Cingular Go Phone: Panasonic DECT 6.0 3-Handset Expandable Digital Cordless Phone with Answering System and ChoiceMail (KX-TG7433B) (Black) Review

After my last Panasonic DECT 6.0 3-phone system inexplicably stopped working, I sought a similar replacement set.I've generally found Panasonic phones to be very reliable and figured my last purchase was simply a lemon (occasionally happens to the best).I ended up purchasing the KX-TG7433.The first thing I have to say is that the phone is gorgeous.The black shiny finish is much more sleek and attractive than the previous bland beige Panasonic I owned.The display is also much larger and vivid with a high-contrast black on gray LCD with large easily readable characters.The LCD and keypad are both well illuminated when any button is pushed.The time and date are prominently displayed on the LCD in standby mode.When you have a missed call or message waiting, it is also clearly displayed on the handset LCD, as well as a flashing amber LED on top of the handset.The set comes with three handsets, a base with built-in digital answering machine, and two charging bases for the extra handsets.In addition to the time and date, the LCD also displays icons for phone book, menu, and redial above their respective buttons.The center menu joystick is nice and intuitive, but it also brings about my only gripe.On my previous Panasonic phones, the most important buttons (caller ID, voice mail, redial, and phone book) were all one touch access.On this model, you have a few one touch items (mentioned above), but most features have to be accessed through the menu. Phone book items entered on one handset are automatically shared with the other handsets.

Voice quality is excellent as usual for Panasonic. Although I personally would prefer the volume to be a tad bit louder at the higher end, both the handset and speaker phone have adequate loudness and clarity for most people.There are no sudden drop outs or other sound issues like I occasionally experienced with the prior DECT 6.0 phone.The phone features talking caller ID, which is really cool.A female robotic voice will announce (or sometimes comically try her best to announce), the name of the caller (the voice cannot be changed, like on a GPS).The announcement is loud and clear and really comes in handy because you can decide whether or not to answer the phone if you are away from the handset, without disrupting whatever you're doing.The voice will also function as an alarm clock and even alert you when the battery is low.This model also has a new feature called "Choice Mail", which allows you to view caller ID info for pending messages and selectively choose and play them in any order.Sadly, this feature only works with the built in digital answer machine.If you subscribe to your telephone service provider's voice mail service, as I do, you're out of luck. Panasonic did not completely leave telecom voice mail service subscribers out of the equation.There are separate icons in the menu for the built-in answer device and subscription voice mail service.Like previous Panasonic models, the handset willautomatically dial your voice mail service access number if you select the option.If you do plan to use the built-in answer service, it offers 18 minutes of record time and the choice mail feature, so that's a major plus.However, I can't comment on the built-in voice mail quality because I don't use the feature.The phone also features a privacy mode which allows you to choose periods when all, or select, phones will alert you with visual lights instead of an audible ring, and call block mode which allows you to block unwanted numbers from ringing.Battery life is better than average.Even with all the extra bells and whistles like talking caller ID and the larger LCD, I still get basically the same battery life, (approx 2 days between charges with several hrs accumulated talk time), as my previous phone which had a smaller dimmer LCD and non-illuminated keypad.I believe I can get even more battery life, because I have yet to hear the robotic battery alarm.However, I tend to recharge when the meter reaches one bar, just to be on the safe side.This model still uses the AAA size Ni-MH batteries.

I am really happy with this phone, especially at the current price. It's an unbeatable bargain.It has features galore, good sound quality, solid build, and a gorgeous design.

Click Here to see more reviews about: Panasonic DECT 6.0 3-Handset Expandable Digital Cordless Phone with Answering System and ChoiceMail (KX-TG7433B) (Black)

Product Description:
Panasonic KX-TG7433B Dect 6.0 Cordless Phone with Answering Machine and ChoiceMail