Home > Consumer Reviews > GE 26977GE1 900 MHz Cordless Headset Phone (White)

I am a huge fan of the old GE headset phones. I've used them for years. Unfortunately, I guess they weren't that popular and before long they were discontinued.

So, I was thrilled when this new, sleek version was released recently. This is a slick, lightweight phone. And now you can replace the headset if you break it (a fatal flaw in the old design).

I have done side by side comparisons with the older model and I'm told the old model's sound is a little clearer. The new model seems to have superior range. No extra battery with the new version, so you have to be sure to keep it charged.

This model has some odd things I'd like to see fixed. For one, I can't seem to dial in the volume very well. When I've set the headset volume for voice, the dial tone is far too loud, as are the key tones. This is a minor annoyance, but the old model was much better in this area.

All in all, I'm happy with it though. I still think this form factor is the best one for headset users. Not too small, not too big...just right.

I just ordered this unit, with which GE has replaced the older model. The older model (GE 2-9917) was clearly a "cult favorite" among many people, including me. (Obviously not a popular favorite -- considering how quickly it disappeared from the market.) The older unit was small, lightweight, and above all, had the best sound quality of any portable I've ever known. I gave several as gifts. I'll update this review when I've tried the new one for a while.

As noted by other reviewers here, the old ones eventually broke when the cord connecting the headset to the phone failed internally. (Didn't take much for this to happen.) Nothing to be done -- they were permanently attached.

Secondly, and undereported here, I think, the most significant design flaw was the clip -- a perfect example of industrial "overdesign" -- it hinged when it should have been fixed. No clothing ever designed worked with the hinged clip -- while a fixed clip would have clipped on just about anything. Users of the older model learned to either carry the phone around with them, or put in a pocket, which often resulted in pressing the buttons unintentionally. Sounds like the new one also has the hinged clip, but we'll see.

David in Telluride, CO

P.S. Do you think anyone at GE ever reads this stuff?

I bought this unit to replace another GE cordless headset phone. I think it is a major improvement. Simple to use, reception is good and no interference with Wireless B network. It is a inexpensive cordless solution to the more expensive, though sexier, Plantronic products.

I was thrilled to see the new model and bought it right away. I've got the old model (2-9917A) and -LOVE- it for its superior clarity, talk time, and comfort. So, I was expecting the new version to be at least as good as the old one.

- NO MUTE BUTTON!! NO WAY! I spend a LOT of time on MUTE when I'm on conference calls. Although this really bothered me, I have a Plantronics M175 headset with inline mute for my cell so I thought it might be ok.
- Sound quality like through a tube of toilet paper.
Although on the highest volume setting you can hear it ok, it still doesn't sound like you when you have a real phone pressed up against your ear (the old model did).
- Dialing EXTREMELY loud. If you dial with the headset on.. you'll soon go deaf.
- Voice quality just flat out miserable. While on the new model, folks were telling me to put my mouth up to the mic. It was.
- Headset quality poor? Well, I thought the sound and the voice quality problems were due to the headset, so I plugged in my mighty M175 Plantronics headset (which I highly recommend) and the phone still had all the same problems. The adjustments afforded by the the M175 could not compensate for the poor quality of the phone.

I'm going to... buy a new version of their older model. I recommend you do the same. I've been through SO MANY headset phones. The only good one I've ever had is the GE 2-9917A. I've swithced back to it but need a new one because of the inherent problem with them.. the cord breaks eventually.

Cordless & Hands-free convenience says it all. Do gardening, cooking, cleaning, laundry, carpentry, lawn mowing, wash the car, exercise, WORK ON THE COMPUTER ... you name it, anything that requires two hands and mobility. Great for SOHO! This phone will put time back in the bank that was wasted sitting down or fumbling with an antiquated handset next to your ear. I?ve given 6 as gifts; FRIENDS AND FAMILY love it. I've owned the older GE model; now own 2 of the new 26977GE1. Can?t say enough ? This phone is fully featured and durable. FYI: Battery is now off-the-shelf replaceable. Headset is jacked, not permanent wired. 10 number memory lets you enter text names. 900MHz won?t interfere with WLAN 802.11b