Telephone Reviews

I purchased a Siemens base phone and 5 cordless phones. Within 6 months 3 of the 5 phones had garbled transmissions which made them unusable. Siemens support says "too bad" we only service warranty items, just buy new phones. What crap! Horrible product from a company that is even worse.

This product has about everything you could ask for in a cordless phone, and more. The handset design is excellent. It is slim, light-weight, and has unbeatable range and clarity. The antenna is built-in instead of poking out the top. It's powered by 2 rechargeable AA NiCad or NiMh batteries. It comes with 2 NiCad which offers 36 hours Standby and 4 hours talk. I recommend the Eveready "double A" NiMh which offers at least 50% longer performance. Each charger has a separate compartment for charging two extra batteries. The handset, also, includes a headset jack, a very slender, detachable belt clip, and a four line, backlit, LCD display.

The base is a separate unit, which is the only device tethered to a phone jack. All handsets come with their own chargers, free of phone cords, and can be placed anywhere there's an electric outlet. The base will "register" up to eight handsets and manage calls between them ( intercom ), as well as incoming/outgoing calls for two separate phone lines, or any combination of intercom and outside calls for up to four handsets simultaneously.

Each handset has its own programmable feature configuration and security. The system, also, has programmable administrative features. Each handset has its own directory, up to 120 entries, and can send entries or the entire directory to other handsets.

Shortcomings: The "Hold" feature is, somewhat, iron fisted and merciless. Once a line is placed on hold, it can't be released by any other phone or handset except the handset which placed it on hold. Even after completing the call from another phone, the base will, still see the line as on hold until it is released using the handset which initiated it. This has caused some frustration and confusion during our period of adjustment. There was, also, another minor discrepancy between the user's manual and actual operation of the Line Auto Select feature.

Overall, the system out-looks, out-feels, and out-features most anything else on the market at a very competitive per-unit price. We use it at home along with several other corded and cordless phones more disposable priced for the kids. I'm quite pleased with it.

I have had my phone for about six months and I have been very satisfied with it. Sound quality is great. I like the intercom feature (I purchased four extra handsets) The phone is slim and light so while using the belt clip, I hardly notice it hanging there. It has a "keyboard protected" feature so if I bump the keys while carrying it on the belt clip, the phone doesn't react. Each line and intercom can be set to ring differently. The base is the only thing hooked to a phone jack (we stuck it under our bed) so the handsets take up little counter and desk space. It has a call transfer feature so if I'm in the basement and anwer a call that's for my wife, I can tranfer it to her handset. It also has a room moniter feature so I can place a handset near the baby while she is sleeping. If she makes noise, it will ring my handset and I can listen to what's going on. It has a headset jack on it that make long calls easy or easy to write while calling. Battery life isn't the best, but if I put it in the charger at night, I've never had a problem. It has no "page handset" button anywhere so if I misplace a handset I have to use the intercom from another handset (to ring thre lost handset) to find it. The only thing it doesn't have that I would really like is a battery backup power supply. Yes I'd definitly buy it again.

I ordered this phone as an extension for my base unit. I registered it and it worked fine for one day. The next day, all my phones were echoing and the new handset faded in and out and nobody could hear me on the new handset. I had to return it and deregister it, but my phones still haven't returned to the previous normal state. At this point, I don't know what to do.

I can't share enough of the positive things about this phone system. My husband and I are so pleased with it. Our favorite feature is the intercom system, which has been a lung-saver in our house --allowing us to just call each other rather than roam around the house and holler.

I find other comments about battery life unfounded, and wonder if these individuals had the phone on "booster" -- which, if you read the manual, will improve your signal but drain the battery quickly. I have yet to experience the need to put the phone on booster (and we live in a rural area), and have not had a battery run dead while talking. I usually recharge the phones every 2-3 days.

I also like the fact that the handset comes with a speaker phone. A great feature when trying to manage the kids, dinner and talk.

The ringer selections are great too -- providing a wide variety. (Finally a phone that doesn't jolt you out of a deep sleep!)

Program your phone numbers in one phone and press just a couple buttons to transfer that directory to another. No more searching for the address book!

Reception has been flawless. Operation and programing easy, easy, easy. This one is a must buy!

Like other reviews, I will complain that the battery life with the standard NiCad battery is not good, and the battery eventually fails prematurely. However, there are NiMh batteries with much better life and excellent performance available. I bought some energizer model no. ER-P511 and they work just great. They are drop-in replacements for the Panasonic handsets.

I've had this phone for almost a year. It was working fine but lately the number keys do not work. So I now have to replace it.

This phone was decent for about 10-12 months, then it started having all sorts of problems and now I'm looking for a new phone. It gets 2 stars b/c I really did like the features. Good display, decent looking. A bit bulky, but well placed buttons. They just need to work on the quality, I can't afford to buy a new phone every year.

For such a low price (less than 1/2 of similarly equipped phones), I've been very happy with my purchase. I use a headset (purchased separately) with if often - no problems thus far. The display is easy to read (scrolling through missed calls is handy as is the auto dial feature that redials the missed call) and I like seeing the red light when the phone rings...makes it easier to find! I've had no reception problems that weren't solved by simply changing the channel. All in all, I'm quite pleased with it and just bought it again (as a gift).

My employer purchased this phone for our salon. It began acting up about a week into owning it , and got so bad that we had to go back to our old phones within the month. It would constantly be "searching for channels" and would drop calls from clients! Unfortunately , she had thrown out the box, and we are stuck. I'll never buy this brand phone for myself, and I tell anyone I can to avoid it!

This is a great phone. It has excellent features (on paper), the range is very good, and the battery charge life is okay (could be better though) - why could they not provide Ni-Mn batteries like the additional handset come with ? Oh well...

The problem I have had - the Caller Id just says 'Incoming Call' 90 percent of the time. What use is that ? Don't we know that already ? I exchanged the phone for another unit - same problem.

Tried calling Panasonic's Customer support number for 4 days but I could not get anything but a busy tone. In the meantime, emailed them with my problem and my inability to reach the 'Customer Support' line. Reply comes back after 5 days - 'Call the Customer Support Line'. Guess noone bothers reading emails.

So finally manage to get through - and they say send it back to them. Have spent time and money (not to mention the headaches)on a phone that's over a 100 bucks, I'm still waiting for a response or a phone from Panasonic.

My advice - If you want to buy any Panasonic product, research the product (ask someone who HAS it). Then, buy it, preferably from a vendor where returns are easy and shipping free :), and forget that Panasonic HAS any customer service - either on the phone, or online.

Good Luck.

*****UPDATE****

After the replacement phone had the same problem, I got it re-replaced ;) and presto - same problem - intermittent caller id. I called Panasonic Customer Service to give them an earful - and finally got through to a rep who suggested that I try to change the setting for "Flash Time" (Page 61 in the User Manual) from 700 ms to a lower number. After changing it to 400 ms, I now seem to be getting the Caller Id All the Time.

Those of you who have this problem with Caller-Id saying "Incoming Call" please change this setting.

Hope that helped. Based on this I am changing my rating to 4 stars (even considering the battery life issue) :)

This phone is great (and NOTE: "THERE IS A MUTE BUTTON, IT'S A DIGITAL FUNCTION ON THE HANDSET" contrary to and earlier report)

It intergrates 2.4 GHz cordless phone technology with some of the convenient features of the cellular phone. With a 50 number directory and cell phone-like menu options, Panasonic has outdone this former Uniden customer.

There are 8 different types of handsets that can be registered with the main base with functions ranging from intercoms to alarm clocks Caller ID w/Call Waiting. It's redial memory exceeds the traditional 3 number memory. The previously mentioned 50 number directory stores phone numbers plus whatever extensions and add-on numbers you could ever have to dial (ie. codes, extension numbers, etc. I personally have nine digits to dial after having dialed 10 already). It has saved me soo much time.

It also comes in the savvy colors of silver and blue (two of my personal favorites). The phone not only looks good, it actually performs! Way better than the transparent promises of the Siemen's 4215 2.4 GHz model which I almost threw out of the window for the aggrevating clicking noises and non-functional handset capabilities!

Another bonus of the Panasonic is it's speaker phone capabilities on the base as well as the handset. The base also features 3 mailboxes and a fully functional keypad. This phone is too smart for it's good. I'll be checking out the comprable Uniden TRU-4485 soon. But for now, I'm in love with the Panasonic KX-TG2730S.

But don't take my word, go to Circuit City and LOOK at the phone. You'll never know fo you like a phone until you try it out and see if it has the features that will complement YOUR lifestyle. This one surely complements my busy lifestyle!

First of all, I couldn't even hear mine ringing. I set it up, called it from my cell, and could barely hear either the ring on the base unit or the handset.

My hearing is just fine, but the ring on this model is pathetically quiet. If you aren't physically in the same room with the phone, good luck hearing the little electronic bleeps that signal an incoming call.

Also, no matter what channel I set it on, mine had some static or "white noise" coming through the handset during a conversation. Not crystal clear, like you would expect from a 2.4 gig phone.

Finally, the handset isn't very big, and feels awkward in your hand. I got mine as a gift, and after a few days, exchanged it.

There are other phones in the price range, this one isn't a winner. Hope this helps.

This phone had all the right features that I was needing in a cordless phone with a digital answering machine. The sound clarity was clear and the volume on the handset is excellent. The backlit LCD display is handy when you have a call while you are asleep at night so as you can see who is calling you if you have caller ID service. I even tested this phone by turning on the microwave and standing right beside it while talking and there was no interference. I highly recommend this phone for it's quality and reasonable price.

I have had this phone for almost a year and I am very pleased with it. I have not had even one problem with it. Clear sounds, clear answering machine, no static problems, terrific all around.

Very disappointed with this phone - after about a month, the display died and only comes on once in a blue moon. So much for caller ID. Also, after about 6 months, the battery stopped holding a charge very long. I considered getting another expandable handset, but I ended up buying a different phone.

What will it take to get Panasonic's attention on the battery issue? I have been a happy and loyal Panasonic phone owner for almost 20 years. I have owned a number of answering machines and wireless phones and I have been extremely pleased with all Panasonic's products. So, I had no initial reluctance to purchasing this new phone system. It is full of features and represents the future of home phone systems. But, the battery is next to worthless. Believe ALL the reviews you have read about this product's poor battery life. And, believe that Panasonic is worthless at addressing the problem through any of their customer service venues. I have not tried the NiMH batteries yet. I paid enough for the phone that I expect it to work without me trying to make my own repairs. I feel that Panasonic should address this situation and work toward repairing a blatant inadequacy. But I am not holding my breath. And as the days continue to pass with no resolution from Panasonic, they are rapidly losing a loyal customer. So...BUYER BEWARE ON THIS PHONE!

Great $, Prompt delivery, and excellent product. Thank you!

DO NOT buy a refurbished set. Mine lasted just past the 90 day return policy and stopped working. Siemens are not interested in fixing it.

We've had the Gigaset 2420 with 3 wireless units for almost 3 years now. The battery life on the wireless hand sets has been terrible all along, and we've even tried changing the batteries. Now, one of the wireless base stations has starting to die on us. The conversation begins fine, and barely lasts for 20 seconds or so. The quality of voice starts to stutter and gets really..really choppy. Finally to the extent that one has to drop the call. Although its out of warranty, but for the of this system, one would not expect such a poor quality from such an expensive set. Our much inexpensive phones from other manufacturers are still working flawlessly.

I would NOT recommend this system to anyone.

AFTER TESTING EVEY SINGLE PHONE OUT ON THE MARKET FROM 900MHZ TO 2.4GHZ THIS PHONE STOOD OUT ON TOP. THIS PHONE IS LOADED WITH FEATUES AND VERY SLIM DESIGN I DON'T KNOW WHAT ELSE THEIR IS TO LOOK FOR. YOU GET A SLIM DESIGN PHONE WITH NO BULKY ANTENNA TO GET IN THE WAY. THE HAND SET CAN REACH UNBELIVABLE DISTANCES MUCH FATHER THEN THE NEW VTECH,SONY,UNIDEN AND ATTCORDLESS.SIEMENS IS THE LEADER IN COMMUNICATIONS AND THIS PHONE JUST SHOWS WHY. THE PRICE IS GREAT WITH ALL THE REBATES OFFERED. YOU CAN ALSO ADD EXTRA HANDSETS TO THIS UNIT FOR EVEN MORE FEATURES LIKE PAGE,INTERCOM,SEPERATE VOICE MAILBOXES PER HANDSET AND CALL TRANSFER. BOTTOM LINE IF YOUR LOOKING FOR A 2.4GHZ PHONE DON'T WASTE TIME LOOKING AROUND . I DID THIS FOR YOU ALREADY .BUY THIS PHONE YOU WILL BE VERY HAPPY. THE BAD: VERY SIMPLE LOOK TO THE BASE NOTHING FLASHY.

The battery life seemed to be pretty good. You could hear it ring pretty clearly. The answering machine speaker is not very clear. When using the handset we would always hear a clicking noise. When we would call people they say they hear an echo. We are going to buy a new phone and you can be asured it will NOT be a GE phone,

I have had this phone for 1 year now. It works exremely well most of the time. The clarity is good particularly with the answering machine. Clearest and most natural I've ever had.
I have found the range outstanding!! I have walked several hundred yards away from the base with a slight diminishing of volume before it shuts off.
The quirks... I feel that the change channel button is strictly for looks. When I do get interference (about once a month... and it is very bad when this happens.. I get the lady from upstairs' phone cutting in and I hear very clearly her conversation. We do not have the same brand of phone...) The only thing that works is putting the phone back on the base to re-set it's self.
Also at times the handset volume seems to diminish somewhat. AND the answering machine volume seems to reset it self to low magically at times and I have to change it to higher. All that said... Great phone great price.. don't want these annoyances? spend another 50 bucks. But who is to say that the extra price will wield a less quirky phone?
Bottom line. It works EXTREMELY well... usually.

Sound quality on both ends is excellent and there's no annoying voice echoing when speaking into the phone, unlike the majority of DSS phones. It's not true 2.4GHz, and I never expected it to compete with the range of the DSS phones, but it holds its own and still provides noticeably better interference-free range than my 900MHz VTECH, which is what I was looking for. Whether calls are local or long distance, there's no hissing or background noise, just quiet, clear reception. I start to get very slight interference when I'm in the back yard with our metal construction sunroom between me and the base, but that's typical of any cordless. I have to go into our neighbor's yard before interference gets more noticeable and even then, it isn't bad and never degrades the conversation.

The design is comfortable, and using the GE for a 2-hr conversation today was a pleasure. My only real complaint is that the function buttons are small and poorly labeled, so you have to learn where they are and know where you're going. This is insignificant considering the overall performance. Also, for the price, I can't complain about a lack of features, and has everything I need, including a mute button and headset jack.

Bottom line is this phone works well for my needs and is inexpensive. Hopefully, it'll last a while.

This phone is just awful. The buttons stick, the volume is low you can barely hear the party on the other line. DO NOT BUY THIS PHONE!! It is a waste of money!

I bought this phone about 18 months ago, and have not been happy with it from the beginning. I thought I just needed to get "adjusted" to it...no!
NOW, the buttons are "broken"......you have to pound on ALL of them to get them to work. I live alone, so it's not like there is a rough-and-tumble bunch of kids using it.
Also, the answering system is below quality, and when you are receiving another call, the call-waiting buzz/beep is WAY too long.
Overall, a very, very disappointing purchase. I am now in the process of looking for a replacement.
DON'T buy this phone

We bought this phone a few weeks ago, and I wanted to try it out a bit before writing a review. I should mention that the major reason we bought it was because Consumer Reports called it the best value in 2.4Ghz phones. I'm quite pleased with every aspect of the phone, especially the answering system, the "look and feel," and the quality of the features (ex. handset volume is adjustable to 5 levels, crystal clear sound on answering system greeting and messages, caller ID is advanced while also being simple to use). Of course, the most important issue with a cordless phone is reception, and on this, the GE phone comes up a bit short. It's true that if you stay near the base, you get great sound. But if you wander a bit, you begin to hear the occasional click and hiss. One more thing, the 2.4 GHz is almost *too* strong. It sometimes picks up conversations coming from other cordless phones in the area. We live in a large apt. building, so it happens more than it would if you're living in a single family. A quick channel change usually clears up that problem, but it's still annoying when it happens. Despite these minor issues, the phone is a keeper.