Electronic Gadget Reviews

The remanufactured Panasonic KX-TG5576M cordless phone system is expandable up to eight handsets, letting you outfit your house with a bundle of phones without dealing with crisscrossing wires or multiple phone jacks. The system comes with a single handset, but with each additional handset purchase, you can enjoy such benefits as a home-wide intercom, perfect for calling the family together for dinner; a page locator, which finds the misplaced handsets within a cluttered household; and Talking Caller ID, which audibly announces the caller’s name and number so you don’t have to hunt down a handset. It all adds up to an invaluable phone system for large households or home-based businesses. To ensure an elite-sounding connection, the system employs 5.8 GHz frequency-hopping spread spectrum technology, which operates in a less-trafficked wavelength than more common 2.4 GHz signals while still maintaining the same great security, topnotch clarity, and long range. Reception is further improved by Panasonic’s Voice Enhancer circuitry, which helps clarify and improve reception by producing an easy-to-hear, natural-sounding voice, making the handsets sound crisp and intelligible even at a distance from the base. Plus, 5.8 GHz frequencies won’t interfere with wireless computer networks such as 802.11b or 802.11g Wi-Fi.

Another bonus offered by the KX-TG5576M cordless handset is the backlit 1.6-inch color LCD display. Users can personalize the phone’s display with any of the preset wallpaper images, or they can download new images via the handset’s built-in USB port. In addition, you can activate Picture ID (subscription required), which associates caller ID information with photos of your friends and family or other images. Meanwhile, the display’s color icons make it easy and intuitive to navigate through the phone’s many features. It all adds up to a fun, lighthearted handset that’s far more creative than other cordless models.

This phone system is also equipped with an all-digital answering system for quick, easy retrieval of crystal-clear messages. Message operation has never been easier, with up to 21 minutes of recording time, in addition to such features as a prerecorded outgoing message, remote operation, toll saver, and skip-and-repeat. And don’t worry about losing your messages when the power goes out, as they’re stored in flash memory for later retrieval.

In addition to the Talking Caller ID, the system offers a caller ID/call waiting combo (subscription required). Caller ID lets you see who’s calling before you answer the phone, while call waiting lets you know when another call is coming in. By combining the two, however, users will learn who’s calling even when they’re currently in the middle of a conversation with someone else. When you hear the beep, simply look at the handset’s LCD display to identify the name and number. It’s especially convenient when you’re waiting for an important call but still have other calls to make.

The handset speakerphone, meanwhile, is a plus when dealing with automated phone systems. You can turn on the speakerphone, put down the handset while watching TV or typing, and then pick it back up when a voice finally responds. It’s far more convenient than trudging all the way to the base unit to activate the speakerphone. There are lots of other uses as well, such as putting the whole family on the phone to talk to grandma or grandpa, or conducting a business call with several folks in the room.

Finally, the phone includes a couple of features that will particularly appeal to households with kids. The first is the ability to upload unlimited free recordings of your favorite songs or sounds and set them as the handset ringer. Simply connect the included audio cable to the music source and follow the instructions (max recording time is two minutes). The second is a light-up antenna that flashes when the ringer is turned off. When someone is calling, the base of the antenna will flash so you’ll know the phone is ringing. The antenna will also light up when someone leaves a message on voicemail (subscription required). Users can select from blue, green, amber, or multicolor antenna lights, while subscribers to Light-Up ID can link the individual light colors to numbers in their preprogrammed phone books. It’s an especially nice way to “hear” the phone ringing after the kids have been put to bed.

Additional features include a 50-call memory and speed dial directory, four-way phone conferencing, dual keypads, three ringer patterns and four melody ringers, and a headset jack (headset not included) that enables hands-free communication. The KX-TG5576M measures 11.2 by 9.7 by 5.4 inches (W x H x D) and is backed by a 90-day warranty.

What’s in the Box
Base, handset, AC power adapter, battery cover, phone line cord, belt clip, warranty card, user’s manual.

Product Features and Technical Details

Product Features

Technical Details

• Color : Metallic grey
• Frequency: 5.8 GHz
• Transmission type: Frequency-hopping digital spread spectrum
• Expandable: Yes, up to 8 handsets
• Additional handsets included: No
• Number of lines: 1
• Channels: 89
• Handset USB port: Yes, for customized ringer, Picture ID, and phone book download
• Caller ID: Yes
• Talking caller ID: Yes
• Caller ID/call waiting compatibility: Yes
• Caller IQ compatibility: Yes
• Caller ID memory/dialer: 50 names and numbers
• Customized ringer: Yes
• Voice enhancer: Yes
• Light-up antenna with ringer/message alert: Yes
• Shock-/splash-resistant handset: No
• Integrated answering system: Yes, digital
• Max recording time: 21 minutes
• Recording time set: 1 minutes, 2 minutes, 3 minutes, ann.
• Mailboxes: 1
• Automatic interrupt: Yes
• LCD call counter: Yes
• Remote message check: Yes
• Time/date stamp: Yes
• Tone remote operation: Yes
• Memo recording: Yes
• All/new message playback: Yes
• All/individual erase: Yes
• Toll saver: Yes
• Flash memory: Yes
• Navigator key: Yes
• Speakerphone: Yes, handset and base
• Reversible handset charging: Yes
• Line status indicator: Yes
• Call conferencing: 4-way
• Dual keypads: Yes
• Handset display: 1.6-inch full-color LCD (65,000 colors)
• Base LED/LCD screen: Yes, 2-digit LCD
• Multi-user expandable: Yes, up to 8 users
• Phone directory: 50 stations
• Dialer storage capacity (number of digits per station): 32
• Voicemail message waiting indicator: No
• Chain dial: Yes
• Phone directory sharing: Yes
• Intercom: Handset-to-handset and handset-to-base
• Handset locator: Yes
• Voice paging: Yes
• Programmable tone/pulse: Yes
• Hold: Yes
• Mute: Yes
• Base unit ringer: Yes
• Wall-mountable: Yes
• Base volume control: Yes
• Voice scramble (digital security): Yes
• Ringer patterns: 3
• Melody ringer: 4 melodies
• Ringer melody download: Yes
• Any key answer: Yes
• Headset jack: Yes
• Illuminated keypad: Yes
• Low battery indicator: Yes
• Out-of-range indicator: Yes
• Flash button: Yes
• Redial: Handset: last 5 numbers dialed; base unit; last number dialed
• Handset volume control: Yes
• Ringer volume control: Yes
• Battery : NiMH
• Belt clip included: Yes
• Item width: 11.2 inches
• Item height: 9.7 inches
• Item depth: 5.4 inches
• Item weight: 3 pounds
• Warranty: 90 days parts and labor
• In the box: Base, handset, AC power adapter, battery pack, battery cover, phone line cord, belt clip, warranty card, user’s manual