Stereo Bluetooth headset review

[waynemorgan]

Now that I'm going to be getting some time to do some riding (during the week anyway) I decided to look for a wireless way to connect my headphones to my Nokia N95 for GPS functions. The Scala bluetooth headsets are around the $180-$200 mark and while they seem to sell well it's a little over my budget.

After doing a little looking around I found a stereo bluetooth headset adaptor - http://www.chinavasion.com/product_info ... -profiles/ for approximately $35AUD plus $12 postage. Figured it would be worth a look - worst case scenario my son could use it to listen to his music on his N80.

It took 8 days to arrive. Unpacked out of the box: charger and adaptor, stereo headphones and the adaptor itself. First impression - damn thats small. Hooked it up to charge and waited.

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Once it was charged I played around with it on the N95. Plays music easily - fast forward / rewind / vol + / - skip to next / back. Sound is pretty good.

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Decided to take it for a ride today with the GPS activated on the N95. I put the adaptor inside my jacket top pocket - and it disconnected immediately. Needed some time on the charger (forgot to put it on last night - with it fully charged it works from inside the pocket). Used the clip on the back and clipped it to the jacket - no problem. Volume is easily adjusted. I use my Philips headphones as the are noise cancelling. It must be noted that the supplied headset has a 3point plug - a standard 2point headphone plug will not activate the on-board microphone. You can still listen to music / GPS etc but you will need to use the phones mic (unless you had an adaptor like I do).

EDIT - I must mention that I don't use the internal GPS on the N95 (its way too slow) - I use an external GPS receive which is must faster.

I've not called from the headset - I rather pick up the phone and dial out on it rather than speech tags.

While riding I did receive a call - forget using this while moving. It's not going to happen but to be fair it wasn't designed for this. I pulled over and flipped the helmet up and had the conversation - no problem. Flip down and take off again - really this suits me as I'd rather concentrate on riding while riding.

Apparently the adaptor clip can be removed - this may allow you to velcro it to your helmet. I've not worked out how to remove the clip yet but prefer it on my jacket anyway.

This is a true stereo bluetooth device and does everything it's advertised to do. The distributor (Chinavision) have email support which is excellent and really take pride in their dealings.

Points about this device as per the website:

* Bluetooth Version: v1.2
* Profiles: Headset, Handsfree, A2DP, AVRCP
* Class: 2
* Operation Range: 10M
* Talk Time: 8 Hours
* Listen Time: 10 Hours
* Standby Time: 200 Hours
* Compatibility/Pairing: All Bluetooth devices V1.2 and under
* Power Source: Built in Rechargeable Li-ion Battery
* Dimension: 50x21x12mm (LxWxD)

Other Features:
* 3.5mm earphone jack
* Included 3.5mm earphones with built in MIC
* DSP digital sound enhancement
* Music playing controls- play, pause, stop, prev/next track, volume up/down


Accessories:
* Manual
* Earphone with Built in MIC
* Power Adapter

Overall - it does what I want and it does it at a great price + I can use it for music when I'm not on the bike. Very happy. and my son wants one now.....

[swabio-ACT]

you mentioned not using the N95 internal gps, have you updated the phone software, I noticed that it vastly changed the GPS acquisition and update rate!

[waynemorgan]

Yeah - it's updated regularly but still dreadfully slow compared to my little external unit. I noticed an improvement (on the internal) after the last update but head to head the external beats it every time.

[hoffy]

nice work ! good readin !

might equip the barge

[hoffy]

ohh yeah

Music playing controls- play, pause, stop, prev/next track, volume up/down

do these controls operate the music player ok on you nokia....I have N95 8gb and am wondering..

[waynemorgan]

Certainly does - I slide the N95 down to select my playlist then song - from there it's controlled via the headset. (Or if youi're like me then you already have your songs ready to go - just press play and enjoy).

[spadge]

That looks pretty good I have http://www.cnet.com.au/tdk-bt-100-339280383.htm which I got for $15 at my local harvey norman main limitation is battery life the good thing you can plug any headphones into it. Its good riding along listening to music with the GPS cutting in to tell you which way to go.

[smithy5]

Hey Wayne, good info there....

I have one of these N95 8GB phones, but i have no idea how to do anything except make calls and txt msgs ..... I was told the battery won't last very long if I listen to music or use the GPS, so i never really bothered looking into it further.....

I would like to listen to music, use it for street navigation and use it as a lap timer. So can I just use the headphones that came with the phone, should I get the gaget you got, or could you point me in the direction of what else I need to get. Or was I advised right, don't bother because the battery won't last.
Thanks in advance Brad... (Smithy5)

[waynemorgan]

Hi Brad,

I got the bluetooth headset beacause I didn't want wires down to the phone (either in the map pocket of the tank bag or on a GPS holder). The Nokia headset is good if you don't mind the cords and it's long enough - especially as it has a join at the control so it seperates easily if you get off and forget to disconnect. The earpieces don't block much wind / motor noise tho so I find the vol needs to be louder than I really want - which is why I use my noice cancelling buds (which I've used with the Nokia control). Without the wire I can hop off the bike and wander over to explore the tree on the side of the road when needed - yep, I'm the ultimate in lazy.

My N95 8Gb battery will last approx 3-4 hours as a GPS and about 2 hours playing music - which is one reason why I wired the 12v socket onto the bike - I can charge it while riding.

Thats my observations with my phone / GPS etc - YMMV

Cheers,

[smithy5]

Thanks Wayne,

Given me a good start.... I can look into it further now and will prob go wireless...... Yeh.... I like looking at trees with my helmet on also
cheers.......

[dilligaf]

jaycar have something similar
http://www.jaycar.com.au/productView.as ... rm=KEYWORD
designed to plug into a separate MP3 and access a phone by bluetooth so there is a fixed cord for
the MP3. can use your own headphones though.

just got a simpler one again for my wife for $25
http://www.crazysales.com.au/index.php?productID=5523