Amplified Phones

I am in love with a phone. It's the Uniden D2998 amplified telephone. It's a real gem. Looks great and is jam-packed with features. It's one of those rare "regular looking" amplified phones that actually packs some power. Uniden lists it as giving a 30 dB volume boost which is a pretty good boost. Other features include (from their website) :

• DECT 6.0 Interference Free Cordless Telephone
• Corded Handset
• 14 Minutes of Digital Recording TimeDigital Answering System
• Amplified Audio Boost (+30 Decibels)Visual Ringer on Handset & Base
• Do Not Disturb (DND) Mode
• Caller ID/Call Waiting (To Activate the Caller ID Features, You Must Subscribe Through Your Telephone Company.)
• Caller ID Announce (tm) from Handset
• Adjustable Playback Speed
• Modern Big Button Design
• Advanced Phonebook Features 70 Names / Numbers
• 30 Name/Number CID Memory
• Last 5 Number Redial
• Handset Speakerphone
• Backlit LCD display with large font sizes
• Expandable - Register 6 Handsets to 1 Base
• 3-Way Conferencing (2 Handsets + Outside Call)
• Headset Compatible
• Wall Mountable*
• T-Coil Friendly (TIA1083)
• Hearing Aid Compatible
• 7 Day Standby
• Voice Mail Waiting Indicator light
• Rechargeable NiMH Battery Pack
• Maximum Voice Security
• Wireless Network Friendly
• Trilingual Menu Displays and Voice Prompts

One of the real deal-makers with this phone is the adjustable playback speed on the answering machine. This is a winner, especially for someone with a hearing loss. Not only can you hear the message a bit louder, but you can also slow it down to make sure you get everything being said. Can't beat that with a stick!

And then we get to the price. . . 

This phone is available directly from Uniden for the low, low price of $85, $97 with shipping and handling. Now that's for a brand new unit. Suppose you're OK with getting factory re-furbished stuff? Well, you can get a refurbished one for $69, $81 with shipping again. I know, I know, you're thinking, "Marvin, it's used stuff. How can it be any good?" I look to see if stuff is factory refurbished or not and even within that, I look to see what the retailer says that means. We won't go into particulars. That's another post.


Did I mention that price was for 2 phones? Yep, you read correctly 2 phones! You get  a corded phone as well as a cordless model. The talking caller id only works with the corded main unit, but it's still nice to have that available. The cordless add-on phone is also an amplified phone so you don't have to sacrifice volume for mobility. If the one cordless handset is not enough, you can expand this unit by buying additional handsets.

By all means this isn't the only amplified phone out there, but I was a bit impressed by it's functionality given it comes from Uniden, a name I typically don't associate with amplified phones. With products like these, I may have to start!

Uniden D2998 Telephone