The 2.4-GHz band used to be an oasis of static-free cordless phone calls – unless you were microwaving popcorn. But with the ever-expanding number of 2.4-GHz technologies clogging the household airwaves, a cordless call today can sound worse than using a cell phone in the subway. The solution: Jump to another frequency. Most new cordless phones operate at 5.8 GHz – which (for now) is nearly clutter-free – support several handsets from a single base unit, and boast longer ranges than the older gear. – Christopher Null
Why to avoid a 2.4-GHz phone
Because all of this household tech will interfere with it:
• 802.11b/g Wi-Fi networks
• Bluetooth
• Wireless speakers and security cameras
• Baby monitors
• Walkie-talkies
• Ham radio equipment
WHAT TO LOOK FOR
Multiple handset support Most 5.8-GHz models let you link several handsets to just one physical jack; avoid systems that don’t. Locator/intercom button Puts a quick end to handset hide-and-seek. Keypad and speakerphone on base When you can’t find the handset in time, you’ll still be able to answer the phone.
Mute button A must for frequent speakerphone users – means you can goof off while listening in on conference calls.
AT&T EP5995
Leave it to Ma Bell to build the ultimate cordless phone – and sell it for cheap. The center-piece of the system is a lightweight handset with a color LCD that displays your choice of 31 pictures or animations as wallpaper. Don’t like any of the 21 included ringtones? Record your own through an analog input. A perfectly designed base unit offers a big (monochrome) display with caller ID info, plus a digital answering system with 15 minutes of recording time. Audio quality was crystal clear throughout our testing. Additional handsets (the base station supports up to eight) run about $70 each.
WIRED: Base station display easily viewable from a distance and at almost any angle. Well-designed, nicely balanced handset. Mute buttons on both base station and handset. Charger for a spare handset battery hidden in base station in case of emergency.
TIRED: Minor gripe: Can’t upload your own photos for wallpaper.
$130 telephones.att.com
UNIDEN TRU 9485-2
WIRED: Easy-to-read display and loud, clear speakerphone on base. Baby–monitor mode. Supports up to 10 handsets on one network (including optional $100 waterproof model). Two handsets included with the standard package.
TIRED: Hefty, unbalanced handsets are awkward to hold. Clumsy controls and menu design.
$160 www.uniden.com
PANASONIC KX-TG5777
WIRED: Packed with features, including full-color handset display and voice caller-ID announcements (“call from Null, Christopher”). Expansion options abound, including a camera and a Skype adapter.
TIRED: Large base station has full dialing features and speakerphone but no caller ID display. High-end price for midrange performance (includes two handsets).
$200 www.panasonic.com
VTECH I5871
WIRED: Sleek, postmodern design for those with Bang & Olufsen taste and a Best Buy budget. Upload ringtones and photos for picture caller ID. Supports up to eight handsets.
TIRED: Base has no keypad, and its flat design makes display unreadable unless you’re standing directly over it. Missing essential features – no dedicated redial button.
$150 www.vtechphones.com
The latest generation of windshield-mounted radar and laser (lidar) detectors level the playing field with more range, better signal filters, and fun new bells and whistles to help you keep on truckin’. – Chuck Tannert
VALENTINE ONE RADAR LOCATOR
Long considered the king of detectors, the Valentine is the most expensive model we found – and it’s worth every penny. The device picked up all types of radar and lidar at a distance of 4.5 miles, leaving plenty of time to slow down. It’s not much to look at, but it tells you everything you need to know at a glance.
WIRED: Upgradable firmware, staving off obsolescence. Front- and rear-facing sensors. Best detection range in our tests. Easy-to-read display tells the number and strength of beams coming at you.
TIRED: Expensive. Inner beauty only.
$399 www.valentine1.com
BELTRONICS PRO RX65
WIRED: Smoked out signals at just over 4 miles, making it almost as good as the Valentine – for $70 less. Voice notification is clear but not jarring. AutoScan mode filters out false alarms.
TIRED: Titanium-colored case and flashy graphics might attract thieves.
$330 www.beltronicspro.com
ESCORT PASSPORT 8500 X50
WIRED: Handsome for a radar detector – if that matters to you. User-friendly menus. Good performance at an attractive price.
TIRED: Lacks some cool features like voice alert.
$300 www.escortradar.com
WHISTLER XTR-560
WIRED: Lots of personalization options – you can record your own voice warnings and customize power-on and alert messages.
TIRED: Build quality – cheap plastic and a flimsy power cord – doesn’t inspire confidence.
$200 www.whistlergroup.com
Ditch those crappy earbuds – you’re hearing only half the music. Meticulous engineering coupled with top-shelf components like titanium-Mylar drivers make the Edition9s so acoustically perfect, you might even forget you’re listening to a recording. Sure, their stupendous size guarantees you’ll look like the dork you are, but you’ll be too enamored with the smooth sonic performance to care. – Daniel Dumas
WIRED: Professional-grade sound with a luxurious fit and finish that will appease the fussiest audiophile. Let us hear detail we never knew existed. Comfortable ear pads muffle ambient noise.
TIRED: Neck-straining bulk. $1,500? Seriously?
True Surround Sound
Ultrasone’s patented S-Logic technology channels the sound around your outer ear rather than blasting it directly into your auditory canal.
Exotic Materials
With gold-plated jacks, a black chrome finish, and ear pads made from swanky Ethiopian hair-sheep leather, these cans feel as indulgent as a bath in Cristal.
Radiation Reduction
The Edition9s counter electromagnetic leakage with a nickel-iron alloy shield that protects your gray matter 98 percent more effectively than other headphones.
$1,500 www.ultrasone.com
iPods aren’t just for solitary listening. These adapters hook up to your car radio or home stereo to blast tunes anywhere you want. – Mark Spoonauer
MACALLY FM CUP
WIRED: Easy-to-setup unit cleverly sits in your cup holder to keep everything in one place. Excellent sound. Fits all iPod models. Included RCA cable.
TIRED: Goofy, un-Apple look. Depending on the location of your cup holder, accessing the player while driving could be awkward – and dangerous.
$60 www.macally.com
GRIFFIN TUNEFLEX NANO
WIRED: Gooseneck allows flexible positioning for handy access to controls. Built-in charger with cool blue power-indicator light. Pass-through dock connector for other Griffin iPod devices.
TIRED: Playback paused when we drove over a few bumps. Uses cassette adapter, not FM.
$50 www.griffintechnology.com
ABT iJET FOR iPOD NANO
WIRED: Combines FM transmitter and RF remote. Minimal static. RCA cables included for connecting to a home stereo. Water-resistant remote has 150-foot range and works through walls.
TIRED: Ugly, conventional design. Unresponsive remote required much button mashing. No charging dock.
$70 www.abtech2.com
KENSINGTON PICO FM TRANSMITTER FOR iPOD
WIRED: Tiny. Innovative design uses nano screen to display FM band info. Advanced power-management system reduces battery drain.
TIRED: Tinny sound. No charging dock. Only two programmable station presets.
$50 www.kensington.com
Hockey sticks have advanced light-years from the wooden wonders of the Gordie Howe era. The latest sticks, forged from carbon nanotubes and composite materials, can make the difference between a hat trick and riding the pine. – Neil Geller
NIKE BAUER VAPOR XXX-LITE
WIRED: Felt like a natural extension of my hand. Well-balanced and responsive – shots exploded off the stick.
TIRED: Fragile – a hard but routine slash by an opponent snapped it in two.
$199 www.nikebauer.com
CCM VECTOR V10.0
WIRED: Well suited to all positions. Balanced and tough – good for beginners.
TIRED: Somewhat bulky. Pronounced vibration from slap shots and passes threw off my game.
$239 en.ccmsports.com
EASTON STEALTH CNT GRIP
WIRED: Grip technology made for secure handling in all situations.
TIRED: Flimsy. The shaft got nicked up after just a few minutes of normal play; it eventually weakened and broke.
$189 www.eastonhockey.com
TPS ADRENALINE C12
WIRED: Sturdy enough to bulldoze opponents out of the way. Held up well to repeated cross-checks and slashes.
TIRED: Bulky and clumsy. Unbalanced weight sent puck flying off-target. Finesse players will find it unwieldy.
$180 www.tpshockey.com
Shopping Cart: What the Wired gang bought this month
Banana Bunker $5, www.bananabunker.com
Sure, it looks like a sex toy. But the durable plastic case means I can get my potassium without ever suffering through another bruised, mushy banana. – Steven Leckart
Princeton Tec Scout Headlamp $20, www.princetontec.com
As the fall days grew short, I needed this baby for my hardcore predawn runs. It illuminates the path ahead and is light enough to clip to my cap. – Mark Robinson
Google Maps for Treo $0, www.google.com/gmm
This freebie crams all the best maps in the world into my smartphone: business locator, real-time traffic, and even satellite images! – Anna Alexander
credit David Clugston
PLAY
>
Test
