Panasonic's KX-TG2700S 2.4 GHz frequency hopping digital phone system randomly changes frequencies several times per second to eliminate the worry of cross-talk or eavesdropping. And, it's privacy mode even allows users to block all other handsets from joining your conversation. The system is expandable to eight handsets (one included) with up to seven model X-TGA270S extension units (optional).
When not using privacy mode, the KX-TG2700S facilitates four-way conferencing on a single outside line and offers a full digital duplex speakerphone through the base unit and handsets. Two-way intercom and paging features allow you to contact others throughout your office or busy home, and the handsets can even double as room monitors so that you can hear what's going on in any room of the house.
Each handset features a four-line backlit LCD for call status, programming options, and up to three lines of caller ID information. Handsets can share caller ID information as well, so you'll always be able to return your missed calls.
The KX-TG2700S also offers six programmable ring tones, a head set jack and belt clip, and wall mounting. It is backed by a one-year warranty.
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.
1 BAD. Beware of Panasonic's deceptive customer service.
It is with great frustration that I am writing this product review. I have had too much trouble with the battery for the cordless telephone handset (Model KX-TG2700S) and I have complained to Panasonics as described below.
March 8, 2005: I made the first call to Panasonic (1-800-211-7262) to explain that the original battery (Model N4HKGMA00001) for my telephone's handset had stopped working. In particular, since December 2004, in less than one year from the initial purchase, I was unable to charge the battery from the base unit. The customer service agent I spoke to promised to send me a replacement battery free of charge.
March 31, 2005: When after three weeks of my March 8th call I did not receive the battery, I called Panasonic again. This time, the customer service agent told me that there had been an error in processing my order. The agent then went on to process the order again and provided me an order number.
April 16, 2005: Once again I did not receive the battery even after two weeks of my March 31st call, so I called Panasonic again. This time, the customer service agent told me that Panasonic had stopped sending the batteries for Model KX-TG2700 as of March 19, 2005.
Hence, I am now concluding that Panasonic customer service has been giving me a run around to save Panasonic a mere $15, the cost of the battery. I complained about the defective battery on March 8, 2005, before Panasonic's March 19, 2005 decision to suspend sending out the replacement batteries. I think Panasonic's modus operandi is quite disgusting. I bought an expensive phone believing it to be a good purchase. Now I am realizing that it was a big mistake giving my business to Panasonic. I do understand that the batteries have to be replaced from time to time, and I also understood when I bought the phone that the original battery would last for at least 2 years (as reiterated by Panasonic's customer service agent during my March 8, 2005 call!).
I believe that Panasonic is willing to lose a customer who would buy more products in future to save a mere $15. It is now abundantly clear to me that Panasonic works on deception and cheats its customers out of the value of their product. In light of the lousy customer service provided to me, I will not buy any Panasonic products in future.
2 The Energizer battery makes a big difference!
I've had this phone for a couple of years now. The feature are decent and I like the handset speakerphone.
We had a lot of trouble with the battery at first. It eventually got so bad that we started using the base to make calls. We finally got the Energizer ER-P511 battery and it made a huge improvement! I hardly ever hear that annoying beep anymore!
I'm satisfied with the phone overall. Some of my complaints is that the expansion handsets seem a little pricey. Also the 2.4Ghz seems to interfere with the wireless video kit that I just got, so I'm thinking of moving to a 5.8Ghz system with an extra handset. However, there does not seem to be too much interference with my 2.4ghz DLINK DI-514.
3 We absolutely hate this phone system (Really 0 stars)
Oh, let us count the ways:
1) The battery life, as everyone mentions, is horrible. I suspect their recharging unit is not very smart, and thus they kill the batteries thanks to overcharging due to the so-called battery 'memory effort,' but I do not know this fer sure. The battery in one phone has now died on us, one is now so faint you can barely hear it, and the last one doesn't recharge much, and dies within the span of a 10 minute conversation when 'fully' charged.
2) There is also a short in the system, possibly related to the bad battery life, that results in the LCD screen blanking out when the phone is on the charger, and it only sometimes comes back alive. This makes the nice Caller ID LCD feature often useless.
3) They are NOT at all cheap for this level of crappiness. We decided to spring for what we thought were 'high-end' phones and got a terrible phone instead.
We will probably try to find the Energizer ER-P511 batteries to see if that solves our problems. But I'm tempted to go back to old but far more reliable phones. Alas, if only our cell phones worked in the house. (DON'T get me started on that one...)
4 Nice feature set but poor implementation
I've owned Panasonic phones pretty much for the last 10 years and they've all been great. When I saw the verbose feature list on this phone plus the 2.4Ghz range, I jumped.
I liked the cell phone like approach to storing numbers, though the interface is quite clunky. Sometimes it's hard to figure out your way back to the main menu.
Anyway, the main beef I have with this phone is battery life and construction quality. I've had the phone for less than a year and the battery has reached the point where it starts beeping after having one conversation on the phone. This is unacceptable. For some reason, the LCD panel has gotten so faded that I can barely read it without extreme darkness. I tried to adjust the contrast but nothing happened.
Luckily I bought this phone with a 2yr replacement warranty at Best Buy and I'm returning it and its accessory phone to get a better system.
I was very happy with the features but the promise was greater than the execution.
5 Terrible, terrible phone
Horrible battery life. Returned the first one after a week, but second one was no better. Constantly needs charging and even then I'm lucky to get 1/2 hour of talk time. My old Panasonics were incredible - with regular use I could go 4 or 5 days without charging. Sadly, I don't think the 5.8g's are any better.
6 Believe the bad reviews
The battery is worthless. I've had the phone for about 9 months, and the battery cannot hold a charge and continues to get worse, and I'm about to buy a new phone to replace my new phone. As the price on this baby already has fallen steeply, I guess panasonic has realized its a dud and you should avoid it all costs.
7 Great Phone!
I've had the phone now 5 months or so. Its base speakerphone is very clear and strong, as is the speakerphone on the handset. Programming #'s to save is easy. Programming #'s to save from caller I/D, however, is somewhat tricky until you master the learning curve. I'm glad I took my business associate's advice and paid more to get this model, it has been worth it.
8 Horrible Battery Life
I bought this phone since our old, and still working, cordless phone was reliable and also a Panasonic. I even bought an extra handset. Well I haven't had this set but a year and the battery life has gotten horrible. If it's on the charger all night, I get about 45 minutes of talk time before it dies. I am always babysitting this phone by making sure it's on the charger. I never had to do that with the old one, and still don't. I am really disappointed in this product.
I spent a lot of money on these phones and it infuriates me that I'll need to go and buy a new set of phones. Only this time it will not be Panasonic.
9 I wasted money on this
Phone looks cool. But, you can talk only for 10 minutes using speakerphone and battery gets exchausted completely and 90% of the time caller id is not displayed. So, please don't waste money on this!!
10 Terrible phone
I have this phone and its the worst as far as battery life.I thought buying a extra handset would help but that battery life is just as bad.they tell you talk time is so many hours,I am lucky if I get 10 minutes talk time and its dead.I have never been so disappointed in a product like this.For what I payed for this phone it is more hype than anything.Its horrible.I will never buy a panasonic product again.
11 Caution!! - DON'T WAIST YER MONEY!!
My biggest gripes. The batteries don't last worth @##$@!@!. The meter always reads that it's low. And, you slightly bump the handset it comes on, preventing anyone from reaching you and draining the battery. You can't carry this thing anywhere... your guaranteed to hit one of the buttons indiscriminately. One of my handsets refuses to work... no matter how many times I reprogram (reset) it fails to recognize the base. I'VE HAD IT WITH THIS THING!!!
12 Great phone with great features!
I read some reviews that knocked this phone for short battery life. Nevertheless, because of its extensive features, we purchased the Panasonic KX-TG2700S and two additional "270S" handsets. Although our phone calls generally run 45 minutes or less, we sometimes find ourselves doing two 45-minute calls consecutively. I have had no problems with the battery life whatsoever! The batteries work fine, the menus are easy and intuitive, and the sound is great. Moreover, this telephone system does have some unique features that make it an exceptional deal. Once you program your name & telephone number list into one headset you can transmit the entire list or any one entry to the remaining extensions. This really helps when you have a long list or just need to modify one or two entries. You don't have to run all over the house re-entering data. The phone can also be used as a two-way radio around the house. You cannot call using those headsets while they are radios, however, when you have three sets like I do or use the base to answer calls, it's not an issue. The best feature about this unit is that it does not include a silly digital answering machine. Unfortunately, Panasonic and other manufacturers are making those standard on all 5.8 GHz cordless telephones. For a host of reasons, including electrical power reliability and the use of a dial-up modem in my computer, I use local telephone company voice mail. In this situation, the telephone answering machine can interfere with your phone messages if your home electrical power dies. Although the answering machine on cordless telephones can be selected "OFF", if the electrical power fails, the answering machine defaults to "ON" when power is restored. Your voicemail is then "intercepted" by your answering machine and you have no clue this has happened. Thus, in order to insure you get your messages, you must call two numbers every time. DUMB! This annoying feature is the wave of the future for 5.8 GHz machines and is one feature that should have been left to a mechanical slide switch. If you need a great phone with tons of useful features without an answering machine, better get this one before all cordless phones go to 5.8 GHz.
13 Don't be fooled by the cool looks......
The phone does look cool-better than the previous models. The battery life on the handset is pathetic. All night charge may get you 10 minutes of talk-time, if you're lucky. Defeats the purpose of buying a cordless phone altogether. Caller ID does not work properly, most of the times.
14 Worst phone ever
I bought this phone because I liked the features and I trust Panasonic. My panasonic products have always performed very well. However, this is the worst phone I have ever owned as well as the most expensive. The battery life is horrible and there is no warning it is about to die. The battery meter can show a full charge and then after just a short while you will be cut off and the phone will be dead. It doesn't even give you a warning beep. Panasonic owes an apology to anyyone who has ever purchased this phone.
15 No Battery life
Tons of cool features but no battery life to make any of them work for more than ? hour. Leave it on the charger all night and you'll get maybe an hour of talk time. Leave it off the charger all night and you'll get maybe 2 minutes of talk time. Buy something else!
16 I Don't Think So...
I've had this phone for about 3 months, and it's now going back to the store. I really tried to give it a go, but the poor quality is unbearable.
I like the multi-featured factor of the phone, but the most important features that NEED to operate properly (Caller ID/Waiting Display, battery life) don't seem too work well.
Caller ID/Call Waiting ID's come through only intermittenly. It also takes about 4 rings for the ID to register, if at all. It only registers ID #'s every 4th/5th call, even if it's the same # that had previously registered on the ID screen or pre-programmed into your phone address book.
Battery life is extremely poor. After an hour of conversation, the phone beeps mercilessly in your ear, and the battery runs out within 5 minutes. You have to leave it on the base/charger for well over 15 hours, and at best, you still only get one-one and a half hour of talk time out of it, if you're lucky.
Customer service is nil. Their line is either busy or you're put on hold for over 30 minutes. I've yet to speak to a representative.
Mine's going back to the store. Unfortunatley, finding a caller ID/waiting phone with decent battery life seems to be a huge ordeal these days. You'd think with all the technology available to date, it'd be a cinch. Some of the ones I'm considering are: Uniden TRU58602 and V-Tech VT5831. Neither has perfect rating, so I'll have to find out the hard way. I'll post reviews on those once I've tried them out.
17 handset dies
I have had two of these where the handset has just died in a matter of weeks. I just read the other comments with the battery life issue but dont know if that is what caused the failures. Other than that the phone is reasonably good and its speakerphone handset feature is pretty useful (though the sound quality is sometimes questionable). Its still a little unnerving to have two of these reasonably expensive phones just malfunction within weeks.
18 Good but not Awesome
I bought this phone because I was having difficulty with the dialpad of an AT&T expandable cordless phone I owned for 18 months. I have always found Panasonic reliable. Overall this phone is good, but not great. The comments regarding the caller ID are fair - it does often take more than 2 rings (as the instruction manual claims) in order to register the number. Not a fatal flaw for me. The other comment is the audio, while sound quality on the receiving end, I'm told, is great, in the earpiece you'll hear voices at a slightly lower volume than you expect. Again not fatal, but should be better for...
Follow up one year later - I've had to get rid of this phone - the phone takes nearly 12+ hours to charge the battery. Replaced the old battery with a new one and still had the same problem. I had noticed it was taking a while when I first bought the phone but figured I could live with it - now I know better!
19 caller ID (where are you)
I reacently purchased this phone and am going to return it because the caller ID works half the time at best. I called panasonics tech support 3 times with no avail. I had a full charge in the battery and when I took it out it lost its charge immediately,(whats with that?).Oh by the way it only took 24 hrs to recharge it,yes you heard me right 24 HOURS.
The sound quality was very good, speaker on hand set work well, but in lieu of the things I mentioned this baby is going back to the store.
20 Decent phone, bad caller_id
I just returned this phone after owning it for two weeks. The actual phone was decent enough...good layout and good sound. What I hated was the caller_id...for some reason the caller_id only displayed after two or three rings...way too late and not much time before the phone rolled into voicemail.
I called Panasonic 1-800 about the slow caller_id and they admitted customers complained about it. They gave me a few setting to try changing on my phone. I performed the suggestions but no change for my slow caller_id...so I returned the phone...
