- 5.8 GHz digital signal; expandable to 10 handsets, 1 included
- Handset and base speakerphones; dual keypads
- 100-name, 400-number phone directory; caller ID with 100-call memory
- Recordable ring tones; USB cable for downloading pictures and Outlook phone book
- Easy joystick navigation, 3 menu languages
I am constantly moving from one area of my house to another, so it has become essential to have a system in place where I can easily be in reach of a ringing phone.
For the past 3 years I have owned a Siemens 2.4ghz phone system. The Siemens system was expensive, but it was the best quality phone system I have ever owned. You can trust me when I say that I wasn't happy replacing my Siemens unit, but it became impossible to use in conjunction with my wireless WI-FI system. As many of you know, these WI-FI systems wreak havoc with 2.4ghz phones.
I had to buy a 5.8 system.
I'm the type of guy that does a lot of research. Since SIEMENS does not make a similar 5.8ghz system, I looked at what the next best option would be. After doing a lot of reading on consumer review sites I came to the conclusion that Uniden made the best phones. The only consistent complaint I read about all their phones was the lack of range.
I held off buying my first Uniden system until the ELBT585 was due to be released. This BLUETOOTH phone system looked quite promising and I was ready to dive in and be amongst the first to purchase. When consumer reviews started blasting the phone for its cheap build quality and operation quirks, I decided to get something cheaper in the Uniden line.
I saw that Uniden was about to release the CLX485 and CLX465. The CLX465 was most appealing to me since I already subscribed to a voice mail service through Verizon, thus the CLX485 digital answering machine was useless for me.
My phone arrived a few days ago and I have just completed putting it through some preliminary paces. I purchased 1 base unit and 3 additional extension phones.
The build quality of the phone is neither great nor poor. It's hard to be unbias in this review because the Siemens system I owned prior to the Uniden was top-notch quality. This phone system, which retails for about $120, looks and feels like a low-budget phone system. Fortunately, the CLX465 has a lot of bells & whistles that make up for its shortcomings.
Setup of the phone was rather easy. The phone comes with software and cables that allow you to use your computer to customize the handsets. You can upload your own wallpaper, select your own ringtones, type in entries for your phone book (you can also import your OUTLOOK settings) and even set up calendar reminders.
This is all rather good, but unfortunately none of those settings can be applied to the base unit without its handset. It would have been nice if there was a USB connection to the main base unit to transfer the phone book in case you wanted to use the speakerphone function without the handset. If someone finds a way to transfer the phonebook to the base, I'd love to hear about it.
I wanted a very unique ringtone. The ones that come with the CLX465 are horrible. I went to the midiringtones website (a site meant for download use with cellphones) and was able to save a rather funny ringtone to my computer. Using the supplied audio cable I was able to record it directly to my Uniden phone. I then uploaded my settings off of one handset to the computer software and then turned around and was able to download/redistribute it to the other handsets. Very convenient!
I must say that this is the most customizable phone I have ever used. The wallpaper is a picture of my car, and I have unique ring tones assigned to each of my contacts. All of this was easily achieved with the software. Bravo to Uniden on this!
The handset has a tiny joystick that allows you to breeze through the setup functions, Caller ID and phonebook access. Once you program in your system's voice-mail access number it's a simple joystick turn and the phone automatically calls the number. The jogwheel interface is really cool, but be aware that the small display makes the environment a little too cramped to move around.
This phone also features cute little customized display animations (such as a dog or frog) that give you on-screen information regarding your call's status.
While I found the CLX465 to rate very high on "cool factor" I found that it somewhat disappoints on overal quality factor.
As these handsets become more compact, they become less comfortable to hold. I don't find these to have as natural a feel as the larger handsets on the older cordless phones I have used. Fortunately, each handset has a built-in speakerphone with ample enough volume that you can freely hold the handset away from your face. There is also a supplied clip that allowes you to plug in a microphone/headset and wear the phone on your belt.
I wasn't very pleased with the speakerphone on the base unit. While there is plenty of volume to fill a room, the overall sound quality is a bit on the "tinny" side.
Where the phone really disappoints is range quality. Why can't these cordless phone manufacturers realize that people buy these phone systems for large homes where handsets are going to be placed in great distance from the base unit? I just went one floor down with the handset and I already picked up static that indicated the phone was going out of range. Two floors down there was a considerable amount of choppy static interference.
I would hate to take the handsets outside as I can see already that the range would be severely limited.
Here's another huge downer.....I fail to see a REDIAL button anywhere. For many, REDIAL is the most important function on the keypad.
If you are looking for a phone that has the latest "gee-whiz" features and is most easily customizable across all the handsets, look no further than the CLX465. However, be aware that the range on these phones are very limited and for that I'm rather disappointed in this purchase but have decided to keep it nonetheless. Had Uniden concentrated on better range, this would have been closer to a 5-star phone review.
*** Update: I am returning this phone. It's a mere toy when you consider that it really fails in overall range. It's great that the CLX465 has all these cool animations and tools, but in the end, I want a phone that doesn't lose range and break up within the perimiter of my home.
I have opted to buy the Panasonic KX-TG5566M instead. A FAR BETTER PHONE! Read my raving review here on Amazon! Search for the model.
Buy Uniden CLX465 5.8 GHz DSS Expandable Cordless Phone with Color LCD Handset and Dual Keypads (Silver) Now
Like at least one other reviewer (Ronald Epstein), I am replacing my Siemens 2.8 GHz phones with the Uniden CLX465. My Siemens phones are showing their age and the membrane buttons barely work on the handsets any more. Rather than buy new handsets for the Siemens, I opted to upgrade to a phone that interfaces with my computer's phone book.
The first thing I noted as I was setting up the phones was that the software would not download my phone book from Outlook because I do not use Outlook as my default mail program. I don't intend to let some other program dictate which mail program I use, so I opted to enter the phone book manually (there are no other import options). The second thing I noted was that the phone book list is very limited. 100 phone book entries with up to 4 numbers per entry sounds like a lot, but I have well over that number of entries in my phone book and my cell phones can handle much more than this. The software gives no warning that you are getting near the capacity of the phone book, but merely quits accepting any entries after 100.
This phone seems to have a generous amount of memory in that it can store photos (wallpaper), unique ring tones, and appointment reminders, so 100 phone book entries seems somewhat stingy. There are other irritating limitations such as the ability to store only 20 digits (including pauses) in phone numbers making it impossible to store UIDs and passwords with any flexibility. One also cannot store a "wait" character like in most cell phones, but only 2 second pauses so this 20 digit limitation is really very restricting. It also limits names to 16 characters which really isn't enough.
As does Ronald, I find that the range of the Uniden is somewhat limited. It's about the same as that of the Siemens I.e., I can't use it on the street in front of my house, but it works all over my 2.5 story house and in the back yard with no noticeable interference.
Contrary to what Ronald said: 1. The phone DOES have a redial feature for the last 20 numbers in each handset and the last 10 from the base. It is reached by pressing the joystick down. 2. You CAN download phone books from a handset to the base (See pages 56-57 of the user manual).
Finally, a word about batteries. The phone base unit came with only one battery, that for the handset. I had to purchase an additional battery as a backup battery for the base. Imagine my surprise when I found out the battery is only available from Uniden for $16.70 PLUS $8.00 S & H. When will the manufacturers start using standard rechargeable batteries? When we all quit buying products that don't use them! This is the one thing I miss about the Siemens it used rechargeable AA NiMh batteries.
Overall, the Uniden is a very good phone. It works very well with my voice mail system and is the first phone that I've owned that works properly with SDT (Stutter dial tone) voice mail signaling. Except for the batteries and the phone book limitations, I am quite pleased.
Read Best Reviews of Uniden CLX465 5.8 GHz DSS Expandable Cordless Phone with Color LCD Handset and Dual Keypads (Silver) Here
We've been using the CLX465 for a week in our home and so far I am very pleased with its performance and features. I researched 5.8 GHz phones for several months, anxiously awaiting the '05 models from all the major manufacturers. The CLX465 seemed to have what we needed in features (while having many other features that we probably would not need...as is true with so many electronic items these days.)
Also, I didn't want to buy a system that's too complicated to use or my wife might complain. My kids and I will prpbably know and understand all the features in a matter of days or weeks, but my wife.....
We are coming from 900 MHz phones that are several years old (also Uniden) but have worked flawlessly. We've never had CID until this new purchase. For the most part, growing kids pushes me into updating our home phone system. Also I plan to have a wireless network within a year or so, and I wanted a phone system that would be compatible with wireless.
Range: In my 3000 sq ft, 2-story, w/basement, house I seem to have very good range with reception and clarity, both incoming and outgoing; all over the house. And I have some very thick walls in my 1937 house. Front yard and back yard also good for range.
Sound quality: Very good in ear piece.
Base speakerphone is absolutely superb, both incoming and outgoing (very important to me): The base is very nicely laid out, easy to use and stable.
Handset speakerphone adequate. People I'm talking with say that I sound very good.
Handset operation seems to be very good.
Generally, I found the setup quick and simple and the GUI intuitive for both setup and use.
One touch access to voicemail works flawlessly. CID info and phonebook features all quite intuitive and easy to use. I am having some problems with a few minor features (I'm still learning), but not a big enough issue to dampen my enthusiasm for this product.
I haven't used the CD software supplied with the phone for two reasons...I don't think I need these features, and, it is designed for PC only and we are a Mac household.
Overall, after one week, I am very pleased with the CLX465.
UPDATE: I'm nearly 6 months into owning this system and I am still very pleased. I've purchased extra handsets for the house and all work well.
Want Uniden CLX465 5.8 GHz DSS Expandable Cordless Phone with Color LCD Handset and Dual Keypads (Silver) Discount?
I've come to expect the best in communications thanks to trial and error with both my office and mobile phones, and realized my home system was really lacking, being a couple years old. This system is simply the best I've used, though it's completely customizable, and has all the features you could possibly want in a residential telephone (and then some).Pros:Color screens. A must once you're used to them, and hard to find in a landline phone.
Customization. Callers get their own pictures and ringtones, each phone gets its own name, and the phones can have wallpaper and color customized and that's just the beginning.
Sound quality. The most important feature, but little to say it's superb, even at a decent distance from the base.
Reception. I have two houses, one in the city and one in the suburbs, each with drastically different layouts. I've never had a problem with reception, even from outside. (I've seen some reviews that complain about reception problems; I haven't had one at all.)
Computerization. Linking to the PC is such a win-win scenario; it makes inputing everything much easier, and lets you transfer from one phone to another without hassle.
Battery life. I lost one of my handsets in the house and found it days later, and immediately made a call of several hours without worrying about the battery running out. Nice.
Recommendations:The phones could work in tandem better a replication feature would be nice between handsets, but I suspect it was intentionally left out to allow personalization.
The plethora of features means some are a little hard to access. It isn't a problem with basic features, but with so many possibilities, some confusion may be a trade-off.
It's certainly not the cheapest phone on the market; you can get a good phone for less. However, if you're in the market for a new phone and would rather be blown away than settle for what's merely acceptable, this one will do it for you.
I've had the CLX465 for about 4 months now and I'm extremely pleased with it.
The phone (and its extension handsets) replaced a Siemens phone that I had that died on me after a year of use (and of course was out of warranty....even the Siemens CS rep told me I was better off to just throw it away then to get it repaired)
The phone has many features as many people have noted. Being able to download numbers from outlook is a big plus. Being able to download pictures and ringtones to the phone is a nice "gee whiz" factor, but it's just that...a phone is a phone...I want to talk on it and answer it when it rings. I really don't care about the ring or the picture on the phone (although you can assign rings to numbers/callers so if the inlaws are in the phone a nice siren ringtone may be in order).
Pros:
Decent range--I have a 6000+sqft home and the phone works well throughout the home and even outside. The base station is located on the mid level on the home.
Great speaker phone on the handset--I'm using the phone with Vonage and when you have a bunch of voicemails it's nice to be able to use the speakerphone on the handset. It's plenty loud and has very good clarity.
Outlook contacts sync--So nice to finally have a phone with this feature
Cons:
Amber glow--I don't care so much for the amber glow of the phone, but if you like amber then what are you waiting for...get this phone!!!
LCD resolution is poor--If you are getting this phone because you can put pictures of your callers on it and you get lots of calls from hot looking people, you'll be disappointed in what this phone will do for your dreams. Then again, if your callers look like the orcs from LOTR, you'll appreciate the lower resolution.
Handset comfort--this isn't the least comfortable phone I've had, but it's not the most comfortable either. If you're on the phone for hours at a time, you may want to look for a more confortable phone, but for 20 minutes conversations it's fine.
I'll have to see how this phone is doing after a year, but right now it looks and sounds like a winner.
