Average Reviews:
(More customer reviews)I bought this phone and two additional handsets to replace a 2.4 GHz AT&T that was causing interference on that popular frequency. Panasonic has a great reputation regarding their phones and this one hasn't disappointed.
Pros:
* Reception is crystal clear - to my ears just about equivalent to a corded unit. Also, I experience no distortion - no buzzing, hissing, line noise or digital artifacts. A Uniden CLX-485 I auditioned would fade in and out for no reason - an example of a phone system which looked awesome did everything beautifully, except for the most important thing.
* Range is quite far for a 5.8Ghz phone, better than an AT&T EP5995 I also tried and the Uniden.
* The handset is wider than this model's predecessor, the KX-TG5576M - important for people with larger hands. Additionally, the tactile feel is good - not as slick-feeling and the buttons have a nice touch. Holding the phone for long periods feels okay; it's not a strain.
* Talk time is excellent. For example, after two hours of both conventional and speaker phone use the battery meter didn't budge. I keep the phones in their chargers so can't speak about standby-time.
* Speakerphones on both handset and base work very well (although I don't believe they're full duplex), and the answering machine works fine. The outgoing message clarity, recorded through the base only, is adequate and incoming message clarity is acceptable.
* The handset menu, which controls many system functions, is easy to use and easy to see, thanks to the bright, nicely colored display.
* "Auto Talk": Can answer the phone by taking the handset out of its base - instead of pressing "talk" - and can hang up by putting it back. Note: Does not have an "Any Key" answer feature, which lets you answer the phone by pressing...any key.
* I like the look: The handset display stays lighted - although dim - while being charged, unlike any other color display unit I've seen. In addition, there's no protruding handset antenna (the base's "goal posts" antennas remain, though), which doesn't seem to affect range. It all looks pretty sleek just sitting there, I gotta say.
* Side tone is good: Some phones produce an echo when you talk; others prevent you from hearing your own voice, like you're deaf in that ear, which is highly uncomfortable (the AT&T was like that). This one's about right.
* Unlike other phones and previous Panasonic models, when you miss a call and view the Caller ID (CID), all handsets acknowledge that fact - no more "Missed Call" on additional handsets. However, the extra handsets continue to say "Missed Call" until the CID is checked - even after answering the phone.
* The handset phonebook can be sent to any other handset, obviating the need to set up each one independently.
* The included software is easy to set up and use (on a Windows PC), and makes available a few more pics, allowing further customization. You can also add your own pictures.
* Handset answering machine functions are good, and remote access is simplified via decent voice prompts.
* Handset sits securely in its base - contact is as good as or better than other phones I've tried.
* The default ringer on "low" is fine; not great, but okay (and I really hate the other choices). You can, though, use your own ring tones or music, instead.
* Also a plus in my book is that when the ringer is turned off on the base, so is the outgoing message. It plays for the caller, of course, but what you hear during a call is a pause after it picks up and then the caller leaving the message. Consequently, you don't have to listen to your own voice (if you're screening calls) or (most of the time) hang ups and dial tones - things that aren't recorded anyway. One caveat: Turning off the ringer on the base or handsets will also defeat talking CID on those componants.
Cons:
* Panasonic still doesn't have a volume control on the side of their handset. To adjust the volume you have to move the center joystick up or down, which is kind of up against your face. That said, it's not a major annoyance, since you can do that without adjusting the phone position too much. But but still...
* The base does not have battery backup, which is used in order to make calls during a power outage. Aside from cost (worth paying for, I think), I don't get it, unless they assume everyone would be using their cell phones during a blackout. The base does have a flash memory, however, which keeps your outgoing and incoming messages intact.
* There seems to be some cost cutting involved. That is, the base feels a bit lighter than the KX-TG5576M, although the features seem to be the same. Also, there's no belt clip included; that's sold separately. Not a big deal to me, but it might be to others. Cost seems to have been driven into the handset, perhaps appropriate given that the handset is theoretically used more often than the base.
* "Talk" and "Off" aren't lighted, I imagine because they're used more than other keys and might, therefore, burn out or malfunction with extended use. Again, not a huge deal to me, and they're easy enough to find in a darkened room.
* You can't record the outgoing answering machine message through the handset. While not bad, message quality would no doubt be improved if this function were included. Like nearly all phones these days, the mic is under a gap in the base, instead of on the surface (perhaps to avoid dust and grit getting in?).
* Time is set via CID; that's good. But the phonebook isn't referenced the same way. Although a "1" is preceded by the area code and number when someone calls - just as it's entered into the phonebook - the phone company's CID name will show (and be announced), instead of how it's customized in the phonebook. Saving and redialing the entry, though, is easy.
That's about all I can think of. I haven't transferred calls between handsets, played with the intercom, or really punished or tweaked the system to death; I'll leave that to others. But overall this is a really nice - and nice looking - system. Definitely recommended.
Click Here to see more reviews about: Panasonic KX-TG5776S 5.8 GHz FHSS GigaRange Expandable Digital Cordless Phone System
Item #: KX-TG5776S.
5.8GHz Cordless Expandable w/ Answerer
Panasonic 5.8GHz cordless expandable system with digital answering system
Expands up to 8 devices including KX-TGA570 standard handset, KX-TGA571 color handset, KX-TGA572 big button handset, KX-TGA573 cordless camera (max 7 cameras), and KX-TGA575 USB adaptor
Caller ID, call waiting caller ID
50# Caller ID history
50# Phonebook
Talking caller ID
Ringer ID
Light up ID (3 color light up indicator with ringer/voicemail alert)
Picture ID
10# Speed dial
4-Way conference
Recordable customized ringer
High resolution 65,000 color LCD (1.5")
Dual keypad
Intercom
Mute/hold/flash/pause/redial
Dual digital duplex speakerphone
USB port
Phonebook sharing
Voice enhancer technology
5 Hour talk time
7 Day standby time
2.5mm Headset jack
Transfer
Digital answering system
21 Minutes of record time
2-Digit LED message counter on base
Box dimensions: 9.5"L x 6"W x 4.75"H
1 Year manufacturer's warranty
Wall mount adapter sold separately
Belt clips sold separately
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