Amazon.com Review
Why be bothered by the uncertainty of cassette tapes or the expense of voicemail services when you can get the reliability of digital recording in a compact, easy-to-use answering machine featuring call screening and remote operation? The Casio PhoneMate TA-105, with all-digital recording technology, brings simplicity and security to message management.
The TA-105 is easy to set up and operate. When you have a new message, the TA-105's bright red indicator light flashes quickly. With a touch of the big, blue Play/Pause button, the TA-105's synthesized voice announces the number of total and new messages and plays back the new ones, with the time and day stamp announced for each. Press the Play/Pause button again to listen to saved messages, too. You can skip or erase any message during play, or you can erase all messages at once. Don't worry about accidental erasure during a power failure; the TA-105's battery back-up will save your greeting, messages, and programmed settings.
For added convenience, the TA-105 will help you screen your calls--you can listen to incoming messages through the speaker and pick up the phone or extension if you'd like to take the call.
We tested the TA-105's recording capacity, and it successfully met its rating of 18 minutes in total recording time and five minutes maximum for a single message. The sound quality is good and, unlike some comparable machines, plays at a volume loud enough to be heard over competing home or office noise.
Remote operation is possible from nearly any touchtone or cellular phone, or even from a rotary phone if you use the optional touchtone dialer accessory available from the manufacturer. Follow the voice prompts for instructions, or just hang up, and your new messages will automatically be saved. And, with the toll-saver setting, the TA-105 allows you to avoid long distance charges by letting you know if new messages are waiting before it answers.
Setup and programming are simple; we successfully recorded a personal greeting without consulting the user manual. Additional programming, including setting the day/time stamp, is just a two- or three-step process, with guidance provided by recorded voice prompts.
Overall, we think the TA-105 provides quick and uncomplicated message management and would be a smart addition to any home or office with a small to medium call volume.
Pros: - Instant access to greetings and messages
- Easy setup and operation
- Call screening ability
Cons: - No message repeat function
- Can't choose or change the remote access code
Customer Reviews
Average Customer Review
(17 customer reviews) 50 of 50 people found the following review helpful
Good buy, but couple of things I personally did not like...,
March 22, 2000 "zara_azari" - See all my reviews
This review is from: Casio Phonemate TA105 Digital Answering Machine with Time and Day Stamp (Office Product)
I bought this machine, because I needed something not very expensive fast to replace my old machine. I did not want anything particularly "cool". So... this machine is certainly not the coolest on the market, but it is aesthetically pleasing (i.e. cute) and it works. WARNING: three things I did not like, though...First, the battery is not included. Second, each and every time you check your messages, this annoying digital voice announces everything at least twice(yes, he is supposed to stamp date and time, but must he say his lines two times in a raw?...). Third, when you want to erase messages, you have to listen to them again, wait until they are over and only then erase button works. But, then again, I do not have much experience with other digital machines, so may be they all do that.
34 of 34 people found the following review helpful
Simple, straightforward, good value for the price,
March 17, 2000 By A Customer
This review is from: Casio Phonemate TA105 Digital Answering Machine with Time and Day Stamp (Office Product)
I've been using this answering machine for a few weeks now, and I am pleased. It gets light usage, but performs well. I especially like the simplicity of pressing the big blue button to review calls. The erase button is easy to use too - but you do have to wait for the message to stop playing before it can be erased. The voice prompts are helpful. I'm not sure how I would like this machine for heavy duty or multiple users, but for my needs for a simple, straightforward "call catcher" it works great.
14 of 14 people found the following review helpful
Decent value but nothing special.,
May 12, 2000 David M (Vienna, VA USA) - See all my reviews
This review is from: Casio Phonemate TA105 Digital Answering Machine with Time and Day Stamp (Office Product)
I had to send the first one back because the battery backup didn't work. Beyond that, it is a decent machine without a lot of features. The sound quality is fine and the message is clear when you call up. My only complaint is that it is difficult to erase individual messages. If you just hit "erase" in the middle of the message it won't go away. You have to listen to the whole thing then hit the button at just the right time to get rid of that message. Otherwise you have to either erase all of them or listen again.
