Motorola L514BT DECT 6.0 4-Handset 3-Line Landline Telephone Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)I was looking for something to replace my dying Panasonic phone system (headsets kept loosing connection to the base at any distance) and was checking out Motorola, Panasonic and AT&T solutions. I wanted system to have a Bluetooth capability so I don't have go hunting for my cell phone every time it rings. Most systems have very similar features, so I decided to go by looks and price. L-514BT system didn't have any reviews, but I decided to get it anyway. It has a pleasing aesthetic look, has all the features I need and comes with 4 sets all for under $100. I've only had this system for few days, so I will update my review if I find out something surprising.
Pros:
As I mentioned headsets look good. Cradles are small, and each holds headset securely. While charging no light is coming off, which is great if you keep on in the bedroom at night. Menu system is very intuitive, you don't really need to consult the manual. Phone system fair amount of ringtones and melodies you can choose, although you obviously can't upload your own. Speakerphone works, good and loud enough. But above all I was really impressed by the Bluetooth feature. While your cell phone is only communicates with the main (large) base, I found it getting paired almost anywhere in my house. I live in fairy large 2 story townhouse and main Motorola base is located on the second floor next to the cable modem. However as soon as I enter the house, I my blackberry cell get's paired automatically, and works at great distance from the base, even thru multiple walls! I can just leave it charging my bedroom (which almost 3 rooms away from place where Motorola base is, and not worry about missing any calls, even when I'm in the basement.
Cons:
This is where this phone system lost it's one star. Two major issues with Motorola Phone system are related to the phone book memory. If you add a contact on a headset you'll have to do the same on every one of the 4 sets! This is kind of ridiculous, because my pretty old Panasonic system kept all contacts in the main base, so every headset had access to the phone book. Another problem is that there seems no way to be able to transfer contacts from your cellphone via BT(or any other way). Other issues are really minor, but I'll mention them just in case. Buttons are very flush with the surface and not really separated so you have to press harder, and there's very little tactile feedback, although this is probably a personal preference. Each set has it's name hardcoded (i.e. Headset 1, Headset 2) and doesn't look like you can change it. Cell phone can be associated only with set of silly melodies (regular ringtones are reserved for landline phone). Headsets use proprietary rechargeable batteries (NiCd) instead generic of AAA (like Panasonic system), and it looks like it actually contains cells that are exactly size of 2xAAA, but they are in the custom package :(
Other thoughts:
I did get noticeable noise on the line, but I'm not sure if it's my VOIP or the Motorola system. It doesn't bother me that much so I didn't list at as con. Overall I'd recommend this to anyone who's looking for a home phone system that will work great with your cell phone.
Update 01-10-2011:
Now that I had these for some time, I'm almost ready to take off another star for the button design. Headsets are virtually impossible to use in the dark because keypad is not lighted up and it's completely flat, so you can't feel number or Talk buttons. I missed some calls because of this :(

Click Here to see more reviews about: Motorola L514BT DECT 6.0 4-Handset 3-Line Landline Telephone

Motorola L514BT DECT 6.0 Cordless Phone System with Bluetooth Technology, Caller ID & Digital Answering System (4-Handset System)

Get 13% OFF

Click here for more information about Motorola L514BT DECT 6.0 4-Handset 3-Line Landline Telephone