Panasonic KX-TG5100M 5.8 GHz DSS Expandable Cordless Phone with Answering System

Manufacturer:	Panasonic
List price:	~~$199.99~~
Our price:	$98.88 that is 51% off!

Panasonic KX-TG5100M 5.8 GHz DSS Expandable Cordless Phone with Answering System

Average rating: Stars

Battery Problem Fixed!

I've been using this phone for about 2 years now...
And have been fuming about the cheap nickel cadmium battery for about that amount of time as well!
When I purchased it, this was Panasonic's top-of-the-line phone. So naturally, I just assumed that they had used a Nickel hydride battery -like my last Panasonic phone: the KX-TG2550S. I didn't even notice about the battery right away. But when I finally got around to opening up the back of the handset, I was *horrified* to see that NiCd label!

Since the 'memory effect' of nickel cadmium batteries is well known, using one in something like a cordless phone is inexcusable! This is because it will be recharged frequently, is usually never fully discharged -and is unusable when it is. [OK, so you can still use the speakerphone in the base, Gah! Might as well just plug in a regular phone!] Those that haven't had battery issues are probably singing a different tune after a number of months when the NiCd battery's power output nosedives.
And since I've had better battery performanace, there aint no going back!

There can be no other reason for the decision to use such inferior technology, except to save a few bucks. Or more likely, since a Panasonic replacement battery costs $20-25, to cash in because they need to be replaced more often.
[an absurd price because all the battery consists of -I took one apart- is 3 AA size batteries]

Fortunately, Energizer now makes a Nickel hydride [NiMH] replacement battery for this phone, Search Amazon for Energizer ER-P511

Panasonic KX-TG5100M 5.8 GHz DSS Expandable Cordless Phone with Answering System - Panasonic

Battery life - issues

I've had this phone for nearly a year now, it has been hardly used, 3 hours per week the most and the battery died on both units. I will have to replace the batteries since it is not usable at all.

Panasonic - Panasonic KX-TG5100M 5.8 GHz DSS Expandable Cordless Phone with Answering System

Short Battery Life and Low Volume

I bought this phone in the store that I worked in, immediately after it came on the market.
Pro:
It is a very good phone. Very clear and quite good range (I've seen better but not too many). It has a lot of nice features like transferring the phone book from one unit to another. It has an excellent speaker-phone on the base and handset.
Con:
All my customers told me, and I have experienced it myself: very short battery life. It lasts about 1.5 to 2 hours in a conversation and I had to replace the battery after only 8 months. Now it seems that the second battery is dieing even faster.
Also, you can turn the volume on the handset earpiece to the max, it will still be low. We are mainly using it with the speaker-phone so we can hear comfortably. And we are not def. Trust me!

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