VTech's Tropez 900DX, a 900MHz digital cordless phone       ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ I just bought the (relatively) new Tropez 900DX cordless phone (by VTech Communications in Beaverton, Oregon) from J&R Music World. It's 900MHz and is digital.  It has 20 handset/_base_ channel pairs. It automagically does channel select/change and randomly selects one of 65,000 (probably 65,535, or 16 bits) security codes every time the handset is placed on the _base_ charger. I really like it so far, but I've only had it 2 days.  It's got a lot of other nice touches.  Things like when the handset is on the _base_ and you get an incoming call, you can pick up handset and start talking without having to press the Phone button.   Both the handset and the _base_ can independently be programmed to have one of 4 possible rings.  There is a privacy button on both the handset and the _base_ in order to lock-out the speakerphone from the handset or the handset from the speakerphone.  The intercom can be used without preventing incoming calls and by putting callers on hold with the hold key the intercom can be used while a call is in progress. When a call is put on hold, both the caller and you hear a beep every 20 seconds or so to indicate that the call is still connected.  If another phone on the same line is picked up while a call is on hold, the Tropez automatically drops-out and goes back into standby mode. The handset and _base_ constantly ping each other to check if the handset is in range.  If the handset goes out of range it beeps every 30 seconds or so to warn you that you might miss a call.  The out of range beep will stop if acknowledged with a key press on the handset or if the handset is moved back into range. There is a digital volume control on both the handset and the _base_ speakerphone. Sound quality is the best I've heard in a cordless yet, and of course it's snap, crack, pop and hiss free (thanks to digital transmission). However, I did detect a slight, but noticeable, difference between the Tropez and a corded phone when I called home.  The corded phone did sound a bit sharper/crisper.  Unless you were looking for it, or unless someone was switching back and forth between the Tropez and a corded phone, I doubt anyone would ever suspect you were using a cordless. I haven't had a chance to conduct a good range test yet, though I've heard that it's markedly better than any of the standard 46/49Mhz phones.  The antenna on the handset is non-retractable, about 4 inches, very flexible and coated with black rubber.  The _base_ antenna is about the same length, black _meta_l, mounted on the side of the _base_ with a two-way _meta_l joint.  (The whole phone is black, and I think that's the only color it comes in.)  The buttons are okay. I'd like it if they were a little firmer and if they stuck up out of the plastic moulding a little higher. I don't know about battery life yet either.  The battery is NiCd, but seems to be beefier than standard cordless batteries.  (It's 6V and costs $29! as a replacement part from Tropez.)  It does give the hand- set a very heavy/solid/high-quality feel. I am very satisfied with this phone so far, and _base_d on what I know, would heartily recommend it to anyone tired of buzzing and futzing on their 46/49 phones. It's still a bit pricey at $279 from J&R.  There's also a lower cost version of the same phone out called the 900SX.  It leaves off the speakerphone (& intercom?) and _base_ keypad.  Although I think I saw a Made in China sticker on the box, VTech *appears* to be a US company (for those who care about such things), and their product is significantly cheaper than all the competing 900MHz phones I've either priced or heard about.  Panasonic's 900MHz cordless, for example, costs more, is NOT digital, and so its still easy to eavesdrop on it with a scanner.

FYI:  I saw the 900DX for $239 at Home Depot in Dallas a couple of weeks ago.  I was really surprised.  It could have been mismarked (since the other model sells for $239 in some stores), but it was still marked $239 two days later.  Too bad I already had one. Larry

This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it (Adrian Brandt) writes: :       VTech's Tropez 900DX, a 900MHz digital cordless phone : : It's 900MHz and is digital.  It has 20 handset/_base_ channel pairs. Easy to get around with a digital to analog converter. : It automagically does channel select/change and randomly selects : one of 65,000 (probably 65,535, or 16 bits) security codes every : time the handset is placed on the _base_ charger. I would need to see more on the channel select/change feature. HOwever, choosing one of 65K security codes does little more than impress the person reading their advertising hype. All that is is a method of keeping other people from using the _base_ for making unauthorized calls. It has nothing to do with making it harder to monitor conversations. ... deleted ... : There is a digital volume control on both the handset and the _base_ : speakerphone. More meaningless media hype - a cheap analog volume control would work just as well. ... deleted ... From what has been posted so far, there is no encryption on the Tropez. As such, it is questionable whether it is worth the extra bucks to buy one. The digital transmissions between handset and _base_ would be some advantage - for clarity of weak signals. Bill

     VTech's Tropez 900DX, a 900MHz digital cordless phone      ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ It's still a bit pricey at $279 from J&R.  There's also a lower cost You did pretty well for yourself.  I sell them here in the Washington DC area for $249.00 + shipping!!   OBTW, the range is great.  I have heard people comment of ranges 2000 Feet +. Give me a call if you would like to chat! James Van Houten 301.431.8450

From what has been posted so far, there is no encryption on the Tropez. As such, it is questionable whether it is worth the extra bucks to buy one. The digital transmissions between handset and _base_ would be some advantage - for clarity of weak signals. Bill I own and sell the Tropez 900DX phones.  I have tried to monitor the phone using my PRO-2006 scanner and my freq counter.  Even once I located the phone I was unable to get my scanner to even open the squelch on the freq it was one.  I thought this was very interesting.  While tuned to the freq I hit the off button on the phone and there was a very slight change in the white noise.  Pretty hard to detect.  I think the Tropez is one of the best phones for the $$. James Van Houten 301.431.8450

This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it (James Van Houten) writes: : From what has been posted so far, there is no encryption on the Tropez. : As such, it is questionable whether it is worth the extra bucks to buy : one. The digital transmissions between handset and _base_ would be some : advantage - for clarity of weak signals. : : Bill : : I own and sell the Tropez 900DX phones.  I have tried to monitor the phone : using my PRO-2006 scanner and my freq counter.  Even once I located the : phone I was unable to get my scanner to even open the squelch on the freq : it was one.  I thought this was very interesting.  While tuned to the freq : I hit the off button on the phone and there was a very slight change in : the white noise.  Pretty hard to detect.  I think the Tropez is one of the : best phones for the $$. Yep - you wouldn't be able to receive spread spectrum with a regular scanner - the channel switching is too slow - even if you know the algorythm.  It would require a programable SS receiver. Even that would be useless, unless the phone used a repeating direct sequence pattern for channel selection. Bill