonic ( 2 years old ) and need a couple more handsets , so I thought I'd try out the DECT 6.0 , big dissapointment . I have assigned rington and colour so I know when marketing is calling or family member but I cannot do that with these new phones other than physically look at the phone .
073 4 This review is from :
Panasonic DECT 6.0 - Series 3 - Handset Cordless Phone System with Answering System ( KX-TG1033S ) ( Electronics )
Bought these phones to replace a 2.4 GHz system with which the signal barely made it to the garage ; with these phones you can be in the back yard , and voice quality remains excellent . Nice answering system , easy to save numbers . Overall , a high quality , reliable system .
079 4 This review is from :
Panasonic DECT 6.0 - Series 3 - Handset Cordless Phone System with Answering System ( KX-TG1033S ) ( Electronics )
I hate this phone ! I've had it since April and , hard-head that I am , thought it would get better , it did not !
Pros-easy to transfer phonebook to other handsets .
Cons-no way to turn off the ringer at the base . Each handset must be programmed to not ring but you still get the greeting blaring everywhere . I want an simple way to silence all my phones and still receive messages .
It loves to lose the base connection in the middle of a phone call . Lovely when you've been on hold with , say an airline or credit card company for a half hour . Just queue back up !
Bottom line , I hate this phone so much it is going in the trash ! I'll recycle the batteries but would not pay someone to take this phone system much less donate to a charity .
I've just placed an order for another brand that I've had good results with in the past . I researched more and hope they deliver .
083 4 This review is from :
Panasonic DECT 6.0 - Series 3 - Handset Cordless Phone System with Answering System ( KX-TG1033S ) ( Electronics )
This is by far the best phone I have owned . Everything about it is great , pleasant keypad beep , large keypad buttons , great quality speaker phone ( my wife doesn't even know when I switch back and forth between phone and speaker ) , only needs one phone jack for all three phones , you can set the answering machine message from one of the phones , crystal clear audio on both ends , worth the price . We tried a cheaper GE cordless system and it was quite terrible . The phone would pickup interference from our overhead fans . As with all cordless phones , they will not operate during a power outage ( we just have a cheapo corded phone in our just bedroom for Hurricane season ) .
086 4 This review is from :
Panasonic DECT 6.0 - Series 3 - Handset Cordless Phone System with Answering System ( KX-TG1033S ) ( Electronics )
Clarity is very good ; however , I could go much further with my 5.8 than I can with this . With this I am limited to about 50 feet from the base and that's not far at all .
088 4 This review is from :
Panasonic DECT 6.0 - Series 3 - Handset Cordless Phone System with Answering System ( KX-TG1033S ) ( Electronics )
In general , a good phone with very good range . Routinely , 75 to 80 feet from the base station on my boat to the handset in the house ( and thru a brick wall ) . And I like the way that you can program all handsets from one handset .
But why aren't the talk / off buttons green and red like a cell phone ? I have to look to answer the phone with the right button and likewise to hang up . Hanging up should not require a detailed review of buttons .
And the caller ID has time on the top line vice the caller's name . It should be more like my V-tech with caller's name first and in oversized letters . Plus , I am still confused about how to access caller ID and review it . It's easy but not intuitive . And erasing caller ID's takes 3 or 4 button pushes per ID . When I review incoming calls , I look for my V-tech - I guess that says it all . I would not buy this phone again - the caller ID function is annoying . . .
I've had this phone a year now and I hate it . I'm going to toss it in the trash and buy a V-Tech . I wouldn't feel comfortable even giving it away . Every time I pick up a handset , it says 123 ( or whatever ) missed calls . Only because I used another handset to take the calls . Makes you feel that you are missing something . Needless , useless information . I have to use my glasses to read the screen everytime due to the poor display . And the caller ID is still a disaster . Try to return a call and it dials the area code which means the call doesn't go through . Trying to edit the number to remove the area code is difficult . I just give up . Why don't home phones work like cell phones ? This phone is counter-intuitive and annoying !
I'd have to give it NO STARS after owning it . . . . . .
090 4 This review is from :
Panasonic DECT 6.0 - Series 3 - Handset Cordless Phone System with Answering System ( KX-TG1033S ) ( Electronics )
I've owned these for about 18 + months and really enjoy the complete set . The feel is very comfortable , decent sized and spaced buttons for ease of use , tactile sense so no need to fumble if dark . Easy to clean , has never interferred with wireless network or other electronics in house . We use with standard and cable phone - both with great results . After having gone through several other phone sets that either lacked adequate reception or died after a few months of use , these are the real deal . Nothing fancy but get the job done right at a great price !
093 4 This review is from :
Panasonic DECT 6.0 - Series 3 - Handset Cordless Phone System with Answering System ( KX-TG1033S ) ( Electronics )
We bought this phone to replace an old 900mhz phone . After looking at quite a bit of information on the 5.8 vs . the DECT 6.0 , we obviously went for the DECT product . We selected the Panasonic model due to all the positive reviews . I can say that the unit performs very well . Voice quality on both ends was very good , however , we ended up returning it for two reasons : the answering machine did not have the best display . It just has a flasing arrow to let you know there is a message there , and after you play the message , the red arrow light goes out even if you keep the message there for future play back . I like to have a machine that will tell you how many calls came in , and if you save a message for future play back , it will keep that number illuminated on the machine until you delete it . Second , the handset was very uncomfortable on the ear . No matter how we placed it , it never felt very good . I did notice that after comparing to some other models that on the Panasonic , if you look at it from the side profile , the part that rests on your ear is bowed out slightly . This causes the phone to press on your ear unnecessarily . We ended up selecting the ATT model SL82318 . This one is a winner in my book . So far , it has had very good voice quality on both ends , the answering machine is perfect with all functions , it has illuminated keys for easy reading in night time conditions , and it fits comfortably on the ear .
095 4 This review is from :
Panasonic DECT 6.0 - Series 3 - Handset Cordless Phone System with Answering System ( KX-TG1033S ) ( Electronics )
This phone works great - no interference even in a heavily populated apartment building with lots of wireless networking around . All three handsets work great - plus , I can customize the phonebook on each one so I don't have to go through long lists of numbers to get to the one I want ( e.g . in my office I only store the numbers I use for work , the one in the living room has friends and family on it , etc ) .
Battery life appears to be excellent so far - I do a lot of teleconferencing that can last for 2 - 3 hours and have yet to have a battery run low during that time . I also like the voicemail notification ( I don't use the answer machine ) since it gives a notice on the display and flashes the light on top - I can quickly see if I have any messages waiting instead of having to actually pickup the phone .
The only reason I didn't give it 5 stars is because of the volume when using a headset . There are volume controls for all three ways to use this phone - standard , speakerphone , and headset . The standard and speakerphone volumes are excellent , but the headset volume is a little too low even when set to maximum . Fortunately , my Plantronics headset has a bit of volume boost , so I can get it to a level that works well .
Other than that one tiny issue , I have been very happy with this phone !
097 4 This review is from :
Panasonic DECT 6.0 - Series 3 - Handset Cordless Phone System with Answering System ( KX-TG1033S ) ( Electronics )
We bought this to replace an AT & T digital answering system that stopped taking messages . The Panasonic phones are easy to use . Setup was very simple as the instructions are will written and easy to follow .
We have used the phone outside over 100 feet from a base and it works fine with no signal drop . The intercom feature is very helpful from upstairs to downstairs . No more yelling across our home . The ability to pick up messages from any phone is great as our answering machine base is in an upstairs office .
100 4 I had waited to write a review for a while as I wanted to make sure it would work ! We previously purchased a 5.8 gHz phone and promptly returned it . I was willing to work within it's short range , but I could not do without the Conference calling feature which it did not have . This phone , I am exremely pleased with . It DOES have the Conference calling . We have family that live a distance away from us and our kids love to talk to their cousins and aunt and uncle . With Conference calling , three people can be on the phone at the same time . I love it .
Gernerally when a phone has conference calling , it does not also have the internal calling feature as well . That is NOT the case with this phone . It has both features which we enjoy as well .
The phone seems to sit on my shoulder easier than others and I have yet to hang up on anyone or accidentally push a button .
The menus are fairly easy to get around . One thing I do miss about our older model that we've had for 5 years is the ease of entering numbers from caller id to the phone book . This one is quite cumbersome . I went from hitting one button to 6 or 7 , just to save it . Then after that , you still have to copy the addresses to the other handsets .
I have better clear range than with my 2.4 and much better of course than the 5.8 .
I like that it has the time and date on the screen of the handset , too .
Some don't like the phone because the keypad doens't lite up . Personally , I am glad , I rarely make a call in the dark and I don't need something ELSE to drain the phone's batteries . Speaking of batteries , it takes AAA ! No more searching for the EXACT match to the phone battery and voltage and little red and black wires ! Not to mention paying the same for a battery as you do for the phone !
All in all . . . I love it . I don't particularly care for most of the ring tone options , many are too similar to my kids toys ! I like a traditional ring and this just dones't have it . Currently , I am using the Dance of the SugarPlum fairies from the Nutcracker as my ring tone . It is so different from any of the other less appealing options . It usually makes me smile , too , unless the three phones are ringing offbeat . That's annoying ! : o )
102 4 This review is from :
Panasonic DECT 6.0 - Series 3 - Handset Cordless Phone System with Answering System ( KX-TG1033S ) ( Electronics )
After numerous tries with various cordless phone systems , including about $1000 spent on a Siemens system some years ago , I had about concluded that none would work in our home . However one of my children gave his brother one of these phones as a Xmas present and he had high praise for it so I decided to try one more time . I was very pleased with its performance and have subsequently purchased two additional handsets for use in the basement and both work extremely well and one is located a considable distance from the base as well as being on a different level . This is as good of cordless phone system as I have ever used and I highly recommend it .
108 4 This review is from :
Panasonic DECT 6.0 - Series 3 - Handset Cordless Phone System with Answering System ( KX-TG1033S ) ( Electronics )
I would just like to suggest to anyone who is looking to spend considerable amount of money on phones you really need to do you homework . I just plain love these phones . Never having to add phonebooks to each handset is very nice . The speaker phone option does not sound like you talking or listening through a speaker . Very light and work at long distances .
120 4 This review is from :
Panasonic DECT 6.0 - Series 3 - Handset Cordless Phone System with Answering System ( KX-TG1033S ) ( Electronics )
I bought these phones because of problems with the 5.8ghz cordless phones I had . I have wireless internet in my home and the Dect 6.0 was supposed to be unaffected by this .
They were easy to set up and crystal clear . Exactly as promised .
They are also very easy to use . I can even page my son downstairs with these phones .
125 4 This review is from :
Panasonic DECT 6.0 - Series 3 - Handset Cordless Phone System with Answering System ( KX-TG1033S ) ( Electronics )
Our house is somewhat sprawling and unfortunately the range will not allow use in the master bedroom upstairs . I think because of that , the way we feel about the phone is tainted . We do like that it no longer picks up the static from the microwave .
127 4 This review is from :
Panasonic DECT 6.0 - Series 3 - Handset Cordless Phone System with Answering System ( KX-TG1033S ) ( Electronics )
I have had Panasonic phones for years . I looked all over for this one . I am very pleased with the Panasonic DECT 6.0 Series 3 Handset Cordless Phone . Everything about it works well . I love the over all phone size too . Easy to hold , not to thick , not cumbersome . The numbers are larger than some which makes it very easy to use . I can take the phone outside to the back yard , to the shop and reception is excellent . I would highly recommend this phone to any one looking for a new cordless phone .
141 4 This review is from :
Panasonic DECT 6.0 - Series 3 - Handset Cordless Phone System with Answering System ( KX-TG1033S ) ( Electronics )
We have had the phone for 3 months now and for the most part we are happy with the phone system :
Pros :
The battery life is good .
The distance / clarity is good - can take it into the backyard .
The intercom feature is usefull .
Cons :
The Caller ID doesn't seem to give as much info as our previous panasonic phone , such as not telling us the persons name - just giving a phone number .
Individual phones don't always ring and we rely on hard wired phones to hear the ring .
There are occasional bugs like unexplanable beeps or going to a busy signal during conversations . If these problems happen more often this is a big problem . A phone should work always , first and foremost . I will return it as defective if it continues .
The answering machine doesn't have an audible beep to let you know there is a message .
143 4 This review is from :
Panasonic DECT 6.0 - Series 3 - Handset Cordless Phone System with Answering System ( KX-TG1033S ) ( Electronics )
Very easy to hear and understand voices even for my husband who is hard of hearing and wears hearing aids . The answering machine is also very clear . There is no feed back noises when wearing hearing aids .
145 4 This review is from :
Panasonic DECT 6.0 - Series 3 - Handset Cordless Phone System with Answering System ( KX-TG1033S ) ( Electronics )
I bought this for my parents to replace an aging Uniden phone that was constantly cutting out while I was talking to them . The Panasonic DECT 6.0 was easy for them to use and has lots of features . I set up speed dial for my parents and that was it . They love the speaker phone on the back of the handsets . Also , it uses AA NiMH batteries that can be easily replaced at then end of their recharging life . I heartily recommend this phone .
147 4 This review is from :
Panasonic DECT 6.0 - Series 3 - Handset Cordless Phone System with Answering System ( KX-TG1033S ) ( Electronics )
I've owned multi-handset answering machines for years . My prior unit was excellent ; an AT & T three-unit set with battery backup for the base set and a maximum of four handsets . It did yeoman work for years , and we only got rid of it because the playback on the answering machine got so poor that we couldn't hear half the first messages . Since the messages were stored in a solid-state module we finally had to replace it .
I have to have good sound quality because I'm going deaf in both ears from a half-century of loud noises ; hearing gunfire ( big-bore rifle team ) , riding motorcycles and flying piston-engined small planes . I began to protect my hearing too late to do more than save a percentage of it , but that's another story .
The KX-TG1033 system has great sound quality , a wide range of both ring - and speaker-volume , incredible battery life ( about a week standby time , about 7 hours talk time ) , and simple-to-use programming and retrieval . One small nit to pick : searching for a number isn't as simple as it could be , but that's all I can think of that I'm not crazy about .
This system is outstanding for several reasons , but one is that you can enter a person's phone number , name , etc . and then share it with one or all of the other handset units . Or , you can copy your * entire * telephone directory to all the other telephones . This saved a huge amount of time , as we have three handsets . I'd buy this unit again for this reason alone .
The handsets are very light , they come with optional belt / pocket clips which work rather too well as they may be hard to remove from say , the hip pocket of a pair of jeans . Controls are simple and easys to use . Functions of the seven buttons and single navigation button on the handset are easy to see and read . The units connect for recharging easily and without having to be careful in their placement in their charging stands . It's expandable to a maximum of six handsets . Range is outstanding ; I've used it from across the street with no problem and no fade . Stored messages can be heard from any handset and the playback tone is very good . It also has a speakerphone button on the handset which works OK , but isn't anything to brag about . My wife likes the Intercom / Call Transfer function , too .
Would I recommend this product ? Yes , I would . Of course , I have no idea how long they'll last over all , but I'm willing to bet that Panasonic made them to last a long , long time .
And we didn't scrap our old system ; the AT & T unit is now doing duty in the garage as just another handset . I like the battery backup for the base unit because it still works if we have a power outage .
149 4 This review is from :
Panasonic DECT 6.0 - Series 3 - Handset Cordless Phone System with Answering System ( KX-TG1033S ) ( Electronics )
I've had this phone system for a couple weeks now and so far I love it . Each handset speaker phone acts as a speaker for the answering machine , so if you are in the bedroom and the base station is in the living room , you still hear the message as callers leave them . A very nice feature if you work at night and sleep during the day like I do .
I haven't had the phone long enough to know how well the batteries hold up . Each handset uses two rechargeable AAA batteries so if they do develop a memory they should be easy to replace . I've walked out into the back yard , across the yard past a wrought iron trellis and behind a metal shed to get firewood and the phone never lost reception .
I would say that this phone is worth purchasing .
151 4 This review is from :
Panasonic DECT 6.0 - Series 3 - Handset Cordless Phone System with Answering System ( KX-TG1033S ) ( Electronics )
Switched to these from older 2.4GHz phones ( also from Panasonic ) , and the interference on my local wifi network is gone . We like the ringtones that came built-in , as well as the included belt-clips . Speakerphone is sufficiently loud , and the intercom function works very well .
153 4 This review is from :
Panasonic DECT 6.0 - Series 3 - Handset Cordless Phone System with Answering System ( KX-TG1033S ) ( Electronics )
I like everything . . . mute button , speaker , intercomm . The only thing I miss is that buttons don't light up . I'd still buy it again .
155 4 This review is from :
Panasonic DECT 6.0 - Series 3 - Handset Cordless Phone System with Answering System ( KX-TG1033S ) ( Electronics )
It is a great phone - especially I like the sound quality and battery life .
157 4 This review is from :
Panasonic DECT 6.0 - Series 3 - Handset Cordless Phone System with Answering System ( KX-TG1033S ) ( Electronics )
I searched and looked around at various options . I am happy to say that I made this purchase . Easy to use , great range , and all the features needed . I spend countless hours on confrence calls when I work from home and this answers the needs that I had which were excellent range , great clarity , mute , speakerphone , battery life . I couldn't be happier with this choice .
159 4 This review is from :
Panasonic DECT 6.0 - Series 3 - Handset Cordless Phone System with Answering System ( KX-TG1033S ) ( Electronics )
I have no patience with electronics that don't work , because I know so little about them and how they work . This is a product I have never had any problem with and it is so satisfactory I bought one for friends who are very difficult to buy for . I tend to take the phone off the charger and leave it lying somewhere else for long periods of time . Occasionally I pick up one of the recievers and find that after two days the battery is half down . One of my friends tha = inks the phone should be used only when you intend to talk for an hour and a half to two hours . Plase don't tell him I sometimes say , I have to cut this short ( only an hour and a half ) because my batery is going dead . If this remains the extent of my problems with this phone system , I will buy it again when I have to .
161 4 This review is from :
Panasonic DECT 6.0 - Series 3 - Handset Cordless Phone System with Answering System ( KX-TG1033S ) ( Electronics )
It was delivered sooner than scheduled which was a good start . I am a 71 year old senior and I appreciate the ease of setting up the Panasonic Cordless Phone . Set the whole thing up and never had to use a ( * # $ ) * ? ! @ word . Programmed all the features and everything worked . I like the fact that you can do everything from the hand set . Record a greeting , check messages , modify all your settings etc . A great buy for the money . When using the speaker feature the phone can be set upright on an end table between my wife and I and heard and understood by all parties on both ends of the call .
163 4 This review is from :
Panasonic DECT 6.0 - Series 3 - Handset Cordless Phone System with Answering System ( KX-TG1033S ) ( Electronics )
my phone's work great they are easy to use and the range is good . the battery last a very long time , overall a very good product .
165 4 This review is from :
Panasonic DECT 6.0 - Series 3 - Handset Cordless Phone System with Answering System ( KX-TG1033S ) ( Electronics )
This phone is works very well in my home.I have no fear to run down the battery , because the long battery life.The range is pretty good compare to my old Panasonic model.Only thing i miss is to have hand free answer on base unit .
Cons are none , except no blinking light indicating message on all other units .
167 4 This review is from :
Panasonic DECT 6.0 - Series 3 - Handset Cordless Phone System with Answering System ( KX-TG1033S ) ( Electronics )
I purchased this system for home use . I love it so much that I put it to use in my Detective Agency [ . . . ]
The features are everything I needed except the number of ring before the answering machine kicks in cannot be less than 3 times . I wanted 2 times .
169 4 This review is from :
Panasonic DECT 6.0 - Series 3 - Handset Cordless Phone System with Answering System ( KX-TG1033S ) ( Electronics )
I just wanted a decent , reasonably priced phone . My family has spent money on expensive phones that do not last . Finally , we started spending less on cheap phones that were decent . After many years , these cheap , decent phones finally gave out . Anyhow , we use the phone for its basic purpose - which is to talk on it . I'm not aware of any fancy features though I'm sure there are some . I like that the secondary lines do not need phone jacks . The volume is fine and the phone serves its purpose , so I'm satisfied . I would recommend it if you need multiples phones .
178 4 This review is from :
Panasonic DECT 6.0 - Series 3 - Handset Cordless Phone System with Answering System ( KX-TG1033S ) ( Electronics )
Before I started writing this review , I read a lot of the one-star reviews and most of them just are not true or are one-off problems .
These phones make both of my last two systems ( Uniden , Philips ) look like children's toys in comparison . Particularly the Philips system . It was total trash .
Anyway , the Panasonic holds its charge , unlike the Philips phones which were constantly running out of power . The Caller-ID is very readable , even by my legally blind wife .
I didn't really want the answering system but it does work well enough and is accessible remotely as well as by any phone on the system . You can listen to messages , record new responses , delete or store them from any phone on the system . I never go near the base unit yet have no problem maintaining the answering system .
The phones all work at long distances from their base , with one downstairs in the basement family room so it works well through the floor .
All can be used as speakerphones and the speakers are loud enough so everyone in the room can hear the conversation . It has a number of different ringers and my wife has the Christmas song right now . The intercom feature works better than most stand alone intercoms do . The Uniden didn't even have this capability and the Philips did , but the poor recharging made its intercom ability almost useless .
The ability to transfer phonebook register single numbers or the whole phonebook between phones makes it easy for each phone to have all of the entries on it as well as individual numbers for each person's phone as well . It has plenty of capacity , far more than the Uniden units did .
The menus are very easy to access with the central tilt button . It is easy to set up without having to read the manual for most items .
It doesn't have the colorful wallpaper that the Philips has but who cares ? I have too many wallpapers on my PC and cell phones , so why do I need them on my telephone as well ?
Zero static even standing in front of an operating microwave , or using it three feet away from my PC which has at least a dozen wireless features operating at any time including a DLINK Media Center Extender .
Neither of my other two wireless phone systems comes close to that kind of performance .
I have yet to have a single person complain about my voice cutting out while talking to them , unlike some of those who gave this system one star .
The ONLY reason it didn't get 5 stars is that the charging cradles of the additional phones can't be mounted on a wall and with the fairly short power lines they tend to fall off of the end tables they are sitting on because they are very light in weight . The other two systems had wall mountable chargers , which is the only thing I miss about them . Plus , though the base unit is wall mountable , it does stick out pretty far from the wall , causing the kitchen ( where the main telephone jack plate is located ) cabinet door not to be able to open fully . A slight irritation , but noting like the irritations of the other two systems I have had .
SO if you want wireless phones that are clear sounding , work at great distances from the base even in a multi-story home and are not prone to static from all of the electronic devices found in homes and offices today then this is the system for you .
All Panasonic needs to do to make it a 5 star system is make the chargers wall mountable .
180 4 This review is from :
Panasonic DECT 6.0 - Series 3 - Handset Cordless Phone System with Answering System ( KX-TG1033S ) ( Electronics )
We bought these to replace a 3 - 4 year old VTech dual set that had dead spots in our house and to add a unit . The Panasonic with Dect 6.0 solved the dead zone issue and seems to have great range inside and outside . In the deal , we also got : ( 1 ) better sound quality , ( 2 ) a lighter phone , ( 3 ) bigger buttons , ( 4 ) an decent sounding speaker phone , ( 5 ) erasing missed calls on one unit does it on all three , ( 6 ) longer battery life . Only negatives going thru more menus to erase ( but that is more than offset by #5 ) and we didn't like the wall mount . Since we have voicemail I haven't used the answering machine , but am considering going to that for ease of use and ability to hear message being left and interrupt if desired . We are very pleased with this phone system .
183 4 This review is from :
Panasonic DECT 6.0 - Series 3 - Handset Cordless Phone System with Answering System ( KX-TG1033S ) ( Electronics )
This phone works fine . It does not have an extended range so plan to stay within 50 feet of the base unit . All of the handsets provide speakerphone and this is great when you are on hold . It also includes mute and all of the features you would expect from a phone .
One nice feature is that all of the handsets work like extensions . This means you can have several children on the phone with Grandma and Grandpa at the same time . The handsets also tell you when another extension is in use .
194 4 I really like these phones . I upgraded from an analog 5.8GHz two handset phone because I had interference , static and sometimes other problems . I actually thought my VOIP-provider was partly to blame . But , voila , these phones fixed it all .
So far ( about 2 months ) great battery life . I like the form factor because is easy to hold ( unlike other DECT phones ) , the phonebook transfer-feature and the handset-to-handset calling .
PROS :
Excellent battery life .
Very lightweight / comfortable handsets . Definitely lighter than my Uniden TRU8885 - 3HS handsets and better overall design .
Great reception distance .
Well-sized / well-placed buttons . Easy to press for those of us with big hands / fingers , unlike my Uniden TRU8885 - 3HS which has buttons so small and cramped that it's easy to mis-dial .
Headset jack does not create static when moving the headset cable around , unlike my Uniden TRU8885 - 3HS which makes a ton of crackling noise at the slightest movement when the headset is plugged in .
When you receive a long-distance call , the caller ID retains the 1 in front of their area code so that can easily call someone back by just looking at the caller ID . My Uniden TRU8885 - 3HS could do this , but I had to press the * key to bring up the 1 . ( Not a big deal , but I'm being thorough here ) .
CONS :
The headset feature , while having a better input jack than any other set / brand I've tried , is way too quiet . I can barely hear the person on the other end when I plug in my Panasonic KX-TCA60 headset ( and also my Pantronics and Uniden headsets ) . Out of all 3 headsets the Panasonic KX-TCA60 worked best ( both speaking and listening ) , but it's still too hard to hear the other person on the line . Any background noise in your room , and forget it . You'll be struggling to hear them . My Uniden TRU8885 was way better on headset volume .
The menuing system is a bit cumbersome to navigate , and although for the most part it's decent , a couple of the basics are really annoying . For example - if you like to use your handset to view the time , it's there only after you've viewed all your missed calls . If you've missed a call , the time goes away from the screen and it just says Missed Calls until you navigate to the Caller ID screen and scroll down 1 by 1 through all your missed calls . Only then will the clock / time display come back . Annoying to say the least . My Uniden TRU8885 was better in this way - it still showed all the other normal display stuff even with missed call / voicemail indicators showing .
There is no speakerphone on the main base ( and no dialing from the base obviously ) . The only thing the main base is good for is checking / erasing voicemail . The Uniden TRU8885 blows this out of the water obviously , with an excellent fully functional dialing / speakerphone / control system all right in the base .
While the overall sound is good , it's definitely not quite as good as my Uniden TRU8885 was . There seems to be a bit of jitter on the line with these , even when your close to the base . Most people won't notice this , and those of us who do notice it won't care too much because it's almost negligable , but still I miss the better clarity / volume of my Uniden TRU8885 set .
So this is a tough call for anyone trying to choose between these two similar systems - there's a lot to like about this Panasonic KX-TG1033S set , but after using it for a couple weeks now I wish I'd stayed with my Uniden TRU8885 - 3HS set .
If you spend a lot of time on your phone each day and you depend on it for important business communications , I'd say go with the Uniden TRu8885 . However , if you are a normal use kind of person and don't care about things like headset volume or a full-featured base , then the Panasonic KX-TG1033S is still an excellent choice . I honestly go back & forth on which I like better still , but I'd have to say the Uniden wins for my purposes .
Still , this is an excellent system overall , so 4 stars it is !
UPDATE 9 / 6 / 07 - CHANGE OF HEART :
After more extensive use I've changed my mind about these , and wish I'd kept my Uniden TRU8885 ' s . Here's why ( I'll use Pana and Uni abbreviations since we already know which two brands / sets I'm comparing ) :
Range - The pana's have nowhere near the range of the Uni's . I've called people from my firepit in the back yard with the Uni's and there's no signal there with the Pana's . Also , I could transfer my phonebook from my Uni handset in my basement to the Uni handset up in the 2nd floor bedroom , and the Pana's won't reach it ( it'll send to the one in the 1st floor living room but not the one upstairs in the bedroom ) .
Volume and Clarity - The Uni's can go way louder than the Pana's at all devices - the handset , the handset speakerphone , the base speakerphone / voicemail , and the headset ( most important one ) . I've tried 3 different headsets with the Pana's , including Panasonic's own KTX series , and they're all way too quiet . The Uni's were not only louder , but definitely clearer sounding too , even on the speakerphones .
Menuing / navigation / features - At first I thought I liked the Pana's menu / nav system better , but over the past week I've discovered that the Uni's were actually a lot easier with better features . There are too many little details to point out , and most of which you might not care about , but just for example - many times the Pana's can only handle one function at a time , like when you're on a call you can't play back a voicemail from the base . With my Uni's I could be on a call with someone and still play back messages from the base . This was helpful if I wanted to put someone on hold and verify a message that was left , and also for stupid stuff like playing back a funny voicemail for a friend to hear while we're on the line together .
Another IMPORTANT example is I could scroll through my caller ID while on a call with the Uni's , no can do with Pana's .
Base features - I didn't think I'd miss it too much , but having the full dialing system and control center as well as caller ID and speakerphone on the base was a great advantage with the Uni's . With the Uni's I could do everything from the base that I could do from the handset , plus more . The Pana's base is only good for charging and voicemail .
Dialing - this is a trivial / small issue , but the Uni's dial in real time ( in other words , fast ) , while the Pana's have a delay when you punch in the numbers on the keypad . Some people won't care , others will be annoyed to madness .
Answering system - without going into details , the Uni handsets provide much better / fuller / easier control over the entire voicemail system . Also , you can record greetings from the base on the Uni as well as the handsets . The Pana's can only record greetings from the handsets , not as clear , and more difficult to work the answering system from the handset than the Uni's .
Room monitor - again , another trivial / small issue for most people , but somewhat important for me - not only did the Uni's have intercom ( like the Pana's ) but also the Uni's had a room-monitor feature . For example - I could set a handset next to the front door , then go down to the basement and tell it to room monitor the handset up by the door . This was really helpful when I was expecting a delivery because I can't hear the doorbell upstairs from the basement .
There are a few more things better about the Uni's that I've skipped over but most probably won't matter to you .
I'm returning these and going back to my Uniden TRU8885 ' s . Wish I could change my vote to 3 stars .
DECEMBER 2007 UPDATE - I'm not going to delete any original comments , but let me just add that I have found the ULTIMATE solution - the new Uniden 9485 system The Uni 9485 ' s have far surpassed the shortcomings of the Uni Tru 8885 and this Pana set . I switched to the Uni 9485 ' s about 2 months ago and what a difference . The base is better . the buttons are better , the menu is better , and they finally fixed the crackling noise problem that the 8885 headset jacks had . Definitely without a doubt go for the Uniden 9485 ' s instead of the original Pana's and Uni's I reviewed above . Major improvement in all aspects . The Uni 9485 handsets are even an improvement over the 8885 ' s , and the base is way better as well . Sound quality cannot be beat . There's no way I'd go back to the Pana's or Uni 8885 ' s again , these 9485 ' s are a massive improvement over both .
002 4 I have gone through more than 15 types of cordless phones in the last several years . Some of them very good , but not perfect , others fairly awful . When I was doing my research this time for a new phone , I came across DECT 6.0 technology . It claims no interference with WiFi networks , greater range , clear transmission and extended battery life . Bottom line , it's pretty much true .
I've used this phone for a week and it is crystal clear , no interference with my WiFi network , no hiccups with a call , like static or audible digital artifacts . My 5.8 Ghz phone would let me talk with a range of maybe 100 feet outside of my house with the front door closed . This telephone lets me go to the end of my driveway , across the cul de sac , and into my neighbor's driveway without sound degradation . I'd guess that I'm getting about 3x the distance of my 5.8 Ghz phone in a real world situation .
The great thing about this phone is that the battery life is awesome . The phone claims up to 17 hours of talk time and several days of standby . I make a lot of conference calls from my home , and I'm on the phone about 6 hours per day . I'd have to switch cordless phones during the day with ANY 5.8Ghz phone , as they'd last anywhere from 3 to 5 hours . I've made 2 days of calls , for a total of 11 hours , and the battery indicator still shows a full charge , without being placed back into the charger . I'm going to keep it out of the charger in standby and talk until the battery runs down , to accurately gauge the battery life , but it would appear that the 17 hours of talk time is a realistic estimate . By the way , the phone uses traditional AAA rechargeable batteries ( x2 ) , for each handset . My 5.8 Ghz phone used 3 , and had a max talk time of about 5 hours .
The keys on this phone are bigger than other phones , another plus in my book . I'd always misdial a number with smaller buttons . I have yet to misdial with these keys . They're the perfect size .
I don't use the answering machine , as I have telephone company voicemail . The only downside to this phone is that the message waiting indicator for telephone voicemail , doesn't work . I've set it to on , on every phone , and my 5.8Ghz phone will flash the voicemail alert , but these handsets aren't flashing . I've had this problem with other phones , especially VTech , so I'm thinking that most phones work , there must be something about the connection into my house that doesn't get the call message alert to the phone . I have DSL and filters in the house . Maybe this is the cause ?
Anyway , overall , this is a really good set of phones , they work great , have great sound , and the battery life is stellar . I'm really happy with this purchase . You should probably consider DECT 6.0 going forward . It's MUCH better than 5.8Ghz technology , in my opinion .
UPDATE :
As an update to my review , the phone is now in it's 16th hour of talk time , with 5 days of standby ( no charging ) and it's still working on the last bar of the battery indicator . I'd say that the 17 hours of talk time is a conservative number . As stated previously , the battery life is the best that I've ever experienced with a cordless phone . Actually , incredible by today's standards .
003 4 I have had this exact phone system for 6 months and loved it so much during the first month I had it I convinced a friend to buy it too . However , I am now leaving a long-term review which I appreciate more than those who review products they have had for only days . . . ( although it is nice to see immediate reactions when products first come out )
First with the negatives :
- Both myself , and the friend who I talked into buying the phone are both getting the same error and it is increasingly becoming worse . After dialing a number and hitting either the talk or speaker phone button a Busy is often displayed on the screen and the phone refuses to dial . This went from happening once or twice a week to everyday .
- Since day one there has been a bit of a hollow tinny noise on both of our phones but the clarity and lack of fuzz was fantastic so I was willing to overlook this .
- Certain display functions come and go . Luckily none of them are important . . . yet . For example , the lines that make up the outline of the battery on the display of the phone come and go as they please . This has happened to the [ ] that surrounds the number of the phone .
- Not enough room for contacts . I am not a phonebook person and love to store tons of numbers on the phone . Not enough for me but your needs may be different .
- I know this is nitpicky and no stars were lost for this but I miss the alarm snooze button feature on my last phone so that the phone by my bed was my alarm clock as well . Made the bedside table less cluttered . No snooze button here .
Positives :
- That is one loud or quiet ringer depending on the setting . . . wonderful !
- The speaker phone function is the best I have had on a phone thus far .
- The charge lasts forever . For once a company is not exaggerating their claim about how long the batteries last . . in fact I think they last longer than Panasonic claims . A downside to this , I no longer put the phones on the charger at night ( or during the day ) and can never seem to find them . ( Again , no stars lost for my laziness ) .
- The range on this phone is fabulous . My last phone worked at the neighbors house with much fuzz . I can go over to my neighbors and it works in every room of their house with no interference or noise .
- This phone does not freak out when I use my microwave . Most phones I have used do . Yeahhhhhh ! ! ! !
- Although I don't use it ( because it is creepy ) I like the call screening function on the phone . I live in a small house and hearing my friends and family leave messages from three phones in surround sound is too much . If I was in a two story home I would be obsessed with this . Also could be great for when you are in the shower to hear the message being left . If it is the cable company finally calling you back after weeks of phone tag it would be worth jumping out and grabbing it .
All-in-all I have been extremely pleased with the phone and , until the recent errors , would have given the phone four stars because of the battery life , speakerphone quality , and range . These frequent errors ( and the fact that someone I know is having this problem too ) knocks off a star as a warning to others out there that a non-isolated problem does exist on this fairly fabulous phone .
004 4 For those who think all cordless phones are alike , au contraire . I've struggled with crackly 900 mhz lemons , 1.8ghz with non-existent range , 2.8ghz housed in faulty answering machine units , and 5.8ghz paperweights where every call was a lesson in hearing impaired .
The KX-TG1033S , however , is a refreshingly great wireless phone system that finally gets it right . Extremely intelligent software plays messages through every unit when call screening , likewise playback of the answering machine is available from each handset . Related , the LCD display is very sharp , ring ( and tones ) very customizable . ( If you're so inclined , each of the 3 units can play a different tone upon ring . ) Love the detailed status information when the phone is not in use .
Most importantly , call clarity is outstanding . Standard and speaker are both surprisingly strong , crystal clear over digital phone service . There is no disparity across any of the 3 units based on physical location and / or being housed in the base answering machine . ( A common flaw in other expandable wireless phone systems . ) I've likewise encountered no range difficulties even when fielding calls in the front / back yards . Not a hiss , signal loss , nothing . The ability to transfer calls , intercom to other units is nothing short of awesome .
A couple of minor glitches worth noting : The Panasonic Menu IS as complicated as advertised . There is a learning curve - - albeit small - - in how to navigate them before features can truly be maximized . You will be reading the instruction manual , unfortunately . Moreover , the initial charge / battery calibration takes FOREVER . ( ( Be prepared for a half a day ( or more ) without your new phones . ) ) Battery life , however , seems infinite following this early lesson in patience .
Second , there is no graphical display on the answering machine . Thus , number of missed calls / messages becomes unfortunate guesswork . Arguably the greatest tradeoff of a system this high in quality .
These misgivings aside , the KX-TG1033S comes very highly recommended , at a very attractive price point to boot . Sister , high quality expandable systems can cost upwards of a hundred dollars more .
FYI : You might find yourself unable to pull caller ID up on your phones if attached to a fax machine . This is easily remedied via a cheap splitter ( despite contradictory info from Panasonic tech support ) .
006 4 This is my review of the Panasonic KX-TG1033S set after owning 2 other systems , including the Uniden TRU8885 - 3HS 5.8Mhz . In fact , I'm comparing it to the Uniden TRU8885 - 3HS in parts of this review because I know some of you are probably considering that other set . For those of you that are looking at the Uniden set and this one and trying to decide , let me just say this - I kind of wish I'd stayed with the Uniden TRU8885 , but it's a tough call because this has some things better implemented . Here's more details :
PROS :
Excellent battery life .
Very lightweight / comfortable handsets . Definitely lighter than my Uniden TRU8885 - 3HS handsets and better overall design .
Great reception distance .
Well-sized / well-placed buttons . Easy to press for those of us with big hands / fingers , unlike my Uniden TRU8885 - 3HS which has buttons so small and cramped that it's easy to mis-dial .
Headset jack does not create static when moving the headset cable around , unlike my Uniden TRU8885 - 3HS which makes a ton of crackling noise at the slightest movement when the headset is plugged in .
When you receive a long-distance call , the caller ID retains the 1 in front of their area code so that can easily call someone back by just looking at the caller ID . My Uniden TRU8885 - 3HS could do this , but I had to press the * key to bring up the 1 . ( Not a big deal , but I'm being thorough here ) .
CONS :
The headset feature , while having a better input jack than any other set / brand I've tried , is way too quiet . I can barely hear the person on the other end when I plug in my Panasonic KX-TCA60 headset ( and also my Pantronics and Uniden headsets ) . Out of all 3 headsets the Panasonic KX-TCA60 worked best ( both speaking and listening ) , but it's still too hard to hear the other person on the line . Any background noise in your room , and forget it . You'll be struggling to hear them . My Uniden TRU8885 was way better on headset volume .
The menuing system is a bit cumbersome to navigate , and although for the most part it's decent , a couple of the basics are really annoying . For example - if you like to use your handset to view the time , it's there only after you've viewed all your missed calls . If you've missed a call , the time goes away from the screen and it just says Missed Calls until you navigate to the Caller ID screen and scroll down 1 by 1 through all your missed calls . Only then will the clock / time display come back . Annoying to say the least . My Uniden TRU8885 was better in this way - it still showed all the other normal display stuff even with missed call / voicemail indicators showing .
There is no speakerphone on the main base ( and no dialing from the base obviously ) . The only thing the main base is good for is checking / erasing voicemail . The Uniden TRU8885 blows this out of the water obviously , with an excellent fully functional dialing / speakerphone / control system all right in the base .
While the overall sound is good , it's definitely not quite as good as my Uniden TRU8885 was . There seems to be a bit of jitter on the line with these , even when your close to the base . Most people won't notice this , and those of us who do notice it won't care too much because it's almost negligable , but still I miss the better clarity / volume of my Uniden TRU8885 set .
So this is a tough call for anyone trying to choose between these two similar systems - there's a lot to like about this Panasonic KX-TG1033S set , but after using it for a couple weeks now I wish I'd stayed with my Uniden TRU8885 - 3HS set .
If you spend a lot of time on your phone each day and you depend on it for important business communications , I'd say go with the Uniden TRu8885 . However , if you are a normal use kind of person and don't care about things like headset volume or a full-featured base , then the Panasonic KX-TG1033S is still an excellent choice . I honestly go back & forth on which I like better still , but I'd have to say the Uniden wins for my purposes .
Still , this is an excellent system overall , so 4 stars it is !
UPDATE 9 / 6 / 07 - CHANGE OF HEART :
After more extensive use I've changed my mind about these , and wish I'd kept my Uniden TRU8885 ' s . Here's why ( I'll use Pana and Uni abbreviations since we already know which two brands / sets I'm comparing ) :
Range - The pana's have nowhere near the range of the Uni's . I've called people from my firepit in the back yard with the Uni's and there's no signal there with the Pana's . Also , I could transfer my phonebook from my Uni handset in my basement to the Uni handset up in the 2nd floor bedroom , and the Pana's won't reach it ( it'll send to the one in the 1st floor living room but not the one upstairs in the bedroom ) .
Volume and Clarity - The Uni's can go way louder than the Pana's at all devices - the handset , the handset speakerphone , the base speakerphone / voicemail , and the headset ( most important one ) . I've tried 3 different headsets with the Pana's , including Panasonic's own KTX series , and they're all way too quiet . The Uni's were not only louder , but definitely clearer sounding too , even on the speakerphones .
Menuing / navigation / features - At first I thought I liked the Pana's menu / nav system better , but over the past week I've discovered that the Uni's were actually a lot easier with better features . There are too many little details to point out , and most of which you might not care about , but just for example - many times the Pana's can only handle one function at a time , like when you're on a call you can't play back a voicemail from the base . With my Uni's I could be on a call with someone and still play back messages from the base . This was helpful if I wanted to put someone on hold and verify a message that was left , and also for stupid stuff like playing back a funny voicemail for a friend to hear while we're on the line together .
Another IMPORTANT example is I could scroll through my caller ID while on a call with the Uni's , no can do with Pana's .
Base features - I didn't think I'd miss it too much , but having the full dialing system and control center as well as caller ID and speakerphone on the base was a great advantage with the Uni's . With the Uni's I could do everything from the base that I could do from the handset , plus more . The Pana's base is only good for charging and voicemail .
Dialing - this is a trivial / small issue , but the Uni's dial in real time ( in other words , fast ) , while the Pana's have a delay when you punch in the numbers on the keypad . Some people won't care , others will be annoyed to madness .
Answering system - without going into details , the Uni handsets provide much better / fuller / easier control over the entire voicemail system . Also , you can record greetings from the base on the Uni as well as the handsets . The Pana's can only record greetings from the handsets , not as clear , and more difficult to work the answering system from the handset than the Uni's .
Room monitor - again , another trivial / small issue for most people , but somewhat important for me - not only did the Uni's have intercom ( like the Pana's ) but also the Uni's had a room-monitor feature . For example - I could set a handset next to the front door , then go down to the basement and tell it to room monitor the handset up by the door . This was really helpful when I was expecting a delivery because I can't hear the doorbell upstairs from the basement .
There are a few more things better about the Uni's that I've skipped over but most probably won't matter to you .
I'm returning these and going back to my Uniden TRU8885 ' s . Wish I could change my vote to 3 stars .
DECEMBER 2007 UPDATE - I'm not going to delete any original comments , but let me just add that I have found the ULTIMATE solution - the new Uniden 9485 system The Uni 9485 ' s have far surpassed the shortcomings of the Uni Tru 8885 and this Pana set . I switched to the Uni 9485 ' s about 2 months ago and what a difference . The base is better . the buttons are better , the menu is better , and they finally fixed the crackling noise problem that the 8885 headset jacks had . Definitely without a doubt go for the Uniden 9485 ' s instead of the original Pana's and Uni's I reviewed above . Major improvement in all aspects . The Uni 9485 handsets are even an improvement over the 8885 ' s , and the base is way better as well . Sound quality cannot be beat . There's no way I'd go back to the Pana's or Uni 8885 ' s again , these 9485 ' s are a massive improvement over both .
008 4 I love so many things about this phone :
* Great value for base unit and three handsets ( expands to up to 6 ) .
* We had new phones installed and working in less than 10 minutes .
* Good ergo design lets you cradle phone between shoulder and chin .
* Large number pads for clumsy fingers .
* LED lights up for use in the dark .
* Record and pick up messages using any handset ( not just the base ) .
* Screen calls from anywhere in the house ( as long as a handset is with you , you hear a message being left ) .
* Good range - - I am able to talk over 100 feet from the base unit .
* Zero interference ( so far ) and excellent clarity on incoming calls .
* Very long battery life both in talk mode and in standby mode .
* Easily store numbers and transfer them to * all * handsets from menu .
* Handsets all have a speakerphone , which sounds very clear .
* Handsets all have a clock and caller ID display .
* Phone menu easy to figure out ( don't really need the manual ) .
* Message indicator setting is a neat feature ; light on phone flashes for new message .
* Handsets display message when you missed a call .
* Great intercom system lets one phone call any other in the house .
* You can leave handsets on the charger at all times ; won't affect battery life .
Only negatives I have found so far , in 3 months of daily use :
* Even if you have 3 - 6 handsets , only two can talk at one time to an outside caller .
* Sometimes calls placed from our phone to others sound faint . Call recipient has to turn up volume of their handset .
For the price I paid and the value I received , I would buy the Panasonic KX-TG1033S cordless phone system again in a heartbeat .
009 4 I understand that getting used to the Panasonic mindset on how to use their phone products can be a challenge the first time . So , if you're new to Panasonic , take a deep breath , slow down , and read carefully . This is no GE system you're dealing with .
And , if you're thinking of upgrading from a present Panasonic system - - do it ! We upgraded from a 2 . ? ( something ) system and WOW ! Crystal clear , easy to use , and it even has an easy intercom .
The system came out of the box and was operational with 10 minutes . Best phone system we've ever had . Highly recommend !
010 4 These phone are great ! I have had them for over a month and am VERY satisfied . Let me start by saying the last 3 cordless phones I have had were junk . So I am picky now . I would reccommend this to anyone . . . probably the best on the market .
The best way to tell you about this is list the Pros and Cons :
Pros :
Speaker Phone on each handset ( Super - sounds great both ends )
Clarity
Battery Life - 6 - 7 Hours on calls w / SP Phone - plenty of charge remaining
Works with Phone company Messaging ( blinks and Message waiting )
Caller ID
Missed call
Standard Rechargable Batteries AAA NMHI - WOW !
Can sync Address book to all phone
One Phone Jack
Can call any of the other phones ( Intercom )
Range : 1000ft ( near a window ) other side 300 + outside inside perfect
Mute button ( you would think this would be standard )
Belt Clip
Easy to use menus
Cons :
It has an answering machine ( can turn off so bonus I guess )
Would not recommend for wall mounting .
015 4 I just received this set with three handsets and it is chock-full of useful features . Here are some that are important to us : mute button ( as opposed to muting thru a menu which is impractical when on conference calls ) , rechargable batteries with a long charge hold ( 7 + hours ) ,
call waiting caller id ( with subscription to this service thru your carrier ) , shared phonebook , three handsets , fantastic price , message retrieval from the handsets , belt clips , and Amazon's quality assurance policy . There are other features less important to us , but great nonetheless like conferencing , caller ID edit , etc .
There is one flaw , and I actually returned my first set , only to have the same thing happen on my replacement set . When I speak into the handset , I occasionally get feedback that is a hollow , tinny sound . This is at a normal speaking tone . I'm female , and it may be my higher-pitch registers some feedback problem , but it's obviously a bug . I'll live with it , because the merits outweigh this annoyance , and I find that using my headset eliminates the problem , which will force me to take care of my neck and use my headset .
All in all , I recommend the phone for the great features and great price , but I'd be interested to hear if anyone else is getting this strange feedback , or maybe I don't realize I squeak like Minnie Mouse and that's the problem ! !
016 4 I bought 2 kx-TG1033s and linked them all to one base . The sound quality is great . Finally a phone that works with my computer network and has the range to go all over my house ( upstairs and downstairs ) . I love the intercomm feature . The positives written here are true .
BUT . . the speaker phone is useless for others to hear clearly . It drops words if your not right on top of the phone . The caller ID takes a long time to show-up if it every does before 4 rings ( seems to be for calls not in your directory ) . This caller id feature worked better before we started adding alot of our phone numbers into it . I really would like the buttons to be backlit .
017 4 After reading all the positive reviews here , I had to get one . I've only used it for a day but soundwise , it's the best I have heard in a long time . I used to have an answering machine and separate cordless phones around the house but now , I can access messages from any handset anywhere in the house . Some people have complained about lack of now familiar number flashing in the answering machine showing number of messages . But you do have that on the handset and once you get used to checking messages from the handset , you will not check messages from the base anyways .
Menu was not as complicated as some have mentioned , I found it intuitive and navigated through all the functions without reading the manual . Phone is well designed , in terms of ergonomics , and is very comfortable to use . Handsets have speakerphone option and headphone jacks . Mine only has 4 ringtones and I don't think you can add more . Buttons are large but are not backlit . However , you can see the number being dialed on the lighted 3 line display , so it is possible to dial in the dark .
Update ( 9 / 16 / 2007 ) :
I wanted to address some issues other reviewers have brought up . One have mentioned DTMF not being recognized , you may need to hold down the keys a little longer or increase the keypad volume setting on your cell phone before the answering machine hears the tones . Another reviewer said you can't erase individual messages from the handsets , not true . When you play back the message , push clear ( mute ) key and you have the option to delete that particular message only .
022 4 We had a similar product to this one that we had purchased through the phone company several years ago , and it was dying , and needed to be replaced .
I did my usual research , which consists of going to Amazon.com and finding out what is available , checking the Consumer Reports website , narrowing the field to two or three products , and reading the product reviews on Amazon.com .
This phone appeared to have all the functionality that we had with our old phone , with the exception of a keypad and speaker phone on the base unit . Also , our old one did not have a built-in answering system . We don't use voice mail , so we had a cheap Panasonic stand-alone answering system that we were using .
I finally decided that for the price , I was OK with having the answering system included , especially since it was integrated with the handsets . The positive reviews on Amazon.com were what finally convinced me to purchase this particular phone .
Pros :
- Bigger buttons
- Easy to read display
- Call screening from any handset - I really like this !
- Message indicator on the handset
- Ability to retrieve messages using any handset
Cons :
- Keypad is not backlit
Regarding some of the concerns expressed in other reviews :
- I can't comment on the range of the handsets from the base unit , because I never have occasion to leave the house while using the phone . It works fine in my environment , which is just around the house .
- I don't consider the menu system to be especially cumbersome . I find it rather intuitive , and once I have become accustomed to using certain functions , I find it very easy to use .
I believe my old phone was 2.4 gHz technology , and I never had any interference issues with other electronic devices in my home . The same is true of the Dect 6.0 phone .
One more thing - I could not ascertain from the product description whether or not this phone had some type of in use indicator , to prevent me from picking up the phone while someone else is on the phone . I called Panasonic , and I was told there was none . That was functionality that was on my old phone , and I knew I would miss it , but I decided to purchase this phone , anyway . I'm happy to report that In Use appears on the display of the handset if someone else is on the phone .
All that being said , I'm quite pleased with my purchase of this Panasonic phone and answering system .
023 4 First of all , I really like the phone . The call clarity to me is the most significant feature of a cordless phone , and this is the best I've ever had . Unbelievably clear from all three handsets . Very nice . One handset is right next to a PC and there is no hum or interference .
Now to my minor items . First , the keypad is large , but not lighted . Hey , I said minor . Second , the amber charging indicator on the top emits a pretty bright glow for something so small . This may be an issue for people who are extremely light sensitive when trying to sleep ( I have one handset in the bedroom ) . It's not bright like a flashlight , just bright for its size . It casts a glow on the wall above and behind it . Third and final minor problem is the wall mounting is not flush . This means the little plastic device they have included to allow wall mounting actually makes the unit stick out perpendicular to the wall . As my wall mount is in the kitchen and just about eye level , this causes two problems . I can't see the base of the phone ( for messages , etc . ) at all and I also can't open the cabinet door near the wall mount as it sticks out slightly more than the base unit . So , I placed it on the counter . Yes , I realize these are all minor and likely not showstoppers for most people , but I thought these issues may be important to some people and they would like to know . I've ordered one of Panasonic's headphones , but haven't received it yet , so no feedback on the headset sound quality .
Still a great phone and I would buy it again and recommend it .
027 4 I ordered these phones because they were a reasonable price compared to what I'd seen and they were the latest technology ( dect 6.0 ) and a decent brand name . According to everything I'd read , these were supposed to have the clearest signals , no static , no interference , etc . So , I was a little disappointed when I plugged the phones in and got static SO BAD that I couldn't even hear the person on the other end . I thought it was because I was too close to an electrical appliance which it says can be a problem , so I moved the base unit as far away from all electrical appliances as possible which , really , was just the microwave but I still got major static . I'm a little annoyed at that given that 1st floor phone jacks are , after all , almost always in the kitchen and if 5 feet away from a microwave isn't far enough to reduce static then that makes it a pretty worthless product in my eyes .
Anyway , I was going to return them but decided instead to move the base unit upstairs to see if that made a difference . It did . Now the static is ALMOST gone and the phones are usable . I'd return them but didn't really feel like dealing with shipping them back and what not . I just really needed phones .
UPDATE : Have owned the phone now for 2 years . . . still having problems with static but have two additional issues .
1 - first floor handset flashes constantly that there's a new voicemail ( and it says new voicemail on the screen ) when there's not
2 - sometimes when the phone is ringing , only the upstairs handset rings and the first floor handset does nothing . . . no ringing , no caller ID , nothing .
I'm currently shopping for new phones .
028 4 During the first day or two of use you may experience some static on the handsets . We were about to pack up the phones and return them , then it stopped ? Maybe just the batteries adjusting or something .
At any rate - - love the phones now .
Should note that you can copy phone book entries from one handset to another . Each handset can have a different ring . Itercom feature may alleviate yelling across the house forever : )
034 4 I was delighted with this system at first , until the answering machine on the base unit starting blinking and quit working .
Now my phone rings just 4 times in my home , and the answering machine does not pick up . To the caller it sounds like it just rings forever . I can't put a new answering machine in because the old one does something after 4 rings .
I can't send the base unit in for repairs because none of the other phones will work while it is gone .
I am currently spending time trying to find out what to do .
We really like the phones other than this problem . The intercom system is great , sound is good , and speaker phones work well . The menu is a bit cumbersome but it works .
035 4 1 star for usability , just doesn't perform
4 stars for features
I bought this phone because I work from home and need the speakerphone and mute capability . I love the phone for these features . Speaker worked well and the phone was very easy to use . But . . .
After using for about 2 wks , I noticed that I was having a hard time hearing people . They could hear me fine but it would fade on my side . It was extremely annoying ! ! !
Then I started getting complaints that I sounded as if I was in tunnel or that I sounded like a bad Charlie Brown episode . It didn't matter if I was on the headset or speaker . Even switched headsets and still the same result . Both of these negatives were sporadic . I was only maybe 10 feet or less from the docking station at any time .
I exchanged the phone thinking it might just be a defect in manufacturing . But the second one started with the audio fade too . I couldn't take the chance of the ' Charlie Brown ' talk occurring so I returned it again .
I have not spoken with Panasonic on my issues but did read one of the other reviewers that encountered the audio fade ( design of DECT to reduce echo ) . I can't express how annoying this is . Just not acceptable for my use .
I am very disappointed in this phone . It really would have been the perfect phone for me if the darn thing would have just worked .
041 4 We purchased the KX-TG1034S ( with 4 handsets ) , AND the KX-TG1033S ( with 3 handsets ) for two different locations . They replace much earlier 2.4Ghz models .
The GOOD news :
Setup and registration was easy and the self registration was also helpful .
The batteries last MUCH longer ( talk over 4 hours ) , and I have not left the handset out long enough to know the standby time .
Sound , and lack of Interference , are remarkable ! Range is good , about the same as the previous models , however , could be better .
Overall , these are ' smarter ' with improved features and performance . However ,
The BAD news :
The Base station lacks several items ; 1 ) an Intercom function , with a ' Handset-specific Page Feature ' 2 ) the Answering Machine lacks ' Message Counter ' or Audio message waiting Indicator , 3 ) Capture device for the Telephone wire { small item } .
The ' Hands-Free ' audio quality is sometimes poor on the other end .
The Handsets seem to drop connection more often then the 2.4Ghz model .
The Yellow light { indicating charge } can NOT be turned off , and only blinks when there is a ' message ' on the phone company voice mail , detected by the studder dial-tone , and NOT when this unit has a message waiting .
Sharing the PhoneBook works ' OK ' with the following notes ; 1 ) Entries sent from one handset to an other are ADDED to the receiving handset , resulting in duplication ( s ) , 2 ) I have NOT been able to get the ' Single Entry Move ' function to work at all .
Overall , these models are much improved but lack features that would have been easy to have included . Would I recommend purchase of these ? YES , for the price they represent the BEST choice on the market at the time we made our buying decision .
051 4 Mine arrived a couple days ago . I don't have vast experience with remote phones , but have previously owned a Sony remote for many years . Then a Radio Shack remote for a few years . Pleased with both , but the Shack went under so I bought this . . . based on a Consumer Reports review and the user reviews on Amazon . Both have been fairly reliable guides in the past .
Setup is easy . Basic features are fine . Haven't tested the extremes of range but that seems fine too . I especially like being able to share a conversation on up to 3 handsets .
I do miss one feature of the Radios Shack phone very much . . . . thought it was commonplace nowadays but apparently not . The RS phone had a wide variety of great musical ring tones which you could meld with particular numbers calling in . . . so you could tell who was calling just by the Beethoven Ode to Joy theme or any of many other etceteras . None of that on this phone .
Now to the sound of voices on calls . Substandard . Very poor . Much worse than either the Sony or Radio Shack phone . . . . to a really irritating degree . And all the handsets sound the same both in normal and speakerphone operation . Not good . No static present but lots of grunge . Anything but clear . Very disappointing . One star by modern standards .
It arrived in fine time from Electronics EXPO ( via an Amazon order ) . Well packed BUT the base power source was already plugged in , which is very unusual . So I might have received one that had already been returned once before . No way to be sure . Returning it pretty much a main pain for me , but I might do that .
Now I realize this is at odds with the testimony of many others - so it is more than a little possible I received a unit that is defective in one way or another . I ordered a 25 foot run of phone line cable so I can try setting the base in another location . Will add a comment later if that improves the sound at all .
May grit my teeth and keep this phone . It's adequate for my needs . But I sure wish it even began to have the voice clarity other folks have experienced .
052 4 Most all reviews stated Dect 6.0 technology was the way to go . That may be true for most people , but all I received was static . I hooked it up all over the house plus in the garage and the reception was the same . Turned off all electrical appliances , lights , etc . and nothing changed . For some unknown reason none of the phones would work without static from even a couple of feet away from the base unit . My old 2.4 ghz phone worked much better .
I emailed Panasonic , but didn't receive an answer . I ended up returning the unit to Amazon because it was impossible to use .
064 4 We've been having problems with the phone ( s ) cutting out . We can hear the other parties but they can't hear us . It's not due to being too far away from the bases either . We'll be within 10 feet of the base the whole time . There will be good connection for 5 - 10 minutes and then it will cut out . It comes back after about 10 - 15 seconds ; just when you're ready to hang it up as a dropped called . We do have great clarity hearing others when it's working though . Everything worked for about two months before the trouble started . I have received complaints that I can hardly be heard when using the matched Pansonic headsets too .
With all the Christmas calls today it just became too much to sit by and not do anything about it . It's too late to return it to Amazon ( 3 months ) . I guess my next step is to see what Panasonic will do about it .
069 4 After nearly two months of ownership and daily home and business use , I must say I'm quite pleased with the Panasonic KX-TG1033S phone system .
I work mostly from home for one of the largest phone companies in the world , and spend probably 20 hours a week on conference calls , so I'm picky about my phone quality . Buying the Panasonic was a leap of faith because I figured a good-quality speakerphone could only be mounted in a base station , and that only a corded handset could truly avoid sounding like talking into a tin can .
Turns out I was wrong on both counts . The handset-mounted speakerphone sounds great and is plenty loud to compensate for my partial hearing loss from too much rock-n-roll . I've never had anyone on a call complain about sound quality when I'm talking , either using the speakerphone or talking directly into the handset .
My corded-handset bias has vanished as I've discovered the convenience of being able to continue a call while walking to the coffeepot , the kitchen for a snack , the couch to stretch my back , or the living room , where all the test equipment for my job is stored .
Other niceties include conveniently located speaker and mute buttons , which I use all the time ; an easy-to-use speed dial directory ; an intercom feature ( I can now talk to my wife , who also works at home , phone-call style instead of hollering down the stairs ) ; and an overall nice ergonomic handset design .
My biggest issue is that I find myself wishing for a ' mute ' indicator light . When you mute a call , the LCD lights up and says ' mute ' and then goes dark after a few seconds . Some minutes later , when you wonder whether you're still on mute , you have to pick up the handset and turn it toward a light source so you can look for the ' mute ' indicator on the dark LCD . Not a deal-killer , but it'd sure be nice if there was just simply a light indicating ' mute ' status .
Another minor beef is that directory entries are stored separately in each handset - - this might be a good solution for families who want separate numbers on each handset , but I want the same numbers available on all handsets . No big deal , because you can copy one or all numbers to other handsets , though it took a little digging in the manual to discover this feature . You just have to remember to take the extra step to copy a newly entered number to other handsets if you also want it available on those handsets . The best way to handle this would be to have a sync / don't sync feature to serve either preference .
Other minor complaints include voice mail access from the handsets being a little non-intuitive ( though it's fine when using the base station ) ; needing to specifically turn on the ' flash a handset light when a voice mail is waiting ' feature ( this should be ' on ' by default ) ; not allowing calls while the handset is mounted in the base station ( no big deal - just pick up the phone and put it on your desk ) ; and the base station looking downright silly wall-mounted using the included bracket ( my wife made me take it down immediately upon sighting it ) .
Overall , I'm quite pleased with this Panasonic phone system and have certainly put it through its paces with my home office and home usage . The minor beefs listed above are indeed minor , and I'd certainly recommend this system .
075 4 I always love the latest technology , and bought this phone from here . Overall it's pretty good , just couple of minor things short to make it close to perfect ,
1 ) the incoming voice is low , there's no button / menu indicates how to dial up the volume . Called Panasonic tech support , and was told to use the upper of that round button to dial it up while talking . This is the only way to change the volume . Even though it works , but the maximum volume is still low compared to other phones .
2 ) The menu is not that great , and not easy to use .
077 4 I bought this phone to replace our old Vtech phone . It exceeded my expectations . The phone is simple to use , easy to hold and handle , the speaker phone is clear and loud , plus lots of other convenient features - a few of those I like were the ability of storing phone numbers from the caller ID and sharing stored phone numbers with the other phones easily , and to be able to listen to the messages from the any of the cordless phones .
I would have liked it if I can tell how many calls are saved in the answering machine . But that is just minor .
I would definitely recommend this phone for home use .
082 4 I've had this set of three cordless phones with answering machine for a less than a month . I basically like it , but twice it has malfuntioned for several hours where I can't make or receive calls . I get an error message that the handset is too far from the base , even though it's an inch away . All three phones are affected , so I'd be out of commission if I didn't have a corded phone . It mysteriously fixes itself when it's good and ready . I have no clue how / why it happpens or how to fix it when it does .
Also , the answering system / caller ID informs me that I have missed calls . When I check them and clear them , it still claims I have missed calls .
Other than these two issues , the phone is okay . I don't know if I'd buy it again because the trouble shooting guide does not cover these issues .
089 4 In general , a good phone with very good range . Routinely , 75 to 80 feet from the base station on my boat to the handset in the house ( and thru a brick wall ) . And I like the way that you can program all handsets from one handset .
But why aren't the talk / off buttons green and red like a cell phone ? I have to look to answer the phone with the right button and likewise to hang up . Hanging up should not require a detailed review of buttons .
And the caller ID has time on the top line vice the caller's name . It should be more like my V-tech with caller's name first and in oversized letters . Plus , I am still confused about how to access caller ID and review it . It's easy but not intuitive . And erasing caller ID's takes 3 or 4 button pushes per ID . When I review incoming calls , I look for my V-tech - I guess that says it all . I would not buy this phone again - the caller ID function is annoying . . .
I've had this phone a year now and I hate it . I'm going to toss it in the trash and buy a V-Tech . I wouldn't feel comfortable even giving it away . Every time I pick up a handset , it says 123 ( or whatever ) missed calls . Only because I used another handset to take the calls . Makes you feel that you are missing something . Needless , useless information . I have to use my glasses to read the screen everytime due to the poor display . And the caller ID is still a disaster . Try to return a call and it dials the area code which means the call doesn't go through . Trying to edit the number to remove the area code is difficult . I just give up . Why don't home phones work like cell phones ? This phone is counter-intuitive and annoying !
I'd have to give it NO STARS after owning it . . . . . .
099 4 I am mostly satisfied with the product , but the reviews were a bit misleading . I found a few things not mentioned by others that are . . . lets say , annoying . When you don't answer the phone , it reads 4 missed call or however many you don't get . It stays there for days until you use the caller ID and scan through all of them . Even then mine still is reading 2 missed calls . Also , when I am talking , there is this intermittent dead sound on the other end . The person can hear you fine , but you have the feeling that they have hung up . Weird . One last annoyance , the ringer can not be turned off . We have young children napping and I have to take it off the hook . Even our old phone had that feature . I am being nitpicky , I know , but overall I might have researched a bit more before buying .
Pros : it is easy to use , message system works well , ringers loud , visible screen , clean look .
101 4 The KX-TG1033S is an excellent 3 handset phone system . There are two things that it doesn't do which I'll explain later .
First , something that I haven't seen mentioned in any of the posted reviews . I only wanted a cordless phone with a number keypad in the base unit because without that , I hate having to listen to a recorded message , move the phone away from my ear , punch in some digits , listen again , move the phone away from my ear , punch in more digits , etc .
Then it dawned on me that with this phone system , every handset has a speakerphone . This allows listening to recorded instructions using the speakerphone without having to hold the phone up to my ear . I can punch in digits easily and can even hear the beep feedback for each digit . This totally eliminates the need for a keypad in the base unit . The added bonus is that this can be done from any handset .
One thing that this phone cannot do which I wish it could is that it cannot globally ring all other phones via the intercom . It only allows ringing one handset at a time via its handset number . Often I don't know which room my wife is in . It would have been nice to just ring all other handsets globally and she could pick up from which ever room she happens to be in . I asked the Panasonic telephone dept twice about this via email but have not received any response so I guess it cannot do it . If Panasonic is listening , this is an option that would really be excellent to add . * * * * I rated 4 stars instead of 5 stars for this missing capability . * * * *
The other thing that this phone cannot do is display the number of answering machine messages received . It will only flash to say that messages have been received . The default setting for message waiting blinking is only the small red arrow on the base unit . The LED on the top of every handset can blink too but the default is Off so it has to be enabled via the menu for each handset individually . This is a great feature to see if there are any new messages from any handset then then retrieve messages from any handset .
With the handset volume set to max , volume is probably about an 8 on a scale of 10 with 10 being the perfect volume for me . But the speakerphone volume can be raised to a loud level so I can use that if the handset volume is too low for some calls . Some reviewers have said that the speakerphone volume is too low but I wonder if they raised the volume ? The default speakerphone volume is 3 and it needs to be raised to 5 to get the loud volume .
The default setting to answer a call is to press the Talk button to answer . There is a setting to automatically answer calls when the phone is lifted off the base or charger units .
A tip that I didn't see in the instruction manual is an easy way to use the menu . There is a small Menu button on the handset that is semi-recessed and a bit hard to press . This button also serves as the OK button . It can be a bit of a pain to have to go back & forth between the arrow buttons and the Menu / OK button when setting up the phone .
Instead of using the Menu / OK button to access the menu , just press the Down arrow on the large circular navigation button . This activates the menu . Scroll thru the menu using the Up or Down arrows and enter OK by pressing the Right arrow . There is no need to struggle pressing the small Menu / OK button at all .
This method can be really handy since answering machine messages have to be accessed via the menu when using handsets . So to hear answering machine messages , just press the Down arrow to activate the menu , press down again to scroll to the Answering Device , press the Right arrow to OK , press the Down arrow to scroll to new or old messages , and press the right arrow to listen to the message ( s ) . This is very easy to do using just the arrows and is much faster than reading the above .
Answering machine messages can be easily listened to via buttons on the base unit . Single button presses like any other answering machine .
I'm very satisfied with this phone system . It is clear and works anywhere on our property .
106 4 I found that the phone was easy to set up . All the prompts were on the actual handset and you can record your message through the handset also , not like on other answering machines , where you had to talk into the base in order to record your greeting .
Love the speaker and conference call capability . The price is good for all that you are getting .
The only reason I did not give it a 5 star rating is because the design of the base does not allow me to hang it on the wall since I need to put it in the small wall area between my counter and upper cabinets . It sticks out a little and just looks awkward hanging out like that .
114 4 After moving into a larger home , my wife and I needed to add a few extra phones , so I started researching which of these inclusive phone systems would be best . After reading reviews on Amazon ( and other reseller sites ) , I decided to go with this Panasonic system and have not been disappointed whatsoever .
Some features I find to be very useful include the large keypad buttons , the clarity of the phones and the digital answering system , the intercom feature between phones , the weight and feel of the phone ( not too heavy or too light ) , plus the fact that the phones can be situated anywhere as long as there is power for the cradle .
118 4 After extensive research , it seemed that this phone had the best reviews . It's no mistake . We compared it to our other cordless ( 2.4Ghz ) on the same line , and the clarity difference is obvious .
I had read complaints about the menu being complicated , but found that not true . If you can operate a cell phone , this will be a breeze .
Well worth the money if you're in the market for a phone .
121 4 I bought these phones because of problems with the 5.8ghz cordless phones I had . I have wireless internet in my home and the Dect 6.0 was supposed to be unaffected by this .
They were easy to set up and crystal clear . Exactly as promised .
They are also very easy to use . I can even page my son downstairs with these phones .
124 4 I am one of those buyers that reads and trusts reviews . This phone was rated very highly and had hundreds of fantastic reviews , so when it was time to upgrade from my ancient VTech 2.4GHz cordless phones , I expected a huge upgrade with this Panasonic . Less than 48 hours after purchasing it , I'm packing it up and returning it .
There are two primary reasons that are causing me to return this phone . The first and most important one is the sound quality . I've had several conversations with different people - both local and long distance - and while I'm talking , the sound on the handset cuts out . It sounds as though the other party hung up on you . So I find myself asking , You still there ? several times during the conversation , to which the other party speaks up . I didn't mention it to my wife , and then today she spent some time on the phone and complained about it as well , so both of us noticed it immediately .
The second reason that I'm returning this phone is the LED on the handset . When it's sitting in the charging cradle , the orange LED at the top of the handset is lit up like a torch . This isn't a problem in the office , living room , or kitchen , but in the bedroom it is incredibly annoying . I've awakened several times the past couple of nights and was surprised ( especially once my eyes adjusted to the dark ) at how bright this thing was lighting up the top of our bedroom ceiling ( and the ceiling is 9 ' high ) .
I can't speak of the battery life although that was the primary reason I upgraded . The feature set on the phone is nice . I really like the call screening function where you can hear people leaving a voicemail on all of the handsets in the house . I also like the fact that you can check voicemail from any handset , and the LED on the handset will flash when a new voicemail is waiting .
The menu system , like many others have said , takes a little getting used to , but I would say it's bad . Better than the VTech that I currently have , that's for sure ! The main phone base has a small footprint which is great for saving desk space .
I hated to have to return this phone ; I had high expectations , but conversation quality plus the bright LED on the handset being illuminated 24 / 7 was just too much for a phone set that I hoped to keep for a long time .
130 4 I'll give it to you quick , and dirty :
This phone solves 3 annoying problems with cordless phones .
1 ) On most , you can ONLY pick up ONE extension at a time . This set lets you use 2 at once .
2 ) Speaker Phone Rocks ! Outstanding speaker-phone function from hand-sets . Best I've ever used .
3 ) Battery ! ! These use wonderful STANDARD 500ma AAA NiMh cells ! ! None of those goofy little pre-soldered packs that cost so much , and burn out so quickly .
A huge bonus is if you have your own chager , you can refresh these cells when they grow weak , AND you can replace them cheaply with higher rating . The stand-by time is already great , but upping those batteries to 1,000 or 1,500ma , and you'll get 2 or 3 times the durations , and still be 100% compatible with the built-in chargers .
Standard stuff : It has the all-important Panasonic ear-feel to it .
CONS : ( what good is a review if I don't complain about SOMEthing . . . ) There is a wall-mount bracket for the base , but the design of the base just isn't right for wall mounting . Jutts out quite a bit . It's much more at home on a table top . ( side note : mine IS wall-mounted . I can live with it . )
- berk
131 4 I purchased this phone for my Mom who seems to have a way of killing cordless phones . Up until the Panasonic , the average life span for a cordless phone in her house was about 9 months . So far , with more than one year of use under her belt , she's still very pleased with how this phone works .
I'm especially fond of how easy it is to program numbers into the directory , since that task always falls to me . Very straightforward , and the directory makes speed dialing much easier for her .
Excellent sound quality and range . No interference from things such as microwaves , which was a problem with past phones .
My only quibbles are that after you program a number into one handset , you have to remember to transmit it to the others . It would be nice if it did that automatically . Also , the keys do not have back lighting , which can make it difficult to dial in low light conditions . But , the directory on the screen is very easy to see in any light , so there's a lesser need for a keypad light .
The batteries are easily replaceable at a low cost ( standard AA rechargeable ) . Haven't had the need to do so yet , but it's nice to see that , unlike other phones , that the replacement batteries don't cost as much as the phone !
Highly recommend !
142 4 We have had the phone for 3 months now and for the most part we are happy with the phone system :
Pros :
The battery life is good .
The distance / clarity is good - can take it into the backyard .
The intercom feature is usefull .
Cons :
The Caller ID doesn't seem to give as much info as our previous panasonic phone , such as not telling us the persons name - just giving a phone number .
Individual phones don't always ring and we rely on hard wired phones to hear the ring .
There are occasional bugs like unexplanable beeps or going to a busy signal during conversations . If these problems happen more often this is a big problem . A phone should work always , first and foremost . I will return it as defective if it continues .
The answering machine doesn't have an audible beep to let you know there is a message .
148 4 I've owned multi-handset answering machines for years . My prior unit was excellent ; an AT & T three-unit set with battery backup for the base set and a maximum of four handsets . It did yeoman work for years , and we only got rid of it because the playback on the answering machine got so poor that we couldn't hear half the first messages . Since the messages were stored in a solid-state module we finally had to replace it .
I have to have good sound quality because I'm going deaf in both ears from a half-century of loud noises ; hearing gunfire ( big-bore rifle team ) , riding motorcycles and flying piston-engined small planes . I began to protect my hearing too late to do more than save a percentage of it , but that's another story .
The KX-TG1033 system has great sound quality , a wide range of both ring - and speaker-volume , incredible battery life ( about a week standby time , about 7 hours talk time ) , and simple-to-use programming and retrieval . One small nit to pick : searching for a number isn't as simple as it could be , but that's all I can think of that I'm not crazy about .
This system is outstanding for several reasons , but one is that you can enter a person's phone number , name , etc . and then share it with one or all of the other handset units . Or , you can copy your * entire * telephone directory to all the other telephones . This saved a huge amount of time , as we have three handsets . I'd buy this unit again for this reason alone .
The handsets are very light , they come with optional belt / pocket clips which work rather too well as they may be hard to remove from say , the hip pocket of a pair of jeans . Controls are simple and easys to use . Functions of the seven buttons and single navigation button on the handset are easy to see and read . The units connect for recharging easily and without having to be careful in their placement in their charging stands . It's expandable to a maximum of six handsets . Range is outstanding ; I've used it from across the street with no problem and no fade . Stored messages can be heard from any handset and the playback tone is very good . It also has a speakerphone button on the handset which works OK , but isn't anything to brag about . My wife likes the Intercom / Call Transfer function , too .
Would I recommend this product ? Yes , I would . Of course , I have no idea how long they'll last over all , but I'm willing to bet that Panasonic made them to last a long , long time .
And we didn't scrap our old system ; the AT & T unit is now doing duty in the garage as just another handset . I like the battery backup for the base unit because it still works if we have a power outage .
166 4 This phone is works very well in my home.I have no fear to run down the battery , because the long battery life.The range is pretty good compare to my old Panasonic model.Only thing i miss is to have hand free answer on base unit .
Cons are none , except no blinking light indicating message on all other units .
173 4 I did a lot of research prior to buying this item , looking for a phone that would give me extended range . Many reviewers commented on the excellent range of this item , so I purchased it . My second handset now sits on a kitchen counter less than 40 feet from the base unit , just off a direct line of sight . Almost every time I pick it up , I have to walk towards the base unit in order for the handset to make contact with the base . I am extremely unhappy with this purchase - maybe I just got a lemon and the other reviewers are right , but my phone does not work as advertised .
Update : After using this phone system for a few weeks , I hate it even more than I did at first . If Amazon allowed it , I would definately change my rating to one star rather than the two stars I originally gave it . The range is HORRIBLE ! And , the ringer now is one long continuous ring the doesn't stop until you answer the phone . This system is JUNK !
176 4 In general , this is a very solid cordless phone - crystal clear voice , nice range , easy to set up , nice voice mail feature , etc . In addition , I personally enjoy the feature of having headset jack on each handset .
The cons that I can think of include : The keypad is not lit up in the dark and there is no night mode on the phone , therefore you can't turn it off during sleep .
179 4 Before I started writing this review , I read a lot of the one-star reviews and most of them just are not true or are one-off problems .
These phones make both of my last two systems ( Uniden , Philips ) look like children's toys in comparison . Particularly the Philips system . It was total trash .
Anyway , the Panasonic holds its charge , unlike the Philips phones which were constantly running out of power . The Caller-ID is very readable , even by my legally blind wife .
I didn't really want the answering system but it does work well enough and is accessible remotely as well as by any phone on the system . You can listen to messages , record new responses , delete or store them from any phone on the system . I never go near the base unit yet have no problem maintaining the answering system .
The phones all work at long distances from their base , with one downstairs in the basement family room so it works well through the floor .
All can be used as speakerphones and the speakers are loud enough so everyone in the room can hear the conversation . It has a number of different ringers and my wife has the Christmas song right now . The intercom feature works better than most stand alone intercoms do . The Uniden didn't even have this capability and the Philips did , but the poor recharging made its intercom ability almost useless .
The ability to transfer phonebook register single numbers or the whole phonebook between phones makes it easy for each phone to have all of the entries on it as well as individual numbers for each person's phone as well . It has plenty of capacity , far more than the Uniden units did .
The menus are very easy to access with the central tilt button . It is easy to set up without having to read the manual for most items .
It doesn't have the colorful wallpaper that the Philips has but who cares ? I have too many wallpapers on my PC and cell phones , so why do I need them on my telephone as well ?
Zero static even standing in front of an operating microwave , or using it three feet away from my PC which has at least a dozen wireless features operating at any time including a DLINK Media Center Extender .
Neither of my other two wireless phone systems comes close to that kind of performance .
I have yet to have a single person complain about my voice cutting out while talking to them , unlike some of those who gave this system one star .
The ONLY reason it didn't get 5 stars is that the charging cradles of the additional phones can't be mounted on a wall and with the fairly short power lines they tend to fall off of the end tables they are sitting on because they are very light in weight . The other two systems had wall mountable chargers , which is the only thing I miss about them . Plus , though the base unit is wall mountable , it does stick out pretty far from the wall , causing the kitchen ( where the main telephone jack plate is located ) cabinet door not to be able to open fully . A slight irritation , but noting like the irritations of the other two systems I have had .
SO if you want wireless phones that are clear sounding , work at great distances from the base even in a multi-story home and are not prone to static from all of the electronic devices found in homes and offices today then this is the system for you .
All Panasonic needs to do to make it a 5 star system is make the chargers wall mountable .
182 4 Instead of going with Panasonic , I though to save money and went with other phones ( Vtech / Motorolla ) as had a great deal on them . But this move did not worked out well ( poor Sound quality , display skewed , Weak Battery ) . Finally after year and half of other phone usage , got this panasonic phone .
I am Pretty much satisfied with this one . Has very good sound in all the units , Liked the key pad too . . . soft and big keys . . . and has a good intercom feature and may more which I don't use though . Before this unit . . i always prefered to call through my cell phone but now I love calling and receiving phones on this unit .
184 4 This phone works fine . It does not have an extended range so plan to stay within 50 feet of the base unit . All of the handsets provide speakerphone and this is great when you are on hold . It also includes mute and all of the features you would expect from a phone .
One nice feature is that all of the handsets work like extensions . This means you can have several children on the phone with Grandma and Grandpa at the same time . The handsets also tell you when another extension is in use .
192 4 Recommended . DECT technology has long been available in Europe and was recently approved in the US market and marketed as DECT 6.0 . DECT offers noticeable improvements in voice quality over normal cordless technology and right out of the gate , you'll find the phone great . Long range means it should work everywhere in your house and because it utilizes different frequencies , it does not interfere with 802.11 wireless networks or microwave ovens ( a problem with many current cordless phones ) .
Panasonic's industry reputation is as a leader and this phone shows it . Easy to set-up , clear menuts and large buttons makes the a joy to use . The handsets are may look somewhat big , but they're quite comfortable for hour long talks .
The integrated answering machine is a joy to use . A plus with DECT technology , you can listen to messages being left from any handset automatically via the speakerphone . No more running to the kitchen to hear who may be leaving a message .
Pricing on this Panasonic with 3 handsets is a good value . Overall , this is a good choice .
the answering machine did not have the best display . It just has a flasing arrow to let you know there is a message there , and after you play the message , the red arrow light goes out even if you keep the message there for future play back . I like to have a machine that will tell you how many calls came in , and if you save a message for future play back , it will keep that number illuminated on the machine until you delete it . Second , the handset was very uncomfortable on the ear . No matter how we placed it , it never felt very good . I did notice that after comparing to some other models that on the Panasonic , if you look at it from the side profile , the part that rests on your ear is bowed out slightly . This causes the phone to press on your ear unnecessarily . We ended up selecting the ATT model SL82318 . This one is a winner in my book . So far , it has had very good voice quality on both ends , the answering machine is perfect with all functions , it has illuminated keys for easy reading in night time conditions , and it fits comfortably on the ear .
012 4 Overall we're very pleased with the Panasonic DECT 6.0 phones system . They are very easy to set up as each phone in the package was already pre-registered to the base station . They hold a charge very well . Probably over a week of standby . We don't use the answering system , so cannot comment on that . The reception is crystal clear . Range does not seem to be an issue inside the house . Have had no hint interference . I got a set for my Mom and she really enjoys them , too . She does use the answering system and it works very well . I like how when a call goes to the answering machine , you can hear the message left by the caller on the other handset's speaker automatically . It really simplifies where you put the base station with the answering machine since each handset can interact with the basestation and control all of it's functions .
094 4 We bought this phone to replace an old 900mhz phone . After looking at quite a bit of information on the 5.8 vs . the DECT 6.0 , we obviously went for the DECT product . We selected the Panasonic model due to all the positive reviews . I can say that the unit performs very well . Voice quality on both ends was very good , however , we ended up returning it for two reasons : the answering machine did not have the best display . It just has a flasing arrow to let you know there is a message there , and after you play the message , the red arrow light goes out even if you keep the message there for future play back . I like to have a machine that will tell you how many calls came in , and if you save a message for future play back , it will keep that number illuminated on the machine until you delete it . Second , the handset was very uncomfortable on the ear . No matter how we placed it , it never felt very good . I did notice that after comparing to some other models that on the Panasonic , if you look at it from the side profile , the part that rests on your ear is bowed out slightly . This causes the phone to press on your ear unnecessarily . We ended up selecting the ATT model SL82318 . This one is a winner in my book . So far , it has had very good voice quality on both ends , the answering machine is perfect with all functions , it has illuminated keys for easy reading in night time conditions , and it fits comfortably on the ear .
128 4 I have had Panasonic phones for years . I looked all over for this one . I am very pleased with the Panasonic DECT 6.0 Series 3 Handset Cordless Phone . Everything about it works well . I love the over all phone size too . Easy to hold , not to thick , not cumbersome . The numbers are larger than some which makes it very easy to use . I can take the phone outside to the back yard , to the shop and reception is excellent . I would highly recommend this phone to any one looking for a new cordless phone .
