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barjohn · 09-12-2005, 01:11 AM

I thought I would let you know that I just ordered a new Bluetooth headset to review. It is wildly different in appearance with some interesting new features. Here is a picture:

For more details visit my web site. I will be posting a review once I have tested it fully.

cormorant · 09-21-2005, 12:51 PM

My thumbnail review of the Plantronics M2500 with a 7520:

The M2500 sucks with this BB. No one could hear me. Background noise intolerable to other callers. While I think I have small ear canal openings, the earpiece was not all comfortable. Pairing was very easy however. Overall, I advise against.

jdiong · 09-21-2005, 08:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Eric5273

Just thought I would mention that Motorola makes an adapter so that you can charge any of their headsets from a mini-USB charger.

How's it working so far? In the process of getting a HS850 myself. Please advise.

Zeus · 10-04-2005, 11:15 PM

My personal reviews of
Motorola HS820
Very comfortable so much I forget its on my ear. The speaker rests on the outside of you ear. It allows for airflow but can make it difficult to hear with much background noise. No one has every complained about hearing me.

Jabra BT200
This is an older model that I had been using on my computer. The speaker goes into your ear which provides excellent sound but not as comfortable as the hs820. Background noise doesnt have much effect. No one complains about the sound from the mic either.

Both have simple one touch answer and hang up

barjohn · 10-06-2005, 08:44 PM

As some of you readers might already know, I have been testing the HP HW6510 along with the Blackberry 7100t and now I have added the Sprint PPC-6700 to the mix. I was curious how the handsets influenced the sound quality so I have taken the Flamingo and the Plantronics V510 and paired them with each phone and recorded audio from a quiet environment using each headset with the corresponding three handsets. The differences aren't great but they are noticeable. The interesting thing is that the two Microsoft OS phones are using two different Bluetooth stacks, the HW6510 uses the Broadcom/Widcom stack and the PPC6700 uses the MS WM5 stack. The Blackberry is using the latest version of its firmware, version: 4.0.2.49 that is supposed to improve the audio and uses Bluetooth 1.1 where the others use Bluetooth 1.2. Interestingly, to my ears, the PPC6700 gives the highest pitch to the voice and the 7100t has a slightly scratchy sound compared to the others. In sound quality, the HW6510 comes out on top. I'm not sure how much is due to CDMA vs GPRS, since CDMA voice quality is not as good generally.

To listen to these comparisons visit my web site and take a listen.

SUFan · 10-07-2005, 07:28 PM

I have wondered if the Blackberry implementation of Blue Tooth contributes to the poor quality. Anyway, I finally picked up the Plantronics V510 and its the best so far (compared to Scala and Motorola).

I am using these with a 7100g with the latest OS. I am hoping the next wave of BB will have better voice and bluetooth quality.

barjohn · 10-08-2005, 02:11 PM

Well... I have cancelled my order for the Archer as it never materialized when promissed and I got tired of calling a company that never naswers its phone.

I have gone and done the crazy thing and I ordered and received the Gennum nXzen 5500, a very expensive $159 headset. (www.gennum.com) It is supposed to have just about every bell and whistle a headset can have including their FrontWave Noise cancelling technology that uses a two mic array and DSP. I have only had it a few hours and I can tell you that it's noise cancellation is awsome! It also comes with a graphics EQ capability and can connect to both a Bluetooth Headset and an MP3 player. I will be doing a complete review on the unit during the next week.

Mathelo · 10-08-2005, 11:04 PM

I'm new to this forum but have been using a Blackberry for several years. I'm currently using a 6280 but will be receiving a 7290 in the next week. I'm looking forward to using a wireless headset.

I have found this thread extremely helpful with a special thanks to BarJohn for his thorough research and reviews.

I'm just about set to get a Plantronics Voyager 510 but I'm wondering if I should wait for the Discovery 640. Has anyone seen or tested this unit? If it performs even close to the 510, I would get it instead.

Also, I've seen some online resellers refer to a Plantronics L-510. Is this the same as the Voyager 510? Looks the same but I can't be sure.

Thanks!

Louis

barjohn · 10-09-2005, 01:23 AM

I plan to review the Plantronics D640 sometime in the near future but I am reviewing the Gennum nxZen 5500 currently and you might want to wait for my review of it. The 510 and the 510L are the same with one having the landline connection docking station.

Mathelo · 10-09-2005, 09:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by barjohn

I am reviewing the Gennum nxZen 5500 currently and you might want to wait for my review of it.

Hmmm, you've got my attention. But can it possibly be worth $100 more than the 510 or even $50 more than the D640? The D640 SRP is about the same as the Gennum but many sites have it listed at $99.00 or so even though it doesn't seem to be available yet.

I can wait a few days and thanks again for your reviews. They are very helpful.

Louis

barjohn · 10-09-2005, 10:21 AM

Early testing is very favorable and I am not easily impressed. The waveFront technology that employs two mics and DSP seems to work as advertised which is a refreshing change. WHile I never tested the Plantronics M3500 that included advanced DSP over the M3000, I know that the M3000 has very good noise cancellation. It may be that the new Plantronics D640 has the same technology reduced in size (I don't know). The new nXzen is small, light weight and the WaveFront appears to work amazingly well. However, before I go and recommend it to you all, I want to have tested it more further including in high wind conditions where virtually every headset has failed me. My test yesterday in the wind (10-15 knts) was impressive but one test is not enough. It has its negatives (don't they all) and I will cover those too.

dcfroe · 10-09-2005, 11:54 AM

Hey barjohn, I have searched forums and web sites and have a feeling what I am looking for is not available but you would know probably for sure.

Does anyone make a "over the head" bluetook headset to work with cell phones?

I have seen the ones people use in offices with transmitters hooked up to the office phones and like the looks of them.

I would really like to get one for in my vehicle as I am an on the road sales rep and I prefer over the head to a object clamped on my ears.

Any ideas?????

barjohn · 10-09-2005, 12:16 PM

Yes, there are several on the market. I will get you a reference to a few tomorrow when I have some time.

dcfroe · 10-09-2005, 12:25 PM

Thanks !!!!!!!!!!!!

dcfroe · 10-11-2005, 09:39 AM

By the way barjohn I am looking for the over hte head headset to work with a Nextel 7520. Thanks for your help!

barjohn · 10-11-2005, 10:04 AM

Here are some:

http://shop.resellerratings.com/xPC-...97~DMT-199~VK-

http://www.cellink.com.tw/ind-home.htm

Sorry I don't have time right now to find the others I have seen.

Mathelo · 10-11-2005, 03:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by barjohn

Early testing is very favorable and I am not easily impressed. The waveFront technology that employs two mics and DSP seems to work as advertised which is a refreshing change. ... It has its negatives (don't they all) and I will cover those too.

Hmmm, and what might some of the negaitives be. I'm antsy to make a purchase.

L

barjohn · 10-11-2005, 05:52 PM

Please wait for my complete review before you spend $160 on a headset. I don't want you or anyone to make such an expenditure unless I am confident that it is worth it. Let me put it through its paces and find out the pros and cons and identify those for you.

kavi · 10-14-2005, 02:33 PM

any updates? Looking forward to hearing from you.

Thanks,

barjohn · 10-14-2005, 06:05 PM

I have had a very busy week at work and will be traveling out of the country so I won't get to complete my review until I get back. Be paitent it may be worth it.

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