Siemens 242 2.4 GHz Cordless Phone with Caller ID (Black)

Average customer rating:

Attractive design and function, but wireless network interference--inconsistent and not especially durable

This phone eats batteries

Good feature set marred by unexpected inconveniences

nice simple phone...but

242 is defective

Siemens 242 2.4 GHz Cordless Phone with Caller ID (Black)

Manufacturer: Siemens
ProductGroup: CE
Binding: Electronics

Cordless Telephones | Telephones | Office Electronics | Categories | Electronics | 900 MHz - Analog | 900 MHz - Digital | 900 MHz - DSS | Corded-Cordless Combos | Expandable Multi-Handset | Extra Handset Included | Kids' | Multi-Line | Speakerphones | With Answering Device | With Caller ID
Office Electronics | Refurbished & Used | Special Features | Electronics Features | Electronics
Phones | Refurbished & Used | Special Features | Electronics Features | Electronics
Siemens | Brands | Electronics Features | Electronics
Accessories:

RCA RC920 Wireless Phone Jack Extension

RCA RC930 Caller-ID-Compatible Wireless Modem Jack

Southwestern Bell FM112 Caller ID Unit (White)

AT&T 90800 Mini Headset

Plantronics T100 Practica Headset with Built-in Telephone

Product Features:

Full 2.4 GHz digital spread spectrum technology (base and handset)

3-line caller ID display with 30-number call log

10-number speed dialing

3-language LCD display (English, Spanish, and French)

Base-to-handset paging, flash, redial, pause, mute

ASIN: B00004R7OK

Product Description

The Siemens 242 is a phone that operates on the 2.4 GHz band. It offers clearer cordless transmission without static or interference from other cordless phones operating at crowded lower frequencies. Digital spread spectrum technology provides optimum security from eavesdropping by "hopping" frequencies more than 100 times every second. Siemens offers this Gigaset 242 base with a built-in charger.

Amazon.com Product Description

The Siemens 242 is a single-line, caller ID-equipped phone that operates on the 2.4 GHz band. Its 2.4 GHz technology ensures a clearer cordless transmission without static or interference from other cordless phones operating at crowded lower frequencies. Digital spread spectrum technology provides optimum security from eavesdropping by "hopping" frequencies more than 100 times every second.

The Siemens 242 features built-in caller ID/call waiting ID capability and features a three-line LCD display. This LCD also displays up to 30 calls and provides both redial and the time of the call. The display can also show information in English, French, or Spanish.

The Siemens 242 features 10 programmable speed-dial numbers, a choice of four ring tones, base-to-handset paging, ringer and receiver volume controls, two-way charging positions, out-of-range alert, and more. An internal antenna protects the phone against accidental damage. The Siemens 242 comes with a lightweight cordless handset, a base with a built-in charger, a battery pack, a user's manual, and a belt clip. Siemens offers a one-year warranty on this phone.

Customer Reviews:

Attractive design and function, but wireless network interference--inconsistent and not especially durable.......2005-10-02

I was looking for a caller-ID, call-waiting capable phone for my new home. Nearly everything I looked at online was very ugly. I was drawn to this phone for its visual appeal, very sleek and European, with no antennas on either the handset or the base. I ordered a refurbished one at a very good price, and it arrived with the look and feel of a brand new product. Although several features are programmable, I was able to start using the phone as soon as the battery was fully charged without programming anything or even looking at the instructions. Programming a choice of ring tones and ring tone volume proved to be very simple; the range of tones and volumes is limited but sufficient for my needs. Sound quality is very good, in my opinion, although I do hear a modest echo of my voice when I call. I got used to this and forgot about it quickly. The handset is lightweight, and the design has the added advantage that the handset can be placed face (keyboard and display) up or down in the cradle, so it's possible to see what's on the caller ID display without taking the handset out of the cradle. The only problem I have discovered so far is that the phone does interfere with my wireless internet network, which is a problem that I believe is common to all 2.4GHz cordless phones in proximity to 802.11b networks. This is only a problem if I want to phone and surf the net at the same time, which is not often, and at those times I suppose I can just use the corded phone on my desk. Some might find this a sufficient reason not to buy the phone, but I am very pleased with my purchase despite this drawback, and I have not found another cordless phone that has appealing enough looks to find a place in my home. I expect I may buy a second unit and just live with the network interference problem as the price of getting almost everything I want in a cordless phone.
***Update several months later: I bought a number of these units (refurbished or used) to put all over my house. The failure rate of the units is quite high, and at times the WiFi interference is horrible, even when I'm not surfing the web. On second thought, looks great, but not recommended. Less than a year after purchase, I am looking to replace my entire system with a 5.8 GHz one that will not interfere with my wireless network.

This phone eats batteries.......2003-08-15

Batteries die after a extremely short life. Customer service says that a Nickle Metal Hydride battery should be used instead. Well, if that was the case, why didn't they supply one with the phone? The handset gets very warm when charging unless placed face-down on the base. When the battery dies, the handset/base get very hot and might pose a fire hazard; they should all be recalled and replaced with a better design.

Good feature set marred by unexpected inconveniences.......2002-07-12

While this phone basically does what it advertises to do, it fails to impress because of a certain amount of thoughtlessness in the details.

For example, it is, in fact, imbued with a reliable caller ID service, speed dialing, and a helpful caller log. But the LED screen isn?t backlit. As a result all those neat features aren?t usable at night, when you perhaps need them most. Likewise, its small size at first seems a convenience?until you remember that comfort is more important in a home phone than portability. Bigger phones are better around the house, where you tend to want a phone you can actually rest on your shoulder.

But its bigger offenses, I think, have to do with the way it performs its most basic functions: power and reception.

It requires much more recharge time on the base than much older phones, and that charge evaporates quite quickly?even when the phone is not in active use. Worse, my particular unit?and maybe all of them--doesn?t reliably snap into the base. It?s possible to put the phone in the cradle and yet not have the contacts touch. As a result, the phone could spend hours in the cradle without recharging at all.

Its reception, too, is baffling. While does have a fair range, it seems to pick up background noise more clearly than the sound of my voice--clearly the opposite of how you want a phone to work.

I don?t mean to sound too negative, here. Most of the time it works like it?s supposed to. But I can?t help feeling if it had been tweaked with a little more market research, Seimens might have come up with a more practical product.

nice simple phone...but.......2002-04-07

The LCD or key pad does not have a light. Really inconvenient for low light use. Sound is OK, both sending and receiving.

242 is defective.......2002-03-12

sound from the earpiece starts dimming/coming back, to the point where I can not hear the conversation! had staples replace, then had siemens replace, conclusion, a 100$ piece of junk!

would never buy a siemens phone again.

Average customer rating:

Attractive design and function, but wireless network interference--inconsistent and not especially durable

This phone eats batteries

Good feature set marred by unexpected inconveniences

nice simple phone...but

242 is defective

Siemens 242 2.4 GHz White Cordless Phone with Caller ID

Manufacturer: Siemens
ProductGroup: CE
Binding: Electronics

With Caller ID | Cordless Telephones | Telephones | Office Electronics | Categories | Electronics
Office Electronics | Refurbished & Used | Special Features | Electronics Features | Electronics
Phones | Refurbished & Used | Special Features | Electronics Features | Electronics
Siemens | Brands | Electronics Features | Electronics
Accessories:

RCA RC920 Wireless Phone Jack Extension

RCA RC930 Caller-ID-Compatible Wireless Modem Jack

Southwestern Bell FM112 Caller ID Unit (White)

AT&T 90800 Mini Headset

Plantronics T100 Practica Headset with Built-in Telephone

Product Features:

Full 2.4 GHz digital spread spectrum technology (base and handset)

3-line caller ID display with 30-number call log

10-number speed dialing

3-language LCD display (English, Spanish, and French)

Flash, redial, pause, mute, and base-to-handset paging

ASIN: B00004R7OG

Product Description

The Siemens 242 operates at the 2.4GHz frequency. The result is clear cordless transmission without static or interference from baby monitors and other cordless phones operating at crowded lower frequencies. ADPCM technology offers superior voice quality, and digital spread spectrum technology makes eavesdropping virtually impossible. Never before a cordless phone has done so many things so well.

Amazon.com Review

The Siemens 242 is a single-line, caller ID-equipped phone that operates on the 2.4 GHz band. Its 2.4 GHz technology ensures a clearer cordless transmission without static or interference from other cordless phones operating at crowded lower frequencies. Plus, digital spread spectrum technology provides optimum security from eavesdropping by "hopping" frequencies more than 100 times every second.

To set up the phone, we inserted the battery pack, plugged in the AC adapter, and charged the battery. After the initial 12-hour charge, the 240 normally recharges in four hours. The Siemens 242 has an unusual configuration in that the AC adapter plugs into an electrical outlet; from the AC adapter two cords emerge: a standard RJ-11 connector that plugs into the telephone wall jack and an RJ-45 connector that plugs into the 242 base station. The 240's controls were generally intuitive, but we did have to consult the manual to set the caller ID language (English, French, or Spanish), to manage the caller ID log, to change the ringer settings, and to program memory dialing. The phone is wall mountable, but the base's design causes it to protrude excessively from the wall.

In our tests of the 242, we placed the base on the floor, and the handset performed flawlessly to a distance of only about 40 feet. Distortion gradually increased as we moved away from the base, and the handset stopped functioning at 195 feet. This is not good performance for a phone in this class. We moved the base station in front of a window and repeated the tests. This time, the handset performed well to a distance of 130 feet and stopped functioning at 270 feet. This performance is much better but still not as good as less expensive 900 MHz DSS phones. Within close proximity to the base, sound quality was very good; the handset sounded only slightly softer than our reference corded desk phone.

The Siemens 242 displays caller ID/call waiting information on a three-line LCD. This LCD displays up to 30 calls and provides both redial and the time of the call. The Siemens 242 also features 10 programmable speed-dial numbers, a choice of four ring tones, base-to-handset paging, ringer and receiver volume controls, two-way charging positions, out-of- range alert, and more. An internal antenna protects the phone against accidental damage. The Siemens 242 comes with a lightweight cordless handset, a base with a built-in charger, a battery pack, a user's manual, and a belt clip. Siemens offers a one-year warranty on this phone. --Mike Brown

Pros:

Very clear signal when close to the base
Lightweight and comfortable to hold
Easy to set up and use

Cons:

Less range than typical 900 MHz DSS phones

Amazon.com Product Description

The Siemens 242 is a single-line, caller ID-equipped cordless phone that operates on the 2.4 GHz band. The 2.4 GHz technology ensures a clearer cordless transmission without static or interference from other cordless phones operating at crowded lower frequencies. Digital spread spectrum technology provides optimum security from eavesdropping by "hopping" frequencies more than 100 times every second.

With built-in caller ID/call waiting ID capability, the Siemens 242 features a three-line LCD display that shows up to 30 calls and provides both redial and the time of the call. Another feature of the display is that it can show information in English, French, or Spanish.

Other convenience features of the Siemens 242 include 10 programmable speed-dial numbers, a choice of four ring tones, base-to-handset paging, ringer and receiver volume controls, two-way charging positions, and out-of-range alert. An internal antenna guards against accidental damage. The Siemens 242 comes with a lightweight cordless handset, a base with built-in charger, a battery pack, a user's manual, and a belt clip. Siemens also provides a one-year warranty on this product.

Customer Reviews:

Attractive design and function, but wireless network interference--inconsistent and not especially durable.......2005-10-02

This phone eats batteries.......2003-08-15

Good feature set marred by unexpected inconveniences.......2002-07-12

While this phone basically does what it advertises to do, it fails to impress because of a certain amount of thoughtlessness in the details.

But its bigger offenses, I think, have to do with the way it performs its most basic functions: power and reception.

Its reception, too, is baffling. While does have a fair range, it seems to pick up background noise more clearly than the sound of my voice--clearly the opposite of how you want a phone to work.

nice simple phone...but.......2002-04-07

The LCD or key pad does not have a light. Really inconvenient for low light use. Sound is OK, both sending and receiving.

242 is defective.......2002-03-12

sound from the earpiece starts dimming/coming back, to the point where I can not hear the conversation! had staples replace, then had siemens replace, conclusion, a 100$ piece of junk!

would never buy a siemens phone again.

Product Description

With computer technology pushing performance envelopes across the board, one area of the marketplace has lagged far behind - computer cables. For the most part, computer cables have had the same technology ever since the computer was invented, some 20 years ago. Yet with all the advances in computer technology, it's now more important than ever to have high quality cables that are capable of transmitting all the digital signal information accurately.Fortunately, Monster Cable has recognized the need for higher quality computer connections, and introduced a complete line of products to optimize today's cutting-edge computer technologies while paving a path for the technologies of tomorrow.The Monster family of products includes cables for PC and Macintosh peripherals, multimedia, networking, and the Internet. All of the products are manufactured to the highest quality standards. Don't let your computer cables be the weakest link in your home or small office. Get all the performance you paid for with Monster.

Product Description

The ReplayTV 3030 Digital Video Recorder (DVR) stores programs digitally and saves the information on a hard drive. Like a VCR, if you want to record your favorite show while you're away from home, you can store it on the 3030's hard drive and watch it later. Unlike VCRs, the personal TV server doesn't require tapes or other media to store programming.The ReplayTV's 3030 Digital Video Recorder provides up to 30 hours of storage space and offers a host of upgrades, including an advanced programmable remote control with a ReplayZones button that makes it very easy to find the shows you want to record. The ReplayTV 3030 pauses live broadcasts and resumes play at your leisure. QuickSkip feature bypasses recorded commercials, instant replay plays back programming in 7-second increments. It also features a free programming guide with no monthly service fees.

Amazon.com Review

ReplayTV's 3030 server provides up to 30 hours of storage space and offers a host of upgrades, including an advanced programmable remote control with a ReplayZones button that makes it very easy to find the shows you want to record. In fact, it's almost too easy. Once we grew accustomed to recording shows in advance, we found ourselves watching three times as much TV as we had in the past.

For those unfamiliar with the concept of TV servers, ReplayTV records programs digitally and stores the information on a hard drive. Like a VCR, if you want to record your favorite show while you're away from home, you can store it on the 3030's hard drive and watch it later. Unlike VCRs, the personal TV server doesn't require tapes or other media to store programming.

It's important to point out that the actual amount of storage space depends on the video-recording quality that you select. A higher quality picture will take up more storage space than a lower quality recording. At the lowest setting, the picture quality is still better than standard VHS. At the middle setting, the picture quality is better than an S-VHS VCR, but storage capacity decreases by approximately 40 percent. The highest-quality setting approaches 500 lines of resolution (depending on the source) but further reduces storage capacity. We recommend using the highest setting for movies and the middle level for sporting events, sitcoms, and other programs, then erasing the content immediately after viewing it. Before doing so, however, you may want to consider taping it with a VCR for your VHS library.

One of the coolest features on the 3030 server is the ability to pause a live broadcast and resume watching it if you're interrupted for any number of reasons. When you utilize this feature, ReplayTV acts as a time buffer by storing the show in memory so you can pick up the program from where you left off. A "Return to Live" button on the remote allows you to skip forward to real time, which is great if you're watching a sporting event and you wish to catch up to the live action.

There's also an "Instant Replay" button on the remote that allows you to rewatch portions of a show or sporting event in 7-second increments, so you're not limited to rewatching only a brief segment.

ReplayTV also allows you to personalize programming for a specific theme. For example, you can set ReplayTV to monitor TV listings for any program featuring a specific actor. You can also refine theme-based searches of programming. For instance, if you wish to record Friends, you can limit your search to title only, so you won't waste time pulling up every movie and talk show that has the word "friends" in the description.

ReplayTV's onscreen guide appears with a blue background and white characters that are very readable. Since you'll be using the guide a lot to search for programs and to preview descriptions, it's important that you can read the text on a standard-size TV from your sofa. ReplayTV's onscreen guide gets an A+ in this regard.

We loved ReplayTV's QuickSkip feature, which allows you to instantly jump ahead 30 seconds, so you can skip through TV commercials on prerecorded programs. We also like the ReplayZones, which make it very easy to find programs that suit your tastes by searching according to genre. ReplayTV delineates programming into a wide variety of categories, from action and romance movies to cooking and home-improvement shows--and everything in between. ReplayTV also offers a Search Zone that allows you to input words such as "love" or "vacation" using the remote control and an onscreen keypad.

If you wish to save a particular prerecorded show, you can record it on to a VCR using the back-panel outputs. We were impressed by ReplayTV's inclusion of two sets of audio-video inputs and outputs, as well an S-video input and output. This enables users to hook up a DSS or other direct-broadcast satellite receiver to the 3030, along with a VCR as an output device.

You can watch one program while recording another by using a cable TV splitter. Simply connect the cable from the wall to the splitter's input line, then connect a spare coaxial cable from the splitter's output line to the 3030, and another from the splitter to the TV. To watch a show while recording another, use the TV button on the Replay remote to switch sources (assuming you've input your TV brand's infrared code into Replay's universal remote control).

One neat feature we really like is the ability to place the 3030 into "quiet mode" simply by turning off the unit. This keeps the server from automatically recording shows to the hard drive, which conserves power and keeps the hard disc from spinning, thereby keeping the unit cool and noise free. If you happen to be recording a show when you turn the 3030 off, it will continue to record, then shut down once the show is finished and stored in the hard drive.

Connecting the 3030 to our home theater system took about 15 minutes. Replay thoughtfully provides a poster-size chart to guide users through setup without opening the manual. If you have an open phone jack, we recommend using it. Otherwise, you can use the supplied splitter to connect the 3030 to an existing line. (You do not need a dedicated phone line, since ReplayTV's programming updates take place in the early morning hours, for only a few minutes each night.) Or you can purchase a 56 Kbps wireless transmitter/receiver, which plugs into a wall outlet and allows you to connect the 3030 to an existing phone line across the room or in another part of the house.

Dialing into ReplayTV to download the free programming guide was much easier than we expected. One major advantage to ReplayTV is that it doesn't charge any monthly service fee for downloading the program guide.

We like the fact that ReplayTV's service is nonintrusive. After all, the whole concept of personal TV servers is intended to liberate viewers so they can watch the programs they prefer, whenever they feel like it. ReplayTV is designed to make it as easy as possible for customers to find the programs they like and to record them for future enjoyment.

Pros:

30-hour hard drive
Easy-to-navigate onscreen guide
Intuitive remote control
Free programming guide

Cons:

No internal fan to cool unit

Customer Reviews:

Replay TV and DirecTV.......2001-11-16

I have a DirecTV system. I read a previous review that said you can't get or record local channels through DirecTV using ReplayTV. Of course, I read this review after I had already purchased the unit. So, I was a little nervous about my purchase at first. The good news is that ReplayTV has upgraded their software, so now in the setup process you can program it to get and record local channels. During the setup procedure, when you get to the screen where you select your cable/satellite system, you choose the option "DirecTV with local channels." The system works very smoothly. The unit is easy and convenient to use. It is much easier to program than a VCR and it takes less time. I like the fact that I don't have to keep a bunch of videotapes lying around. The only reason why I rated this unit a 4, instead of a 5 is because I have found it difficult to contact customer service. Yes, you can send them an e-mail from the website, but if you call the customer service line you get routed through a maze of messages. This can be frustrating when you need assistance. Other than that, I am very pleased with the product. I would recommend it highly.

Almost too good to be true!.......2001-06-05

I've had my ReplayTV for 9 months now. As a longtime time-shifter with a VCR, it's great to be able to watch a program while it is still recording.

The quick-skip button is wonderful. Instantly zapping forward in 30-second intervals makes it a snap to avoid commercials. In fact, my family and I have taken to intentionally starting to watch programs with the Replay 5-10 minutes after their scheduled start time expressly to AVOID the ubiquitous commercials for programs I would never let my preschool and elementary school-age kids watch. Instead of watching commercials, we spend those 10 minutes talking to each other. Imagine that... technology that lets you spend more time with your family, instead of taking away from it!

In all these months, I've only come across 2 downsides to ReplayTV ownership. If they cured these issues, I'd give the product 5 stars.

- The interface doesn't do enough to warn about conflicting recordings. When the networks put two of my favorite shows on at the same time, unless I notice it myself beforehand and set the VCR, I miss the show that is lowest in alphabetical order.

- When I bought my unit last summer, the good folks at ReplayTV thoughtfully put up several custom "channels" each month which would automatically record selected seasonal programs. When the new fall season started, this enabled us to easily sample the new shows! Around November, the company had a round of layoffs. Apparently, the folks who programmed the seasonal channels were among the casualties because the seasonal channels disappeared. Since those channels went away, the burden has shifted to us users to search more interactively. Had I not been a user before the layoffs, this might not matter as much.

To get around the issue another reviewer mentioned of not being able to watch one program while the box is recording another, I would highly recommend installing it only on TVs that have A/V inputs. That permits watching shows with the TV's tuner while the Replay box is recording. A TV with S-Video inputs would be an even better choice for the best picture quality.

In a nutshell, ReplayTV works great! I'd love to put one on every TV I own.

You got to love it!.......2001-02-11

I have had my Replay TV for 3 months. I love it, you never have to miss a show again. You always have something on TV when you want it. It is very easy to use. The price might seem high, but it is well worth it.

Try others before you buy.......2001-01-17

Great concept, lousy implementation. Only interface is a really sub-standard remote. Universal remote code is 075 (AUX)(Shhhh! Don't tell customer service, they claim there is none.) Customer service likes to argue with you and does not fully understand the products capabilities. Currently will not refresh guide automatically, must connect manually once/week. Will not provide info on when this will be fixed. Has icon bug which requires frequent hard boot to fix. Runs extremely hot.

Picture is great. Their ad is correct, you have total control over what you watch and when you watch it. Much easier to program than a VCR.

Replay and DirecTV.......2001-01-03

I have to take exeception to the reviewer who complained about the difficultly in using Replay with a DirecTV IRD (integrated receiver decoder) to record programs. I have no problem using mine with two DirecTV receivers (it's a long story) simultaneously connected to the two Replay video inputs. The Replay program guide is as complete and easy to use as the DirecTV guide displayed through the IRD. I have the outputs connected to a Dolby amplifier and a VCR. If I could control the Dolby unit with the Replay remote, it would be the only remote required. I am in love with the 30 second skip ahead button!

There still are some other things on the wish list, like the ability to record on one input and view the live feed on the second. Also, the IRD remote is still required to complete purchases on the DirecTV pay-per-view stations.

I had a Tivo unit for evaluation prior to the Replay that was much more difficult to set up and actually required 24 hours for it to assimilate it's downloaded program guide and prepare itself to (over) organize my viewing. After the evaluation I was in no hurry to buy a Tivo and am very satified with the Replay.

Electronics:

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Electronics