Motorola - MD-61 5.8GHZ Cordless Expansion Handset Review

Bottom-Line: If you want a true 5.8GHz cordless phone that offers crystal clear sound, reliable performance, will not interfere with Wi-Fi, look no further then Motorola MD-61 5.8GHZ Cordless Expansion Handset.  

As I wrote in my review of the Motorola MD681 5.8GHZ Cordless Phone, my wife and I have owned no less the 11 different sets of phones (cored and cordless) since we got married just under five years ago, in a seemingly fruitless search for the perfect cordless phone.  For a moment we thought our search had ended with the AT&T 5840 5.8/2.4GHz Cordless Phone; we were wrong!  And so the search continued until I ran across the Motorola MD681 5.8GHZ Cordless Phone with Answering Machine and Motorola MD-61 Cordless Extension Phone.      

My Viewpoint

This is a pretty phone.  With its streamlined and stylish lines, brushed silver base, and black accents, easy to read liquid crystal display, and soft blue back-lit numbers & controls the MD-61 5.8GHZ Cordless Extension Handset was clearly designed to appeal to those in the stainless steel crowd.      

The MD-61 is a true 5.8GHz extension handset designed to work exclusively the Motorola MD671/681 cordless base units. The MD-61 is a surprisingly linear phone that is just the right size; i.e. it fit perfectly between ear and mouth.  Even more surprising is the MD-61's light weight, punctuated by a small nickel-metal-hydride rechargeable battery under a black cover.        

Along the slightly curved top of the MD-61 is a small unobtrusive un-extendable antenna not unlike those found on most modern cell phones.  Directly in front of this is a blue LED that illuminates whenever the phone is on.  Along the slightly curved bottom of the expansion unit are two recharging points.  The MD-61 is switched on via a labeled back-lit (blue) "on" button, and a similar button turns the phone off. 

The MD-61 has a built-in speakerphone, which I find very useful, and an intercom feature I have yet to use.  Along the right hand side of the handset, inset into the black rubber grip that runs the length of the phone, are two rocker switches that control volume, while along the left a headset jack is provided.  Finally, Motorola ships the MD-61 with a black belt clips and a small desktop charger.

Setting up the MD-61 to work with the MD-6xx base units is a very simple process; plug in the handset, and then enter the base unit serial number.  This number is necessary for the handset to communicate with the base unit.  Once the number is accepted, the base unit and the handset will "talk" to one another, allowing you to place and receive calls.  When turned off the MD-61's LCD displays the time and the number of calls received.  Three buttons below the LCD afford access to functions displayed on the LCD. 

Sound quality though the ear piece or headphones on the MD681 is outstanding, and there is to date, no interference from our wireless network!  And the sound quality via the speakerphone is outstanding as well; clear, crisp, and static free.  Sound through the headphones is equally impressive.  

If you want a true 5.8GHz cordless phone that offers crystal clear sound, reliable performance, reasonable cost, and will not interfere with your existing 2.4GHz wireless network, look no further then the smooth, brushed silver lines of the Motorola MD-61 5.8GHZ Cordless Expansion Handset.