My bb links OK but cannot make outgoing calls using the bb phone list. Is this common? When dialing out, can only listen to call through bb if dialed from bb phone/address list.

 

Correct. As far as I know, my 8700g cannot use the device address book, only the car address book.

 

With my Blacberry I found that if you dial from the phone and transfer the call while the phone is dialing, it will play thru HFL.

 

I've reported this problem to RIM, and they admit it's a bug. I reported on my 8700, and the 8800 still has the problem. Actually, dialing from the BB does work, you just don't hear any call progress (ring) until the call is connected.
--Steve