Bluetooth Headset Thread

[JimDeVico]

In this thread let's discuss Bluetooth headsets. What do you have? What do you want? Why? What do you think of the one ya' got?

[Aratos]

As in the things for handsfree on your phone? Eh, I thought I might get one if I had some spare cash, then I noticed folk using them invariably seem to look like idiots talking to themselves and said "sod that".

Plus round here no-one really uses them. Other than pretentious looking folk in suits, anyway, and I don't want looped with them. :p

[JimDeVico]

I use one out of necessity. It's much easier to talk on the phone and have both hands free for things like typing, driving, walking the dog etc. I used to use wired headsets but the wires quickly became an annoyance.

I agree that at first I thought it looked pretentious but then again so did using a cell phone once in public look that way. Remember?

Anyway, here are my thoughts on some models I've used:

Motorola H700 - This model has a nice look to it and is smaller than the H550 (I think that's the model). It folds up and easily fits into one's pocket. I never liked the volume level coming out of this one and had to constantly hold my hand to my ear and press it closer so I could hear folks. Kind of defeated the purpose of having a BT headset.

Motorola H550 - This one is simply a larger version of the previous one. I found it way too big and it had the same volume issue as the H700.

Jabra JX10 - I LOVED this one. It was so small and so light that I could wear it by simply pressing it into my ear. I didn't need a loop to hang it off my ear. The problem with this one was that quality didn't seem to be there. I had to send it back to Jabra twice for repairs. In addition, it seemed to pick up a lot of background noise and I was, on a few occasions, asked to switch to my handset so that the other party could hear me. Again - kind of defeating the purpose of a BT headset. If Jabra ever comes out with one with noise canceling, I'll be switching back.

This one also is exceptionally designed. It looks good. Has a cool looking charging stand and is small enough that I didn't feel like a cyborg while walking around with it in.

Jawbone - This is my latest and current BT headset. I've now had it for about 24 hours. I really like the design and look of this one but the biggest plus about this one is its noise canceling feature. It rocks! I was driving down the freeway yesterday with the windows down and the radio on and the person I was talking to could hear every word. When I switched off the noise canceling feature they couldn't hear me at all.

The biggest downside about this set is that while it looks cool, it's BIG. This one makes me feel self conscious and like a cyborg.

[LKK6144]

I use one out of necessity. It's much easier to talk on the phone and have both hands free for things like typing, driving, walking the dog etc.
Bad Jim. Bad, bad. No internet cookies for you. Talking on the phone while driving -- with a headset or without -- is baaaadddd.

I don't have any need for a Bluetooth headset, but new toy compulsion keeps me interested in them. One thing that has always put me off though is that I have never liked having my ear(s) covered. Have never liked headphones or earjacks of any kind.

[Aratos]

Bad Jim. Bad, bad. No internet cookies for you. Talking on the phone while driving -- with a headset or without -- is baaaadddd.


And over here in blightyland, it'll land you a pretty impressive fine and points on your license. Not at all fun.

Hmm, so avoid a Motorola to go with my Motorola phone then?

I may never use my phone for anything other than texting, but my natural affinity to gadgets compels me to look into one of the things. If only becasue it'd be really cool to be able to make calls by dialling into my palmtop and speaking into a headset while my phone sits on the other side of the room...

[JimDeVico]

And over here in blightyland, it'll land you a pretty impressive fine and points on your license. Not at all fun.

Not here in CA. There is a law going into effect on Tuesday that will disallow the use of handsets while driving. Drivers can only use the phone if they have a handsfree option.

Hmm, so avoid a Motorola to go with my Motorola phone then?

In my opinion, yes but that's a personal preference. My wife has been using the H700 for over 18 months now with her Motorola handsets. She has long hair that covers her ears so she doesn't care about the look issue and for her the volume level was a non-issue.

[Aratos]

I'll pop into the store and ask what they think. ;)

[Tajtan]

You can talk on the phone while driving here ONLY if it is a handsfree phone. Can't have a cellphone you hold. Also, it depends on what county you're in. Not all counties have that rule, so if you're going on a long drive, gotta be careful. ;)

I think it's strange when I see people talking to no one as they're walking in a store or at the checkout or something. Always takes me a few secs to realize one, they're not talking to me and two, they're not talking to the clerk.

And when I see people with those things hooked around their ear all I think is, "Ow." That's just gotta be sore when you take it off.

[JimDeVico]

And when I see people with those things hooked around their ear all I think is, "Ow." That's just gotta be sore when you take it off.

The Motorola's are a little like that. I could only wear those for a short while before they started to bother me. The other two are very comfortable.

[Tajtan]

Is the Motorola one that blue one that kinda looks like a mini bicycle racing helmet? Sorta shaped like a long teardrop? That's the one I see the most hooked on people's ears.

[TheBohemian]

The earpiece for my headset gets a little annoying sometimes, but it's more comfortable than others I've used in the past.

As for Bluetooth, I was almost considering enabling it on my phone and getting the headset till I heard how badly it drains the battery, and I kill my battery quick enough these days as it is. >_>