RCA Cell Phone Docking System
Manufacturer: RCA Part number: 23200RE3
- More product information:
- Editors' review
- User reviews
- Specifications
- Manufacturer info
- Bottom Line:
- The RCA Cell Phone Docking System is a helpful and user-friendly device, but make sure your cell phone is compatible.
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Where to buy
| store | customer rating | inventory | tax & shipping | price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Amazon.com Marketplace |  | In stock | Enter zip code to get total price: Price +Tax +Shipping =Total price | as of 12/08/2009 |
| BuyMeBuyMe.com | | In stock | as of 12/08/2009 |
CNET editors' review
RCA Cell Phone Docking System price range: $59.99 - $99.99
- Reviewed by: Kent German
- Edited by: Bonnie Cha
- Reviewed on: 08/16/2005
The good: One handset makes both landline and cell calls; attractive design; solid call features; easy to use.
The bad: Flimsy construction on cordless phone; clunky charger; limited compatibility with cell phone models.
The bottom line: The RCA Cell Phone Docking System is a helpful and user-friendly device, but make sure your cell phone is compatible.
RCA's product consists of two parts: a traditional 2.4GHz cordless phone with a charging base and a docking cradle for your cell phone. While we like the minimalist black-and-silver color scheme, the handset's plastic construction feels a little cheap. That said, the phone itself looks much like any other cordless model, with a stubby external antenna and the usual array of controls, such as buttons for speakerphone, call holding, call flash for call waiting and conference calls, handset programming (date, time, and the like), volume control, redial, and call mute. Two buttons that stand out, however, are the twin controls marked Home and Cell. They're used to toggle between cell phone and landline calls--but we'll get to that later. Completing the handset's design is a rectangular monochrome display that shows the phone's status and the caller ID. The small silver-and-black charging base is a simple affair. It has just two LED lights to show whether the home or cell line is in use and a paging button to make the headset beep if you can't find it. On the bottom are ports for the charging cable and a standard phone line.
The cell phone docking cradle is a more complicated affair. On the top is a clear plastic cradle for holding your cell phone. Our Motorola V551 slides perfectly into the holder, but larger cell phones, such as the Sony Ericsson S710a, have a tighter fit. You connect your mobile through a short cable that plugs into the battery port. There's a cable for each of the supported cell phone models; you simply choose the one that fits your phone. Below the cradle you'll find a dim display and buttons for programming such information as the user language and the call timer, which lets you keep track of how many cell minutes you're using. We were surprised that the docking cradle and the phone-charging base don't require a connection. You just need to plug it in, though you must use a very large and heavy AC adapter. The device also comes with a USB cable that you can use to download software updates from RCA.
Using the docking system was relatively easy. To start, you plug in your cell phone to the charging cradle (flip phones must remain open to work properly). The system doesn't need to be programmed in order to recognize your cell phone, so we were off and running in no time. To place a call from the cordless phone, you first choose which line you want to use. For a landline call, you press the Home button; for a cell phone call, you press the Cell key. When a call comes in, a small light will indicate which line it is from. To pick up, just press the corresponding button. As stated previously, however, you don't need a landline at all to use the docking system with your cell phone.
Cell phone calls using the cordless handset were clear, but keep in mind that audio quality ultimately depends on your mobile's reception. If you place the docking cradle where your signal is patchy, call quality will suffer. The cordless phone lets you choose a specific ring-tone setting for cell calls; it also supports a 40-contact phone-book memory for caller ID. During a cell call, the cordless phone will display the caller's number, but unless the name is programmed into its own memory, it won't show up. On the upside, we liked that the cell phone cradle also charges your mobile when it's docked.
User reviews
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Not Ready For Prime Time
by Randymetro on October 25, 2005
Pros: Great idea and priced
Cons: to mayy bugs in chip and software
Summary: I had two phones a Motorola V-600 and Sony- Ericsson T 616 . With the Sony when I called anyone the person talking to me would hear there own voice echo ...
Summary: I had two phones a Motorola V-600 and Sony- Ericsson T 616 . With the Sony when I called anyone the person talking to me would hear there own voice echo back while they were talking and it drove them nuts. Every thing sounded ok on my end but the problem was never resolved. I did not want to return the phone so I tried my wifes V-600 and the person I was talking to could not hear my voice. Strange. The call center for help was very nice but did not know how to solve those problems. Make sure you can return this if it fails to work with your cell phone. RCA said that it would work with both of my phones but it did not. I wish that it had.
Updated
I do not know why you deleated my bad review of this product It did not work with two cell phones and RCA could not explain why they would not work. I also do not understand why you do not want the public to not know the truth.2 out of 2 users found this user opinion helpful.
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Great product
by realmendont on July 9, 2007
Pros: Charging station, better cell phone reception, intercom system, and room monitors. Speakerphone capability in each of the cordless handsets. Different ring tones for land line and cell calls.
Cons: Wish it came with a Sanyo cable. Cordless phones have a cheap hard plastic feel.
Summary: Local Fred Meyer store was selling these on clearance for $18. Set up was fast and easy, cellular call quality with my Motorola V60s was better than using the phone ...
Summary: Local Fred Meyer store was selling these on clearance for $18. Set up was fast and easy, cellular call quality with my Motorola V60s was better than using the phone alone due to poor reception in home (I placed base unit next to window for max reception).
Like the ability to keep cell phone charged and to place free nights and weekend long distance calls from home phone with just a push of a button.
Went back and bought 2 more units for the extra hand sets. Used extra hand sets as room monitors and intercom system throughout the house.
What a deal: I got 3 cordless phones, a home intercom system, room monitors, a cell phone charger, and improved cell phone reception at home for $60. -
Echo problem with Sony Ericsson T616
by CarlZhou on October 31, 2005
Pros: It works. Easy to setup.
Cons: poor voice quality when using with T616
Summary: I use this system with my Sony Ericssson T616 cellphone. During cell calls, the other party can hear their own voices (echo problem) while can barely hear my voice. I ...
Summary: I use this system with my Sony Ericssson T616 cellphone. During cell calls, the other party can hear their own voices (echo problem) while can barely hear my voice. I don't have another cellphone model to try. The problem may be just with T616. The customer service people are not aware of such a problem. It seems that I am not alone (please see previous reviews). I believe that the problem may be caused by RF interference.
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Great, but you can't use your own phones
by kren2000 on October 14, 2005
Pros: Allows you to place the cell phone in the best part of the house with reception
Cons: You can't use your own existing phones, you have to use the expensive RCA additional phones
Summary: This is a great device that turns your cell-phone into a docked cordless phone. You can switch between your regular land line (if you have one, you don't need ...
Summary: This is a great device that turns your cell-phone into a docked cordless phone. You can switch between your regular land line (if you have one, you don't need one) or the cell-line with free minutes. THe only downside is that you can't use your existing home wiring and phones, you have to use the RCA cordless phones that come with the unit (or that you buy extra). If you want to use your own phones, there are other products on the market (Dock-n-Talk, Cellsocket, etc)
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Who really needs this?!
by Sunsetlover on November 17, 2006
Pros: docking for your cell phone
Cons: call quality
Summary: This is really a product looking for a market, instead of THE OTHER WAY AROUND!
Summary: This is really a product looking for a market, instead of THE OTHER WAY AROUND!
0 out of 1 users found this user opinion helpful.
Specifications
- Manufacturer: RCA
- Part number: 23200RE3
- Description: Bring your phones together! The RCA Cell Docking System combines the comfort and convenience of your home phone with the flexibility and long distance minutes of your cell phone. The RCA 23200RE3 includes a base with rechargeable cradle and a 2.4 GHz cordless handset. Just place your cell phone into the docking station base and switch between home and cell phone services on the cordless handset. The docking station charges your cell phone automatically! And, don't worry if you are on the phone when another call comes in. The RCA 23200RE3 acts as a second phone line by supporting two people at the same time - one person is able to make or receive a home line telephone call while the other is on a cellular call.
General
- Product Type Cordless phone W/ call waiting caller ID & cell phone docking system
Phone Features
- Transmission Technology Digital Spread Spectrum (SST)
- Max Handsets Supported 3
- Dialer Type Keypad
- Dialer Location Handset
- Conference Call Capability Yes
- Intercom Yes
- Speakerphone Yes ( Digital duplex )
- Caller ID Yes
- Voice Mail Capability Yes
- Call Waiting Yes
- Call Hold Yes
- Call Screening Yes
- Function Buttons Hold button, Flash button, Redial button, Intercom button, Speakerphone button
- Volume Control Yes
- Ringer Control Yes
- Polyphonic Ringer Yes
- Handset Locator Yes
- Indicators Line status indicator
- Computer Link Yes (USB)
- Firmware Upgradable Yes
Phone Memory
- Phone Directory Capacity 50 names & numbers
- Caller ID Memory 40 names & numbers
Display
- Display LCD display - Monochrome
- Display Location Handset
- Line Qty 3
- Features Backlit
Miscellaneous
- Antenna External
- Connections 1 x Headset jack, 1 x USB
- Hearing Aid Compatible Yes
- Placing / Mounting Table-top
- Cables Included Phone line cable, USB cable
- Included Accessories Belt clip
Power
- Type Phone charging stand + power adapter - External
Battery
- Technology Rechargeable - Nickel metal hydride
Manufacturer Warranty
- Service & Support 1 year warranty
- Service & Support Details Limited warranty - 1 year
Manufacturer info
- RCA
- Manufacturer profile
- Browse RCA products on Shopper.com
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- Website: http://home.rca.com/EN-US
- Address:
1002 New Holland Avenue
Lancaster, PA 17601 - Email: ato-sales@tce.com
