Panasonic Dect 6.0 Expandable Digital Cordless Answering System - 4 Handset System (KX-TG9334T) by Panasonic
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Digital camera reviews of Panasonic Dect 6.0 Expandable Digital Cordless Answering System - 4 Handset System (KX-TG9334T)
Digital camera Review: Add-on handset does not match!
Summary: 2 Stars
I ordered the Panasonic KX-TG9334T Cordless Digital Answering System. This system comes with 4 handsets. I received this system from Ace Photo Digital, only it was a Panasonic KX-TG9333T with 3 handsets with an add-on handset, the Panasonic KX-TGA930T. The problem is that the add-on handset does not match the ones that come with the answering system. The add-on handset, the KX-TGA930T, has black buttons, whereas the ones that come with the answering system have clear buttons. This can clearly be seen from the packaging. The handset that comes with the answering system is a Panasonic KX-TGA931T. I am returning the answering system for a full refund. I don't appreciate the substitution, but Ace Photo Digital is taking the product back at their expense and has said they will refund my money.
I guess the lesson here is that the add-on handset marketed by Panasonic DOES NOT match the handsets that come with the answering systems. If you don't mind the mismatch, then okay. If you do, then you need to order a complete system up front.
Digital camera Review: Adequate but confusing phone system, lousy telephone support
Summary: 2 Stars
I've lived for several years with an ATT cordless system that had a number of features I really hated, so I spent a lot of time looking up the features of different cordless phones. I liked the fact that this system has replaceable rechargeable batteries, and that each headset has a speaker phone and a headphone jack, and that the controls available seemed to give a good amount of flexibility. I particularly liked it that the headsets will ring when you page them by intercom or activate the locator system (I have mislaid phones on the previous cordless system, and it is MUCH harder to find a phone if the ringer is turned off, as is often the case). I didn't need the feature that has a voice announcing the caller, but it seemed clear that one could turn that off, so I was ok about that. Finally, I liked buying from Amazon because the delivery is quick.
So the package came today, and I detached my previous system and started setting up the Panasonic system Almost immediately I started encountering problems. The first thing one wants to set with a system like this is the time (though actually, that hadn't been necessary with the ATT system, which registered the time once it received an outside call, so I never had to set the time, the one good thing about the ATT system). The menu system on this Panasonic system is infuriating -- it's not the standard sort of drill down menu where you can access everything without having to go back to the manual each time, though some of the common processes I suppose one would memorize after using a few times.
Each time one wants to program something, one clicks on MENU, then the # key, and then enters the three digit code for the function -- so to change the time, it's -- MENU, #, 160, while turning off the talking caller ID is MENU, #, 162. There is a central circular area with up, down, left, right scroll function, and that is used to set the year, month, and day, but one needs to use the left soft key to toggle between AM and PM. The left toggle key on my system (on all four headsets) DOES NOT WORK for this purpose. I called customer service, and after I got past an infuriating automated answering system that claims you should just say what you want and it will understand you (it didn't -- it kept asking me what my problem was and I tried saying "defective phone," "problem with cordless phone," etc, and it still asked again for me to tell me my problem, but eventually it gave up and found a human being), and then was on hold for awhile, and finally I got a customer service person who explained about the way one was supposed to use the soft keys (which she referred to as the upper keys that don't have labels, which I suppose is a good enough description). I wasn't sure whether there was some other way the AM / PM toggle worked, but then told her that the left soft key did absolutely nothing, though the right soft key did save the setting as it is supposed to. She then had me go back and see whether the left soft key worked in a different context, and I said that in the top level of the system, when the left soft key reads View CID and the right soft key reads Phone book, both soft keys advanced the headset down to the next level down in the system.
At that point, this process was clearly not solving my problem and I had spent more time than I could afford. The next day I discovered that the time on the headsets was correct -- it turns out that the time is reset when a call is received (maybe that's not true if the phone isn't part of a touch tone, caller ID system). So the easier way to set the date and time is to call oneself (if you have a cell phone) or call someone else and ask them to call back.
Digital camera Review: After 2+ years of using this model we still love it!
Summary: 5 Stars
This is the second of this particular Panasonic Model we have purchased. The first was over 2 years ago, the second is a gift for relatives who love our phone(s) and requested their own as a gift suggestion.
These handsets have far better clarity than any previously owned cordless units, or any of my corded phones. While the instruction manual says not to locate the charger units close to other electronic sources, and as high as possible, mine are located next to major electronics, my wi-fi laptop (no interference whatsoever), and one is about 3" from the floor on a low shelf - again, clarity is wonderful no matter where we are speaking. I have a friend who wears a hearing aide and she says this is the clearest phone she's ever used.
The NiMH AAA batteries that came with the phones have lasted over 2 years now. No problems with battery life or recharging.
Others have complained that the paging/intercom does not ring on all handsets, only the handset you wish to call. I find this feature to be a positive - I don't want all the phones ringing randomly throughout the house. If someone doesn't answer in one room, I just choose another. As for not being able to label the location for each handset... they are labeled as 0 (Base), 2, 3, and 4. It is not difficult for my family members to remember which unit is located where, and we tend to keep the handsets in the same rooms as the charger bases.
I recently set up the many phone options for my relatives, and did not need to get out the manual - it's fairly intuitive if you use even a basic cell phone, although the manual is well written and all inclusive.
I love the Caller ID features! The ID is immediate (I noted someone said their's was not - this could have to do with their phone service provider), the Talking Caller ID is clear (you can adjust volume on everything), and 98% of the time pronounces ID's accurately - the `voice' is a monotone, but it's automated so that's to be expected. Ever been sound asleep only to be awakened by the phone ringing? We've assigned special ring tones to important callers and can immediately recognize them. Otherwise, we just listen to the Talking Caller ID to see who is calling, no need to lift your head to look at the display. Back to sleep if you don't want to answer! We really rely on the Talking Caller ID now for immediate screening.
There is so much more about this system we use and love: Night Mode, Call Blocking, the handset locater, the Phone Book - it's global and that's so handy. The way you enter a name in the Phone Book is the way the Caller ID and Talking Caller ID displays/says it - so when someone we know calls from a cell phone, no more guessing games. The footprint on these is nice as well - they take up little space. Also, you can listen to messages on your answering machine from any handset. Each handset has a tiny yellow light on top that is always on, but blinks when there is a new message and the display area says `new message'.
Having the option to turn on/off screening of incoming messages at the base unit is handy.
What could've been improved:
When assigning a special ring/melody, it tends to play for a second longer after you answer - this can be annoying.
The Talk, Off, Speakerphone, Redial, Intercom, and Flash buttons are not backlit - and after 2+ years, the Talk and Off lettering is starting to rub off on a couple of the handsets - although after 2+ years of use we know which are which.
The base does not show how many new messages you have - just a flashing red light. I won't subtract for this as there is a similar model that offers this.
Like many of these type units, they do not work without electricity. You want to keep a corded-only phone handy if your power goes out.
Summation: Panasonic no longer manufactures this model, but I would highly recommend it to anyone. Mine has held up beautifully except for the Talk and Off text wearing down.
Digital camera Review: All the same
Summary: 5 Stars
the panasonic KX-TG9334T Expandable Cordless Phone is great. It replaces 4 different phones in our apartment. All of the phones work just great. So glad that I bought them. They even work good out on the patio. We're Senior citizens and need a phone in each room. Glad that we made this choice.Digital camera Review: Annoying delay in connecting the call
Summary: 1 Stars
This phone is OK except for one glaring flaw. when I get a call and press talk , it does not start working for few seconds ( 2-3 seconds ). This causes very awkward situations where the calling party misses my hello and I keep thinking that they are ignoring my hello. Initially when I did not realize the problem was with the phone, I hung up on many callers thinking they were zombie calls