Kudos For This Kordless!
Written: Dec 02 '99 (Updated Dec 03 '99)
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Product Rating:
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Pros: Great range, great performance, unique features, great value
Cons: No speakerphone or dialpad on the base
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| prowlerdog's Full Review: Sanyo CLT-937A 900MHz Cordless Phone |
The Sanyo CLT-937 is a real "diamond in the rough." Recently rated by
Consumer Reports as one of the best cordless phones available, I have
found it to be, truly, the BEST cordless phone I have ever owned! Now,
down to the details. First, the useful range is about the best I've
experienced, on par with the most expensive cordless phones around.
While I have not tested this phone in "ideal conditions for maximum
range" (a wide open field) to see just how far it is capable of
transmitting (an impractical test in any event), my own "real world" use
(with the base unit in the house, not too far from a window and the
phone outside, with normal obstructions in between it and the base unit)
has the phone performing perfectly at distances of a little over a tenth
of a mile and quite satisfactorily (with just occasional signal
"interruptions") at distances of nearly one-quarter mile! While this may
not sound impressive, believe me, it beats all but the most expensive
cordless phones hands down! (I've been lucky to get more than a couple
hundred feet of real usable range out of some other cordless phones I've
owned.) I would not be at all surprised to see this phone actually
capable of transmitting a half a mile or more in the "wide open spaces!"
Besides the excellent useful range, the "DSS" (Digital Spread Spectrum)
and "full time channel scan" systems in this phone really do provide
excellent clarity, almost non-existent hiss or static and the added
security of millions of access codes and digitally-scrambled voice
transmission. Now, moving on to the best part: This is the ONLY cordless
phone I have seen with a speakerphone RIGHT IN THE CORDLESS HANDSET! You
can press the red "speaker" button, get a dial tone and dial, all
WITHOUT putting the phone to your ear! You can also answer the phone in
the same manner. If you get put on hold, you can simply press the
"speaker" button and put the phone down wherever you are, without
returning to the base unit (which, in fact, DOES NOT have a speakerphone
in it). Switching between regular operation and "speakerphone" mode
(which I have found to be cumbersome on other cordless phones,
particularly Toshiba models) is a piece of cake with the CLT-937. Just
press the red "speaker" button or the "talk" button to instantly switch
between modes. Another terrific, and important feature of the CLT-937 is
the rarely-offered FULL BATTERY BACK-UP of the base unit (requires 3
"AA" batteries). In the event of an interruption of power, the phone
continues to function perfectly, without a hiccup, as if the AC power
were still on! The battery backup is a real "must-have" if your setup is
prone to power failure or interruptions, and especially critical if
there are no "corded" phones around! Although I have not personally
conducted a "test to the death" of the base unit's or headset's
batteries, the manual rates the base unit as "up to" 12 hours standby
and 4 hours talk. The headset, of course, has its own battery,
independent of the base unit, which is rated at "up to" four hours talk
time and a whopping 7 DAYS standby time. I particularly like the
extended standby battery life of the headset because, admittedly, I
often leave my phone out overnight without replacing it into the
charging base. This Sanyo phone also features the handy "auto hang-up
and answer memory" function offered on some other cordless phones, that
allows the phone to be disconnected and answered without first pressing
the "end" or "talk" button. To activate, the phone is simply "hung up"
(replaced in the base cradle) at the end of a call without pressing
"end." The phone is disconnected and turned off. When the next call
rings in, the phone is turned on and the incoming call is connected by
just picking up the phone. Other nifty niceties include a lighted keypad
that illuminates automatically when the phone or speakerphone is
activated or the dialpad numbers are touched plus the ability to select
ring preferences and control ear piece and speaker volumes on the
handset during use. The usual "redial" function is there and there are
20 separate memory positions for auto-dialing phone numbers of up to 16
digits long. Overall, the Sanyo CLT-937 is a terrific cordless phone,
loaded with features, that performs beautifully. In the several months
I've owned mine, no problems or malfunctions whatsoever! Best of all,
with a street price under $100 and a $20 manufacturer's rebate (price
and rebate current as of 12/99), this phone is also one great VALUE! So,
if you need the range capabilities this phone offers and the cool
features appeal to you, don't waste your money on a 2.4GHz unit. The
Sanyo CLT-937 is a "digital delight!" I only hope this little "gem"
lasts me a while, because I've FINALLY found the phone of my dreams!
Meanwhile, "kudos" to Sanyo for building a "kordless to kill for!"
Recommended:
Yes
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Epinions.com ID:
prowlerdog
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Location: Malibu, CA
Reviews written: 1
Trusted by: 1 member
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