Mine are starting to drop calls. Do I need to replace the whole set of 4 or look at new batteries for the individual phones? Calls mostly come in, but then either I can't hear them or they can't hear me. I guess these are about 12 years old and are AT&T. Thanks for any information on what to do or brand to buy.
How long do cordless phone sets last?
- Thread starter tomturbomatic
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I think you're lucky you got 12 years out of them. My Aunt Doris was having to buy new ones every three or four years it seemed. I know I went with her more than once to purchase new ones.
I think our Panasonic answering system with two cordless handsets is at least 20 years old by now. I've only replaced the batteries once, maybe 5-7 years ago. One of the handsets has issues with the keypad. You really have to push on some of them. That same handset has a "menu" key that doesn't work. Other than that, I've been impressed with the entire set's longevity.
The outgoing message is in Dave's voice from before his stroke, which severely impacted his speech, so I really don't want to get rid of the set any time soon.
The outgoing message is in Dave's voice from before his stroke, which severely impacted his speech, so I really don't want to get rid of the set any time soon.
Another vote for Panasonic.
We no longer have a land line, but we each have mobile phones, and we have a Panasonic bluetooth cordless phone that connects to the mobiles through bluetooth. That way the mobiles sit on the charger, in a spot that has good reception, and we can use the Panasonic cordless anywhere in/around the house. (we have spots in the house with no mobile reception.)
The Panasonic has been fantastic. It has LOTS of features. When it needs replacement batteries, they are standard rechargeable AAA cells. (not over-priced specialty batteries.)
We no longer have a land line, but we each have mobile phones, and we have a Panasonic bluetooth cordless phone that connects to the mobiles through bluetooth. That way the mobiles sit on the charger, in a spot that has good reception, and we can use the Panasonic cordless anywhere in/around the house. (we have spots in the house with no mobile reception.)
The Panasonic has been fantastic. It has LOTS of features. When it needs replacement batteries, they are standard rechargeable AAA cells. (not over-priced specialty batteries.)
I’m a third vote for Panasonic! We had an AT&T cordless w/anw. mach. that we used from 2006 until about 8 mo ago. I had to replace the batteries in both handsets about 3 times over that period of time.
I got the lowest priced Panasonic set with 3 handsets and purchased 4th handset separately. Since we have our phone over the internet and Comcast includes VM with the service I just got a base without anw mach.
The Panasonic is much better than the AT&T and like Chris said above the batteries are regular AAA rechargeable, easily found.
The sound is good and the functions are basic but adequate. I like that you can block a caller’s future calls right from the handset menu.
Eddie
I got the lowest priced Panasonic set with 3 handsets and purchased 4th handset separately. Since we have our phone over the internet and Comcast includes VM with the service I just got a base without anw mach.
The Panasonic is much better than the AT&T and like Chris said above the batteries are regular AAA rechargeable, easily found.
The sound is good and the functions are basic but adequate. I like that you can block a caller’s future calls right from the handset menu.
Eddie
I third the recommendation for Panasonic cordless phones. I *think* my current system is about 15 years old. I *think* it came with three handsets, and I was able to purchase two more handsets, with one in the detached garage. The batteries ARE replaceable with standard NiMH rechargeable AAA cells. Naturally I use Panasonic rechargeable batteries in most stuff as well. Their Eneloop line is very good.
I've actually been to one of their smaller factories in Japan (MKE), on business, back in the 90's. I have no idea what they were making there, though. Or maybe I've just forgotten. It was on Shikoku.
I've actually been to one of their smaller factories in Japan (MKE), on business, back in the 90's. I have no idea what they were making there, though. Or maybe I've just forgotten. It was on Shikoku.
Panasonic is Panasonic.
Nothing can be better than those
Sometimes, the keypad (or only a couple of keys) become irresponsive, you just need to take it apart very gently and CLEAN THE MEMBRANE.
Batteries, well, they have a life... replace them!
Good news is, Panasonic is miles away from planned obsolescence. Those things just keep going and going and going...
My father has a Panasonic Fax with answering machine (KXF-130) since 1991 I think... It was used in his tour agency for 2 decades (dozens of faxes per day, plus hundreds of calls) and nowadays it sits on his desk in his house and it's the only landline phone (the other is a jurassic Panasonic EASA-phone also from the 1990's that is there just in case there's no electricity.
Only issue it had was the handset cord cracked and was replaced 2 or 3 times in 30+ years
Nothing can be better than those
Sometimes, the keypad (or only a couple of keys) become irresponsive, you just need to take it apart very gently and CLEAN THE MEMBRANE.
Batteries, well, they have a life... replace them!
Good news is, Panasonic is miles away from planned obsolescence. Those things just keep going and going and going...
My father has a Panasonic Fax with answering machine (KXF-130) since 1991 I think... It was used in his tour agency for 2 decades (dozens of faxes per day, plus hundreds of calls) and nowadays it sits on his desk in his house and it's the only landline phone (the other is a jurassic Panasonic EASA-phone also from the 1990's that is there just in case there's no electricity.
Only issue it had was the handset cord cracked and was replaced 2 or 3 times in 30+ years
I was just reading this thread and was touched by the reason for wanting to keep the old answering machine. Could you play the outgoing message and record it as a voice note on your mobile phone. That way you’ve got it in another format to hopefully keep forever.
Thank you all very much. I will check out the price of the replacement batteries before buying a whole new system, but will buy Panasonic if I do. Tom
I googled the number and found 4 batteries for 9.99 on Amazon with sudden shipping.
[this post was last edited: 3/15/2021-09:39]
I googled the number and found 4 batteries for 9.99 on Amazon with sudden shipping.
[this post was last edited: 3/15/2021-09:39]
Panasonic here too
I have a 6 handset Panasonic phone system, 12+ years and zero issues. Replaced a few AAA batteries, a real plus since mot phones use proprietary batteries, these are NiCad an easily found. The real plus for me is the Bluetooth link so my cell rings on all the phones.
I have a 6 handset Panasonic phone system, 12+ years and zero issues. Replaced a few AAA batteries, a real plus since mot phones use proprietary batteries, these are NiCad an easily found. The real plus for me is the Bluetooth link so my cell rings on all the phones.
Tom getting the batteries for my old AT&T cordless on ebay was inexpensive and easy. The problem was that eventually one of the handsets just wouldn’t charge or hold a charge anymore, why I have no idea. But I felt that getting 14 years of service was enough and it was time to replace the whole setup. I hope that you won’t eventually have the same problem. I wish you good luck with the new batteries giving your system back some more years of service.
BTW, I only paid $35 for my Panasonic 3 handset unit and $14.99 for the additional 4th handset, so for $50 I got a new 4 handset unit (all new) giving us phones in the den, bedroom, living room and kitchen.
Eddie
BTW, I only paid $35 for my Panasonic 3 handset unit and $14.99 for the additional 4th handset, so for $50 I got a new 4 handset unit (all new) giving us phones in the den, bedroom, living room and kitchen.
Eddie
Paul, thanks for that suggestion and I appreciate your sentiment. I'll look into making a recording of the outgoing message. I'm sure my cell phone-addicted buddy can help me out with it.
We've had our Panasonic 4 handsets for I'm guessing about 12 years now. Two of the handsets the speakerphone doesn't work which started about a year ago. Otherwise they're fine.. Each uses two AAA's.. which come to think of it I can't recall if I ever replaced them or not.. I'd not go back to one with proprietary batteries again like our old V Tech before had.
fan-of-fans
Well-known member
We've had a Uniden since 2005 and it still works great. They don't make phones anymore, so my vote goes to Panasonic as well.
I use my Panasonic cordless system in tandem with an Ooma internet phone (nor more bills from the phone company!). It works very well, except I can't play back messages on the handsets any more. Have to go to the Ooma app on my desktop system for that. Not a big deal for me. The internet only service is via the cable company. $45/mo. Ooma is something like $10/mo on top of that. I could go cheaper with a wi-fi or ATT based internet service, but they are not all that much cheaper and the cable internet has been quite good and reliable.
I'm seriously considering a switch from AT&T land line service. Since I have fiber service, even though the dial tone still comes from the central office, it connects through the fiber gateway that provides my internet access, and as a result when the power goes out, so does my land line.
I have maintained a land line for its nearly 100% reliability, but with fiber service, that's no longer the case. The copper facilities in my neighborhood are ancient and AT&T has given up on them. I'm sure there are grandfathered copper land lines near me, but AT&T won't provision new land line service over copper, or at least that's what they keep telling me. At the very least I'd have to quit AT&T for internet and right now I'm getting a great deal for 100+ mbps at $49/month.
Given the gateway situation, it makes no sense to pay for supposedly traditional land line service when it would fail just like VOIP in a power outage. I've stopped using the land line for long distance. One long distance call that costs less than 50 cents will generate $12 in taxes and fees. No wonder people are abandoning their land lines.
I'll have to investigate which VOIP services will support rotary dialing. I love using my indestructible vintage Western Electric telephones and don't want to give that up.
I have maintained a land line for its nearly 100% reliability, but with fiber service, that's no longer the case. The copper facilities in my neighborhood are ancient and AT&T has given up on them. I'm sure there are grandfathered copper land lines near me, but AT&T won't provision new land line service over copper, or at least that's what they keep telling me. At the very least I'd have to quit AT&T for internet and right now I'm getting a great deal for 100+ mbps at $49/month.
Given the gateway situation, it makes no sense to pay for supposedly traditional land line service when it would fail just like VOIP in a power outage. I've stopped using the land line for long distance. One long distance call that costs less than 50 cents will generate $12 in taxes and fees. No wonder people are abandoning their land lines.
I'll have to investigate which VOIP services will support rotary dialing. I love using my indestructible vintage Western Electric telephones and don't want to give that up.
vacerator
Well-known member
Best one we had was
A Sony. It was from the 90's. It still worked perfectly with great range and a new battery. It had a mini casstte though, and hubby wanted a new one, so he got a Uniden digital chip type with a corded base and two cordless remote sets. They are fine, and already old. Our land line is rarely used now, and is internet connected, so not rally one. No power, no line.
A Sony. It was from the 90's. It still worked perfectly with great range and a new battery. It had a mini casstte though, and hubby wanted a new one, so he got a Uniden digital chip type with a corded base and two cordless remote sets. They are fine, and already old. Our land line is rarely used now, and is internet connected, so not rally one. No power, no line.
I still use my 1987 Sony 2 channel 49Mhz phone at home for my Google voice number with my OBI End point. It is hard to find batteries for it anymore, I have to solder the connector wire onto batteries sourced from DigiKey. It has had two PCB solder joint repairs, one in the hand set and one in the base, apparently something was slightly amiss when the board was wave soldered back when it was made.
I have some 2.4Ghz AT&T phones at work that are about 18 years old now, likely VTech manufactured. They have been apart for cleaning twice in their life. They continue to haul the (voice) mail to this day just fine.
I have some 2.4Ghz AT&T phones at work that are about 18 years old now, likely VTech manufactured. They have been apart for cleaning twice in their life. They continue to haul the (voice) mail to this day just fine.
Copper wire Land Line
I still have the copper wire Land Line by ATT. No long distance, I use a prepaid virtual phone card for that just to save some money. The cost went up $4.10 per month recently, $2.50 in ATT rate and $1.60 in more tax. Overall for a $39.90 bill $11.40 is tax. My $30 ATT cell service has only about $3.00 tax. Hard to understand why taxes would be raised on this old service. Yes I can see why many are cancelling the Land Lines. I really only keep it for emergencies and I do like talking and listing on a handset as opposed to the cellphone. I have had cordless phones but got rid of the last Sony. I would rather pull that phone over to where I am sitting when I use it. This house has lots of phone outlets and I have added some before cell was widely available. I may cancel the ATT Land Line but keeping it for now. I replaced the batteries for my Aunt's Panasonic cordless sets a few months ago.
I still have the copper wire Land Line by ATT. No long distance, I use a prepaid virtual phone card for that just to save some money. The cost went up $4.10 per month recently, $2.50 in ATT rate and $1.60 in more tax. Overall for a $39.90 bill $11.40 is tax. My $30 ATT cell service has only about $3.00 tax. Hard to understand why taxes would be raised on this old service. Yes I can see why many are cancelling the Land Lines. I really only keep it for emergencies and I do like talking and listing on a handset as opposed to the cellphone. I have had cordless phones but got rid of the last Sony. I would rather pull that phone over to where I am sitting when I use it. This house has lots of phone outlets and I have added some before cell was widely available. I may cancel the ATT Land Line but keeping it for now. I replaced the batteries for my Aunt's Panasonic cordless sets a few months ago.
