Editorial Review:

Item Description:
With the Uniden TRU9496 5.8 GHz Digital 2-Line Expandable Phone System is the next generation of 5.8 GHz cordless phones. It's a full-featured digital answerer, with a Dialing keypad and a speakerphone. 5.8GHz Digital Spread Spectrum Technology delivers outstanding clarity, vastly reduced interference and increased power. Advanced Call Waiting and Caller ID functions make it easier to screen and manage your calls, while the Digital Answering System makes sure you never miss a message. The other features deliver a quantum leap in phone functions. Do Not Disturb (DND) silences the phone to cut back on distractions 100 programmable CID memory locations at handset or base DirectLink Technology - 2-way radio communication Mute & Hold features Store up to 100 names, store Up to 2 numbers per name Advanced Phonebook Features - Alphabetical Search, Personalized Ringers, Transfer Single Listing or Entire Phonebook New Message Waiting Indicator at Handset & Base, plus Alert Tone Intercom or call transfer between handsets 20 ringer options - 10 melodies + 10 tones 10 Speed Dial memory locations Trilingual Menu Displays - English, French, Spanish Room/baby monitoring Earpiece & ringer volume control Ringer Off option Find Lost Handset/Paging key Extra Caller ID handset and Charger included Battery level and clock display Headset compatible for hands-free operation Belt clip included Handset Battery Type - BT-446 NiMH Power Failure Protection - In the event of a power failure, virtal information is retained and telephone calls can be made and received on line 1

Amazon.com:
The Uniden TRU9496 is thoughtfully designed for small businesses or homes that find two separate phone lines to be one of life's necessities. The system is expandable to include a total of 10 handsets with charging cradles (available separately). Combining a traditional corded handset with a 5.8 GHz cordless handset, the Uniden TRU9496 offers cordless convenience when you want it, but will continue to provide basic phone service in the event of a power outage. Only the base system with the corded handset requires a phone jack; any additional handsets simply require an electrical outlet to connect the charging cradle. DirectLink two-way radio communication is built into each cordless handset and the base speakerphone, allowing them to function as an in-home intercom system or baby monitor. Redial any of the last three dialed numbers at the touch of a button, activate five-way conference calls or just enjoy the consistent, clear 5.8 GHz digital signal transmission. The base includes a fully digital answering system with up to 15 minutes of recording time. Additional features include an audible message alert, toll saver, remote message retrieval and a choice between personalized or prerecorded outgoing messages. With subscription to local service, the phone is compatible with Call Waiting Caller ID. It will display the name, number and date and time of each call on the backlit LCD, and will store up to 100 names with two numbers each, so you can return calls at the touch of a button. Even without Caller ID service, a phonebook stores 10 of your most frequently-dialed numbers. What's in the Box: Base with answering system, AC adapter, corded handset, charging cradle, cordless handset, telephone line cord, handset battery, battery cover, belt clip, printed user's guide, warranty card









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Rating: - * 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.

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Rating: - * 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.

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Rating: - * Good base, wireless handset have poor range. ...
The base is nice,

Pros:it is a true 2 line (2 jacks) many are not. Sound is good. Can control answerer for each line. Ring volume for each line. Good speaker phone. Conferencing.


Cons: caller ID works but requires lots to delete. Each one, one at a time, two button presses to delete each, painful. Ringer Volume control is off, low, high, not enough. Wireless handset has a range of 20-30ft until the static starts. This is extremely bad. My first cordless phone in 1980 had a clear range over a 1/4 mile and each subsequent phone has been less with this being 20-30ft. This is the worst feature of this phone.

If you need a good two line base and don't care about the wireless features then this is perfect. If you are counting on the wireless handsets as well then look elsewhere.

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Rating: - * dont like it ...
I do not like this phone at all and am getting another one. I have terrible issues with static which my service provider has told me (twice) is a phone not a line issue. The other major thing i don't like is that the handsets blink when there is a message on the answering machine (which also lights up so there is no question that there is a message) but there is not an indicator that there is a message in the voice mail box.

as far as the rest of the phone is concerned, it seems to be ok

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Rating: - * Doesn't work well with network-based voicemail ...
I bought this phone for home use to sit on my office desk because it was a 2 line corded base unit w/ cordless phones that I could use elsewhere around the house. I did not want the digital answering machine but Uniden doesn't make a 2 line corded base without it. We use the network voicemail and want to continue doing that.

Because the digital answering machine is present, however, you cannot use the message indicator blinking light to signify a voicemail message on the network like you can with Uniden phones that don't have digital voicemail. Doesn't matter whether you turn off the digital answering maching or not. So, this phone is going back.

No real problems with the functionality or look of the phone, but I was very disappointed that this isn't pointed out anywhere in the online documentation or capabilities. It's something I would have wanted to know ahead of time, and might be true for others...which is the reason for my post.