Home > Consumer Reviews > Motorola MD671 5.8GHz Cordless Speakerphone/Caller ID

We had a failure of the base unit for our Siemens Gigaset 4210 system, which made the whole system inoperative. Although this system is still under warranty and will be repaired, we never liked using it. Therefore, we decided to replace that system with a different one. We considered 900 MHz, 2.4 GHz, and 5.8 GHz cordless phones. We did not have any requirements for extraordinary range or wireless LAN compatibility. The choices were numerous, but our final selection of a new Motorola MD671 system resulted after a compromise of our requirements.

Our needs seemed to be simple, but just try to satisfy them in a cordless phone or phone system. While researching our choices, we came across a review that stated "... if these features are available in a cell phone, why can't I have them in a cordless?" We strongly agree with this remark, and we feel that the manufacturers should get their cell and cordless design teams talking to each other to exchange some of the good feature ideas.

Our requirements for multiple phones or a phone system:
* Speed dial or memory dial
* Long battery life
* Ability to operate during a power failure
* Phonebook sharing among the handsets and base (system phones only)
* Clear, easy-to-read display
* Good sound quality
* Solid feel and comfortable to use
* Speaker operation in all handsets
* Voicemail notification (FSK light)
* Caller ID

We did not have requirements for other features, such as intercom, so other reviews may be helpful when considering those features. We also did not want to get into a phone or system with an answering machine.

After using the Motorola MD671 system for a few days, I can provide some pros and cons, from our perspective. You can see that it is a mixed bag that did not meet all of our requirements.

PROS
* Very simple to set up and use. The menu is limited and intuitive. It is the polar opposite of our former Siemens phones. What a joy to see Motorola keep it simple.
* The buttons have a good spacing, although they are small and hard to read, and a nice rubbery feel.
* 1400 mAh NiMH battery should have long life and does not need the discharge cycles that a NiCd battery does. It should have about 50% longer life than the Panasonic 850 mAh NiCd batteries.
* The battery meter shows small increments of change, unlike the other phones that we tried. For example, our former Siemens handsets show remaining battery capacity in three discrete segments.
* A spare battery pack can be inserted into the base unit to keep the phone system working during a power outage. Motorola estimates that the unit will operate for about 2-1/2 hours. No base-unit functions will operate on backup battery power, but the handsets will be fully functional. Note that handset batteries can be interchanged in the base unit for longer power-outage operation.
* Sound quality seems indistinguishable from most corded phones.
* Speakerphone operates great. It has clear sound, and it is full duplex, although you will not see that it is in the user's manual.
* Display uses large characters, making it easier to read, possibly even without your glasses.
* Handsets have a rubber edges, which provide a comfortable, "grippy" feel. The handsets feel great in the hand and on the ear, and they have a solid, well-balanced feel.
* Simple volume switch located on the rubber edge of the handset.
* Easy to mute while using the handset.
* Voicemail light works great. Not only does the base unit flash, each handset flashes when there is a message waiting.
* Small antenna looks good, never gets in the way, and is less of a temptation to our bird.

CONS
* Each handset and the base operate independently. Therefore, when a missed call is registered on the display, it must be cleared from each handset and base to have a "clean slate" waiting for the next set of calls. Likewise, each CID register must be independently cleared. It would be more convenient to have an action at one unit affect the whole system.
* Blue backlighting is a little difficult to read. Perhaps white or a light shade of green would be easier to see.
* User's manual is too brief. It does not include some of the features of the phone, such as pressing a letter on the keypad to quickly go to the start of that section of the phonebook.
* No phonebook sharing, which means that you need to key in phonebook entries into each of your handsets and the base individually. This feature could be good for families with multiple teenagers, who each want to have their own phonebook that cannot be changed by another handset.
* No one- or two-number speed dial. This one I just can't understand, because cell phones and most other cordless phones have it. On this phone, you either need to scroll through the phonebook (you can use the shortcut described above) or sign up for speed dial from the phone company. We did the latter.
* Handset does not stand up in a "normal speakerphone orientation." However, the belt clip and the battery cover keep the speaker off of a surface adequately to lay the phone down, buttons up. In this position, it will never fall over while using it.
* Information is hard to find for this phone. For instance, the Motorola site compares their cordless phones, and they say that this model has speed dial (it doesn't) and does not have redial (it does).
* If you like to cradle your handset on your shoulder, this phone may be too slim.

Overall, we think that we found an excellent cordless system, but we will have to use it longer to really have an adequate experience base for comment. If this phone had shared phonebooks and speed dial, we would "be in cordless heaven."

I'll be honest, I didn't need a new phone. I simply loved my Siemens despite the bad reviews and even friends who had battery problems with theirs; mine worked fine. I loved the feature set, although certain things were missing that I would have liked. It was about time that I got some extension units, and I decided to look around and see if there were any new systems that tempted me.

Well, I came across this little beauty. Motorola has a good one on their hands! The lights behind the keypad illuminates a vibrant LED Blue! LED Blue! The screen itself is a pale blue/white color - very pleasing to the eye, I must say. My old siemens had no keypad backlighting so I was on my on in the dark when dialing! This unit registers new calls (CID) on each handset and the base independently, which is fine - but a big plus is that it does not blink lights when a new call has been received like the siemens! That drove me nuts...now I only see a light blink if I have voicemail (and on every single piece of this system to boot!)

The menu system is intuitive, the feature set is a bit limited compared to the siemens, but I'll survive without the voice dialing and "quiet times" that phone offered. The ringers are ok - of the 8, I would say 3 or 4 are nice, the rest are just a bit strange. Certainly not a bad thing.

Aesthetically, this phone is gorgeous. It is a true work of art and it is clear that some designers had a large part in the process! I bought a base and one handset extension for another room, although I'm thinking of getting even one more for downstairs.

The range on this phone is just about the same as my siemens (which was rather good). No problems working in "the yard" with this puppy! Battery life is VERY nice as well. Oh, and did I mention that the base and each handset light up like a Christmas Tree when someone calls? Gorgeous :-).

I also wanted to comment on some other people's reviews complaining of the phone directory. Yes, it is separately stored on each handset - but that certainly is a good option for families so that each child/person could have their own personal set of numbers stored. Me personally? I use a speed dial service from my phone company - so it is of no major concern.

Motorola has come a long way from their early analog 2.4's. Battery life, sound quality which is superb, vivid lights (I fall for anything with blue LEDs on it - as most geeks do), and long range make this phone a great buy! Built solid, simply classy styling and all-around polished features. I don't think I'll ever part with this phone...

This is a very cool phone. But if you are buying this 5.8ghz phone, as I did, to replace the 2.4ghz which is interfering with your wi-fi network - beware. I verified from Mortorola tech support what another reviewer stated. Here is what Motorola replied to my inquiry (at least they're honest):
"It is true that the 5.8GHz phones use both the 5.8GHz and 2.4GHz frequencies. When making a call out from the phone, it is transmitted on the 5.8GHz frequency, and when you receive a call, it is transmitted on the 2.4GHz frequency. So, to answer your question, yes, the MD 671 does use the 2.4GHz frequency at times."
"The MD 671 phone uses the 2.4GHz frequency to transmit signals when a call is received on this phone. So, if some one were to call you, then the conversation between you and that person would be transmitted on the 2.4GHz frequency."
It is a bit disheartening that a company is allowed to advertise the phone as 5.8ghz when that implies "only 5.8 ghz". This is misleading and frustrating when you end up realizing the problem only after your network starts going down and you've called tech support for your wireless hardware and eventually your phone. That's only if you don't give up by then and get another phone. They could really prevent alot of heartache and time wasting if they only represented the phone correctly. I smell a class action suit brewing but I just prefer not to go through that again with my next phone. Buyer: beware and DO YOUR RESEARCH.

RE: Is it true "that the phone receives on the 5.8 GHz frequency, but sends on th... [Motorola Incident#: 050514-000524]

There are probably many reasons why one would purchase a 5.8 GHz phone; promised better clarity, newest features, but many people may be like me who are searching for a cordless phone that does not interfere with their wireless LAN which operates at 2.4 GHz. I previously had a 900 MHz phone which worked fine until the keys failed and I was looking for a replacement. I selected the Motorola phone as it was advertised as a pure 5.8 GHz phone. Some other phones sold by AT&T and Uniden identified that they use other frequencies like 2.4 GHz in addition to 5.8 GHz and so I eliminated these from consideration.

Overall the performance has been good. The signal is very good most of the time, but I have had instances where ghosting appears. The phone is easy to use and well designed.

After researching the options in expandable systems I narrowed my choices to Panasonic KX-TG5230M and Motorola MD-671. So this review is also a comparison of the two.
Handset Sound Quality: I found Motorola to have the best sound quality of any cordless I've ever used. It was rivaling the sound of a corded phone and it was much better than the good sounding 900MHz and 2.4GHz phones I currently own. Panasonic, on the other hand, while not terrible - had a muffled sound and the callers on the other end found its sound muted compared to my other phones. I even exchanged the first set thinking that it could be defective. The voice enhancer provided only a marginal improvement.
Speakerphone Sound Quality: Both bases were excellent. Handsets performed identical to earpiece mode.
Range: I was disappointed with both. I would estimate it at about 80 feet. Both units lost the signal as I approached the front of a neighbor's house. Panasonic did a little better but not by much.
System Wide Features: Nether system excels but this is one area where Panasonic is a clear winner. With Motorola the concept of the phone system appears to be an after-thought. Essentially all it has is an intercom between handsets and a base and the ability to transfer calls. But you cannot rename the handsets, so you have to memorize where Handset N is. Everything else is individual to each piece. There is no way to share phonebook entries between handsets and only the base has the voicemail indicator.
Panasonic expands on Motorola with a room monitor feature and voicemail indicators on handsets. In addition, the handsets IDs are customizable. While I would prefer the base as a central phone book repository, Panasonic at least has the ability to copy phonebook entries between handsets.

As for the looks, I prefer Panasonic multicolor design and overall shape. Motorola looks good by itself but next to Panasonic it appears cheap. However, if you plan to wall mount the base Panasonic's design is less than optimal. Ergonomically I found Motorola slim but long handset very comfortable. Panasonic was also good but for longer conversations I preferred Motorola. Both phones rely heavily on menus and soft keys but Panasonic offers more essential hard keys its menus are more intuitive and easier to navigate. Panasonic's base is shallow on features with no LCD and thus no phonebook ability. I don't think talking caller ID compensates for this omission. Motorola's base has its own LCD and phonebook, but lacks the programmable key to call voice mail. In addition, Motorola base can accepts an optional backup battery that allows the system to operate during power outages.
Motorola systems can be extended to six handsets. Panasonic is limited to four.

In the end, I cannot recommend either system. Motorola's gets kudos for the excellent sound quality but falls short on system wide features and clunky interface. Panasonic's poor sound quality nullifies the otherwise nice expandable system.