VTech DS6401 DECT 6.0 Digital Accessory Handset Only

 (8 customer reviews)

This is the Vtech DS6401 additional handset, the only one that Vtech makes for use with the DS6421 system. At the time of this writing, Amazon lists the item as CS6401, but after they confirmed to me on the phone that this was a misprint, I ordered four of them. They have arrived, and appear to be identical to the phones that came with my DS6421-3 system.

Initial impressions are that the system works well connecting to two iPhones. I have not tried it with a landline. One drawback is that some of the advertised features, such as push-to-talk, only work for some limited number of handsets. Vtech has put the manual online, which details these limitations that don't appear in the marketing literature.

If I have anything more to say I will post a review of the DS6421-3 system itself.

Our home (landline) was getting very little use, so wanted to try out a wireless set that would bluetooth connect to our cell phones. This fits the bill just right. Paired easily with both phones (a Spring HTC TouchPro2 and a OptimusV android), doesn't cause any interference with my wi-fi network, and has a set of useful features ("push to talk" and intercom capability; custom ring tones based on which phone is receiving a call, ability to "label" each phone, digital answering system). The handsets are comfortable and sleek. Some of the button ergonomics could be better, but for the price, this is just right.

I was a little leery about buying a VTech, remembering how poorly made their products were for many years after their emergence in this US. I've been pleasantly surprised at how good the call quality on the phone is. For the most part the features are very easy to use and intuitively laid out. This phone would likely be very good for people that are a bit hard of hearing, since the default ringer levels are very loud...suffice to say it startled me the first time the phone rang and I wasn't expecting the loudness. I like how once any Bluetooth phone or headset has been done that one can switch easily around using the dedicated Connect feature on the main screen.

I found the the selection of ringers limited and a touch cheesy in sound and would have liked to see a dedicated ringer button to turn the ringers on and off quickly and easily, since it takes about six steps to turn the ringers off if you're so inclined. The lack of nighttime ringer silent feature, which most...Read more