Hey, all!!

I've scoured and searched and poked and prodded...

I can't get any appreciable volume out of ANY Bluetooth headset I try with my 8830. I've tried a cheapy Jabra (Verizon branded) headset, a BlueAnt Z9, and most recently, a Jawbone. Yes, the volume is turned up on BOTH my BB, and the headset... still too quiet!!

As of midnight tonight, our communist "nanny state", the People's Republic of Washington, is making it illegal to drive and talk on the phone, without using a hands-free device. Yes, I can juggle a phone, a cup of coffee, and a manual-trans BMW (and if ya know anything about BMW's, the cupholders are more useful for holding your BB, than a cup of Joe!).

I gave the BlueAnt to my GF, and she loves it (paired with a Motorola V3m, and a Samsung Flipshot). I get no joy, she gets the "hand-me-downs".
I even tried a RIM wired headset, and the sound quality is so bad, I gave up.

Can anybody offer some solutions or suggestions? They'd be MUCH appreciated!!!

Well, I've had good luck with a Plantronics 510 and an 8830. Having said that, however, you maybe need to consider two possible explanations:

1. Your BB has a problem.
2. Your hearing is going. Do you go to many loud rock concerts?

I'm not trying to be a jerk, but it (hearing loss) does happen.

Thanks for the help, DJM!!

No, I don't think my hearing is going. My employer mandates yearly hearing tests for all employees in manufacturing, and my hearing is consistently A-OK. So, unless I've had a sudden down-turn in the last couple months, it ain't my ears. And, I haven't been to a concert in quite a few years.

I've wondered if there's a problem with either the firmware/bluetooth stack/etc. I'm on firmware v4.2.2.148 (Verizon). I never have any issues with pairing devices, though it seems to drop the connection (then re-connect) fairly frequently. Could this be a sign of a problem?

Verizon offers a newer version of the OS. I do not know what it fixes or tweaks but you could give it a try.

I for one am glad your nanny state and mine enacted the law - but it should be a primary offense and not merely secondary. But your phone should still work properly. My jawbone works fine as do my S9 stereo phones.

I'd say this is a very good possibility. If it frequently drops the connection, that would seem to be a potential indicator. Mine will start to get horrible reception/clarity at > 15 feet, but it won't drop until about 45 feet with clear line of sight and no impediments.

I'd probably try a new OS. Something is not right, because the Jawbone has a great rep -- how does that work on a different phone?

I think the loudest BT I've tried is the Cardo S-2 - but you might be better off with a car kit