Time for new home phones — Panasonic KX-TG6545

Have I mentioned that electronics tend to grumble to dust in my hands? I’m sure I’ve made note of that fact. Specifically, I stated back in February 2010 that our nearly two-year old Uniden phones phones were slowly failing. Since I couldn’t find a standout phone / answering machine, we certainly didn’t want to outlay over a $100 for phones that nobody can seemingly agree to like. Furthermore, here I am on Verizon’s FiOS fiber optic network, it’s 2010, and home phones are still boring. If you compare the technology in the smartphones and home phones, they are decades apart. For home phone technology that lasts me two years (much like the life expectancy of cell phones), why can’t they make better home phones?

If I were to hypothesize, it’s probably the cost factor. Cell phones are subsidized by the telecom operators, expecting to recoup their expenses through the exorbitant voice and data plans monthly fees. I just wish we could see some home phones with color screens, Bluetooth (so I could use a headset), VOIP, and maybe an ability to import or sync an addressbook. Wouldn’t that be something?

Enough ranting and daydreaming. We were down to 1.5 working home phones, so while at BJ’s Wholesale Club, we purchased the 2010 Panasonic KX-TG6545. What exciting details can I tell you about it? There are a number of features that are supposed to be exciting like this “Eco” power-saving mode, but I think the best part is that there is a common phonebook that is shared among the handsets. If you add/modify/delete an entry on one handset, it’s reflected on all. Other than that, not the most exciting. If that’s the most noticeable “Pro”, I’ve already noted one “Con.” While there are many options, you have to dig deep through the menu options to perform those activities. For example, if you wish to quickly intercom someone in another room, or dial someone in the phonebook, you have to dig down at least four (4) menu options to do that. That’s annoying. The package comes with five handsets and a base, but we only needed four handsets. I’m keeping the extra handset in storage, in case another child decides to toss a phone into a filled bathtub.

Panasonic KX-TG6545

Panasonic KX-TG6545

See you all in two years when I replace this phone with a ferret/pigeon-based phone system with answering machine. The pigeon would be used for calls outside the house, and I would use a trained ferret for intercom calls within the house.

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