Accessories

Mostly good
This phone is well-designed, and all the bits seem to be weighted and balanced well. The setup and menus are pretty intuitive, and there have been no problems with either the base unit or the 3 cordless handsets (we bought 2 extra). The only complaint is that there is sporadic static that I can't blame on range or interference. Overall, though, this system is better than the one from Siemens that it replaced.

Am returning the Uniden
I have had a two line multi-handset telephone for my home use for several years. Because several of the handsets, now irreplacable, have broken over the years I looked to see what was out there. The major players seem to be Uniden, Panasonic, and ATT. Although the reviews for each of the systems are mixed, I went with the Uniden, in part because the reviews were slightly better, and in part because it was a little less expensive, in part because it could take 10 units, as opposed to 8.

I have to say that I love all aspects of the system except for one. The handsets are comfortable and easy to use. The intercom and message unit intuitive. The ability to create individual banners was effortless. The writing is clear. The backlighting is convenient, and there seems to be a very good balance between easy of use and flexibility. It is a well thought out instrument.

Unfortunately, the one problem is that it is works terribly, at least in my house. The sound quality is atrocious, most conversations deteriorating into a "What??" "WHAT????" scream. There was constant static. The range is miniscule. The phone signal did not reach all rooms of the house, or even my back porch. Conversations would periodically drop out.

Ultimately, the decision to return the system was easy -- I absolutely could not make it work minimally; that is, be able to make and receive calls throughout my house. This is less than acceptable, which would include making calls from my porch; and much less than superior, which would include the ability to make and receive calls from all rooms, and my backyard. (Of couse, I tried different locations of the base unit).

So, two stars: three stars for design, but one removed for function. My wife would give it one star, since she is less enamored by design, and more inconvenienced by having to ship this disaster back.

Awsome two line phone system
This is a great phone. Works as well as any panasonic but for 60% less cost. I have owned both and this Uniden is definitely the one to buy. Additional handsets currently $29.00 vs $79.00 for Panasonic.
There is no differnece in quality or features and I owned this system for over 6 months now.

Perfect, but for the range.
This is, far and away, the best cordless phone system I have ever used. The features are endless and every one of them works great. In particular, I like the high quality speaker phone capabilities of the handsets, the ability to name them by location and the ability to comunicate between them as though they were walky talkys.

If you get the TWX977 as a spare handset, you will have a waterproof phone for the pool, spa, shower, etc. I could not find any other company that makes a waterproof hand set.

The only gripe I have with this phone is the range. I was used to the incredible range I got with my Panasonic system (I could take a handset next door to my neighbors house or partly down the block). The range on the Uniden is just average, at best. To be fair, I have a large lot and I need a phone with a 80' to 100' range. I suspect that part of the problem is that this system has no exposed antennas on either the base or the handsets. That said, I found two things that substantially improved the range. First, I noticed that, for some reason, the waterproof handset had significantly better range than the regular handsets. Second, and this is important, I took the base off the desk and put it on a shelf about 18" higher and the range improved about twenty feet in all directions. If I did not want to use the answering machine capabilities of the base, I would have put it up as high as possible and just used an extra handset on the desk.

A Very Good System...
My old Uniden TRU8866 (2-line digital phone) was getting pretty tired. The handsets needed servicing (although the base still works well). An additional problem was the fact that I needed a system with a serviceable answering machine...one that would serve as an extended TAD with my fax machine.

The Uniden PowerMax TRU9496 answered my demands perfectly. My "old" TCX905 satelite handsets (the cordless ones still operating) registered without a hitch. The reception is excellent, with no deterioration in sound quality. The corded base is a blessing: no more misplaced handsets! Also, every feature is well thought out and VERY easy to understand. The only (slight) negative I've found, so far, is the less than stellar quality of the corded handset's sound. Not bad, really, but it's surprising to find the cordless units sounding better than the base.

For the home office, I'd say this is an excellent value with all the necessary bells and whistles.