Uniden EXS-9995 900 MHz DSS 2-Line Cordless Phone with Answering System and Caller ID

Before testing the Uniden EXS9995, we charged it for the recommended 15 to 20 hours. An additional handset battery (not included) can be charged in the base so there will always be a spare. A laminated quick guide is included for convenient reference for basic phone operations. The sturdy handset has an intuitive, backlit keypad and an LCD screen. Indicators let you know which line is in use. The conference and intercom buttons allow you to add a third and fourth party to conversations. Press the clock button and a digital voice announces the time and day.

Up to 30 numbers can be stored in memory and shared by both lines. We were easily able to store a number using the LCD and arrow keys on the handset. To dial a stored number, we simply pressed the memory button, found the number on the LCD and selected a line. If you subscribe to caller ID or call waiting, these functions are also performed using the handset and LCD. There is an 80-number caller ID memory. The handset can be positioned faceup on the base for quick caller identification.

The answering system operates independently for each phone line and the functions are located on the base. Two switches on the side of the base allow you to set the recording time for each line to one minute, four minutes, or announce only. Up to 30 minutes of messages and 10 minutes of a conversation can be recorded. You can access your messages remotely by setting up a PIN. Its convenient, large buttons help make the answering system easy to operate.

In our tests of the Uniden EXS9995, we were able to take the phone outside over 1,000 feet from the base and did not detect voice breakup at any point along the way. Although the range was impressive, we did notice a slight background hum even at close range, but it wasn't enough to be distracting.

With an included belt clip, headset compatibility, and extensive features, the Uniden EXS9995 covers your home answering system needs. --Emily Bakko

Pros:

• Many functions in one easy-to-use system
• Sturdy construction and intuitive layout
• Laminated quick guide included

Cons:

• Slight background humming
• Ringer can only be set to high or low

An easy-to-read, three-line, 16-character display on the handset makes it simple to browse names and numbers stored in memory. The Uniden EXS9995 also allows for an optional headset to be connected for convenient hands-free operation. Additional convenience features include 40-number memory dialing, speakerphone, and a backlit keypad for dialing in the dark.

What's in the Box
Base, handset, battery pack, AC adapter/recharger, telephone line cord (two-line), belt clip, instructions, laminated quick guide, warranty information

The range and areas you can take the phone are unbelievable. It works happily and without break up in my building, made of brick and concrete, and works in areas that I thought would not be possible inluding part way into the basement! The physical design is also great, the handset is about the perfect size for holding, and the base is also well designed. Functionality of the phone is also great, with one exception (covered later). The design of the keypad on the handset, although making some selections a little slow, does a lot to help stop you from making mistakes.

Being able to choose between allowing callers to record one or four minutes of message, and a remote message collection function that lets you know if there are no new messages by not picking up after the second ring is excellent. Having different greetings on each line is also pleasing.

The second battery in the base is exellent because it serves as a back up battery if the one in the handset dies, and as a backup power supply on the base if the mains go off. Battery life of both is also excellent, the handset going happily for up to two weeks without being put in the base to charge. Being able to have a two hour conversation when the mains were off really impressed me.

The possibility to have a headset connected with the handset makes conversations on the phone much easier, and allows you to have both hands free while you talk. The base and handset being able to each handle separate calls on the two lines is also excellent. Individually turning on and off answering for each line is another excellent feature.

One thing I have not noticed is the hum that other reviews have spoken about, although I live in Europe and our different mains supply and different power supply I use almost certainly explains that. There is 230volts here and I have the phone operating at 1 volt above its rated level (this is no problem) on the different to provided power supply. (shhh though, these phones are illegal to use in Europe because they operate in a section of the frequency spectrum where mobile phones in Euope operate, and its transmission power exceeds what is permitted in Europe. I got it through a friend because the corldless phones availabe in Europe are three times the price with less than half the functionality, and therefore pure crap next to this phone)

Now for the disappointments. Setting a name into the memory is horrible, and why I don't give this phone 5 stars. The keypad is not used like a mobile phone, you have only the up and down keys to scroll through all capital, small, and special characters to select the character each time. It would have been little extra effort from the programmers to use the keypad properly for this. The sound quality of both the handset and base are slightly disappointing, and you do have to speak up a little more on the handset than usual for the other person to hear you properly. The base can also handle a call as hands free, but the other person can't hear you unless you are almost shouting or hold the base right at your mouth. I expected better from Uniden on these. The other thing I don't like is that although you are able to record a conversation, that recording is only available in the phone digitally, and the phone puts in a beep every 15 seconds, so the other person knows you are recording the conversation. The solution to this is to make up your own cable that can go to the headset and a recorder, so recording a conversation is much more discrete.

Despite the minor disappointments, this phone is still the best overall I have found anywhere and at the price, you wont get better. I can fully recomend this phone to someone who is interested in it, and feel people can expect and get a great phone.

Nice Phone - Performs as Advertised   October 27, 2000
Donald Schneider (Houston, Texas USA)
16 out of 17 found this review helpful

This phone performs as advertised. The receiver sound is very good, the answering system sound is also very good. Very good distance from base. The handset has a headset jack and belt clip for hands-free roaming. The button layout and function operation could be better and that is the only thing keeping this from a 5-star rating.


All in one   July 19, 2000
Maria Trevizo (Chihuahua, Chihuahua Mexico)
13 out of 44 found this review helpful

This product combines a caller id a answre machin speaker phone , an a two line telephone, it is the only one that is so complet, none other brand have a product like this, i search about 8 brands and Uniden EXS9995 was tha only whit this kind of product.


OK phone but answering machine needs work.   March 9, 2001
13 out of 13 found this review helpful

I like the lighted keypad, and the sound of the receiver seems good. One nice touch for me is that when you are done with a conversation and hang up, the time of the call remains on the receiver's display for a few seconds so that you can see how long the conversation was afterwards (as with long distance calls). Some phones I've used blank the display out as soon as you hang up, and I usually don't think of checking until it's too late. The answering machine is the weak link here. Its recording sound is not very good--too "digital" for my taste. It's recording volume also changes noticeably within a sentence, and words or numbers are sometimes distorted and hard to discern (at least for my ears). Also, though it has 30 minutes of recording time, it's only 15 minutes per phone line, even if one phone line gets more calls than the other. I would not recommend this phone if you're really picky about an answering machine's sound quality, though it may be acceptable to many.


Tragic flaw   December 6, 2000
10 out of 10 found this review helpful

This phone/answering machine is great but for one feature which renders it inappropriate for office use: the outgoing message greeting can not be fully silenced. You are forced to listen to your message with each incoming call!