Siemens Gigaset 8800 2.4 GHz 2-Line Cordless Expansion Handset

Pros: Very portable with a good clean sound!
Cons: None

The Siemens Gigaset 8800 Cordless Handset Extension and Charger are made to be used with Siemens Gigaset 8825 phone system. The Gigaset 8800 will not work without the Gigaset 8825 phone system.

This is a digital spread spectrum 2.4 GHz...

Pros: GREAT FEATURES,GREAT SOUND QUALITY,WORKES OVER 300 YRDS,TONS OF RING TONES
Cons: EXPENSIVE

THIS PHONE IS ONE OF THE BEST PHONE I HAVE EVER OWNED. GREAT SOUND QUALITY,GOES WAY OVER 300YRDS,HAS A TON OF DIFFERENT RING TONES AND COMPARES IN FEATURES TO A CELL PHONE . I AM A BIG FAN OF CORDLESS PHONES WITH MULTI-FEATURES AND ADDITIONS HEAD SETS ....

Pros: Intercom and distinct ringing for each handset was great. Multiple mailboxes was awesome.
Cons: The phone concept was a good idea, quality of performance just didn't do it justice.

I bought a complete Model#2420 system for our home, which included the base and eight handsets. They worked fine for the first few months. The handset buttons started to wear out and with having them technically under warranty they were returned for repair or replacement. I was then informed they no longer made the 2420 systems, I would have to upgrade to the 8825 handsets. Unfortunately that forced me to upgrade ALL the phones and the base. NOW it's happening again. The 8825 system is even worse than the first one. These handsets don't charge when placed in the charger, they go dead or beep repeatedly. A couple of them have had the keypads quit working. Thank goodness Siemens no longer is making any of these products. Now I can upgrade hopefully to a system that will last more than a few months before causing headaches.

Pros: Nice system. No major drawbacks.
Cons: Siemens incredible disdain for the consumer market. 150% increase in price since introduced.

Ok, I've had a set of 4 of these phones and the base for a couple of years now. They were available at BestBuy and the extension phones were about $100.00. Apparently, Siemens did not stop making them, but changed marketing channels. Now the base unit is available through a very limited number of retailers for about $350.00 and the extension phones are between $200.00 and $300.00 a piece! I think either they decided they didn't want the consumer business, or they decided to price this system in a range similar to Panasonic's small business Hybrid PBX. That's just nuts.

Perfect example of a company that enters the consumer market after making business products for decades, then decides it isn't worth the trouble because there is a lower margin than in the business market.

So, although the phones work well, NO consumer cordless multi-phone system is worth the $1500.00 you would have to pay for this one. And if, like me, you are just trying to find another unit for your 8800 system, forget it. A better idea might be to sell your system on Ebay for a tidy profit.

Pros: Quality construction
Cons: So-so call quality, poor ergonomics, high price

I bought the 8825 base station and an 8800 handset for my office. The base station is very solid and the buttons have a high quality feel when pressed. I don't use the voicemail boxes (4 available) but I played around with them and if it's a feature you need, I don;t think you will be disappointed.

I have not had any problems with the cradle or charging, but the performance and ergonomics of the handset comes up a bit shy compared to the base station. I have noticed crackling when only a moderate distance from the base, and you have to navigate through the handsets menus for simple things like changing the call or ringer volumes.

I have a cheapo Uniden single line system at home with 4 handsets (about $100 at Costco) that outperforms this Siemens unit in call quality, but is not as sturdy.

All in all, I don't think the cost is justified for either the 8825 base station or 8800 handset. There are newer products from other manufacturers that are superior and less expensive.

Pros: Point to point calling - intercoms. Good range, excellent sound quality
Cons: Horrible, horrible charger base design. Dead Phones, beeping for no reason.

We have had five of the 8800 handsets for over 2 years now and if I had to do it again I WOULD NOT buy this system. The handset are always going dead, or beeping in the middle of night.

The charger base only work half the time. If the phone's keypad is locked it will not charge.

Joining into an active phone call requires 3 or 4 button clicks.

The only good things about the system is being able to use the phones as intercoms, range is 200' and the sound quality is excellent.

Of course you can't use the phone at all when it is dead because of the bad charging base design.