The i5857 from VTech is a 5.8 GHz cordless phone system with a number of handy extras, including caller ID/call waiting compatibility and multi-user expandability to eight handsets (one included). The i5857 utilizes the 5.8 GHz frequency and digital spread spectrum technology to provide clear, accurate reception with less interference than traditional 2.4 GHz and 900 MHz phones. Caller ID/call waiting compatible, the i5857 has a 50-number caller ID memory; caller information is display on both the base and handset LCDs. A separate 50-name-and-number phone directory helps you keep track of important contacts.
You can select between eight ring tones and 12 musical ringers, while the supplied audio patch cord allows you to record custom ring tones. The full-color handset LCD screen comes with six preset images that you can assign to phone directory entries or set as background wall-paper; the included USB cable and image editor software also allow you to download custom images to your phone.
Speakerphones on both the base and handset combine with headset compatibility to provide a number of hands-free communication options. Handset-to-handset call transfer allows you to route incoming calls to any handset registered to the system, while three-way conferencing lets you communicate with multiple parties at once. An intercom feature provides a way to communicate between handset locations, and a global page/handset function lets you speak with all handsets at once.
Additional features include flash, redial (last 10 numbers), hold, and mute. The NiMH battery provides up to eight hours of talk time and up to five days of standby, while a low-battery indicator lets you know when to return a handset to its charging cradle. A new message waiting indicator alerts you to any new voice mail messages (requires subscription to a fee-based service). Handset and speakerphone controls allow you to adjust volume levels. The i5857 also comes backed with a one-year limited warranty.
What's in the Box
Base unit, handset, base AC power adapter, telephone line cord, quick start guide, belt clip, user's manual, audio patch cord, battery cells, battery cover, image editor software, USB cable
1 Great Phone, but I wish...
Yes this is a great phone. I have had it for about a month and I am using it with my Packet8 VoIP. It works great and the sound quality is perfect.
The handset speakerphone works great but I wish it could be louder.
The images on the color LCD display are not very good. It has 8-bit color so there is that problem but the resolution is not that great either. You need to stick to very simple pictures if you want to be able to make out what they are. Downloading pictures to the phone was really easy and managing what is on the phone is really easy too. There is a set of pictures built into the phone that cannot be deleted - I wish they could so that I could put more of my own pictures on the phone. It would be nice if the phone had more memory. It can hold 50 numbers each associated with a picture and a distictive ring. Its cool when someone calls and a picture of the persons comes up on the LCD. It is really easy to setup and use but I do wish it had more memory. There is no way you can put 50 pictures in the phone AFAIK.
The phone feels great in you hand and is loud enogh that you don't have to press it against you head to hear well. The keypad lights up so it is easy to use in a dark room.
I am pleased that I bought this phone. I would say that this is probably the best phone in its class right now. The next generation of this phone is probably going to make all of the distracting things I have mentioned go away.
I like this phone and will probably be buying extra handsets for it soon.
2 Feature-rich yet simple to use phone
The i5857 is a joy to use: loads of features, but insanely intuitive and simple to use. The documentation is probably the best I've seen for any product in the last decade. One of the main reasons I wanted this phone was to record a custom ringer (of a temple bell) and it took about all of about 10 seconds with the included audio cable. Highly recommended.
3 This MUST be the BEST phone there is!
Wow! Am I happy with this thing! I was put-off by the pictures on the box, but after I bought it and played with it for a while I fell in love. SUPER intuitive for a geekie kinda' guy, the GUI is GREAT! The ONLY way to make it better would be more control through the USB connection. And maybe more color in the display (it's 8 bit color pallet). Then I guess it would need expandable memory too? <grin>
