To Bluetooth or Not, That is the Question

[crokett]

I have the option to upgrade my cell phone next month. The new phones all come with Bluetooth so I could go with a wireless headset. I don't use a headset now because of the stupid wire. It would be especially nice to be hands-free when I am working around the house.

So... anybody have a Bluetooth headset? Do you use it?

[RayintheUK]

So... anybody have a Bluetooth headset? Do you use it?

Yes and yes - all the time I'm outdoors.

I was forever bending over in the shop, or when cleaning the car or van and the cellphone would drop out. Now, I can button up the pocket and answer everything on the earpiece.



When driving, it's brilliant. It's illegal to use anything other than hands-free over here, so that keeps me straight. It can use voice dialling, so that can take a little time setting up, otherwise I wouldn't be without it.

One light touch on the earpiece and you're connected. Two-second touch and speak the name assigned to the number you want and it's dialled. It's very light and comfortable to wear, although a few more elderly people think it's some kind of new-fangled hearing aid!

Don't forget that Bluetooth devices need charging and the earpiece is no exception. HTH

Ray.

[pelligrini]

I don't have a bluetooth headset, but I use the bluetooth my P-PC phone all the time. My new car stereo is bluetooth enabled and it can make use of the phone. Allthough, people can't really hear me at all on the highway in my '69 camaro. I really use it for playing music. I can load up a couple gigs of mp3s on my phone and play it on my car stereo.

I'm about to put the same car stereo in my shop and use the phone to play my music archive. That phone also does wi-fi so I can access my whole collection on my server. Solid state, no fussing with cd's and dust, should be nice.

[ironhat]

My only objection to earpieces (I haven't tried the Bluetooth) is the tinny sound. It's like there's a little guy or girl standing at the edge of your ear shouting the info into it. It reminds me of the Garret Morris skit on Saturday Night Live where he recaps the nightly news for the hearing impaired by shouting it

[BigguyZ]

My dad has a bluetooth headset, and I can always tell when he's using it, because I can't understand a word he's saying!

But, that's not to impune all BT headsets... Just the $20 ones my dad buys.

[iceman61]

I have a blue tooth headset & love it. I'm a remodeling contractor so being able to have my hands free & talk while I'm still working is a huge plus. It's also handy while driving. The better ones are noise canceling so the person on the other end doesn't hear certain noises such as wind coming through an open truck window when you are driving. Most will have a frame that fits around your ear. Those are the best.

Do some internet research. Check out reviews that are online. One thing I like to do is go to a place that has one & try it out in the store. Get them to sync it up for you & call a friend. When looking at them make sure the earbud will fit into your ear canal just a bit. I hate the ones that appear to be a small load speaker that just sits on the outside of your ear.

I do not use it if I'm going into a store because I still think people "look like geeks walking around talking to themselves."

[jussi]

I have a Motorola at the moment and it works ok. About as good as any other. I've heard (an considering upgrading) to the blue ant . One feature I like is that it reads out the name of the caller (assuming you have the caller in your address book). Sometimes I don't answer phone calls if I don't know the number or just don't want to be bothered. Saves the hassle of pulling the phone out of my pocket to read the name. Especially when I'm in the car. It kind of negates the advantage of having a bluetooth headset you have to look down at your phone while you're driving to see who's calling you. Plus some of their versions are supposed to have a pretty good noise cancellation feature.

[LCHIEN]

I bought one because they were inexpensive and interesting feature of the phone, just to play with.

my comments:
1. it seems to work pretty well, if I'd put int he voice calling for each of my key people I could use that and not have to pick up the phone at all, most of the time. No one who I have talked to using it has complained or seemed to have a problem with the voice quality.
2. its convenient foir hands free, not only while driving but just sitting around.
3. you look like a stupid geek with it hanging on yoour ear, somthing like the cyBorgs on Star trek
4. You sound stupid talking to yourself in public. At least that's my observations of others; I'm sure I do no appear that way.
5. making people listen to your private conversations in public is kind of rude.
6. I don't receive or make all that many calls so I don't find it worthwhile to wear the thing all the time, but if i did, i might be temped to.

I have a Motorola one and a Razr phone You can pick up a Blue tooth earpiece for under $20 quite easily... I got mine from Buy.com with free shipping.

[parnelli]

I've had about a half dozen over the years and would rate the Plantronics voyager 510 and 520 to be the best I've used for both me and the person listening.

Price isn't always a good indicator- for example I bought an Aiph Jawbone for $100 back in the fall and it's sound quality was substantially less.

[crokett]

3. you look like a stupid geek with it hanging on yoour ear, somthing like the cyBorgs on Star trek
4. You sound stupid talking to yourself in public. At least that's my observations of others; I'm sure I do no appear that way.
5. making people listen to your private conversations in public is kind of rude.
.

3. I've long since stopped caring what the general public thinks about the way I look, sometimes to my wife's chagrin.

4 and 5. When I am talking on the phone now I will step away from most people so they don't have to listen to my conversations. I don't want them listening anyway.

[HarmsWay]

I've had a headset for 3+ years but don't use it anymore. I too think people wearing them in public look very geeky and not in a good way. Technical quality on my Motorola was very good (both ways apparently) but ergonomically it wasn't good for MY ear. It always felt like it was going to fall off. So like I said, I don't use it anymore.

However BlueTooth for the phone is a definite yes. I have Bluetooth in my car and on my computers. I can casually do phone backups in a boring meeting without ever touching my phone. The phone/car interface is much better than a headset. It mutes the music when a call comes in and shows me who is calling. The audio quality is also good. Make sure the phone handles all the important BlueTooth profiles - not just handsfree.

Bob

[os1kne]

Definitely go with Bluetooth. Do some homework before you buy an earpiece and get a decent one. Avoid the temptation of getting an earpiece on ebay - there are a lot of counterfeits out there that look nearly identical to the real deal.

Good luck.

[Crash2510]

I use mine alot

downside if you use it around other people they look at you weird because it looks like you are talking to yourself

[poolhound]

I agree with the OPs, dont go for a cheap one, you will be dissapointed.

FWIW may cars are now available with built in BT. They have a fixed mike, either in the door frame, mirror, or steering wheel and will pump the incomming voice through the radio when you get a call.

rather cool and a lot safer.

[bigstick509]

I've got the Jabra BT8100 http://www.jabra.com/Sites/Jabra/NA-...braBT8010.aspx
with my new T-Mobil Shadow that supports stereo bluetooth. I have not had the time to use it much but my initial response is positive.