The i5866 from VTech is a 5.8 GHz cordless phone system with a number of handy extras, including an all-digital answering system, and multi-user expandability to eight handsets (one color-model included). The i5866 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. The answering machine stores up to 15 minutes of messages split among three mailboxes, while full remote operation allows you to check messages even while you are away from home.
Caller ID/call waiting compatible, the i5866 has a 50-number caller ID memory as well as a separate 50-name-and-number phone directory to help you keep track of important contacts. You can select among 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 comes with six preset images that you can assign to phone directory entries or set as background wall-paper, while the included USB cable and image editor software allow you to download custom images. Handset-to-handset call transfer allows you to route incoming calls to any handset registered to the system, and 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), and hold. A speakerphone on the handset combines with headset compatibility to provide hands-free communication options. The NiMH battery provides up to eight hours of talk time or up to five days on standby, while a low-battery indicator lets you know when to return a handset to its charging cradle. A handset control allows you to adjust volume levels. The i5866 also comes backed by 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, USB cable, image editing software, battery cells, battery cover
1 buyer beware.....
I spent a good deal of time searching for a phone and settled on this one, purchased end of March. I do not have additional headsets so cannot comment on that.
On the plus side: Very user friendly for set up and operation. Never referred to the manual to get things going: set the time, recorded outgoing message, created password for remote access, and so on. Speakerphone (right on the handset) was tested with my critical friends on the other end of the line, and they could not tell the difference between the speakerphone and me talking directly into handset. Plus, the listener could hear me 4 feet away with no distortion or problem. The display is clear and readable, the navigation is much like a cellphone and user intuitive. It's not too weighty and feels good in the hand. Display is readable, base is simple in design, and base display is large. Footprint is very small. Amazon's speedy response when I encountered problems was definitely a plus (see below).
On the negative side: The audio on outgoing message and incoming messages is very muffled. When speaking, you cannot hear your voice at all in the same way you're accustomed to on other phones. (That's just a weird thing to become accustomed to).
On the worst side: I had the phone for a month when the display stuck on the graphic, so I couldn't access settings / address book / redial, etc. I contacted vtech online and received no answer. Contacted Amazon and they're shipping a new one free of charge --- in July.
2 Not a good choice.
After reading reviews and consumer reports on many phones we chose the Vtech i5867 and are very dissappointed. After four months of using it we are again searching for a good phone, but this time we won't buy anything we haven't tried out first. One of the big features are that you CAN download any song of your choosing as a ring tone, but only 7 seconds of it, and then you can barely hear it when the phone rings. It saves hang ups as messages. It is often difficult to understand what someone is saying on messages. When you hear a message then push delete you often end up deleting the next message which you haven't even heard yet. When you get a call waiting call the screen doesn't light up so you can't tell who is calling in. It's nearly impossible to hold the handset between your ear and your shoulder when you're trying to write something down. And, the list goes on and on. We truly haven't really found ANY redeeming qualities to this phone.
3 Best phone I've ever owned
This phone was purchased because it has all the features I wanted in a phone (and then some). Answering machine has 3 mailboxes with an audible message alert and remote access. Since this phone sits on my workstation with my computer, the number of messages is also displayed and easily seen. It is color coordinated with my computer equipment. The speakerphone is clear. You can turn the base ringer off separate from the handset ringer or have them ring simultaneously. There is a digital clock on the display screen. You can conference call. And if you have wireless extensions, you can transfer a call to another cordless handset, page a cordless handset, and use the intercom to talk between handsets. You can dial the number first then press the "ON" key (like a cell phone SEND key) or you can press the "ON" key first then dial the number. You can mute a call or put a call on hold, and it has a phonebook. I could go on and on. I never thought I could be excited about a phone (too funny)! IT IS A PHONE WITH CELL PHONE ATTRIBUTES. The manual is easy to understand too. It is the best phone I've ever owned.
4 Not for me
I read many phone reviews before choosing this phone. I realize these views are very subjective and people want different things from a home phone. I chose this because I liked the expandable option, 3 mailboxes, reportedly good sound quality, speaker phones, and thought the wallpaper and ringers would be a fun bonus. I found the image quality too fuzzy to enjoy, the ringers jarring, and the sound quality for calls and answering machine poor. I also did not like it when the base and telephones rang out of sync with each other. Also, when the phone rang the screen and backlit keys lit up with an unpleasing orange. It was too exciting for my taste. It also felt light and cheap and often required more than one push of a number key to register the number when dialing. I've been using a 2.4 GHz Panasonic which is much better quality but interferes with wireless connection. I've returned this VTech and I'm looking for something with better sound quality and less excitement when someone calls. Why are cordless phones with good sound quality so hard to find?
5 What is correct model # for this phone?
I was reading consumer reviews on these phones and noticed that Amazon had the title listed as a 5867 but under product details it talks about a 5866. Okay, and the real model number is.......? I want to look at these in a store before I order online. Can anyone please tell me the correct model number for this phone? If both model numbers are actually in production, then I won't know which to look at. Thanks.
6 You can't get any better
I am a very choosy buyer and rarely rave about any product that is not truly in a class of its own. I have baught a number of expensive products over the years, but none has been as satisfying as the purchase of this full featured phone.
This phone exceeds all the expectations that I had about a new cordless phone. Downloadable images and ring tones work like a charm. Supplied software is very easy in re-sizing images for downloading to handsets. Children would love changing ring tones to songs of their choice (limited to 10 secs recording via a usb cable from the PC). Voice quality is very good and there is no static of any kind. Moreover, the handset looks beautiful with its color screen (vtech is the only manufacturer with color screen on cordless phones as of now). Voice control on the handset lets volume be adjusted while talking. Speakerphone on the handset is very useful when you call those 1-800 numbers that make you wait for hours. The answering machine on the base lets you create three separate mail boxes. The base is designed with a battery back up so that the system doesn't become unuseable when there is no electricity. Keys are a bit hard to press compared to Panasonic handsets, but you would get used to it very soon.
I can't think of any feature that can be added to this phone (may be speaking caller ID like some Panasonic phones). It even keeps track of last numbers dialed, and number of new call received, list of previous calls etc. like cell phones. My children love the phone and my friends' envy its clean look and full mp3 ring tones. Panasonic handsets are good too, but Panasonic doesn't have color lcd on handsets and doesn't allow mp3 ring tones or image download at this time. To me this made a big difference - the fun factor.
If you are looking for a phone, go for this - you would love it like I do. ps: vtech also makes a similar phone set under at&t brand.
7 Took a while but I think I made the right decision
I spent about 3 weeks scouring the internet for info on cordless phones and I settled on this VTech model, along with 2 additional handsets. The phone system has worked quite well since we got it and I think I made the right decision for us. I like the color LCD screen but I do agree with one of the other reviews stating that the digital time bar which floats on the handset screen when it is idle is practically invisible and can't be read unless you are right up to the phone. Once, we lost power in our home and the handsets could not find the base station. I removed the spare NiCad batteries from the base and then removed DC power and then put it all back together and it worked again. Amazing to me that the most recent models from the top phone makers do not surpass many of their older models; meaning, these phone models do not necessarily get better as the model numbers advance and get higher. This model i5867 was rated higher than many of VTech's newer models. Sound quality is good, not perfect, but then none of them are perfect. I'm very glad we got a 5.8 Ghz model because now I am looking to get an Apple Powerbook and Airport Extreme Base Station and I understand that these wireless devices can conflict with the 2.x Ghz phones. Only missing features for me are the ability to check the answering machine from the handset and a global address book for all handsets which is fed from the base unit. Good luck!
8 DISGUSTED with answering function
I bought an earlier version of a VTECH phone like this for a family member. It had only one extra handset available, so I couldn't get it for myself. But this 5867 had so many new and improved features, I thought it would have at least what the other had. What is missing, and what I WANTED, was the feature where every handset blinks when a message is waiting. What do the phone companies think people use phones for. This phone does have an audible message tone, which is hard to find, and the reason I chose V-Tech. But if you are in another part of the house, the blinking alert was just great.
You can download pictures and sounds and whatever to this phone, but I just want a phone and answering machine that lets me easily know I have a message. I am so irritated, I want to send everything back. But I have no idea what other phone to buy to get what I want. I will never, NEVER buy another phone on-line. I'm going to the store and pester the clerks about every feature I need.
This phone is also missing the Rocket Dial feature the other one had for your most common phone number. And an even older VTech system I had showed a clock on all the handsets (not just a digital time), which made it very easy to see the time on any handset. I loved that, but no audible message alert--arghhh!!. To be fair, though, it seems like a nice phone in other respects.
9 If you are on the fence...
Have bought two V-Tech phones, including this model... And they both far exceeded lofty expectations in both feature set, build quality, and reliability. I had ordered the equivalent 5.8 versions offered by Panasonic and they were not even close to the two V-tech's I have ordered. Both Panasonics were given away to family members and co-workers, due to the terrible sound quality (especially via a headset). I had a 'lesser' V-tech 5.8 model at home and never had a problem. Side note: I run a wireless 802.11g network at home and this phone never had an issue with interference with this phone (to be fair, the Panasonic phones never had an issue either). But, most improtantly, the low sound quality experienced with Panasonic was NOT an issue with either V-tech phones. Plus, in my usage experience, the reception range/clarity is also much better on the V-tech vs. Panasonic. This model's multi-voicemail boxes are terrific & work like a charm - satisfaction with this feature alone, for me, justify the premium price! I have sinced replaced the 'lesser' V-tech model with this one for home use and took the 'lesser' model for use at the office. Highly recommend this, and any 5.8 model V-tech phone - as well as any purchase through Amazon, without ANY hesitation!!
10 Fantastic phone
I had a Siemens cordless expandable phone system that I replaced with the Vtech. I love the clarity of sound and all the unique customizable features that add to the fun of using this phone system. Overall, we are very pleased with it. I recommend.
11 Great Phone!!!
I upgraded from a Cygnion Cybergenie multi handset system. I previously had many problems with interference from my 802.11g network and the Cybergenies. The current system is crystal clear. It sounds like a corded phone. The color screen and customization are neat ideas as well. I am still using the Cygnion system with a PC as an answering system, so I have not had a chance to check out the Vtech one.
Over all, my wife and I are very pleased with this purchase.
