Panasonic KX TGA400B 2.4 GHz 4-Line Cordless Expansion Handset

This would have a 5 star rating if it was not for the two major problems.

This system has been discontinued and is only available used, refurbished, or new (old stock) if you are extremely lucky.

The KX-TG4000b 4 line base unit system with built in voice mail and capability to handle up to eight 4-line cordless handsets KX-TGA400b or cordless desk sets KX-TGA420b. You can also use the 2-line cordless handset KX-TGA200b but would be limited to the first two phone lines.

The system is easy to install and program. A normal phone system requires a separate wire going from the base to each telephone. This system is completely cordless and you only need to wire up your incoming phone lines to the back of the base unit. The range of the cordless handsets is average to better than average. Also, voice mail setup can be very tricky in a standard phone system, sometimes impossible for the end user to do alone. This system does not have all the fancy options other voice mail system may have but the price for the entire system with phones is less than a typical voice mail system on a hard wired phone system.

HOWEVER, there are two major flaws with the telephones.
First: The keypad! With a failure rate of 100% and an average life of 6-18 months depending on usage, the keypad contacts were designed too small!! The contacts barely make contact when new and any tiny bit of dirt, gunk or buildup makes the number buttons extremely hard or impossible to use. To make matters worse, the rubber keypads seep an oily substance that quickly gums up the already fragile buttons. The harder you push, the more oil is forced out. Many rubber keypads do this but you would not notice if the contacts were of the appropriate size.

Second: Choppy transmit. The RF (radio frequency) module is easily knocked out of alignment. This effects the transmit quality but not what you hear when using the phone. It starts out with the other party not hearing you well, sounding like a cheap cordless phone too far away from the base. The problem quickly worsens and soon your callers can't understand you at all. Worse, you loose the link to the base unit, calls are disconnected or your phone just does not ring in the first place. The problem also can occur in the base unit RF module but this effects what you hear in all the cordless handsets and is much easier for you to detect when using any cordless phone on the system.