GE 28118FE Cordless Phone....

My old telephone finally broke- the display went out on it and the words left on there looked like hieroglyphics. So, I just did some wandering online at Target and Wal-Mart, and turns out Wal-Mart had this really cool looking phone- the GE 28118FE1 so I looked to see if it was available at my store, and it was. So, I marched right down there and got it, and I paid $68 something for it, but I did notice it was for some reason cheaper on line.

This is a cordless (digital) phone and it has a digital answering machine system (the phone I had to replace was the one with my answering machine on it), but you can buy this without an answering machine as well, at a lower price. Also, this particular phone has the expandable handsets where you can run up to 6 phones off one phone jack, but I only have the one phone, but it is nice to know that you can do this. The phone is black in color, and it has a blue backlight, and comes with a 1 year limited warranty.

The base measures about 3 inches tall, and 5 inches wide, and it is about half the size of my old phone base. The phone itself is the size and thickness of a Hershey’s candy bar. Seriously, it’s even smaller than my remote. If you’re the type who misplaces phones, I wouldn’t suggest this for you because of the size.

This phone features:

DECT, Digitally Enhanced Cordless Technology, features a dedicated bandwidth that eliminates interference from electronics found in or around the home.
Call waiting
Caller ID
Handset speakerphone
3-way call conferencing and intercom
Extra-large LCD information screen
Expandable up to 6 handsets, using only 1 phone jack
Encrypted security

Now, do note for the call waiting and caller ID, you need to have those services set up via the phone company.
This phone can hold 40 numbers in its caller ID, and it can hold 50 numbers in its memory. It has 10 VIP Memory Slots.

The total recording time on the answering machine is 12 minutes. You can also access your phone’s messages from any other telephone using a remote access code, and you can set that up fairly easily on the phone, but me I don’t use it. You can set up the answering machine to answer every 3 rings, 4 rings, 5, 6, or Toll saver (that’s where the unit will answer after the third ring when there are new messages, or answers after the 5th ring if there are no new messages). You can make your own message or do like us and just use the generic pre-made one.

The phone also offers some other cool features as well. For one, it has 15 ringtones to choose from- how cool is that? I never imagined a home phone having that many ringtones. Some are songs, such as “When the Saints Go Marching In”. But, I just use the plain ring.

One of the coolest features to me is the VIP Memory, where you can setup certain numbers to ring a certain ringtone when they call. This is easy to setup, and I find it great especially when I am not right by the phone and I’ll know when my husband is calling.

As far as initial phone setup, that is simple. You’ll first have to put the battery in the phone, then set the date and time on the base, and then program any numbers you wish. I found setup to be really easy, and even though it did not say how long to charge the phone, I went ahead and charged it overnight before using it.

As far as phone conversations, I have been well pleased- I find the volume is just fine on normal setting, and I haven’t experienced any dropped calls or interference on this phone, the sound to me is really clear has a great reception.

I also like the look of this phone- not only does the base take up much less room on the table (it is also wall mountable), but the phone is very sleek and modern looking- made my 3 year old phone I was replacing look like a dinosaur. Also, I find that the ring is loud enough as well on normal, and I really like the VIP memory, and don’t see how I did without it before. The display on this phone is easy to read as well, and the screen on it is quite large, and the backlight on it is easy enough to read in the dark.

Operating this phone is simple as well, it has talk and end buttons just like all the other cordless phones I've had, with the speakerphone button in between them. All these buttons are silver in color. The speakerphone is just as clear as the phone, and I find you can be a good bit away from it and the other party is able to hear you.

All in all, I love this phone- I don’t have one negative thing to say about it- it’s great looking, works great, and has great features, and really not all that expensive- I noticed at Wal-Mart online they have this one for only $59.93, which is a little cheaper than in the store. I’d highly recommend this phone.