Panasonic KXTC1450 Cordless Speakerphone

With instant activation and powerful speaker/microphone, the KX-TC1450's speakerphone allows effortless, hands-free conversations. On the base, you'll find controls for the many features and settings, including call flash, hold, and redial; ringer volume; and memory dialing of up to five phone numbers. You can easily transfer calls to or from the base or handset, or use the base and handset as an intercom.

The lightweight handset has the same array of call-management commands as the base and a lighted keypad for easy dialing in low-light situations. The handset also features a belt clip and a built-in headset jack for even greater convenience. From the handset, you can memory dial up to 10 stored phone numbers.

When we tested the KX-TC1450 in our usual testing environment, the phone's performance was acceptable but not as favorable as many similar 900 MHz cordless phones. While the signal clarity was initially very good, the signal developed an echo and became significantly distorted when the handset was only about 40 feet from the base.

Panasonic's Ultra Charge technology allows an initial battery charge of four hours, less than one-third the initial charging time of most 900 MHz phones. When tested, the ni-cad battery successfully met Panasonic's rating of eight hours of talk time.

We think the KX-TC1450 delivers a useful variety of call-management features, and the speakerphone/intercom may be particularly useful in many homes or offices. However, this phone may prove insufficient if you want optimal 900 MHz cordless performance.

Pros:

• Speakerphone with two-way intercom
• Superior signal clarity
• Lightweight handset with lighted dialing keypad

Cons:

• Limited cordless range as tested