AT&T CL4940 Corded Standard Phone with Answering System and Backlit Display, White
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Customer reviews
G. GUNNELL
5.0 out of 5 stars Very good
Reviewed in the United States on August 10, 2012
Color: WhiteStyle: PhoneVerified Purchase
UPDATE April 2015: A few more lines of dots on the LCD display have failed, making one character position on the display almost unreadable. All other phone functions working fine . 2 1/2 years service from an LCD display that's on 24/7 is pretty good! I've ordered the same model again to replace it.
UPDATE October 2014: After two years of trouble-free service a couple vertical lines on the LCD display stopped working -- each vertical line is only about 1/4 of a text letter wide so the affected text characters are still easily legible. All other phone functions are working well. I intend to replace with the same unit when the time comes, even with the minor display issue after two years this unit is still a 'best buy' IMO.
ORIGINAL REVIEW August 2012:
I purchased my AT&T CL4940 locally because I needed a that-day replacement for a long-time-in-service Nortel.
I'm writing this review based on initial quality as I have only owned the phone for 24 hours. Thus far I am impressed by:
1. Sound quality through both the handset and speaker. This is adjustable with a 4 setting equalizer, I'm using the default 'Natural' setting, there are two treble boost settings and one bass boost setting available.
2. Volume available through both handset and speaker is individually adjustable and can be made very loud on the highest settings.
3. Answering machine ease of operation.
4. Total message+announcement recording time of 25 minutes -- these days that's good, many answering machines have less than 15 minutes of audio storage. 60 minutes is still the target amount for manufacturers in my opinion -- the problem is that like most answering machines, this one will stop taking messages once the memory is full -- and a busy business day or some political robocalls can fill things up pretty fast and shut the system down.
5. Good human interface -- big buttons, readable and backlit display, clealy labled control buttons -- you do still need to look at the manual just a bit to see how the menu and control system is set up but it's about as simple as it can be made, IMO.
The one disadvantage is the index in the user manual which has way too few entries -- I downloaded the .pdf version of the manual just to search for info on the 'equalizer' (it can only be set while you are listening to something) -- and how to reset the 'missed calls' counter (press and hold the CANCEL button). Other than the lack of a complete index, the user manual is clear and explanatory.
At the time of this review there are two 2-rated reviews. The one mentioning the need for a DSL filter if you have DSL service applies to most phones and fax machines. Although I did not try the included wall mounting bracket, looking at it I would agree that this phone is not well suited for wall mounting -- I don't know of any larger desktop type phones that include an answering machine that are.
Overall I give this phone high marks for design, execution, and value, with durability being the unknown factor.
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Shawn
5.0 out of 5 stars Telephone
Reviewed in the United States on June 29, 2024
Color: WhiteStyle: PhoneVerified Purchase
This is an excellent phone. My grandmother who is 97, visits me one a week. She loves making telephone call. The buttons are big, ring is loud and lcd screen is readable.
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Lisa F
5.0 out of 5 stars This phone is Perfect with simple set up and features
Reviewed in the United States on June 28, 2021
Color: WhiteStyle: PhoneVerified Purchase
No brainer buy this one.
Whew, had been searching and searching, for corded (low EMF phone) purchased & tried to set up 2 phones got off Amazon that were NOT right or NOT compatible with my cable company DSL phone. We have a kinda "hybrid landline" set up that costs very little where we live. Third time a charm Ty Amazon & ATT ....but purchased NEW instead. (Not willing to risk having to return another, we always make sure refurbished is Amazon prime returnable) though returns were easy.
Were thinking running out of options until this PHONE ! YES, this has all cords in the box. Is a NEW phone. (be careful about refurbished)
Set up in less than 10 minutes ! Volume of ringer &sound easily & completely adjustable. Has all features were seeking and display clarity WONDERFUL slim flashing 3 inch strip at top pleasant surprise. (do not see a headset jack but we bought this not for business use)
Took 15-20 min more and added ALL our prior phone numbers to this phones directory.
Wow no more cordless phone worries, tracfone cards, or EMF issues! This was MAIN REASON we wanted to change out this phone, after reading about DECT6.0 cordless phone issues , what we read said they send EMF signal looping back from phone to base continuously whether talking or not! Even newest cordless do that when talking, but not when talking.
The speaker function works great -seamless -just push it - to change or go back and forth to handset.... but remember is NOT a cell . So if sitting on chair or bed next to the phone, my friend calling on a cell phone said sounded exactly the same and easy to hear me .
The on equalizer button push 4 times, has 4 settings,
on "Treble2" did help a lot with an older friend who is hearing impaired slightly.
Also tried out the audio assist button w call to my mom who is very hard of hearing( but this is all w/o reading instructions, so not quit figured that out (yet) as gave background noise)..
IS great looking in white! Sets on desk next to bed securely w/ so EASY to read display, best we've seen!!!!!!!
*Great gift! or to help your folks or grandparent* ....again if they have landline or cable provider phone service.
Straight out of the box, had ALL we needed, no complicated ANYthing. (were not sure as did not list in product description about cords or not(?)hope they update that)
No, IS no need for batteries, extra split <if have phone that is already plugged into jack or cable modem, no need to purchase 'phone to modem cord' either) ALL was included, AS well as -plug in adapter! (surprise again) was in the box to power display and caller ID .
IT IS A WOW great "old style""retro" : ) simple & easy message button flashes if missed a call and left msg. Answering machine is GREAT!!! Voice of male sounds like one we used in 2002 as kids or easily can record your own greeting.(we like the pre-installed retro voice , made us smile)
From what we can tell, only if not have a phone already set up ....possibly, may need to also buy cheap DSL filter or get from the cable company provider to provide that- if not replacing an existing phone.
ISSUE we had (that made 'what is so simple so difficult') was--- it seems like some of the Cable company techs now ,are not trained, nor are use to older 'basic style corded phones set ups'. One tech sent out to us, that was around 20 yrs old was scared of simple PHONE wiring under phone jack plate on kitchen wall, thinking it would hurt him or something ? Another tech w/o asking just cut clipped the cords and damaged it.
'Set ups' for low tech way of corded landline w/ cable company again they were just not trained in and understand, get that
Yes, great stock and QUICK delivery, make sure is the new phone not the refurbished one. We ordered this phone very late Saturday night, got it day and half later! but is amazon center in metro area around here.
(we bought a very cheap double phone split/ filter--- just in case, with THIS purchase... turns out the wire is frayed near plug clip, into modem.
that we had , so will keep it, but was not necessary <(That device looks like a little box , w /1-2 inch long thicker cord -For us it plugs 2 phones into modem, has 2 standard phone jack openings on other end of box) Can easily buy also off Amazon only if you need that.
Writing a lot because NOT many reviews in 2021 AND was after an exhaustive search and with very little help from our cable company provider, we were really getting frustrated ( are also SO many phones and types of equipment on line to buy)
THIS SOLVED OUR PROBLEM! and healthier choice for our family
When I find great product that works that well, just want to help another with same issue : ) to avoid the search or trouble/ time w returns.
If wanting to go 'low tech corded' & need extra phone line cord for your house and 'good enough DIY sort', we saw 7-50 feet very inexpensive all the way to double foil filtered phone cord w gold plating into clip fittings would last forever, that was braided high quality SOUND line is also sold on Amazon. (AGAIN look for PRIME AND FREE RETURNS). BELOW IMPORTANT POST COVID WORLD FOR US
***In Summer of 2021 and housing bubble , many moving, we did not see many reviews that were recent on this phone, nor from the USA at all. Around here yes 'Off grid' as much as possible, not wanting 5G hazards but more 'low tech' less dependent living, after surviving 2020 Midwest states IS making a big comeback!...with MANY of us, young and middle aged this phone is NOT just for Seniors.***
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CJ
5.0 out of 5 stars Best ATT phone so far...
Reviewed in the United States on June 18, 2024
Color: WhiteStyle: PhoneVerified Purchase
I have had Two (2) ATT phones over the last 20 years and they both were great and very inexpensive.
This one, my Third (3) ATT phone and it is the BEST... display is much better with orange color and built in voice message recording... Good speaker... Better Call Log... Better saved call numbers directory
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Peter Sobczak
5.0 out of 5 stars Best answering machine with phone I ever had
Reviewed in the United States on July 18, 2020
Color: WhiteStyle: PhoneVerified Purchase
I purchased this set after trying a few other answering machine + phone models, from simplest to very advanced. I like this one because it offers all features important to me. Most desired one for me is ability to easily turn it ON in given room. I work from home, have a few important spots in different rooms. I miss calls sometimes. I worked in one room and ringing in another room would go unnoticed. So I put 3 identical units to work. Main unit in the kitchen is set to 4 rings and stays ON all the time. Other unit set to min rings is turned ON only when I am within sight. It works magic for me, I never miss a call now, no matter where I work at home. Recently I noticed I can not turn Answering Machine ON when I hear ringing. Must do that in advance, before a call arrives. Otherwise I really enjoy using this model.
PROS.
Large buttons, easy intuitive settings are a big plus.
Loud voice that says: Calls will be answered - or - Calls will NOT be answered.
Very rare feature lately - printed word MIC on front panel shows actual location of microphone hole.
Very comfortable handset, not too light, not too heavy, no feel of metal bar inside like some handsets had in the past.
Voice quality is rather Good than Fair. Other models I had were similar or worse.
Includes attachment for standing on a desk, as opposed to hang on the wall plate.
CONS.
Lit buttons would be a plus. Such wonderful keypad begs for lit buttons! I would pay extra for this.
When power is disconnected, time & day settings are erased.
Can not turn ON answering machine once the phone is ringing.
I am at a loss why large characters on lit display show that: CL4940 - why would I need it? Instead of, display my phone number! So my guests picking the phone will see what that number is. Or let me write a short message here.
UPDATE 3-2021.
After extensive travel and coming back home I noticed messages had time stamp but only day/time. How do I know Monday a month ago or last Monday? Such time stamp with a date like Nov 14, 2020 in ideal phone would be spoken or be displayed on the screen.
Display is dim and difficult to read. I practically do not use the screen, as it is non-usable to me, at maximum contrast setting 4. Display is dim and impossible to read on all 3 units, under all light conditions. After using all 3 units for a long time I realized I really ignore the screen. With AC Adapter being used it is no power supply issue but poor design decision I think. So all three phones I have are no defects but poor design. I have other phones at home that read perfect under all light conditions.
Overall I think this product at such price point is good. I am OK with all 3 units I have. They work for my scenario well.
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Jh
5.0 out of 5 stars Simple to set up.
Reviewed in the United States on July 14, 2024
Color: WhiteStyle: PhoneVerified Purchase
Screen is big. Easy to set-up and worked as expected.
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emily
5.0 out of 5 stars Great phone
Reviewed in the United States on June 24, 2024
Color: WhiteStyle: PhoneVerified Purchase
Clear audio, nice big buttons ( I'm only 46 but I like big buttons lol) anyway, also perfect number of features, not so many that you need a class to know how to operate it, just every thing you need. NO more, and no less.
There is one thing- I wish it would let you change the main screen from "cl4940" to say your name or at least the phone number of your phone. If anyone needs to use it, the model number won't mean anything, they might need to know what phone # they are calling from. But there is no option to change the main screen at all.
Lastly, the red light indicating the phone messaging is on, don't know if it's necessary for me to know it's on, or to even ever turn it off. Hard to get used to it not meaning there is a message. My old phone showed red light to mean I had messages but I'm having to train my brain that doesn't mean anything except that it can take messages. Otherwise, great phone!
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Eva-P
5.0 out of 5 stars My 98yo mother loves it!
Reviewed in the United States on July 18, 2024
Color: WhiteStyle: PhoneVerified Purchase
Trying to get Mom to not answer the phone every time it rings, but without caller-ID that she could see, that was difficult. She can see the screen on this phone very well and feels more comfortable about letting calls go unanswered. It was very easy to set up and easy to use. She is delighted! So am I.
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Tenax M.
5.0 out of 5 stars My wife somehow manages to break them...
Reviewed in the United States on July 3, 2024
Color: WhiteStyle: PhoneVerified Purchase
Over the years (40+) my wife has been usually hard or destructive (spilling liquids, etc) on this particular model. (Disclaimer: we're both septagenarians now) Haven't kept track, but I'm guessing I've gotten a dozen (twice @4x) of them. Not only bc she's used to this model, but bc it's worked very well for us. Very Well...
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MikRose
5.0 out of 5 stars As advertised.
Reviewed in the United States on July 13, 2024
Color: WhiteStyle: PhoneVerified Purchase
Very nice, ordered two, each answering system gets same message, but need to be deleted separately.
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