Home > Consumer Reviews > GE 29869GE2 Digital Answering System with 4 Mailboxes

I literally got a headache shopping for a digital answering machine (. . .)I quickly found out that it is really hard to find a digital answering machine with more than 5 to 20 minutes total record time (this is for both stand alone machines and for ones that are phone combos). Another problem is a lot of machines only give callers less than a minute to leave a message. I also saw review after review of terrible sound quality for outgoing and incoming messages.

My husband cured my headache by finding this GE digital answering machine. I love that it has forty minutes of total record time, has a time/day stamp and remote access so I can check my messages when I'm away from home. I can also set this machine to give my callers from a minute to four minutes to leave a message. This machine is easy to use (I only needed to read the manual once). The sound quality for outgoing and incoming messages is really good. It is clear and understandable. I only detected very light background static that doesn't interfere with the messages. The machine's voice that gives instructions on use and time/day of messages is mechanical, but most of the time is easy to understand. This machine is loaded with features that work and are easy to use (I read reviews on other answering machines where the features did not work or were difficult to use).

Here are some tips of use. Make sure to use a 9-volt battery (not included) for backup during power outages. I saw another reviewer state that this doesn't work. I had no problems with it. All my settings and messages were kept when I unplugged the ac adapter from the wall outlet (I left it unplugged for 15 minutes). Whatever you do don't unplug the ac adapter from the answering machine base. If you do you will loose all your messages and most of your settings.

This GE digital messaging system is one of the best that I have ever seen or tried. Add to that the fact that this machine won't cost you an arm and a leg.

There are several reasons to like this GE messaging system. For starters, this machine is one of the first to offer 40 minutes of storage capabilities. Most of the digital machines out at the time of this review only allow 15 to 20 minutes.

Secondly, there are 4 mailboxes on this machine, making this a great machine for a family or roommates to use. Even if you live by yourself, the separate mailboxes is perfect to use to store messages separately from the main mailbox.

Another great feature is the clarity of the messages as they are being played and the time/date stamp. I have had absolutely no trouble understanding my messages or the digital voice in the machine.

There is also a battery back-up you can use to help save your messages and settings in case there is a power failure. (9-volt battery is not included).

The directions that came with the machine were very easy to read and understand. 10-minutes after taking the machine out of the box it was set up and ready to answer my calls.

One of the best features, to me at least, is that it has a toll saver feature. When set to toll saver, the machine will answer on the 4th ring if there are no new messages and on the 2nd ring if there are new messages. When you call home to check your messages, if it rings more than twice you will know that you have no new messages and can hang up without having to waste your time.

There are a few drawbacks to this GE digital messaging system, the main one being that the time/date stamp plays at the end of the message instead of the beginning. Personally, when listening to a message I like to know when they called in advance so that I can process the message accordingly in my mind. Aside from this, most of the drawbacks are small and do not affect the fuctionality of this machine.

If you are in need of a new answering machine, or just want to change from tape to digital, give this great little machine a try.

On paper the features look great but after becoming accustomed to Southwestern Bell CallNotes(answering service hosted by phone company), the features and ease-of-use are less than I hoped for. First complaint, even though you have 4 mailboxes, there is no way to protect each one with a separate passcode - one passcode provides access to all mailboxes so if you can't protect the privacy of your mail box (from roommates for example). Second problem is the very odd odering of the remote access menus. If you have a cell phone or answering service, I'm sure you are accustomed to listening to a message then immediately having the option to erase it. Not so here. You first listen to your messages in one box. Then you go back to the main menu. Listen to all the choices...last choice, press 0 to erase messages (probably the most common choice is last...after recording new greeting etc...how often will you do that?) Then, choose the box you want to erase, 1-4...yes, that is right...you must erase ALL messages in a box, you can't pick and choose. And the first thing i noticed about this product that is small but really annoying - the cord to the wall is hard-wired, you can't unplug it from the unit. I have a cord the exact length from the outlet to my table but I have to buy an adaptor to connect the unit's cord to my longer cord to reach the outlet....GE...make the cord detachable! I'll pay the extra .50 for the manufacturing costs. These problems were obvious after only 30 minutes of use...who knows what other problems will crop up?

The good things...yes..the sound quality is good and recording time is long as most reviews mention. Reasonably easy to get started. If you are buying it for these reasons, you will be happy, if you want full-featured mailboxes, you will be disappointed and if you are frustrated or disapointed by mediocre design, you have been warned.

This is the only Answering Machine out there with 40 minutes of recording time. Why no other company makes one is beyond me, but when we had only tape everyone made 30 - 60 minute record time. This machine has all the functions including rapid advance and skip or reverse and repeat, plus four mail boxes. Clear recording sound. No static (like other reviewer reports). Wish the other makers would recognize that some people need longer message recording time.

I don't get all the negative reviews. I spent over 7 hours researching answering machines; it came down to this GE model and the AT&T 1726. I decided on this one because I wanted 4 mailboxes, and I like the way I can leave a message for another mailbox right at the machine... also, I trusted GE more than AT&T.

Anyway,it's fine, works very well. Yes, the sound quality isn't quite as good as devices that use tape, but it's still very clear - remember, it's not meant to be a stereo system! Also, I noted all answering machines have many negative comments, so don't be alarmed, the devices really do work.