Memorex MPH6995 Cordless 900MHz Phone with Digital Answer Machine/Caller ID

A wealth of features can sometimes make for troublesome setup, but most of the Memorex's are easy to configure without referring to the owner's manual. The large, intuitive buttons on the base control the digital answering machine. You have the option of using a prerecorded greeting or recording your own. The number of rings can be set to two, four, or toll saver option. In the toll saver position, the machine will answer after two rings only if you have new messages.

When playing back messages, you can repeat, skip, and delete them, and adjust the volume. The delete function beeps if you try to delete a message you have not yet listened to. The memo button allows you to leave a message for someone else in the household. All of the basic features of the answering machine can be accessed remotely.

If you subscribe to caller ID with call waiting service, the MPH6995's LCD screen on the handset displays the date, time, and the caller's number and name. The caller ID list stores up to 30 incoming calls, including unanswered calls. You can also store this information in memory. The memory feature allows you to store up to 10 numbers and names that you can easily edit or erase. The caller ID and memory functions are controlled through buttons on the handset. The LCD shows you the available options and provides backlighting for nighttime use. To answer an incoming call-waiting call, just press the flash button.

The MPH6995 has a speaker, a page button to locate the handset, and a channel button to improve your reception. You can also record or have a three- way conversation. Whether you're looking for specialized functions or just a good quality cordless phone, the MPH6995 will meet your needs. --Emily Bakko

Pros:

• Combines several telephone functions in one easy-to-use system
• Large, intuitive buttons
• Sturdy, well-constructed unit

Cons:

• No adjustment for loudness of ringer (which is fairly loud)

Additional telephone features include a three-line, 16-character backlit LCD display; a flash button; hearing-aid compatibility; last-number redial; an in-use/charge indicator; one-way paging; tone or pulse dialing; a base and handset page button; and desk or wall mounting. Additional answering machine features include an LED digit counter and memo record function.