VTech 2430 2.4 GHz DSS Expandable Cordless Phone with Dual Handsets and Caller ID

Comment: I have owned this system for several years, and have also experienced frequently dropped calls, due to the handsets periodically crashing and rebooting when a call is picked up. Also, the headset jacks mounts are held in place soley by the cheap and flimsy solder joints on the circuit board, which is unacceptable for the type of traffic a cordless phone experiences. Two out of three headset jacks on my system had become non-functional after 18 months of normal use. My sister had a similar experience with a completely different VTech model. There is no indication from VTech that this design sloppiness has been addressed in subsequent models, so no more VTech in my future. Great feature set, but NOT recommended for reliability or the long haul.

Comment: I've had this phone for 1+ years with no problems. I expanded it to 4 handsets, but ultimately needed at least 5 in the house. I can make/receive calls on the handset even when I'm nearly 1,000 feet away from the house (residential neighborhood). I bought a VTech i5881 (2.4/5.88GHz) expandable w/ answer machine to go to 5 phones (5 or 6 if you count the base speakerphone). It doesn't have interference problems with the 2430, the controls are all familiar, and the i5881 can go to 6 phones. I can't imagine needing 10 phones, but between the 2430 and the i5881 I could. Other than the 4 handset limit for the 2430, I'd recommend it highly -- get the extra battery for the base so you have a spare for handsets and the base will function during power outages. BTW, my 2430 replaced a Siemens 2400 expandable. It was hopeless (bad reception, confusing controls, poor battery life when it actually did try to charge and literally 15-20 minutes when it decided (arbitrarily) to not bother charging even though the handset was in the cradle. I'd never buy another Siemens, but VTech hasn't let me down yet.

Comment: The design and features of this phone aren't bad. It seemed like a good value at the time. But having had it for a while now I've become dissappointed. The sound quality is not very good. Sound is not clear with a constant background hissing static. And the volume is low even at max volume. But the most significant problem with this phone is that it drops about 30-40% of the incoming calls when you answer them. You press the button to answer and the handset starts searching for the base unit, dropping the call. Problem exists on all my handsets. Will not buy VTech again, as I've heard others complain of same problem.

Comment: Just hooked up my new Vtech phone and so far it's great. Nice and clear sounding and very lightweight. I love the handsfree button on the handset. (So if I'm listening to elevator music on hold, I don't have to crush my ear while waiting. I can hook it to my belt and walk around the house.) The only negative thing so far is that with 2 handsets, I had to program numbers in individually, which took forever! I added 38 numbers (so double that). But it's worth it since my old phone only allowed me 10 programmable numbers, not 50 like the VTech! (I wish there was a way to program all cell & landline phones from our own individual master list, so we wouldn't have to enter in each number and name again and again; maybe in the next generation?!) I also find the sickly-looking green display a little "dated," but I can live with it. I like the intercom button ...almost like having a walkie talkie between up & downstairs. The convenience of having two cordless phones in the house is great! And I love how they take up less space than my old phone. I took it next door with me, and the range is great, too! So I won't miss a call if I'm outside. So far I love this phone, but I just got it...I hope I'm not disappointed in the months/years to come.

Comment: I've had this phone for about a year now.

What I like:
-Great sound quality
-Excellent range
-Very usable speakerphone on base AND handset
-Additional handsets available
-Backup battery available so that when you lose power, you still have phone. Not only that, but you can use the backup battery in the handset if you deplete that one.
-Headset plug. (I use the headset that came w/ my Motorola cell phone and it works great!)
-Caller ID

What I don't like
-Since it's tapered at the top, it's difficult to cradle the handset between your ear and shoulder. I've dropped it several times.
-When you page the phone from the base station (like to find where you left it last), you have to punch just the right key combination to make it stop paging.
-The wall mount bracket is rather cheaply made. One of the tabs broke off right away, but it still mounts fairly solidly.

In summary... I like this phone a lot. I bought the extra handset and extra battery for the base. I've had some serious power fluxuations in my house recently that caused the phone to stop ringing correctly, and I plan to buy another one just like it.