Mostly concerned with call quality, not picking up too much background noise/wind. But no so concerned that I want to spend $100 on a Jawbone

After some research (here and elsewhere) I've noticed three headsets that seem to stand out.

1) Plantronics Voyager 510
2) Motorola HS850
3) BlueAnt X3 Micro (looks great on the coolness factor, but whats the call quality like?)

Whats your experience with these headsets, or others...especially whats the call quality like? Are there any features/specs on one that made you buy it over others?

5/30/2007 1:34:56 PM

i own the blueant x3 micro and love it...i used to have a plantronics voyager (the model before the 510) and it wasn't nearly as good as the x3...in fact, when it broke within warranty, i RMA'd it for the replacement, and sold the new one for the cost of the x3

i noticed blueant now has the T8, which looks a lot like the x3, save for a few differences:

cost: t8 is ~$45 online, even though blueant's website puts the MSRP at $50 less (wtf)...x3 is about ~$40

bandwidth: t8 is 2.0 (~3mbps), x3 is 1.2 (~721kbps) - in theory, i suppose it would make a difference since the bandwidth is more than tripled, but i have nothing to complain about regarding the x3, so who knows

options: x3 can use the car, wall, or USB port to charge, t8 can only use the wall adapter (i REALLY like being able to use my USB port to charge...i wish all small electronics had the option)...also, you can pick your color with the x3, if that's your thing

range: the bluetooth specs confuse me sometimes, so correct me if i'm wrong - BT 1.2 is limited to 10m, while BT 2.0 is 100m...right? if that's the case, then the BT 2.0 would be the HUGE selling point for me...the x3's range is kinda limiting - i'd love to walk into the next room and leave the phone on the table or something...as it stands, i can really only use the x3 while driving, but that's kind of the point...if i put my phone in my pocket (say on the left side of my body, while wearing the headset in my right ear), it gets fuzzy and that's annoying

talk time: t8 is 9 hours of talk (250 of standby) vs. x3 at 7 hours talk (180 standby)

devices: t8 can only be paired to one device at a time, while the x3 can be paired to 3 - i use it to switch between skype on my laptop and my phone...it's nice to just be able to push the button

i, personally, have been VERY impressed with blueant's service - i wanted a spare USB charging cable to keep one in the car, emailed them, and they sent me one free of charge...also, the 3yr warranty on the x3 is nice

overall, the quality of the x3 is impressive for it's weight and size IMO...yes, i wish it had a greater range (but then, my current phone only supports 1.2, so it wouldn't matter)...and yes, i wish that i could roll down the windows and talk without people complaining of noise (like the jawbone), but then, we're talking less than $50, not $100+...great value headset overall

[Edited on May 30, 2007 at 3:00 PM. Reason : .]

5/30/2007 2:57:49 PM

Thanks for the post, lots of good info there. I saw one of those Platronics on someone earlier and the thing looked HUGE. So I'm leaning towards the Blueant right now unless someone can say anything about another one having superior call quality.

Curious about the t8 though...why would they go backwards with the USB charging thing? I would really like to have that feature.

I have a Sony Ericsson W810i. Are those Bluetooth 2.0? I doubt it. If not, what current SE phones are BT V2.0?

I wonder if the call quality is better on the t8 in Bluetooth 1 Mode. (phone on the opposite side of the body as the headset etc). You'd think its better since its newer, but unless my w810i can realize the benefits of the t8 I may just get the older one to get the USB charging. I also wonder since my phone probably isn't BT V2.0, if the power consumption of the t8 is going to be any better than the t3.

Random link: http://www.techworld.com/mobility/features/index.cfm?featureid=1198

Update: Found this line:

Quote :

"...while the W810i is restrictedly compatible with the 2nd version, no A2DP-profile. "

But I don't really get that 100%...will I get the longer range, the lower power consumption?

5/30/2007 4:28:38 PM

http://www.cellphoneshop.net got one for 28 bucks

5/31/2007 5:06:28 PM

Anyone have any more info on the 810i?

6/1/2007 9:46:11 AM

bttt

6/4/2007 9:43:16 AM

blueant t8 for $33 - 5% off (ends today - http://www.buy.com/retail/coupon.asp?prid=87646165&adid=17662) = $31 with free shipping

6/4/2007 7:45:04 PM

done and done
thx

6/5/2007 12:35:51 AM

Quote :

"i own the blueant x3 micro and love it.."

ditto

hope the t8 is just as good

[Edited on June 5, 2007 at 12:38 AM. Reason : .]

6/5/2007 12:36:45 AM

hopefully it should be better right? thought the whole BT v2.0 thing was supposed to us less power, and have better range. ill let you guys know when it comes in. it is strange that the t8 costs less than the t3 though. anyone know why?

6/5/2007 12:41:27 AM

Quote :

"hopefully it should be better right? thought the whole BT v2.0 thing was supposed to us less power, and have better range."

that's my understanding, yes

Quote :

" it is strange that the t8 costs less than the t3 though. anyone know why?"

i would assume because it has fewer features (no USB option, one color, only connect to one device at a time)...on the USB thing, though, i'll bet it uses the same charger jack...you could probably get a cable from ebay and be good

Quote :

"ill let you guys know when it comes in."

i'm interested...so please do

6/5/2007 9:16:04 AM

Quote :

"i would assume because it has fewer features (no USB option, one color, only connect to one device at a time)...on the USB thing, though, i'll bet it uses the same charger jack...you could probably get a cable from ebay and be good"

yeah it does, i would just have to order the usb charger...which i probably will.

6/5/2007 9:43:20 AM

I was so close to grabbing that deal last night too, let me know how it works out for you, I'm in the market for a good bt headset

6/5/2007 9:45:28 AM

^^ here's my tip: when i got my x3, i wanted a second charger cable (the stiff USB-jack one) so i could have two - one to keep in my house/bookbag, and another to just leave in my car...i sent blueant an email and, well, blatantly lied and said the one i got with it didn't work, and they sent me a second one free of charge...arrived in 3 days from australia

you could just email them and tell them you bought an x3 and that you need another cable

yes, i'm a bad person

to be fair, though, when i bought MINE, they were new enough that there weren't any cables for sale on ebay that cost less than $20

[Edited on June 5, 2007 at 2:26 PM. Reason : .]

6/5/2007 2:25:14 PM

I wish this thread would have been around 2 weeks ago

6/6/2007 12:20:28 PM