Garmin Talking StreetPilot III GPS Deluxe Package

Product Description

Imagine never being lost while driving. Garmin makes it possible. Meet the Street Pilot III - the ultimate traveling companion and guide. Create a route and then put your mind on cruise as you follow clear, accurate, voice-prompted turn-by-turn directions to safely reach your destination.The simple, intuitive menus of the Street Pilot III offer access to the shortest and fastest routes, directions, and estimated arrival time of your intended destination. Automated voice prompts alert you to upcoming turns, course deviation, and distance to final destination. At the touch of a button, view the locations of all the nearest highway exits, gas stations, restaurants, ATMs, hospitals, and rest areas on a full-color LCD.The StreetPilot III comes with MapSource City Navigator Cd-rom and everything you need to download street-level mapsets from your PC. Then, just place the portable system on the dash of any vehicle, and enjoy stress-free driving and peace of mind - without any costly service charges or hook-up fees.The Deluxe package includes: StreetPilot III with portable antenna; PC interface cable; Dashboard mount; Portable Mount (bean bag mount); External speaker with 12-volt cigarette lighter adapter; Owner's manual; Quick reference guide; USB data card programmer; Americas Autoroute Basemap; MapSource City Navigator North America CD with full coverage and full unlock 128 MB datacard.

Amazon.com Review

You don't need to buy a luxury car or spend thousands installing a multipart system to get advanced GPS navigation capabilities in your automobile. Garmin's StreetPilot III delivers all the high-end features you need--from detailed street maps and sophisticated auto routing to voice prompts and a color screen--in a compact, inexpensive, and portable package.

The Garmin StreetPilot III sports a brilliant LCD display
Setting up the unit was surprisingly simple. First we installed the software from the MapSource City Navigator CD onto our PC and connected the card reader, with the 32 MB data card, to the USB port. Then we went online to unlock one of 10 detailed coverage areas included on the disk; for instance, Area 1 covers California and Nevada, Area 7 covers New England and New York. After that we downloaded detailed maps of our city (San Francisco) and surrounding areas to the data card. We also downloaded waypoints--locations like our home, office, and other places we often visit--onto the card and inserted it into the StreetPilot III. If you don't have a USB port, you can also use the included serial cable to connect the entire unit to your PC.

The physical installation went just as smoothly. We affixed the plastic base to the top of our dashboard with the included adhesive mounting disks, snapped the StreetPilot III into place, connected it to the cigarette lighter for power, and extended the small fold-down antenna. The dashboard mount's quick release makes it easy to store the StreetPilot III when not in use or, if you purchase a second mount, lets you use it in multiple vehicles.

We turned the unit on and in less than a minute it locked onto the GPS satellites and displayed a map of our current location on the clear, bright, easy-to-read color display. As we drove along, it displayed our position and direction on the map, the name and address number of the street we were on, and even the name of the upcoming cross street. The two zoom buttons let us get a very detailed street-level view or a broad overview of our current position, and the menu button allowed us to customize the display.

By using the `find' key, points of interest such as attractions, restaurants, banks, intersections and many more are easily located and routed to. Simply choose the destination from the list and press `route to it'. The Streetpilot III will calculate the best route and talk you through to the destination.

The crisp, colorful LCD makes checking out your destination easy--even before you leave! This screen displays your possible destination of the St. Louis Zoo as well as local restaurants and emergency medical locations. It's easy to become familiar with services provided even when you're 244.1 miles away. Try that with a paper map!

The trip computer screen calculates all the travel data for your trip with incredible accuracy, while verbal instructions inform you of the next turn. Valuable information like distance to destination and time to destination are constantly updated--perhaps even putting an end to the question `are we there yet?'

Routes can be displayed several ways such as this turn by turn instruction screen, which highlights your next turn to make. The distance to go and time to go information gives driver's the forewarning and confidence to watch for the approaching turn. The smooth verbal instructions will let you know when the next turn is approaching.

The fun really started, though, when we used the StreetPilot's routing capabilities. Using the arrow buttons, we input the intersection of a store we'd never visited, and within a minute it calculated the most direct route. The voice navigator told us where to go and when to turn, and it was simple to monitor our progress both on the map and on the text display. We knew the exact address of our next stop and entered it into the unit. The StreetPilot then guided us onto the freeway and successfully to our second destination, telling us exactly where to stop along the street and even on which side of the street the store was located. To get home, we just accessed a waypoint with our home address that we'd preprogrammed on the PC.

Even if you don't know exactly where you're going, the City Navigator maps include points of interest, such as restaurants, shops, and parks. For instance, the StreetPilot can find the closest fast-food restaurant and present you with a list of nearby options.

Testing in San Francisco, we did lose satellite lock a few times in extremely hilly areas or in areas with very tall buildings. We think this was due mainly to the fact that the unit's antenna is inside the car; an external antenna option is available for less than $100 that should solve the problem.

Once you use the StreetPilot III for a while, it's hard to imagine driving solo again. Whether you're planning a road trip or just need help getting around town, it's an extremely helpful companion that's cheaper and easier to install than anything else currently available. --Ken Feinstein

Pros:

Compact, portable design
Easy-to-read color screen
Auto routing and voice prompts

Cons:

Optional external antenna will get better satellite reception in some cities than the built-in antenna

Note about review: This review was written using the original version of the Garmin StreetPilot III. The deluxe version includes a 128 MB data card and full unlock access to all maps on the City Navigator CD-ROM.

What's in the Box
StreetPilot III with portable antenna, PC interface cable, dashboard mount, portable Mount (bean bag mount), external speaker with 12-volt cigarette lighter adapter, owner's manual, quick reference guide, USB data card programmer, Americas Autoroute Basemap, MapSource City Navigator North America CD.

Amazon.com Product Description

The Talking Color StreetPilot III Deluxe from Garmin is like having your own personal navigator in the passenger seat. This StreetPilot III Deluxe combines the power of a 12-channel GPS receiver with a detailed base map and routing functions to get you where you need to go by the shortest, fastest route. As an added bonus, automated voice prompts from an external speaker tell you when to turn, the distance to upcoming turns, course deviation, and the distance to your final destination.

The StreetPilot III Deluxe comes with a PC cable, 128 MB data card, and USB Data Card Programmer so you can download map data from CD-ROMs. This model comes with City Navigator, which contains detailed street maps for major North American cities. Mapping software allows for automatic routing and contains information like turn restrictions. Simply enter an address or intersection, and the StreetPilot will calculate a route and provide turn-by-turn directions. Points of interest, addresses, and phone numbers are also included in the database.

This version of the Garmin StreetPilot III Deluxe offers full unlock capability of all maps for the United States and Canada. (The regular Garmin StreetPilot III comes with unlock capability for just one region.) Simply install the City Navigator CD-ROM on your PC, then enter a custom code that is included with the product box.

Other GPS features include a trip computer with odometer, timers, and average and maximum speeds. The built-in base map of North America and South America contains state and country boundaries, lakes, rivers, streams, airports, cities, towns, coastlines, state and interstate highways, local thoroughfares, and secondary roads within metro areas--plus federal interstate-highway exit information with services like food, lodging, and service stations.

Garmin makes accessories to help you integrate your GPS with your life and your priorities. Keep your GPS at the ready while protecting it from knocks and bumps is with a carrying case, that has space for your hookup cable and remote control. In the car, you'll appreciate the mounting options and clear reception afforded by the Garmin GA26 Remote Vehicle Antenna for StreetPilot, III Plus and II Plus that will give you better satellite reception than if you only place your GPS on the dashboard. Using your GPS in more than one vehicle? The Garmin Dashmount is just the ticket, providing one temporary and one permanent adhesive mounting disc so you can move the unit back and forth between your cars.

Map information is viewed on the StreetPilot III Deluxe's backlit display with its 16 colors and a resolution of 305 x 160 pixels. The unit is powered by six AA batteries with a battery life of 20 hours at the lowest backlight setting, and 2 hours at the highest setting. It comes with mounting hardware, a PC interface cable, 12-volt adapter cable with an external speaker, a 128 MB data card, USB data programmer and MapSource City Navigator software on CD-ROM. The StreetPilot III Deluxe is covered by a one-year warranty.

Customer Reviews:

Old but works.......2007-09-09

Just putting this review to clear my account, I used to have this and it was great, traveled many roads with it. (have a Zumo 550 now)

Seriously Saved Me.......2007-08-12

This product was a last resort in a deparate situation. Me and my friends were looking to go camping and had been lost in the mountains for some time. Our mapquest directions failed miserably. After asking for directions, which were terrible, we found this device under the passenger seat. The StreetPilot III was very simple to use and delivered us to our destination with ease and much excitement. My friends and I are so grateful for this little GPS. It still works today. Thank god. Buy this thing!

Out of date.......2006-08-26

This is an out of date GPS that has been discontinued by Garmin.

I had a lot of problems downloading the driver into my notebook and desktop (both running Windows xp). I had to try several times (I am computer savvy). The memory card that came with unit was defective, I had to get a new one from Garmin, and you can easily damage it. You have to use their 12th century card reader to plug to your pc to download the software to the unit. You cannot hook the unit directly to your pc (unless you have an old serial port-male)

The memory card (128mb) can only hold so much map data. While the LCD has an excellent resolution (that's why I am giving a one star rating), it will take you some time before you can learn all the features of the units and the map source.

To sum things up, stay away from this gps, invest a few more hundreds and get a newer version.

Screen bug-a-boo.......2005-10-19

My Garmin 2610 has long been a terrific electronic unit. Now, for no known reason, the screen has shifted to the point where the touch does not allow you to enter text. Garmin wants $250 to fix the unit regardless of the issue. I think this is excessive for a unit that has been immaculately cared for and is quite expensive. Magellan next time for me...

Nice, but a bit confusing.......2005-05-06

My first GPS was a very old style that gave you longitude and latitude only. No roads. No water. Nothing. So the jump to the SP III was a big one.

Had to struggle a bit to download the info (updated from the website) onto the unit. Tough for this first timer to get the hang of it initially, though it gets easier with time. Working with the unit alone is a bit more complicated as naming waypoints and such can take a bit of doing using the toggle switches. But again, I'm still new at this and am looking forward to working with it a lot more in the near future.

My plan is to use it to have a constant knowledge of the location of gas stations between my home outside Philadelphia, and Sturgis SD for my motorcycle trip out there in August. I'm attempting to complete the 1,700+ mile ride in under two days and will need to stretch out my gas stops as much as I can. It's currently mounted on the dash of the bike for me to get used to it and play with its functions during my daily commute.

I agree with others regarding its unnecessary rerouting when I've never strayed off course. Strangely, it even gives different directions although I don't change the route I take on a daily basis. Rerouting calculation takes a bit, but I seem to remember that the calculation time can be adjusted through the menu. Unfortunately, it also continually gives me a slower route than the one I know is faster even though it's set for highway use and the fastest time. Perhaps I can adjust the pre-set surface street and highway speeds to get it to work more appropriately. Less than 5% of the time, the crossroad names are incorrect.

My other issue is the interference the unit seems to be getting from time to time from my satellite radio that's mounted on the handlebar less than a foot away from the dash-mounted GPS.

I thought this GPS would be able to take me right to where I wanted to be, using the most efficient route, ALL BY ITSELF. If I have to set up specific waypoints on a specific route in order to get it to follow what I know is the fastest way, the unit is of no value to me. The only good point is that I didn't pay over $500 for it.

Average customer rating:
Da-Lite Tensioned Ceiling Recessed HDTV 54" x 96" - Video Format 54" x 72" Multiple Aspect Ratio Home Theater Electric Screen with High Contrast Cinema Vision Fabric

Manufacturer: Da-Lite Screen Company, Inc.
ProductGroup: CE

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Audio & Video | Refurbished & Used | Special Features | Electronics Features | Electronics
Accessories:

Da-Lite Laser Pointer - Red

Da-Lite Laser Pointer with Blinking Mode - Red

Da-Lite Jumbo Laser Pointer - Red

Da-Lite Dual Motor LVC System - Remote control unit

Da-Lite Dual Motor Low Voltage Control with Radio Frequency Remote 110 Volt

Product Features:

Tensioned Dual Masking with High Contrast Cinema Vision fabric and 110 volt motor.

Dual Motor Multiple Aspect Ratio Electric Screen. View from HDTV to NTSC Format. Tab guide cable system maintains even lateral tension to hold surface flat while a custom slat bar with added weight maintains vertical tension.

Ideal for home theaters or where a variety of image formats are projected. Screen is tensioned for an extra flat surface for optimum image quality. Unique "step-back" masking design eliminates shadows. Second motor lowers and raises black masks into position to convert screen to different format.

High Contrast Cinema Vision is designed for today's moderate output DLP and LCD home theater projectors. With its specially designed gray base surface and a reflective top surface, this screen material is able to provide very good black levels without sacrificing the white level output. Where ambient lighting is moderately controlled, High Contrast Cinema Vision offers deep life-like colors and greater detail and sharpness to the image. Gain 1.1 with a 45-degree viewing half angle.

ASIN: B000293SHQ

Product Description

Da-Lite's Dual Masking electric screen was designed for the avid home theater enthusiast. Choose the Dual Masking that best suits individual viewing needs and preferences: Letterbox to video or HDTV to video format. View DVDs and HDTV broadcasts without losing image detail due to the inability to change aspect ratios. Available in both a tensioned and non-tensioned version with Da-Lite's exclusive "step back" masking system eliminating shadows, the Dual Masking will vividly enhance the home theater experience. Control options abound with optional low voltage control and networkable RS-232 availability for connected homes.

Da-Lite Tensioned Ceiling Recessed HDTV 54" x 96" - Video Format 54" x 72" Multiple Aspect Ratio Home Theater Electric Screen with Audio Vision Fabric

Average customer rating:

Da-Lite Tensioned Ceiling Recessed HDTV 54" x 96" - Video Format 54" x 72" Multiple Aspect Ratio Home Theater Electric Screen with Audio Vision Fabric

Manufacturer: Da-Lite Screen Company, Inc.
ProductGroup: CE

All Home Theater Systems | Home Theater Systems | Audio & Video | Categories | Electronics

Audio & Video | Refurbished & Used | Special Features | Electronics Features | Electronics
Accessories:

Product Features:

Tensioned Dual Masking with Audio Vision fabric and 110 volt motor.
Dual Motor Multiple Aspect Ratio Electric Screen. View from HDTV to NTSC Format. Tab guide cable system maintains even lateral tension to hold surface flat while a custom slat bar with added weight maintains vertical tension.
Ideal for home theaters or where a variety of image formats are projected. Screen is tensioned for an extra flat surface for optimum image quality. Unique "step-back" masking design eliminates shadows. Second motor lowers and raises black masks into position to convert screen to different format.
Audio Vision is designed for applications where a more realistic soundstage is desired, this fabric allows for the installation of speakers to be placed behind the surface. With virtually no sound loss and good image quality, this fabric provides the same optical characteristics as the Da-Mat surface with specially designed perforations to allow sound to pass through the screen material. Gain 1.0 with a 50-degree viewing half angle.

ASIN: B000293SIU

Product Description

Da-Lite Tensioned Ceiling Recessed HDTV 54" x 96" - Video Format 54" x 72" Multiple Aspect Ratio Home Theater Electric Screen with High Contrast Audio Vision Fabric

Average customer rating:

Da-Lite Tensioned Ceiling Recessed HDTV 54" x 96" - Video Format 54" x 72" Multiple Aspect Ratio Home Theater Electric Screen with High Contrast Audio Vision Fabric

Manufacturer: Da-Lite Screen Company, Inc.
ProductGroup: CE

All Home Theater Systems | Home Theater Systems | Audio & Video | Categories | Electronics

Audio & Video | Refurbished & Used | Special Features | Electronics Features | Electronics
Accessories:

Product Features:

Tensioned Dual Masking with High Contrast Audio Vision fabric and 110 volt motor.
Dual Motor Multiple Aspect Ratio Electric Screen. View from HDTV to NTSC Format. Tab guide cable system maintains even lateral tension to hold surface flat while a custom slat bar with added weight maintains vertical tension.
Ideal for home theaters or where a variety of image formats are projected. Screen is tensioned for an extra flat surface for optimum image quality. Unique "step-back" masking design eliminates shadows. Second motor lowers and raises black masks into position to convert screen to different format.
High Contrast Audio Vision shares the same optical characteristics as the High Contrast Da-Mat material, this surface is designed to provide the viewer with a more realistic soundstage by placing speakers behind the screen and allowing the sound to be transmitted through the material. This screen surface is best used when there is good control of ambient lighting and a moderately wide viewing angle is desired. Gain 0.8 with 45-degree half viewing angle.

ASIN: B000293SJE

Product Description

Product Description

Uniden is creating a World Without Wires. Which means the company is building products that give its customers more freedom to enjoy life, solve problems and always stay connected with others. From cordless phones to two-way radios to radar detectors, Uniden makes electronic wonders an everyday occurrence. As one of the world's largest manufacturers of cordless phones and consumer communications devices, chances are there's a Uniden product that's already making things more convenient in and around your home.Uniden TRU5865-2 phone features 5.8 GHz Digital Spread Spectrum technology for extra-long range, a dual handset system and supports Call Waiting/Caller ID.

Amazon.com Product Description

Some of us need much more from our phones than just a little redial button. Sometimes a flash feature simply isn't enough. For users who demand extensive features, Uniden's TRU5865-2 delivers. Functioning at a quiet, nearly interference-free 5.8 GHz, the phone uses digital transmission for exceptional range and minimal static. The three-line LCD handset display works in conjunction with caller ID services, storing 100 names and numbers, in addition to the 20 speed-dial presets and last-three-number redial feature.

The dual speakerphones (both on handset and base) let you talk hands-free or get the whole family in on the conversation. And yes, the phone does feature the basics, like flash, pause, hold, and redial with memory storage of the last three numbers dialed. In addition, you can dial either from the handset or from the base. The phone is expandable to accommodate additional handsets. An NiMH battery and 90-day warranty are included.

Customer Reviews:

great for environments with wireless networks.......2005-09-29

The speaker phone in the base and the handset is the best quality of any phone I have ever used. I have bought so many hands-free ear pieces that sounded great for a week, but then tanked - but I will clip the beltclip of this phone on my collar as I do chores and I can have a conversation without problems with folks who say I sound loud and clear. I have an 802.11 b&g compatible wireless network at home with 3 wireless routers in various location in my home. Wireless phones below the 5.8ghz range can wreak havoc with these networks. Having the extra handset that doesn't require a phone jack is a real blessing. When I built my house, I had no idea I would one day have an indoor rabbit as a pet - and rabbits chew cords, which necessitates moving phones to other locations where I didn't think to have phone jacks installed. Since the satellite phone requires that it first sit in the original handset, you know that your neighbor isn't listening to your conversation with their own handset the way it used to work in the early 1990s. The range isn't stellar... if I get more than 50 feet away, conversations get garbled, but part of that is due to the short wavelength of these microwave phones. Concrete is also a natural filter for RF (radio frequencies), so any concrete in the line of sight between your handset and base is going to cause interference. I have had these phones for 3 years and have had to replace the battery once - and unlike all the other portable phones I have had, this is the only one where I wasn't ready to just buy a whole new phone when the battery died. I like the easy-to-understand interface that doesn't require me to consult a manual and the speakerphone is a neck saver. I simply do not hold a phone to my ear anymore - it's not good for your neck or spine to crook your head for hours at a time and I like using a phone that requires no hands. I have owned several cordless phones and so far, this is the best.

Terrible Range.......2005-08-27

After a thorough search for a great phone with excellent range, I chose this one based on online reviews. Unfortunately, I cannot even use it on my deck, which is only 100 feet away from the base. I am disappointed in the range.

One time's a lemon. Three times is a bad design. .......2005-06-26

I bought this unit to replace a beautiful but dying Siemens expandable phone system. While most of the features work as advertised, my big complaint is with the handsets not answering an incoming call when you pick them up. I may be overly critical, but this is a function I generally expect from my telephones, especially ones costing this much. This inability to connect with an incoming signal has been a reoccuring problem with the first system and two replacement ones. We also get quite a bit of static that I suspect is interference with my wireless network even though the 5.8 ghz technology is suppose to avoid this problem

We also have a problem with people calling and getting a fax signal even though we don't have a fax machine. This is probably a phone company problem but at this point I'm not willing to give Uniden the benefit of the doubt.

I'll be returning this system and trying the Vtech i5871.

sudden low battery cut-out.......2004-12-21

Overall, this is a pretty good phone and I'm going to stick with it (despite buying and dumping two or three similar phones in the past). The reception is good and the construction is solid.

The only problem after several months of use is that the battery dies suddenly without warning and I usually loose the call. It starts beeping, then a few seconds later the call is gone. I wish it gave like a one minute morning or something.

Don't go outside.......2004-09-16

After much review - including Consumer Reports - I decided to purchase this phone. We were extrememly happy until we tried to go outside of the house with it. The static became untolerable during calls. Other than this the phone is great.

Uniden TRU5865 5.8 GHz Cordless Phone with Caller ID

Average customer rating:

What Were They Thinking?
welcome to the latest band available for phone communication
Great Phone!
Disappointed
Great phone

Uniden TRU5865 5.8 GHz Cordless Phone with Caller ID

Manufacturer: Uniden
ProductGroup: CE
Binding: Electronics

Office Electronics | Refurbished & Used | Special Features | Electronics Features | Electronics

Phones | Refurbished & Used | Special Features | Electronics Features | Electronics

Product Features:

5.8 GHz digital spread spectrum operation
Convenient dialing from both base and handset
Speakerphone in both base and handset
Caller ID with call waiting, tri-lingual display options
1 handset included; supports additional optional handset

ASIN: B00006JSV2
Release Date: 2002-11-15

Product Description

Uniden is creating a World Without Wires. Which means the company is building products that give its customers more freedom to enjoy life, solve problems and always stay connected with others. From cordless phones to two-way radios to radar detectors, Uniden makes electronic wonders an everyday occurrence. As one of the world's largest manufacturers of cordless phones and consumer communications devices, chances are there's a Uniden product that's already making things more convenient in and around your home.Uniden TRU5865 phone features 5.8 GHz Digital Spread Spectrum technology for extra-long range, a base dual keypad/speakerphone, a handset speakerphone; and supports Call Waiting/Caller ID.

Amazon.com Product Description

Some of us need much more from our phones than just a little redial button. Sometimes a flash feature simply isn't enough. For users who demand extensive features, Uniden's TRU5865 delivers. Functioning at a quiet, nearly interference-free 5.8 GHz, the phone uses digital transmission for exceptional range and minimal static. The three-line LCD handset display works in conjunction with caller ID services, storing 100 names and numbers in addition to the speed-dial presets.

Customer Reviews:

What Were They Thinking?.......2003-12-25

5.8GHz is a *requirement* if you use WiFi (802.11a/b/g) in your house or if you have other wireless technologies that typically get garbled when the 900MHz or 2.4GHz phones are used. I have had absolutely NO reception troubles in my 3300 sqft house and the clarity is superb.

The phone's looks are top-notch. Black and silver is a very slick look for a modern household. Might look a little funny if you're style is country or traditional.

Caller ID works well and the 2-line display is very helpful. Voicemail indicator is also nice.

The biggest surprise feature for me was the speakerphone in the handset! I've used this several times (it's great when you're on hold somewhere or when you need several people to talk at once) and love it!

I was happy with the menu navigation, although I thought they could have offered more features (like... perhaps the ability to control the volume of that LOUD, annoying beeping every time you press a button). The menu seemed sparse to me.

My biggest two gripes with this phone are not petty and not trivial at all. They are showstoppers, in my opinion.

(1) The phone will NOT work well in states that require 10-digit dialing and a +1 in order to dial in-state. In Michigan, for example, I have to dial 1-248-555-1212 to call my neighbor (ok, so that's information, I digress).

Putting My Neighbor in the phone book as 248-555-1212 results in:
- The inbound works fine (caller ID shows up, custom rings sound if set)
- BUT you cannot dial using the phone book or caller ID redial. This is because both will try to dial 248-555-1212, which will not work! Our phone system requires 1-248-555-1212 to be dialed. There is NO setting for this on the phone.

If you think you can be sneaky (like I did) and set the phone book entry to be 1-248-555-1212, then:
- You can call with the phone book, BUT
- Inbound services don't work (no custom rings) and you STILL can't redial them from the caller ID.

In effect, if you live in a state that has converted to full 10-digit dialing and a 1 is required to dial 10 digits, don't bother with this phone. It's slick, but it's unforgiveable that the engineers missed that one considering the first phone I bought myself in 1985 had this capability. Yay, progress!

welcome to the latest band available for phone communication.......2003-11-17

The new 5.8 gigahertz band has only been available for phone use very recently. The higher band means less interference from many household appliances and even other phones using the same band.

I bought this as a replacement phone for another brand of phone that died. I am very pleased with the sound and distance quality. Supposedly, you can be up to a mile away and still connect, but I have not tested this. I have been able to be in my backyard (my phone base is in a room at the front of the house) at a distance of over 50 feet (I know how far my garden hose will reach) without degredation of quality.

Not only does the base allow near full-duplexing quality speaker phone, the handset is also capable as a stand-alone speaker phone.

The new band means a shorter antenna length is needed, so the antenna is almost invisible.

There is an audio phono jack on the side to accommodate a 1/8" handsfree head/ear set, but such a device is sold separately.

My biggest gripe with this phone is the ridiculously short belt clip. It is literally only 1" long, which means all you have to do is bend over and the phone drops. If they provided at least a 2" long clip or one w/ a spring that would grab a belt or fabric, that would have been preferable.

Another gripe is the so-called "custom ring" feature. I enable the custom ring, but the regular ring is still just as loud, but rings in tandem with a little tune - quite annoying.

Also annoying is the 4-clicks to delete a record from the caller ID. The phone is feature-packed with menu buttons, but not too intuitive - you really need to read the manual thoroughly to know what does what.

The mute button on the base is great, and there is one on the handset as well.

You can save number in a "rocket dial" directory for speedy dialing.

The talk button is also the flash button, so there is a separate button labeled "end" for terminating a connection.

The unit will support one additional handset in tandem w/ one in the base station which is a nice feature that not all phones have. I'm saving up to get the additional handset so I can have one in my kitchen.

There is a light in the handset that is supposed to illuminate when you have new voice mail, but my light has never come on, even when I have voicemail waiting for me... also a bummer that gives this phone a less than perfect rating. All in all, though, I must say this is one of the best portable phones I have ever used.

Great Phone!.......2003-10-28

I have had this phone for over six months and I think it is just terrific. The handsets with built-in speakerphones work great, although I have not used them often as I tend to think speakerphones are rude. In fact, I have been so happy that I purchased additional handsets and placed them all over the house. I have also purchased several sets as gifts and everyone that has received them have appreciated their clarity and ease of use.

While I understand a few others have been disappointed, my experience has been quite the opposite. I simply think this phone is simply great!

Disappointed.......2003-10-07

I bought this phone strictly because of the Uniden reputation. It was to replace my 6 year old Panasonic which was missing its antenna and still worked somewhat decent.

Within a 30 foot radius of the base the Uniden sounded excellent and it's features such as distinct ring and phone book were very impressive. But as soon as I walked beyond 30 feet the phone would completely cut out and I would have to run back to let the caller know I didn't hang up. I was shocked and disappointed that this happened to a 5.8 gigahertz Uniden and attempted to solve the problem by reading the instructions fully and relocating the base but nothing worked. (Yes I scanned all the channels manually and automatically without improvement.)

I decided to return it instead of an exchange because I felt with such clarity within 30 feet and such poor performance beyond that, that it was not a lemon but just a poorly made phone. Another reason I believed it to be a quality problem is because I had a similar experience with Panasonic. Their older phones worked spectacular but the new models are garbage too. I don't know if this is a sign that companies feel they can produce cheaper quality products and sell them due to their past reputation and get away with it or just a strange coincidence. For now it's back to the Panasonic without an antenna.

This was my experience, hopefully yours is different.

Great phone.......2003-06-28

The guy posting below MUST have gotten a lemon. This phone has great reception and sound quality. PLUS, this is THE ONLY TRUE 5.8GHz phone on the market. The VTech he loves and the AT&T ones transmit 5.8 GHz tothe handset, but the handset transmits back at 2.4GHz. You don't hear the clicks from a wireless network interfering, but your calling party does. And it still slows down the wifi connected computers.

Average customer rating:

Rotten customer service and deceitful return policy

invaluable, dependable, durable tool

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Binding: Electronics

Foreign Language Translators | Electronic Dictionaries, Thesauri & Translators | Office Electronics | Categories | Electronics
Foreign Language Dictionaries | Electronic Dictionaries, Thesauri & Translators | Office Electronics | Categories | Electronics
Ectaco | Brands | Electronics Features | Electronics
Product Features:

Easy and convenient to use

Academic-size dictionary with 475,000 words

Includes over 1,200 commonly used and emergency phrases on 12 topics, and over 200 American idioms

128 KB bilingual business organizer with a telephone directory and scheduler

Features an electronic English grammar book and comprehensive Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) guide

ASIN: B00004WMVM

Amazon.com Product Description

The Ectaco ES600T Language Teacher English-Spanish speaking dictionary is a talking dictionary with advanced linguistic capabilities. Its graphic user interface, backlit display, and key panel make it very easy and convenient to use. The academic-size dictionary of 475,000 words includes 36,000 medical, 33,000 technical, 28,000 legal, and 29,000 business terms, phrases, idioms, and slang. The new-word recording function allows for dictionary expansion. The ES600T can also display over 1,200 commonly used and emergency phrases on 12 topics and over 200 American idioms. Additional features include the latest technology for pronunciation of any word, adjustable speech frequency, speed, and volume. The section on English language learning includes an electronic English grammar book, a comprehensive Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) guide with sample tests, and a linguistic game. It also has a 128 KB bilingual business organizer with a telephone directory and scheduler.

Customer Reviews:

Rotten customer service and deceitful return policy.......2004-04-24

The product may be good but don't try to get any kind of service from Ectaco if you need to return the item.

Ectaco states they will only take returns if you call for a return authorization number BEFORE shipping the item back. However, you really get a run around trying to get the number. After being transferred repeatedly, I was informed the ONE AND ONLY employee, Boris, who could give out the return authorization number was "on vacation" and instructed to leave a voice mail which would be promptly answered BEFORE the return deadline. Needless to say, my voice mail was never returned and I am stuck with a translator my daughter didn't like. In addition, they had the temerity to blame ME for not getting the return authorization by the deadline and tried claiming that every single employee I spoke with could have and would have gladly given me the authorization number if I had bothered to ask for it!!! Well I did! Why else was I on the phone first thing the day after Christmas? I was trying to follow their return policy. If you really want this product buy it used from someone else on-line and save yourself the headache of dealing with Ectaco.

invaluable, dependable, durable tool.......2002-06-21

All in all it has been an invaluable, dependable, durable tool and I wouldn't want to do without it. THE PROS: compact, flat, with protective lid, purse or pocket size. Back lit display, auto shut off energy saving feature. Large vocabulary, separates verbs, adverbs, adjectives and nouns in same spelling words. The computer tries to anticipate the word you are searching for with a simultaneous display as you enter the word. Audio pronunciation feature is invaluable. Has slang words and some phrases, vulgarities and idioms but is incomplete. Scroll feature for next word in dictionary is very useful. Some words have 3 or 4 phrase use examples one can scroll through from the point of original word entry. Quick switching from English to Spanish or Spanish to English for cross referencing for definition accuracy. CONS: Only lists translated words, not actual definition descriptions. The English translations seems to be half British and half American. A very few translations make no sense at all when cross-referenced for this reason. Beeps with every key entry which eats batteries and is distracting in quiet public areas, no "silent mode" option. The computer anticipation of spelling overrides receiving subsequent entries of letters until computer anticipation display has searched its data base and has "caught up" with you. This causes missed letters and having to erase and reenter letters. Uses 3 "AA" batteries and really eats them, I've gone throught 5 or 6 sets in 5 months. There is an a/c adapter available for about $15.

More for Spanish to English.......2001-02-02

It is a nice dictionary but, it is mostly for Spanish to English. For instance, the irregular verbs are English irregular verbs not Spanish irregular verbs. It also has a nice testing program, but it is for English only. The voice is of course mechanical, but it is still nice in that it will try to pronounce anything that you put input into it.

Electronics:

Electronics

Electronics