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Jabra FreeSpeak / Post what you think about yours. |
drsecure
Joined: Sep 17, 2002
Posts: 15
PM |
Got mine, real nice fit. Some observations.
(1) I keep mine my t68i in a backpack and works just fine, not static
(2) Voice commands work, need to say them 2 times (most of the times, could just be my voice)
(3) Magic word does not work
(4) Standby battery last 2-3 days
(5) talk time is over 2 hrs as I was on a call that long and it still has power left
(6) Can use it in either ear
(7) Controls on ear piece are easy to get to and use | |
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Liquid-R1
Joined: Oct 12, 2002
Posts: 1
From: San Jose, CA
PM |
Just got a sample today... I've been comparing to my HBH-30.... Here are a couple quick oberservations that I noticed...
Likes:
- MUCH more comfortable that the HBH-30... The SE seems to hurt the outer part of my ear after extended use... I don't have that problem w/ the Jabra...
- Isn't as obtrusive as the SE... The SE really sticks out esp. w/ the boom mic, not as bad with the Jabra...
- Less expensive... I believe the Jabra retails at about 99.99 while the HBH-30 was $130.00
Dislikes:
- When connecting up with the phone, the SE has a continious beep as it links up to the phone... The Jabra only beeps once to initiate, then again once it's sync'd. But, the 5-10 seconds it takes to link, the Jabra has dead silence... It's like calling someone and getting no ring tone... You're not really sure if it went through...
- The volume control is independant of the vol. control on the phone... Please note, I am using a T68i, so it may be different for other phones... So, on the SE, the volume 1-8 can be controlled via the phone OR the headset... They are linked together... The Jabra is separate, so the headset does NOT control the phone volume... Just it's own...
- No Mic Mute on headset... On the SE, I can press both volume buttons at the same time at turn off the mic... Really useful for talking smack about the person you on the phone with without them knowing.. =) Can't do that on the Jabra...
- Fit and Finish not the greatest versus the SE... The part that covers the mic on mine seems slapped on...
Other from those points, to me they are about the same... I haven't tested the range on the Jabra yet, but I must say that the SE wasn't the greatest... For now though, I really do like the Jabra a little better... Even without the features I liked on the SE, the comfort is the most important thing to me... The SE hurts my ear for extended periods of time while the Jabra feels fine... I think I'll stick to the Jabra for now...
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jmpage2
Joined: Oct 12, 2002
Posts: 31
PM |
My impressions.
I got my unit today and just had a couple of hours to try it out after charging it.
Pairing with the T68i was a breeze. The headset is an easy fit on either ear (a nice feature). I have worn literally dozens of headsets, and found this to be the most comfortable one I have ever used. In my case it seemed to fit much better on my right ear. Not easy to put on with one hand though, as the little ear gel is free to swivel around and it can get away from you very easily if you are driving, etc. It's very light and the buttons are fairly easy to run with it on your ear.
Not sure if I like how it looks... I strongly suspect that until people see more of these devices they will assume that it is a hearing aid and might yell when talking to you. The microphone part of the unit also has a, hmmm... how shall we say, phallic look to it? It's one part of the design I am not impressed with.
Called several friends and they all said the sound quality was very good... none of them knew I was on a headset till I told them... they all said they were surprised it was a headset. On my end the sound quality was quite excellent, even at the middle volume setting.
Haven't had a chance to test battery life, but honestly 3 hrs of talk time a day and 96 hrs of standby should be more than sufficient for my use. I don't mind charging every day.
But life is not perfect in Freespeak land, there are a few probs with it. Voice command seem hindered by a timing bug between the freespeak and the T68i, which never is able to hear the spoken name on the first time. The headset will beep for the name, and the T68i will prompt for the name a second before the headset cuts off. The second name querry almost always seems to work (the headset re-prompts for the name and is in synch with the phone the 2nd time).
the little holster clip/charger combo is a little flaky... its difficult to get it in or out of there without hitting the buttons, I also wasn't too happy with how big it was on a belt clip. Fortunately the unit is very compact and fits in a jeans pocket very nicely... just takes a few more rings to get it out ofa pocket before the cell covers to voicemail.
If anyone has any tips for this with the T68i I would love to hear them. As it is I am VERY satisfied with how well this unit works, especially for the $97 (shipped).
A bluespoon might still be in my future, but only when they offer something substantial over the freespeak (sorry guys, longer battery life and a slightly smaller footprint are not reasons enough to spend almost 3X the money). The jaw mic would make the BS worth it, but right now with the standard mic, I don't see how it's worth the extra cost. |
marcus
Joined: Feb 19, 2002
Posts: 85
PM |
Question:
Does the Jabra BT200 stay put on your ear even if you shake your head or does it feel like it's gonna fall? |
jmpage2
Joined: Oct 12, 2002
Posts: 31
PM |
It is very secure once you have it seated properly. |
GregB
Joined: May 29, 2002
Posts: 21
PM |
How comfortable is the freespeak to wear with glasses. Not necessarily specs (ie ones with a hook that loops behind the ear) but sunglasses (with a perfectly straight arm)
Also, anyone tried using a freespeak while riding a pedal bike? Is wind noise a problem? |
jmpage2
Joined: Oct 12, 2002
Posts: 31
PM |
I wear it with a pair of Revo Pythons and don't find that it is a problem. Sunglasses with really thick arms (which seem to be more popular these days) would probably be a problem.
If I wore glasses regularly I would probably get a BS since it does not touch the outer ear at all. |
geoffreyw
Joined: Aug 15, 2002
Posts: 104
From: Texas
PM |
I just got my FreeSpeak and when i get more than 5 feet away from it, it breaks up really bad. I am using a T68i and I used the record on the phone to test it. I can hear pretty well all the way up to about 20 feet but i sound like darth vader. What gives.
Also, i noticed that if you wait until the second beep, the voice commands work great.
[ This Message was edited by: geoffreyw on 2002-10-25 03:53 ] |
geoffreyw
Joined: Aug 15, 2002
Posts: 104
From: Texas
PM |
One more question. I just received a phone call and the phone did not ring. I heard the voice command repeated twice but no ring. While this is not a problem when you have the headset on, it would be nice if both the phone and the headset would let you know that a call is coming in. Anybvody know how to change this? |
jmpage2
Joined: Oct 12, 2002
Posts: 31
PM |
When my headset is connected I do hear the ring. You might have to change ring under the profile for headset as I believe when the phone gets the call and routs it to the Jabra it uses this profile.
I also have mine set up to "always ask" for answer options under bluetooth... this way when a call comes in I have the choice of answering on EITHER the handset or the headset. Very handy. |
Darrenk
Joined: May 31, 2002
Posts: 21
PM |
I just have one quick question, does he headset actually ring out loud or does it just ring in the ear? The reason I ask is because I may leave my phone in my briefcase and the headset in my pocket. This means I can't hear my phone ring. |
geoffreyw
Joined: Aug 15, 2002
Posts: 104
From: Texas
PM |
DarrenK> just rings in the ear
Jmpage2> what profile are you talking about? I have a port-h-free profile but that has ringers and vibration setup as well. I get no vibration or ringing in the phone. I am going to call Tech support later and see if they can help me
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jmpage2
Joined: Oct 12, 2002
Posts: 31
PM |
I wouldn't bother calling Jabra as they have no control over the ring behavior.
What FW version is the T68i? I remember something about the bluetooth behavior with headsets being improved in later versions.
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darex
Joined: Oct 22, 2002
Posts: 5
From: David
PM |
I think the Jabra Freespeak is AWESOME!
I have never liked hands-free devices before now (between the wire and having my old phone T28 upside down in my pocket, etc...).
I've only had mine 3 days, but I think it's one of the coolest things I've ever purchased.
The first night, I spoke with a friend while walking around a store (Target), and at the end of the long conversation, I revealed to her that not only was I on a hands-free headset, but a cordless one! She couldn't believe it had no idea.
In my mind, this unit is perfect. I can't imagine what more anyone could ask for.
It's light, comfortable, looks great, holds a charge for 4 days, or 4 hours (talking), it syncs with the phone instantly, and permanently, and works beautifully.
The activation of the voice commands sounds a bit messed up until you get used to it, but it does work, and it works very well.
I can answer or not answer with voice commands, and dial out -- never fails. When you hit the button, you first hear a Jabra beep, then some other kind of "messed-up sounding" beep, then the actual t68i voice dial beep. You have to wait for the REAL t68i beep before you issue your command, but if you do, it does work just fine. There's a 2-second delay or so until the "real" beep is sounded.
Note, Jabra recommends you record all your voice commands via the headset for maximum clarity and accuracy, and that makes sense. It probably explains any failures in accuracy that others have found. Where and how did they record their voice labels?
This headset works beyond my expectations, and is far and away the cheapest option out there.
It also draws much attention. Everyone wants to know what it is. They think it's a hearing aid, but it has that cool bright blue LED flashing, plus the boom mike. When you tell them it's a wireless headset, they often don't believe it. They also don't believe how light it is, and they have the hardest time believing it's only $99.
I know there are always some people who denounce everything, but I honestly can't believe anyone could hate this unit for how it performs and lives up to every aspect of its billing.
It's also rock-solid on your ear (you have to play with the positon of the gel to get it right for YOUR ear, but once you do, you could do summersaults and handstands and it won't come off. it's very comfortable too, because it's thin and so light.
I suspect that those that complained of static or weak signals are trying to test the limitations of the bluetooth range. If the phone is within reaching distance of you (on your desk, in your pocket, or backpack), it's a great-sounding connection. If you're across the room, it may not be, but Bluetooth is not designed for you to be in another room or across the hall. 30m is not that far, and unless it's a line-of-sight 30M, it will be much less for any scenario.
5 Stars!!!
David |
pauly
Joined: Oct 26, 2002
Posts: 1
From: Dallas
PM |
All, I have read all the posts and agree with most of the comments good and bad. I got mine 10-18-02 at Fry's in Dallas. They had just gotten them in that day. I have been hot on the trail of the Jabra since I first read about it a few weeks ago. I have to say that I was very eager to give it high marks. I also must tell you that I got it with the intention of giving it a "try" and taking it back if I wasn't satisfied. I think I am going to take it back!
Likes: I agree with all that like the fit. It is great. It fits snug into the ear and the sound is very acceptable. There are times that it will really get wedged down in your ear and you can't hear anything out of that ear if you are not on a call, but I have found that it in fact IS pretty easy to put on even with one hand. You must first put the ear gel in place and the rest kind of follows. Too hard to describe but trust me, it can be done with one hand easily.
The voice command DO work just fine. As one post already mentioned, you must wait past the first jabra beep to the t68i beep. Very infrequently have I had to say a name more than once for the phone to recognize it. Even ones that I recorded from the phone work well from the Jabra. I have even used it in crowded, pretty noisy places and it has performed well.
The looks of this baby are great. It is sleek, and stay close in to your face. It very much looks like something out of a sci-fi movie. It is as futuristic looking as Captain Kirks communicator was in Star Trek... REALLY. The blue flashin led's are very sexy too. It does draw attention. If you like this then that is a good thing. At least with the cabled earbuds people knew you had some kind of phone somewhere on your body. Now with no wires and an earpiece that looks like you are in the secret service or something, people don't know how to react to you. That is pretty cool though if you ask me.
OK for my major dislike. And I must say that I have not had any other bluetooth headset before so I don't know if this is all of them or just the Jabra... when my t68i is in my front right pocket, and the Jabra is in my right ear, I will pretty regulary get a wierd "bluetooth" static. I say it that way because it is not normal "static". It is kind of a wierd popping, cutting out sort of phenonenon. If I kind of lean my body forward just a bit and to the right, it gets much better. If I put the phone in my left pocket, well thats just all there is to it. Very bad signal. Popping and cutting out and all. On the other hand, if I put it out on my desk standing upright, I can almost walk all around the room and get a pretty clear signal. BTW, that is pretty cool. My main point of contention is the right ear right front pocket thing... and it is for that reason that I am going to take it back. I wonder if any of you are experiencing the same performance. Also one other tidbit. Although I have not charged it that many times, I have charged it the 8 nights that I have had it and the cutting out seems to be a little worse late in the day. I generally talk about an hour on it a day, maybe a little more. I don't know if maybe that has something to do with it.
I also must admit one other thing. I really want a Bluespoon Panther SO BAD I can taste it. I think I am going to try and convince my wife into letting me fork over the $$ for the BS. And I hope that it works better than the Jabra. I will say however, that the Jabra is by far the best deal for the $. It is way cheaper than any of the rest.
Please feel free to ask as I have made many other observations that I have not shared here.
[ This Message was edited by: pauly on 2002-10-27 04:31 ]
[ This Message was edited by: pauly on 2002-10-27 04:33 ] | |
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Posted: 2002-10-16 16:19
