Amazon.com Review

The IBM 4900 four-line cordless phone offers DSS clarity and range,caller ID, and support for phone systems that handle up to 12 extensions, makingit ideal for a small-office environment. It also functions well as a stand-alonesingle unit.

Unlike systems in which a dedicated base station and extensionhandsets are packaged and sold separately (such as Brother's CTS-400 cordlessphone system), the IBM 4900 is geared to function more as a stand-alone cordlessphone, and it does indeed work well as a single unit. The IBM 4900 alsointerfaces with phone systems that have up to 12 extensions. The emphasis onsingle-unit design has, however, resulted in reduced range and less line-of- sight coverage compared to systems with a dedicated base station and multipleextension handsets. Nevertheless, in our tests, we found the coverage adequatefor most office environments.

The IBM 4900 features a 24-number speed dialmemory, as well as a caller ID display. Such features as 12 one-touch intercombuttons and call privacy will please small-business employees. Our onlycomplaint was with the absence of a fast-charging feature, as the ni-cad batteryrequires more than three hours to charge.

With its digital spread spectrumtechnology, caller ID, and support for larger phone systems, the IBM 4900 four- line cordless phone should satisfy the general telephone needs of your home orsmall but growing office. --John Frederick Moore

Pros:

• Good overall performance as a stand-alone unit
• One-touch intercom buttons

Cons:

• No fast-charging feature
• Reduced line-of-sight coverage in multistation environments

Features

• Lightweight headset included for hands-free operation
• 4-line 900 MHz digital cordless phone
• Caller ID on all 4 lines
• Works in phone systems with up to 12 extensions
• 2-line LCD display

Reviews (6)

Horrible phone
I have this phone and have purchased about 8 of the corded version (IBM 412CID) over time as one by one they have failed.Here are the problems:

(1) After about a year, buttons -- like "hold", "line 1", etc. --start to go dead on the phone.

(2) There is something strange about the electronics because occasionally, for no apparent reason, the telephone will pick up on speakerphone, so that you find a dialtone blaring into an empty room.

(3) Sometimes the cordless version will insist it has a low battery even though the battery is fully charged.There is an arcane procedure in the manual to fix this.(This may account for the other reviewers' comment about dead batteries.)

(4) Generally, it is very hard to use and program.You have to punch in an amazing number of codes to do simple things like changing the ringer.

(5) The phone is stupid about basic things link disconnecting if you hang up -- you have to push "End" or it stays connected even on the cradle, and if you put someone on hold and pick up in another room, the original phone will keep ringing to remind you that someone was once on hold.

Where are the phones designed for 4 line home offices?
I've read all five reviews.I've been looking for a well designed, affordable and reliable 4 line phone for over a year!I think I'm going to pass on the IBM 900 MHz Cordless, not only because of the problems identified but also because I, like some other reviewers, already have one four line phone (purchased as a make do strategy until I could find a phone more to my liking).I'm struck by the lack of variety and the extremely small number of manufacturers that offer 4 line cordless phones. I also find it amazing that features I've come to take for granted on l and 2 line phones (lighted displays, blinking lines, etc., seem to be lacking on the few 4 line cordless I've reviewed.If anyone knows of other brands, please let us know.

Battery problems
I ordered one through Amazon.com, but when I received it I couldn't charge the battery (left it there for 15 hours). Then I returned it and asked for another one. Amazon.com was nice enough to send me another one 2nd day delivery at no charge, but UPS was not good enough and delivered the item to me after 7 working days!!! The new one has exactly the same problem. The handset is DEAD. The battery is not charging at all and it seems this IBM-4900 caused me enough problems to the point where I think I will return this one; go to an electronic shop and will pay double but I WONN'T BUY IBM again!!!

Can't tell which line is ringing on handset
I just discovered a big problem for me, after having the phone company come and install more jacks for this phone.I had two 4 line IBM-412CD phones, and encountered the same problem as the last reviewer... if you picked up on a line, using another make of phone, your main/base phone would keep reminding you that it was on hold, even if the call had gone away from the other phone.Now that I have the cordless IBM, I can't tell what line is ringing... there are no indicator lights on the handset to tell me.I answer some lines one way (business) and others just "hello" (home line) and now I don't know how to answer the phone when the handset rings and I'm not near the base phone to see.Really irritating, and I'm stuck, since these phones are not compatible with other makes.Thanks, IBM.(not)

No luck with headset; phone not compatible with other mfgrs.
I purchased this phone to use it with a headset.But when I walk around the house, the party I'm talking to always hears some sort of noise due to the phone or headset chord rubbing agains this or that.Maybe I had a bum headset or phone.But the clincher for me was this phone is not compatible with other mfgrs.I have some phones mfgrd by VTech & daily heard random ringings & beeps from the IBM phone.I called the mfgr (TT Systems or something like that is the mfgr, IBM is just the name on the phone), TT said this 4-line phone can not be mixed and matched with other mfgrs. Well, I don't want to toss out my existing V-Tech phones.So I'm getting (2) additional V-Tech phones for my home office.My situation is I have 2 lines for work & 2 lines for home; and want all 4 lines in my office.By the way if you want a chordless phone with headset I definitely recommend looking at V-Tech, we've had 2 of their phones and their the best chordless I've found.Other than that the IBM is loaded with features (4 line, speakerphone, DND, Caller ID, Mute, Redial, Transfer, Paging, Conference, Intercom, mute) that V Tech didn't offer.If you are in a position to use one mfgr for all your phones; and if the chordless headset problems are just a fluke; or you don't want a headset; I would recommend considering the IBM. Also for Telecom novices like me, if you call the phone company to do the wiring, there are 3 jacks in this phone, L1/L2, L3/L4, and Data.So in my home office the phone company set up 2 wall jacks, L1/L2, and L3/L4...I think the wall jacks called RJ14 wall jacks instead of the standard RJ11. ... Read more

Amazon.com Product Description

Northwest Bell's 36247 cordless operates at 2.4 GHz for clearer conversations than older phones operating on lower bands could provide. A 40-channel auto-scan ensures crisp reception on the channel with the least interference.

For those who subscribe to the Caller ID service, offered by most local carriers, the phone's handset offers a two-line LCD. Forty names and numbers can be stored in the headset, and there's a new call indicator to let you know when you've missed a call.

The 36247 also offers a 10-number memory for frequently dialed friends, as well as redial, mute, volume control, and hearing aid compatibility. A belt clip is built into the handset. The stylized charging cradle makes a bold fashion statement. Additional features include handset page and both charge and in-use indicator lights. ... Read more

Features

• Page/handset locator
• Hearing aid compatible
• 2.4 GHz cordless phone with caller ID
• 20-number speed-dial memory with last number redial
• 40-channel auto-scan ensures clarity

Reviews (3)

LOUSY PHONE
Good Price with a nice package, but very poor quality sound. We purchased 2 of these phones...both had echo, and low sound quality.We could not even have a conversation with the other party.Both are being returned!!

Northwestern Bell 36247
The backlit display did not work nor did the memory call feature. The memory would store numbers but would not dial the numbers. The buttons and steps to use other features were somewhat awkward in sequence. I returned the unit to Amazon as I found it very inferior.

Comfortable, but noisy with voice echo
According to people I called with this phone, voice quality was very good on their end, and the received voice quality on my end was also good. The handset is comfortable to hold and the earpiece is easy on the ear, but from there it was downhill. Like many other cordless phones, the 36247 exhibited strong voice echoing when speaking into the phone, which as you all know is very annoying. After walking only a short distance outside away from the house, I got a lot of static and interference, breaking up conversations. I have a 2-yr old VTECH 9111 900MHz analog that provides much better quality performance. I didn't get a chance to use the CID or any other functions because the phone was immediately returned. ... Read more

Product Description

Panasonic's vision of the digital future is driven by the needs and aspirations of its business customers and millions of consumers around the world who use Panasonic products every day. Panasonic shares their dream to live a fuller life by providing ways of working smarter and enjoying the rewards of technological advances.Panasonic KX-TC1890 brings outstanding 2-line cordless operation to your home or office. Featuring SST technology the phone provides extra long range and voice clarity; its All-Digital answering system is capable of handling your incoming calls when you are away. The simultaneous Base/Handset calling lets you use the handset and the base on two different lines for two separate phone calls. With tons of other useful features the Panasonic KX-TC1890 is your versatile partner in all your communications! ... Read more

Features

• 2 lines, dual keypads, and simultaneous base/handset calling
• Caller ID/call waiting with 50-call history
• 900 MHz digital spread spectrum technology
• Digital answering machine with 15-minute recording time
• Digital duplex speakerphone

Reviews (18)

Nothing but problems, No more Panasonic at home.
I have had such a horrible experience with this Panasonic phone I REFUSE to buy another telephone made by Panasonic. "Dropout King" is right, if you want your conversations interupted with faulty equipment use this phone. The buttons on the handset fail with use. Calling long distance is hard when the "1" button does not work. The answering machine is difficult, if not impossible to use with no backlight to the number of messages and having to reverse your way thru older messages. Finally, the base has given up charging the handset, so our phone is dead...

Disappointing
The features are okay, but it suffers from two main performance problems:

--Volume is too low on the caller's side, and there's no way to improve it. They simply have a hard time hearing you.

--Range is poor, compared to other 900mhz digitals, and it suffers from dropout, up to a second or two, even when close to the basestation.

No more Panasonic at home
I've had in the past excelent experience with my Panasonic cordless phones, but not this time. I payed the price of this...phone because of the quality I expected, but PLEASE, dont make the same mistake, this phone has very poor quality.

For a few weeks everything was ok, now, the second line has no audio, line one, can suddenly hang up, and the dialing pad dials several numbers at the same touch...

Do not buy this phone
I have had this phone for 1 1/2 years. I have to replace it.It has always been a disappointment to me.The dial pad on the phone does not work now. Many of the numbers stick when dialing. I can't stand it anymore and am throwing it in the trash.No more Panasonic for me. Don't buy it.

disappointing for the money
I got this phone a year and a half ago and have never been satisfied for what it costs.At first it just bothered me that you could hang up on someone ifyou held the phone by the caller ID.Then a few monts ago the #4 would not work.The only way for it to work was to press very hard and then it would come out twice.Now most of the keypad does not work right but the most annoying one is the talk button.I have to use a pen and push as hard as I can just to turn it off.Do not buy this phone it is a waste and customer service did not care either. ... Read more

Product Description

XACT Communication is the brand that represents a life redesigned by technology; a life not only on the move, but one that is enhanced by freedom of mobility.PRODUCT FEATURES: 2.4 GHz Digital Spread Spectrum; 77 Channel Auto-Hop; 40 Name/Number Personal Directory; 50 Name and Number Caller ID Memory; Caller ID on Call Waiting. ... Read more

Features

• 2.4 GHz Digital Spread Spectrum technology for amazing range and audio fidelity
• Expandable Multi-Handset Design -- Supports up to 9 Total Handsets -- Includes 2 Handsets with Charger Bases
• Integrated 20 Minute Digital Answering Machine with 4 Mailboxes, Memo Recording, 2 digit message counter & more
• 77 Channels with Auto-Hop Function
• 40 Name / Number Personal Directory

Reviews (2)

Useless
I bought these for my office use. It is a nice looking handset (plasticky feel though). The positives stop there.

You hear a TINNY voice on either side. All my colleagues and friends who have spoken to me has mentioned this when I talk over this phone.

The user interface is terrible. It is extremely cumbersome to even change the date and time on this set.

Stay away from this piece of junk if possible. If you got this as a gift... stay away from the person who gave it you ;-)

Miniature Phones
The phones are really small, almost cell phone sized.This makes a conversation of any length impossible.
Everytime we have a power outage, the remote phones have to be re-linked to the base unit.This is really bad if the power went out while you were away and now you are trying to answer a phone that doesn't work.

I shelved these, and bought something better. ... Read more

Amazon.com Product Description

This two-line cordless telephone from AT&T offers 900 MHz digital technology for highly secure, long-range transmission. With an integrated digital answering system, this phone is a good choice for your home office or business.

The 9452 features a variety of functions, including support for caller ID for call waiting, two-way intercom between the handset and speakerphone, and three-party conference calling. An integrated data port in the base connects your fax or modem for instant access to an available line.

The digital answering system records up to 15 minutes of messages into three mailboxes for fast, tapeless messaging that can be instantly played back, saved, scanned, or deleted. Announce-only can be turned on to leave an outgoing message without recording, perfect for after-hours messages.

The handset includes a backlit LCD with caller ID. The last 20 calls are stored in memory for quick display, and up to 50 numbers can be stored for easy access to your friends, family, and other favorite numbers.

Hands-free use is promoted with support for headsets and a speakerphone in the base. ... Read more

Features

• 15-minute digital record time
• Digital 900 MHz technology
• Higher security, clarity, and signal range than analog 900 MHz
• Supports 3-party conference calling
• 2-line speakerphone

Reviews (4)

Buy something else
1. This machine had the worst manual I've ever seen. Even setting the clock required digging in the back of the book somewhere instead of being in the setup section. Did not explain functions clearly or completely.

2. A battery backup would probably be more worthwhile than than the handset spare battery charger feature. Every time the power glitches here (frequently) it loses its settings. Haven't had it working long enough to tell whether it loses its messages when this happens, but I suppose it does. The manual doesn't say one way or the other.

3. Mine (1 wk old) has started talking Mickey Mouse and I can't understand what it's saying when selecting functions any more.

Overall I am totally disillusioned this AT&T product and I certainly would NOT recommend it to anyone.

Broke within 1 Year
This phone started out great.Then within 1 year the answering machine started cutting off incoming messages or not recording them at all.Also, the phone no longer connects correctly with the base so it is difficult to get it to charge.Not a happy customer.

Seriously lacking 2-line features
Beware if you are thinking of buying this phone: there is only one outgoing message, and the answering machine does not distinguish at all between the two lines. So you cannot disable answering on one of the lines or have one line automatically routed to a different mailbox. In my opinion that makes this phone useless for a two-line home or office.

Great Phone!
I reccommend this phone to anyone who wishes to purchase it.The look really makes this phone a great addition to any family room or somewhere it can stand out.The features are also really nice! ... Read more

Product Description

Uniden is creating a World Without Wires. Which means the company is building products that give its customers more freedom to enjoy life, solve problems and always stay connected with others. From cordless phones to two-way radios to radar detectors, Uniden makes electronic wonders an everyday occurrence. As one of the world's largest manufacturers of cordless phones and consumer communications devices, chances are there's a Uniden product that's already making things more convenient in and around your home.Uniden TRU4465-2 phone features a 2.4 GHz Digital Spread Spectrum technology, a complete dual handset system; supports Caller ID/Call Waiting, handset-to-handset call transfer as well as the One Touch RocketDial feature. ... Read more

Features

• 2.4 GHz digital spread spectrum technology
• Caller ID with call waiting capability, voicemail indicator
• Expanded system in the box, additional handset included
• Speakerphone, 1-touch Rocketdial, phone book memory
• 1-touch Rocketdial, phone book memory

Reviews (8)

Breaks easily and the WORST customer service
Had to send the base unit back TWICE due to it not charging the handset. Was able to send it back after many, many phone calls and explanations to the rep. Have had this phone for less than one year and already hate it for it's unreliability and lack of functions.

WORST customer service I've ever encountered. Well, except for Dell, but that's another review.

I recommend the Panasonic MultiTalk. It costs a little more but worth it.

using it as a speakerphone didn't work
The handsets for this worked great but the mic for the speakerphone was under the machine so to get it to pick up my voice at all I had to lift it up and talk into it.Since this kind of defeats the purpose of a speakerphone, I had to return it.I'm bummed - it worked great otherwise.

Still The Best After A Year
I have been using this product for about a year now (since April 2003) and it is literally the happiest I have ever been with a retail cordless phone system. I telecommute and I am on the phone constantly with work and clients, to say nothing of family and friends. Despite 5+ hours a day of talk time, these phones never seem to lose their charge or their clarity. The only problem I have with clarity is if someone is running the microwave oven, otherwise the connection is always crisp. The separate stored numbers allow me to have one phone with all my personal information on it, and my roommate to have a separate one. Other reviewers have cited this as a flaw, but anyone living with a teenager or roommate will see it as a blessing. Others have stated that it's a flaw that both phones cannot be on at the same time. As a telecommuter I am grateful for this feature; when I am on a business call there are no unprofessional interruptions made by someone in another part of the house accidentally picking up the phone to make a call while I am speaking on the other handset. The additional handset plugs into a regular outlet - so it provides a great way to have a phone in a room where there isn't a phone jack. The only reason I might have given this a 4 ½ star had it been an option would have been the following reasons:

1. I have a minor hearing problem and I'm sensitive to volume levels. The loudest setting of this phone is what is closer to the medium setting of most other phones. I would like to see a future model offer one or two more amplified levels of volume. The clarity of this phone, however, lets it get away with this much more than the average phone could.

2. I have not, as of yet, found a headset that works well with this phone. This makes it mildly inconvenient for telecommuters like myself. Playtronics headsets work okay, but it's not a stellar match-up. The saving grace is that the speakerphone is very clear, but many clients don't like being on speaker phones.

Overall I am very happy with this little system and have not encountered any concerns in performance or usability over the course of a year. Some of the buttons are small, but in a month or so of using the phone, your hands will instinctively find the right spots, and it's worth it to have an overall compact phone that maintains clarity.

good
This is a great phone, especially if used across 2 floors.The base unit in the basement can easily be used with the handset unit placed in the upstairs.Calls are clear, but sometimes there is a "tunneling" effect, which is hardly noticible.the costomizable features of this phone are great, along with the phone book, caller id featers etc.buy it if you're looking for a phone that can be placed elsewhere in the house where a phone jack is unavailable!

Very pleased with my purchase!
I have been "unofficially" shopping for a phone set like this for over a year, but when one of my cheap corded phones broke last week, I decided it was time - a Christmas present for myself if you will.The price is great, and Uniden is a good name in cordless phones - how could I pass this up?

The phone(s) arrived the day after the email alerting me it had been shipped!It is an attractive set, not big, bulky or obtrusive.The handset is fine by me, but I do agree with the END button - the only way I knew how this worked was that a friend of mine has a much older version of this phone.Otherwise I am pleased as punch - Amazon does it again! ... Read more

Amazon.com Review

If you're looking for a telephone that does it all for a reasonable price, the AT&T 9370 is tough to top. The 900 MHz cordless device combines a digital answering machine and speakerphone in the base, and has a LCD screen on the handset that displays numbers and caller ID information. It takes a little time to program the handset and learn the handset's many features, but the reward is having a telephone that puts all the features anyone would need in the palm of your hand.

Using a few simple menu buttons on the handset, it's possible to recall a number from the unit's memory, redial a previous number, put callers on hold, and access other features. A dedicated answering-machine button let us retrieve our messages straight from the handset, and there was even a jack on the side where a headset can be attached for hands-free operation. Sound quality isn't stellar, but it's comparable to that of similarly-priced 900 MHz phones, and the handset is light, has a short antenna, and is comfortable during use.

The base unit can be mounted either vertically or horizontally and has a complete numeric keypad to use with the speakerphone. The digital answering machine can be split into two separate mailboxes for use as a basic messaging center. We really liked the talking caller-ID feature that let us record names and assign them to certain numbers, making it possible to know if someone important was calling without having to fumble for the handset. It's also is possible to record different answering-machine greetings and assign them to callers, making this unit a sensible choice for home office users who can keep their business calls separate from personal calls.

The fact that the base unit has no LCD for caller-ID information was about the only fault we could find with this phone. It's a terrific deal for anyone in the market for a telephone and answering machine unit who doesn't need the digital security features that digital 900 MHz handsets provide. --T. Byrl Baker

Pros:

• Great design
• 2 answering-machine mailboxes

Cons:

• No digital security
• Takes some time to set up and learn

Features

• 900 MHz cordless phone system
• Scrolling LCD can display up to 99 names and numbers
• Digital integrated answering machine
• 2 independent voice mail boxes
• Caller ID with call waiting

Reviews (23)

Worthless piece of junk
Had this phone sent to my parents for Christmas. It has never worked right and am getting no satisfaction from trying to contact seller.

Not recommended
I've had this phone for about 2 years and I already need a replacement. The reception is to the point where no one can hear me when I speak. I'm constantly being asked "What's wrong with your phone"? If you're going to shell out a decent amount of money for a phone, then it should have a longer shelf life than 2 years. I'm relunctant to ever by a AT & T phone again. Think twice before buying this!!

These reviews are hilarious!
I have owned this phone for about 14 months.I have had static, inability to leave the immediate vicinity of the base unit, etc.Recently, the battery life has shortened so much that the phone is useless for more than 5 minutes.So, after running to grab my other phone on a conversation tonight, I thought I'd go on line and order a replacement battery.But after laughing to the point of crying over some of these reviews (love those people who are slamming their phones to get them to work) I think I will just get a new phone, before my answering machine starts blurting at me in the middle of the night!

Worst & Most Junk Phone
I had this phone from last 1year almost. Poor voice quality & sometimes it refuses to connect to the base. It works only up to 20 meters from base & drops the call. Speaker phone is good and I get the nice quality in voice. I think the problem is only with the 900MHz Air interface. We are getting problem with the battery. Battery is getting last for only 5 minutes & doesn't get charge at all. Memory storage and Base access user interface is not that user friendly.

Doesn't Quite Work Right
The entire set worked well except for one thing -- the handset just stopped working one day.I finally replaced the battery, which was inconveniently only available from AT&T through mail.The other thing I didn't like is that when you have a message, it beeps loudly until you check the message.That's annoying when you're sleeping in the morning, and it's loud enough that I wonder whether the neighbors hear it.Sometimes the handset also gets pretty hot on its own.Aside from all this, the other functions are pretty neat. ... Read more

Amazon.com Product Description

The Siemens Gigaset 2402 2.4 GHz cordless phone is an expandable cordless phone system designed to meet the needs of a busy home or small office. With 2.4 GHz operation and ADPCM digital voice encoding, this phone provides clear reception. Frequency-hopping spread spectrum technology ensures that your calls are secure from eavesdropping, by randomly changing the frequency at which the signal is transmitted over 100 times per second.

The basic system includes a two-line desk and wall-mountable compact base unit, cordless handset, handset charger, cords, batteries, and manuals. The handset is slim, lightweight, and allows you to use it as an intercom with other handsets. It has an internal antenna, a backlit graphical display for caller ID information, and a headset jack. Along with the caller ID information, the base stores a 120-entry call directory; both are accessible from the handset (or from optional additional handsets). The desk- and wall-mountable charger includes LED indicators, charges a spare set of ni-cad or NiMH AA rechargeable batteries in a separate compartment, and recharges the handset.

The Siemens Gigaset 2402 2.4 GHz cordless phone can work with up to eight handsets (Siemens model 2400). Each cordless handset offers its own extension number and programmable ringing tones. You can program handsets to use line one, two, or both; and they support conference calls, call transfer, intercom, and page features. You can use up to four of the eight handsets at the same time, and it's possible to have up to three separate simultaneous conversations. This phone lets you call outside parties, make internal handset-to-handset calls, and page. ... Read more

Features

• Call transfer, conference, consultation, intercom, and room monitor
• 2.4 GHz digital spread spectrum operation (base and handset)
• Supports up to 8 cordless handsets
• Caller ID/call waiting
• 2-line capacity

Reviews (54)

What Absolute Garbage
I purchased a Siemens Gigaset 2.4 GHz Phone for about $279 + tax expecting a quality product, and was perplexed when I repeatedly faded out when talking.The callers could not hear me but I could hear them.This made the phone unusable.So I returned the phone to the dealer and got another identical unit that had exactly the same problem.I was convinced on the phone by Siemens tech support that there must be problem with the wiring in my house - even though I am an electrical engineer and should have known better.I later found that the phone did not work at another location, and thus that the problem was with the two shoddily designed Siemens phones all along.Siemens was unresponsive to my complaints.What absolute garbage.I will NEVER purchase another Siemens product.

What a pity!
The Siemens system is designed very straightforwardly, solid, and works amazingly well - if it works.

We have had two handsets in this series, and both of them occasionally have one-way communication problems: you can hear the other end just fine, but they can only hear every second word. Apparently, you don't fade out, you just drop out.

I called Siemens and was lucky that the phone failed during the service call. To add insult to injury, they were annoyed with me and told me to use another phone. Their service is hopeless.

What a pity, this could be a great phone system! I wonder if the 5.8 GHz systems are
any better.

Seimens Gigaset 2402 is Total crap!
I've had this phone for two years. Since day one I have had trouble with the audio "warbling" on both receive and transmit making it it nearly impossible to understand the caller. I have had Seimens replace both the base and the handset twice (I had to forcefully press them them to exchange anything). The problem seems inherent in this phone's design. The unit is not near any microwave or any other transmitter. I can stand 2 feet from the base and the problem persists. Strangely, when I slap the handset in my palm sharply the sound clears up for a few seconds.

Seimens support is as terrible as the phone. They refused to refund my money after swapping out the entire phone twice. So I am forced to live with a $300 phone that drives my wife crazy.

I will never buy any product made by Seimens again.

junk
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.

Siemens 2400,2402,2415,2420 2.4 GHz Two-Line Gigaset Repair
The Siemens 2400 series Gigaset system is a fine system to use for small businesses, home offices, and I use it so the I can move around my ranch, and always be in communication with the house and the outside world.

Unfortunately, each handset and base have an inherent problem that causes audio problems where the recieve and transmit are garbled and make a sound that has been described as warbling or fading in and out.

These defects can be corrected by sending your unit to Barclay Enterprises Inc. 2275 LaCrosse Ave. Suite 201 in Colton, California 92324, and they will refurbish and upgrade your units for less than the replacement costs.

A few units do end up being "uneconomical for repair" due to some defects and Siemens inability to provide a distribution path for replacement parts.

Nevertheless, Barclay can also provides an exchange program so if the worse case scenerio arises where your unit cannot be repaired, they can provide a replacement for a nomiminal surcharge.

Your Siemens 2400 gigaset should last many years if you protect it from the environment and physical damage. But if a defect should arise with your 2400 handset or any of the base units, these guys can take care of you. ... Read more

Product Description

Panasonic KXTG2247s 2.4Ghz GigaRange Digital Cordless Answering System USA ... Read more

Features

• 2.4 GHz digital operation
• 39-channel auto-scan
• Integrated digital answering machine
• Caller ID call waiting compatible
• Speakerphone; wall mountable

Reviews (19)

Thank you Jon Scott!!
After dealing with panasonic for over a year regarding the short battery life (1 hour at most) I have finally gotten somewhere thanks to Jon's review.I wrote to panasonic after my friend returned her phone to them and it was repaired.I asked them if knew they about the problem with this phone, why weren't they letting people know?They refused to provide any help and said if I was still in warrantly I could return it.Otherwise, I was out of luck.Panasonic was certainly aware of the problem with this phone, but clearly refused to publicly accept responsiblity or issue a recall.Thankfully, with a post it note, I have been able to solve the battery problem that has been plaguing me since I purchased this phone.If you own this phone, try Jon's suggestion it works!

Piece of crap
Problems I have had with this phone:

Display on the phone randomly stops working and I either have to take out and replace the battery (which then results in a drained charge) or keep replacing on the charger until it come back. Either way it's a huge inconvenience.

Reception is unpredictable at best. Sometimes it comes in great and sometimes it comes in lousy... kind of something I would expect in a cordless, although with a 2.4ghz I expected better... but really it doesn't seem like the cordless technology has made any leaps and bounds in the last 10+ years.

If I place it on the table in speaker mode and don't place extremely gentle the phone shuts off.

Features are ok.... it's kind of a pain to delete calls in the caller ID.

Not the best phone I coudl have spent the money on. Now that I have had it a while I wish I had done a little more research, since this was an impulse buy.

Stay away from this thing...

It's a turd
Like every one else says, it won't hold a charge at all. It also has problems answering while it's ringing. Additionally calls are filled with static when near a microwave.

will not hold charge
This phone has some greate features. The only problem is that you cannot make use of them if the phone does not work. This phone will not hold charge. I leave it in the charger all night, make one 15 minute call and then it either just dies or the battery shows that there is no charge left, and this is with a new battery. The other thing that I noticed while troubleshoting is that if you remove a fully charged battery, and then place it back in to the phone... it shows as almost completely empty.... like I said it would be a great phone, but there is something very wrong with this design.

Excellent Phone
This is an excellent phone, all the features are easy to use, and the nicest one, Caller IQ, allows you to download the weather and stock info and the winning lottery numbers right onto your phone.

I have had this phone for many months now, and have not encountered a single problem. Setup is simple, along with everything else. This is a great phone for someone who wants something easy to use with lots of features. ... Read more

Amazon.com Product Description

This refurbished Sony SPP-A2720 cordless phone offers a great set of calling features at a value price. 2.4 GHz digital spread spectrum technology ensures that calls are clear and secure, while caller ID lets you know who's calling by displaying information on the handset's 3-line backlit LCD.

The SPP-A2720 can be expanded to accommodate up to three additional handsets (for a total of four), making it perfect for just about any busy household. You can transfer calls between handsets and even use them as an intercom around the house. Additional handsets must be purchased separately.

Additional features include a programmable dialing directory, last number redial, and switchable tone/pulse dialing.

What's in the Box
Sony SPP-A2720 base unit and one cordless handset, AC power adapter, phone line cord, battery, user's guide, warranty information ... Read more

Features

• Reconditioned to operate as if it were new
• 2.4 GHz digital spread spectrum signal
• Expandable to 4 cordless handsets, 1 included
• Backlit LCD, illuminated keypad
• Stylish, modern design

Reviews (8)

jog wheel device
My problem with this phone is that I cannot dial a sequence
of numbers by hitting a sequence of memory buttons. Therefore I cannot conveniently use it with my very inexpensive long distance service, which involves first dialing an 800 number, then dialing a password number, then dialing the number to be called. Other than this, which was the reason I bought the phone, it seems fine.

Sony 2.4GHz for a college student
Yesterday I purchased Sony's SPP-S2720 (Quadra Station 2.4) cordless phone with an additional handset.I am a student at McGill University in Montreal; I live in a sky-rise and I have been having trouble all year long finding a clear, non-static, non-interference cordless telephone.I started out with a Bellsouth phone that was broke before I even took it out of the box (which the company refused to fix -- never again will I even consider Bellsouth for a product brand), then I had this cheap V-tech 900 MHz cordless (terrible, terrible, I hear more outside noise and interference than an actual voice) and then I tried an older Sony 900 MHz.It got to the point where I used my cell phone in my flat instead of my normal telephone because I was getting better reception with the cell.HOWEVER, my new telephone is ABSOLUTELY WONDERFUL and worth every single penny (this telephone is a bit pricier than most).I love all of the features, it is simple to use and it has amazingly clear reception.I have been testing it out all day to try to pinpoint and target flaws (I am a very skeptical consumer) and I cannot find one.I have not picked up a conversation from any other residents in my building while using it. The phone consistently functions up to par -- I have even tried using it around the microwave, television, etc. (appliances that are supposed to cause interference) and the reception & quality of sound remain excellent.As far as programming goes, the telephone is very user-friendly (I happen to be quasi-computer illiterate; thus, I need things to be fairly simple and explanatory).The telephone is also durable (did I mention that I drop things a lot?).

In sum, the quality of this telephone is EXCELLENT!I have been through 3 telephones this year, spending over [price] only to be disappointed.So this time around I did my research and really shopped around.I am completely satisfied with my purchase.I use my telephone a lot -- To register for classes, to call up professors, to talk to my friends & family back home in the States, to check voicemail, coordinating & scheduling various events for the extracurriculars and councils that I sit on, etc. so I need a reliable phone that will not hinder what I need to accomplish...There is nothing more agitating and annoying then saying, "Hold on, let me change channels" at least 20 times per conversation or "Can you hear me?Do you hear the echo?Is that another conversation?" or "Bad connection, can I call back?" -- I am very pleased with this telephone...It's efficiency, easy access, convenience, reliability and sound quality are stellar!

Stands out from the crowd of me-too products
PRO: DSSS, design, quality, sound, range, ease-of-use, flexibility, lighted display-keypad, handset remote, battery life

CON: No conferencing

Key Features:

* High Power Digital 2.4 GHz Direct Sequence Spread Spectrum
* Multi-Handset Capability (Up To 4 Handsets)
* Caller ID With Call Waiting With 70-Number Memory
* Center Jog Dial Control With 50-Number Dialing Directory
* Walkie Talkie Function
* EZ Access Button
* Three-Line Backlit LCD On Handset
* Lighted Display & Keypad
* Call Transfer
* Memory match ringing
* Hold

A sad but little known fact is that apparent diversity of consumer product offerings is often just branding of a relatively small number of real choices. Multi-handset 2.4 GHz cordless phones are no exception. If you look closely, you'll see that most of the current offerings: have identical (or nearly identical) feature sets; are based on FHSS (frequency hopping spread spectrum, also known as FH DSS, or frequency hopping digital spread spectrum); and are built in China. These products (e.g., Panasonic KX-TG1050N/KX-TG1000N/KX-TGA100N) are pretty much the same.

The Sony line of multi-handset 2.4 GHz cordless phones (SPP-A2780/SPP-A2770/SPP-A2730/SPP-A2720/SPP-H273) is a notable exception: significantly different feature set, based on DSSS (direct sequence spread spectrum), and built in Taiwan. DSSS, a more costly and sophisticated technology than FHSS, provides greater range and resistance to interference, particularly indoors. As a result, these Sony phones provide remarkably clear sound.

The Sony line also abounds with thoughtful design touches that makes it a joy to use. The Jog Dial makes it a breeze to access the phone book, call lists, and menu items. The handset has a solid feel, is comfortable to use, and will stand up on any horizontal surface thanks to a flat base. And of the course the styling is up to usual high Sony standards.

SUMMARY: This is the one to buy! Shines in all areas!

Not ready for prime time
Got these phones because we have a bad hard wired phone line upstairs in our house. Seemed like a good idea to have all the phones working together on one line. The intercom system seemed like a really neat feature...any phone can call any other phone.
Now for the Good and Bad list. We'll start with the Good...a shorter list.

Good:
-Phones can call each other.

-You can send address list or individual number from phone to phone.

-Jogdial for entering numbers is wonderfully intuitive. Makes the job easy.

-Lighted LCD and numbers...easy nighttime access.

-Privacy is ensured because second handsets can't pick up when handset is in use.

Bad:
-You can't use two handsets at once...only transfer calls between handsets.

-Couldn't figure out how to get it to automatically dial a 1 before other area codes which required adding 1 to all numbers in address book. Strangely this worked originally but then stopped working. Sony technical support couldn't figure it out.

-Passing off calls to other phones can be frustrating. You either put your handset on hold and holler to the other person to pick up or you press intercom and call another handset and when they pick up they get the call. This leads to many hangups. Son "Phone for you." Me, "Got it...as I press talk" Son hangs up. Phone, "Can't connect."

-THE ABSOLUTE DEAL BREAKER- Phone loses its brain. I hit a combination of keys through the course of dialing a number and the phone said it couldn't connect. Turning it off and on yielded the same message. Only way to restore it is to "reset" which requires removing battery and putting battery back in with phone near base station. In one 15 minute period we had 3 of our 4 phones go down. Sony's technical support told me "These are computers and sometimes you need to reset computers." Jeesh, I love the features but need a phone that will work and not lock up randomly. These puppies are going back to the store until Sony can figure out how to do it right.

...and the Final Killer.We also have a wireless router supplying the internet to all our PCs.We use the 802.11b system...the system pretty much everyone uses.The Sony phones interfere with the wireless.We couldn't surf the web and talk on the phone at the same time.I have two other 2.4Ghz phones and a 900Mhz phone and none of them interfere.This is a very serious limitation.802.11b is the industry standard and hugely popular.I can't believe Sony released a phone that interferes with it.

it's cute, it's sexy, it's smart
I'm not much of a phone person. But this phone provides absolutely everything I needed. Caller ID, intercom (I lose everything, including my phone under my laundry), powerful cordlessness, and a sexiness factor that is unmatched. Price was right. I even brought it in to work and it received so much praise that the president told me to go buy one for the front desk as well. So go buy one already, enough of those phones that die and get crackly when you leave the room.

Overall, superb! ... Read more

Reviews (20)

Great phone but be aware of one thing
The phone works well in all aspects except one.If you plan on leaving the phone consistently out of the base unit, for example, in another room, please be advised that the handset DOES NOT BEEP when the battery is low.It only flashes "battery low" in the display.Many times I don't even realize the phone was ringing until it is too late.

If this is not a problem for you, I'd highly recommend this phone.

Awesome Phone
This is a pretty good phone for the money.The reception is crystal clear and it has a pretty good range.Only thing is that i can't seem to make the call waiting caller ID to work.There is a setting for it, however it does not change the result.Possibly not compatible with my telphone co.Otherwise a great phone.. Wish i could have purchased more.I would have definately stocked up!!Great Xmas gifts!

Not worth the savings
This phone sounds fine when you are talking to someone.However, it has two big flaws that give it the 2 star rating.The first problem is that when you hang it up to recharge it doesn't easily start charging.You need to mess with the recever to get it in there just right.The other problem is with the answering machine.You can hear incoming messages just fine, but the "please leave a message" callers hear is very fuzzy and I can't make it any clearer.

Poor reception - try the 900MHz version - it's great!
I'm sure this could actually be a great phone if you are not living in an area with a concentration electronics and wireless devices.

The features were wonderful, and I was immensely pleased with everything except the reception which was poor at any distance greater than 1 foot.While it is fair to expect some interference from wireless LANs (mine, like most runs at 2.4 GHz) this was completely unworkable.

If you have a lot of electronics around or live in appartment, then get the 900MHz version (EXAI-398).It works perfectly and has the same features.

A great phone at a great price
In terms of $$ phones, this one can't be beat!I installed this one in my 2-bedroom apartment (825 square feet), and have crystal clear reception in all rooms.It does have a few quirks about it (weak microphone for the answering machine, semi-odd shape of the receiver), but these are more than made up for by the low price and ease-of-use. ... Read more

Product Description

AT&T 9355 cordless telephone utilizes the 900 MHz frequency band, providing extended range and high voice clarity. It has a fully integrated digital answering machine with time and day stamping on messages. It has a Caller ID and call waiting features displaying up to 99 names and numbers in Caller ID history on a lighted display. Talking Caller ID allows you to record personalize announcements that are played each time you receive a call from the number specified. ... Read more

Features

• Speakerphone at base for hands-free calls
• More than 10 hours of talk time on a fully charged battery
• 900 MHz analog transmission for improved performance
• Talking caller ID and call waiting on the handset
• Integrated digital answering system with 12-minute recording and time/day stamp

Reviews (31)

May someone help me
I bought this product last month without operation manual,
you can give me a hand.

thanks.

pmpchina@vip.sina.com

Great cordless phone
This phone has more extras than the average.I really like the talking caller ID, 2 message boxes and the speaker facility.

Well, I don't know what all the fuss is about
'cause, I've had excellent service with this telephone. I purchased the unit over three years ago at Sears for $99. The voice is clear, the messages are clear, the range is good, callers hear me the instanst I answer the phone, and it has been very durable. I have a (now) 4 year old, so this phone has been dropped NUMEROUS times on hardwood floors, and has even fallen off the base a couple of times, which is 5 feet off the floor. (And yes, my wife and I have dropped it a few times, as well)

With all that abuse, it is beginning to show problems after 3 years. Thinking seriously about keeping the answering system (base), retiring the handset, and buying a new cordless without an answering syetm.

This unit has been discontinued. You see it is listed for half of retail.Maybe I was lucky, maybe I wasn't, but I must say this phone has been a very good one.

randomly doesn't record messages
My mom has this phone and I'm shopping for one to replace it. She paid a lot for the AT & T name, but never again.The answerer randomly does not record messages (!) Also, when she answers the phone, the caller cannot hear her until about a 10 second delay (see how many times you can say "Hello?" in 10 seconds).I would have given it a negative rating if available.

Good and Bad
Here's the scoop on this phone: It's insanely nifty with features but not very durable.

The talking caller ID is a great help for anyone who likes to know who is calling. Up to 10 of your buddies can be stored in there, and you don't have to get up to check who is calling. It announces them individually, nice and loud.

The answering machine has 2 mail boxes, and options for having different messages for them. Also useful. Overall, there are lots of bells and whistles on this bugger that make it very cool.

On the downside, it is one fragile little phone. Don't bother with the wall mount, it's slippery and as one drop on the floor will result in some rather nasty damage, unwise. Their tech support is rather rude in helping you put humpty dumpty back together again. Mine lasted only one year and now I am back having to find a new phone. What happened? I have no clue, but eventually the earpiece on the handset died, so you can't hear anything on the phone.

The speakerphone was never very strong. There is a lot of static no matter what channel you are on. Sometimes the different voice options exchange themselves. (telling you frank is calling when bob is on the phone or telling you that you have 5 new messages when a ID blocked caller is calling)

I enjoyed it a great deal for the year I Had it. However, I would like for my next phone to last longer. ... Read more

Product Description

Over the years, the Bell mark has represented uncompromised quality, excellence and integrity in the telecommunications industry. When you see the Bell symbol, you can be assured of the highest quality of services. ... Read more

Amazon.com Review

Brother's CTS-400-CH four-line cordless handset offers a wealth offeatures that make it ideal for small-office workers who require mobility withintheir work environment. Designed to operate with the Quattro CTS 400 base unit(model CTS-400-DU), the 900 MHz cordless handset provides all the options you'dexpect to find in a corded unit.

If you plan on using more than one handsetfor the Quattro system, you'll need to assign each handset a two-digitidentification number to avoid potential interference on the system. An LCDdisplay informs you which lines are available, ringing, in use, or on hold. Tomake an outside call, you simply press a line button, then dial thenumber.

The display also logs the time of a call, though it doesn't displaythe date and time. The unit also features a caller ID display with a 40-numbercall log (you'll need to purchase the optional Caller ID server to access thisfeature).

The 10-number speed dialing is blissfully easy to set up; simplypress Mem, enter a number from zero through nine, dial the phone number, andpress Mem again. You can also store pauses and flashes within the speed-dialmemory.

Like its corded brethren, the CTS-400-CH cordless unit allows you tomake intercom calls to other lines on the Quattro system, as well as the abilityto hold three-way conferences.

The unit itself is well designed. The buttonsare responsive and unobtrusive, and at 8.9 ounces with the battery installed,the handset is hefty without feeling bulky. The reception, of course, isn't asstrong as a corded phone, but it's better than a lot of other cordless phonesavailable. One oddity we noted during testing was that the manual said thebattery should take about two and a half hours to charge while it's in thehandset; however, our battery had not fully charged even after about five hours.Because this system's design lets you place the ni-cad battery directly in thecharger, we moved it there, and a full charge took only about an hour.

If yoursmall office environment requires a certain amount of mobility from youremployees, the Brother CTS-400-CH cordless handset will not disappoint. -- John Frederick Moore ... Read more

Features

• For use with Brother Quattro telephone system (cordless base unit sold separately)
• 900 MHz digital TDMA technology
• Extended range and security
• Caller ID display with 40-number call log
• 10-number speed dialing

Reviews (3)

brother cts-400 4 line portable
in reponse to mr sharnoff comment on phone being unusable pass 75 ft.we use our portable in the 2-to 300 ft. range all the time as we have 2 business and use the phone between the 2,works great,maybe he needs to change location of base unit

Very good except the range is terrible
This phone is almost perfect.It has all the features you might want, is easy to use, priced reasonably.

Unfortunantly, it has the smallest range of any cordless phone I've ever tried.Even 15 feet from the base station my reception isn't perfect.At 75 feet it is unusable.

Two caveats: I haven't checked the manual to see if thereis a magic incantation that's required to get it to work properly.I have only played with two base stations and three handsets so I may have just had bad luck.

Brother Quattro phone system
A feature packed product with few disadvantages.Works well, is easy to set up and use.Range of the 900MHz cordless indoors is a little disappointing, and a 2.4GHz version would be nice.Build quality is notthe best, but is commensurate with the important part, i.e. the price!Thestarter kit is particularly good value, but while it is capable ofexpansion to 12 extensions, it becomes pretty expensive to do that,although one has to bear in mind that it is a 4-line device!The additionof a headset of better quality than the "free $20 value" one thatcomes with the kit would be a nice touch.

All in all, as a good 4-linesystem for a small premises, I can wholeheartedly recommend it! ... Read more

Amazon.com Product Description

With its analog 900 MHz transmission, the Casio CP-750 cordless phoneprovides extended range for enhanced clarity and higher overall performance. Itincludes caller ID/call waiting and features Modem Monitor ConnectionProtection, a new-calls indicator, 20 name-and-number autodial, and a toll callindicator.

An easy-to-read three-line display on the handset makes it simple to browsenames and numbers stored in memory. (Caller ID and call waiting subscriptionservices must be arranged through the local telephone service provider.) Theunit's extended battery life allows up to five hours of talk time with sevendays on standby.

Casio's Modem Monitor Connection Protection continuously scans your telephoneline and safeguards data during file transfers and fax transmissions. The TC920distinguishes between data and standard voice communications and will preventthe telephone from interrupting an online session when a call attempt is made.

Other features include an illuminated keypad, handset page/find, last-numberredial, and face-up charging. The Casio CP750 comes with a belt clip and allowsfor an optional headset for convenient hands-free operation. ... Read more

Features

• Modem monitor connection protection
• 20 name-and-number autodial
• 900 MHz analog cordless telephone with caller ID
• Displays names and numbers stored in caller ID or autodial memory
• New calls indicator

Reviews (1)

very pleased
I am very pleased with the quality of this phone.This is a well built item that has outstanding features for its cheap price.I would reccomend it to anyone. ... Read more

Amazon.com Product Description

With its analog 900 MHz transmission, the Casio CP-750 cordless phoneprovides extended range for enhanced clarity and higher overall performance. Itincludes caller ID/call waiting and features Modem Monitor ConnectionProtection, a new-calls indicator, 20 name-and-number autodial, and a toll-callindicator.

An easy-to-read three-line display on the handset makes it simple to browsenames and numbers stored in memory. (Caller ID and call waiting subscriptionservices must be arranged through a local telephone service provider.) Theunit's extended cordless battery life allows up to five hours of talk time orseven days on standby.

Casio's Modem Monitor Connection Protection continuously scans your telephoneline and safeguards data during file transfers and fax transmissions. The TC920distinguishes between data and standard voice communications and will preventthe telephone from interrupting an online session when a call attempt is made.

Other features include an illuminated keypad, handset page/find, last-numberredial, and face-up charging. The Casio CP750 comes with a belt clip and allowsfor an optional headset for convenient hands-free operation. ... Read more

Features

• Modem monitor connection protection
• 20 name-and-number autodial
• 900 MHz analog cordless telephone with caller ID
• Displays names and numbers stored in caller ID or autodial memory
• New calls indicator

Amazon.com Product Description

With features such as caller ID, a data port for a PC connection, and 20-name/number autodial, the Casio CP-2575 2.4 GHz cordless phone will handle all your telephone needs at home or in the office.

The Display & Dial caller ID enables you to return calls with the press of a button, and it stores 30 names and numbers. The compact handset has a three-line caller ID display. It can easily be found in any room with the page locator.

The Casio CP-2575 has a time-day stamp that records the time and date each call was received. It also allows for an optional headset to be connected for hands-free operation. ... Read more

Features

• Date and time stamp records when calls are received
• Headset jack enables hands-free calling
• 2.4 GHz digital transmission
• 30-name-and-number caller ID
• 3-line display on handset