[kneyens]

I wanted to update everyone on the new products being offered to all of us from David at Seidio.

I've been able to test 2 of the adapters that allow you to use a standard pair of headphones with your pearl.

The first one I tested was the retractable adapter with built in MIC.
2-IN-1 ADAPTOR (RETRACTABLE TYPE) - H2ARSOVBB8100-BK



This worked great and it overcame the obstacle with the non retractable version in that you can clip the mic to your shirt collar. The Mic did a great job of picking up just my voice. It also includes a volume wheel, which wasn't all that sensitive or it could have just been my headphones (Bose QC2). I felt even though it was a wheel it basically had 3 settings, mute, mid range and high range. The high range is what I usually used with a slight volume adjustment on the pearl itself. Overall this was a great product and worked really well.

The other nice feature on this adapter is the answer / mute button. When you are listening to music it can be used to answer the call and when you are on the call you can use it to mute the conversation. When you are not on a call it allows you to pause the music. GREAT multi-functional button.


The second adapter I was able to test was the standard audio adapter.
STANDARD AUDIO ADAPTOR FOR 8100 - ADA-BB8100M35FST



For those of us that like it simple, this is the adapter for you, just plug and play. Works great, music comes in over stereo, just unplug when a call comes in to use the phone. Not much to say except simple and elegant.

Check out my original review here
http://www.blackberryforums.com/bbf-...bb-8100-a.html

It includes the first version of the standard adapter WHICH IS NOW WORKING as well as the non retractable mic version. Which the more that I think about it is nice b/c that multi function button really comes in handy to pause and play the music.

Hope you all enjoy.

[seidio]

Originally Posted by kneyens

I wanted to update everyone on the new products being offered to all of us from David at Seidio.

I've been able to test 2 of the adapters that allow you to use a standard pair of headphones with your pearl.

The first one I tested was the retractable adapter with built in MIC.
2-IN-1 ADAPTOR (RETRACTABLE TYPE) - H2ARSOVBB8100-BK

http://www.seidioonline.com/ProductI..._Ret_p6700.jpg

This worked great and it overcame the obstacle with the non retractable version in that you can clip the mic to your shirt collar. The Mic did a great job of picking up just my voice. It also includes a volume wheel, which wasn't all that sensitive or it could have just been my headphones (Bose QC2). I felt even though it was a wheel it basically had 3 settings, mute, mid range and high range. The high range is what I usually used with a slight volume adjustment on the pearl itself. Overall this was a great product and worked really well.

The other nice feature on this adapter is the answer / mute button. When you are listening to music it can be used to answer the call and when you are on the call you can use it to mute the conversation. When you are not on a call it allows you to pause the music. GREAT multi-functional button.


The second adapter I was able to test was the standard audio adapter.
STANDARD AUDIO ADAPTOR FOR 8100 - ADA-BB8100M35FST

http://www.seidioonline.com/ProductImages/ada_xda3.jpg

For those of us that like it simple, this is the adapter for you, just plug and play. Works great, music comes in over stereo, just unplug when a call comes in to use the phone. Not much to say except simple and elegant.

Check out my original review here
http://www.blackberryforums.com/bbf-...bb-8100-a.html

It includes the first version of the standard adapter WHICH IS NOW WORKING as well as the non retractable mic version. Which the more that I think about it is nice b/c that multi function button really comes in handy to pause and play the music.

Hope you all enjoy.

Thanks very much for your review. Some people have experienced problems with our adaptors and this gives me an opportunity to help clear up what we have found over here. From our product development team:

"An audio coupler is needed as the BB8100 cannot detect the stereo
setting on the car cassette adapter. But this may not be true for all
car cassette adaptors."

The audio coupler, which is often used with our Treo series to take care of impedance issues, is what they are talking about. If you are having problems gettting stereo or mono or 1 sided sound, the device referred to above can be found here:

https://www.seidioonline.com/index.a...PROD&ProdID=39

We have found that this item will cure audio problems with the 8100 and might be needed until RIM updates their firmware so that the Pearl recognizes devices plugged into it's headset jack properly.

[seidioseidio]

Seidio have both adaptors in stock now.

[Woodsy]

I've acquired a few 2.5mm plugs (4 ring) from my local electronics store and I'm going to create my own headphone/car adapter.

I'd like to know the pinout, pins and/or wiring for the coupler and adapter.

Here's the info I've gathered in my travels:-
Pin 1 (the tip) is Control +2.4v
Pin 2 is Left audio or Microphone
Pin 3 is Right
Pin 4 is Ground

Pin 1 has a 1.4K ohm loading to Ground and the pickup/mute button shorts Pin 1 + 4 momentarily.

The coupler loads Left and Right to Ground so the phone recognizes headphones.
I'm unsure how the phone knows if stereo/mono+mic is detected.

Can anyone confirm/clarify this?

Any info would be greatly appreciated.

[Edit] - After testing this configuration it didn't work as expected...
[Edit2] - After testing again i fixed my initial mistake... (silly me...)

Created new thread @ http://www.blackberryforums.com/hard...g-pinouts.html

[Willie115]

Pins aren't that normal for the Pearl as other devices, I'm not surprised that your little project didn't work... nice try though, keep us updated on how it goes =D

[J. Rehak]

The Stereo Headphone Adapter I built works great, IN STEREO.
Plans available free at:

Use ANY Stereo Headphones with Blackberry Pearl

Please note the pages referrenced above is NOT formatted for the
Blackberry, you need to view this on your internet connected computer!

I built my own Pearl Stereo Headphone Adapter for about $6.

Have fun!

John

[tchao]

John, thank you for sharing. $6 is so much better than $30 + shipping.

[katone]

Originally Posted by J. Rehak

The Stereo Headphone Adapter I built works great, IN STEREO.
Plans available free at:
Use ANY Stereo Headphones with Blackberry Pearl
I built my own Pearl Stereo Headphone Adapter for about $6.

thanks! the seidio is definitely overpriced.

edit: seidios are about $12 shipped on ebay now, not bad.