SIEMENS4200 Gigaset 2.4 GHz Supplementary Handset (Silver and Black)

Having owned the 4215 base station for about 1 year, I decided to shell out some $$$ and get the 4200 "extension" handset.My review will focus on the negative - since the other reviews have already pointed out the strong points of the 4200.It seemed simple - put the batteries in the 4200 handset, turn it off, put it in the base station and it automatically registers with the master base station. At least this is what the 1 page quick start pamphlet said (the only documnentaiton that comes with the 4200). Unfortunately, this did not work for me. After searching for 30 minutes for the big user manual to the 4215, I finally found it. These instructions indicate that the 4200 can be registered with the base station manually. This is when I discovered the undocumented solution to my problem through 30 minutes of trial and error...back when I first registered the 4215 base station, I changed the system from its default factory '0000' setting to my own setting for security reasons as the manual suggested. When you try to register the 4200 base station, it assumes that your default pin number is still being used on the master base station. After I did the manual handset registration and entered my "altered" pin number, the additional handset was recognized immediately! Thanks for documenting that one, Siemens!My other gripe with the 4200 phone is the low batery life as some other reviewers mentioned. The solution here is simple..ditch those el-cheapo factory batteries that come with the 4200 and get yourself some quality *rechargable* NiMH batteries. I use the Energizer NH15-AA batteries which are rated for 1850mAh. My "stock" batteries (which may differ from yours) are rated for 700mAh. After swaping out the batteries, I have not had a single problem with the batteries dying too soon.Other than the poor documentation and steep learning curve associated with learning how to use all the docunmented and undocumented features, this is a great extension phone. The small footprint is nice.I wish the keys were more "responsive" -- they have to be pressed and held slightly to hang up or to delete messages -- or hit multiple times. I wish the message indicator would only flash when there were voice mails - not just missed calls where no voice mail was left.The 4200 series handset is way too expensive. ... The design could be more ergonomic. This thing is kind of bulky and square -- not something you want to chat on for hours unless you like ear pain.Despite all my negative comments, this is a solid phone. The range is incredibly good for me. The ring tones are a nice touch as well as the evening volume lowering feature that someone mentioned in another review. I give it 3 out of 5 stars. Here is my breakdown: Minus 1 star for poor documentation. Minus 1 star for all the pesky little things that bug me about the phone (only some of which are mentioned here for space reasons). Maybe these little bugs will be ironed out when they come out with a 5 Ghz model.

I have a set of three of these phones (my mistake to buy all at once). They have had problems from Day One. I have had to return them to Siemens -- only to get the same problems back. None of their recommended fixes have worked. And worst of all, customer support has been atrocious. I recommend not buying these. I bought two other 2.4 Ghz phones from AT&T, and they have been flawless in the exact same environment.

Battery life is too tempermentel, but on the average around 30 hours (handbook states 6 days, yeah right). Not normally a problem unless you leave for a couple of days and you forget to put it on the charger. Remember that the answering machine is built into the handset. SO, if it runs out of juice then the answering machine never kicks on. I have had the phone on several occasions run out of juice on just the average 8 hour workday. Who knows what messages i missed. It also has no plain ring tone. Opera sounds, but no basic plain chime.Some of the other fancier feature are nice like speaker phone and room monitor. The basics are lacking so i cannot in good mind recommend this phone.

It's a beautiful, intuitive device. But alas, this supplementary handset can't find home--unless you read the instructions that come included with the phone--place it in the cradle, turn it off, and it will register itself. I had purchased a 4215-which by the way, works flawlessly. Every feature is amazing, including the unmentioned Evening Settings, which allows you to set a volume level for a predetermined time period. Even the voice dialing works as advertised (which is a one-key operation, if you read the manual). And finally, a date and time on the phone display...why every device in the world doesn't have this feature, I can't guess...

I purchased the 4215 about a year ago based on a recommendation from my sister who checked out several multi function cordless phones, and thought the Seimen's had the best quality. I was impressed by the product line and the features as well as the compact size. I soon bought a 4200 and am about to purchase a third.I needed tech support(I rate excellent)because I could not figure out(among many other things) how to "flash". This is NOT an "easy" machine!About ten months ago, quite unexpectedly the main unit accidently got mixed up in the towels and went through an entire hot laundry cycle. When I found it at the bottom of the tub, I took out the batteries and wrapped the phone in a small towel then put it in an oven of 200 degrees for an hour or so,then I put it on the charger and I got a dial tone! It works perfectly as it did a year ago. The design also hold up to the test of time as they look new with very little effort. Exellent speaker phone, and voice recognition. No headphone jack and a weird caller ID system that is easy to forgive. If you want quality, loaded with features on a cordless multi handset phone this is the one. I have learned to love it.