Bluetooth Headset Roundup

Faeton writes " HowardChui.com has 5 nifty Bluetooth cellphone headsets reviewed. Looks like we're moving towards the StarTrek Comm unit (check out the size of the Nextlink Bluespoon Digital headset!)"

Re:filtering background noise?

[Jaguar777]

According to the article...

"One of the Bluespoon's selling points (besides the amazing size and battery life) is the fact that it has a built in DSP (digital signal processor) that helps cancel noise. In my fan test there was a noticeable drop in fan noise whenever I talked indicating that the noise canceling really does work. Cool stuff."

Jabra

[tackaberry]

I had mixed results with the Jabra and a non-Bluetooth phone.

It worked reasonable well with my Timeport, but not as well with my wife's Samsung. However, even with the Timeport, it was a pain to Accept a call, or Terminate one. I constantly had to go back to using the phone's button, rather than the headset buttons.

Another problem was determining whether or not it was still in Active mode or on Standby. There is a sound tone which goes up in pitch or down in pitch when you turn it on/off. Most of the time, I wound up leaving it on, having the battery drain, and then not having it charged when I wanted to use it.

The other thing was having to have carry around both the phone and the adapter. It'll will stay in the drawer until I find a Bluetooth phone (although Verizon seems determined to prevent me from finding one), and then we'll see if it was worth buying.

Re:Prices?

[mfago]

The Bluespoon is US $350. Ouch!

For another review. [burn.com]

On HowardChui.com...

[Atticu5]

As an aside, I find that HowardChui.com is a very informative resource for all sorts of cell-phone tech. Definately worth adding to your bookmark list!

(PS. If someone wants to buy me the Bluespoon [howardchui.com], I'd be much obliged...)

explained

[Fubar411]

Bluetooth is kinda like the first time you ever used a remote control for the TV instead of getting up to change the channel. (For those of you who have ever had to actually do that.)

You make one device discoverable and tell the other to search. And if the profiles are set so that the devices can make sense of each other, they start working.

I believe with Macs you can control iTunes with the phone (sounds cool) and others are working on getting Winzip to function.

My experience:
I have a Sony T68i phone w/ Bluetooth. My grey market USB adapter from Mitsumi was a dud, but the second US model worked pretty well thanks to some Widcomm software. There isn't much I've done that couldn't be achieved with a cable, so maybe it is just pure, uncut geek factor.

Error in article

[Jeremiah Blatz]

The author notes that the Nokia comes with a removable NiHM battery. He then complains that NiMH's suck, because they have memory effects. This is not the case. NiCd batteries have a memory effect, not NiMH's.

Re:Prices?

[sootman]

Huh? The prices are right underneath the purty pictures.

Bluetake BT400 GII - $70
Jabra BT200 v1 - $70
Nextlink Bluespoon Digital - $350
Nokia HDW-2 - $100
Sony Ericsson HBH-60 - $100

Re:Prices?

[jonfromspace]

and twice the weight.

I think small form factor is the point here.

Re:Can anyone explain?

[woyouwenti]

I got a combination Nokia 3650 and Sony Ericsson bluetooth headset. Through T-Mobile after rebate, the Nokia phone is almost free - add a $100 bluetooth headset and you're ready. The Sony Ericsson phone is a good match too, if you don't need a speakerphone (I design/demo speech systems so I occasionally use a speakerphone).

Having a bluetooth headset is fabulous. The Sony headset is incredibly comfortable, and you can wear it all day (I've even accidentally fallen asleep and forgotten to take it off). If you pair it with a voice activated service such as Sprint, or a voice-activated phone such as the Nokia, you can simply push the button, say "E T phone home" and presto you're talking. Push the button once again and you're off. To mute you press both volume controls simultaneously. I'm surprised Howard says he has trouble finding the button...

On the road, a voice-activated bluetooth phone is the safest thing I've seen. It's also a pretty cool toy. :)

See the expansys web site for more information about user reviews of bluetooth headsets

Safe Driving!!!

Re:Against BlueTooth Headsets

[sk0pe]

I have a Nokia 6310 and use the Sony Ericsson HBH-30 headset. I have used this combination for about 6 months.

I have found the combination to work brilliantly. Once the devices are paired, to reconnect and disconnect is quicker and easier than it was with a "wired" handsfree headset. The ability to answer calls and hang them up from the headset is great, and the lower EMR output (compared to the phone) puts my mind at ease (whether or not I'm deluding myself ;).

I have never had a dropout, and once I established the useable range from earpiece to phone, I had no problems with quality. In actual fact I have found the earpiece has better voice quality than the phone.

I got mine for less than $AU200, which, considering I had gone through 6 high quality corded earpieces in the previous 12 months (adding up to $AU240), makes the bluetooth earpiece quite affordable in comparison.

It's personally one of the best investments I have made for my mobile phone.

Re:Excellent!

[Jamesie]

well actually...

Power Pad Offers Easy Recharge [pcworld.com]

Re:Can anyone explain?

[javatips]

Even better with the SonyEricson t68i, you don't even have to push a button. the phone can listen for a magic word ("I wanna talk") then you can tell who you want to talk to!