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View Full Version : Anycom Announces New Lightweight Bluetooth Headset


Janak Parekh
12-20-2003, 03:00 AM
<div class='os_post_top_link'><a href='http://www.anycom.com/us/products/hs700.html' target='_blank'>http://www.anycom.com/us/products/hs700.html</a><br /><br /></div>I've been drooling over the <a href="http://www.nextlink.to/bluespoon/">Nextlink Bluespoon</a> for a while, but it's rather expensive, and as such I've shied away from it. However, it looks like more manufacturers are joining the ultra-light Bluetooth headset camp -- and this one is $99.95! It's a little bigger and isn't quite as slick-looking, but still compact -- and about $130 less.<br /><br />"The Anycom Headset Blue HS-700 is one of the smallest headsets available with Bluetooth® wireless technology. The HS-700 weighs only 15 grams and is very convenient to wear for long periods of time. Once paired with your mobile phone, all calls are done with the headset. The excellent audio quality in combination with a long battery life for up to 3 hours of talk time provides all features of the actual headset generation."<br /><br /><img src="http://www.pocketpcthoughts.com/images/web/2003/parekh-20031219-AnycomHS700.jpg" /><br /><br />You can <a href="http://www.mobileplanet.com/private/pocketpcthoughts/product.asp?dept%5Fid=5130&pf%5Fid=MP580605&listing=1">preorder it from MobilePlanet</a>. [affiliate]

csterns
12-20-2003, 04:12 AM
That is the ugliest thing I've seen in my life. Why would you want to walk around with that thing protruding from your ear? Heck if you carry a tin cup with you you might collect some money from people who think you are disabled and need the money. :lol:

Seriously, Cyborg isn't it? I tried a spoon and sent it back because it looks Cyborg. It's looks are way too conspicuous. Jabra's is nicer looking and certainly less conspicuous.

3 hours is not enough talk time as well which is the problem I have with my Jabra. I have two for that reason. There are other units or other units coming out with talk time up to five hours.

bjornkeizers
12-20-2003, 11:59 AM
I've seen that Jabra headset - way too cool. Looks like something out of Stargate, as PT said. Makes me wish I had a BT phone just so I could use such a cool looking headset :lol:

ricksfiona
12-20-2003, 12:45 PM
I had the Jabra headset and it just didn't work right. The audio quality just got worse and worse and I finally gave up on it. The design of it was very cool though. The device was very small and was great, but I thought the build quality was shoddy.

I think this new device has potential. If the build quality is good and for $99, it a good deal. The Bluespoon has gotten excellent ratings and I wouldn't pay for that quality and rating.

beq
12-20-2003, 01:58 PM
I'd bought 3 BlueSpoons from Expansys. 2 have been broken for months, 1 has trouble getting charged, unfortunately :cry: I'd contacted Expansys (it was less than a year out then) but they say I can try my luck contacting Nextlink. But I keep forgetting to!, and don't have high hopes anyways.

But I can't help it, nowadays I'm drooling for the new BlueSpoon digital model (you need to listen to their sound demo to appreciate the difference) :roll:

csterns
12-20-2003, 04:26 PM
Jabra is real good about fixing their units. In fact if you contact them and send it in they'll just replace it. Problem is they can take a couple of weeks to do that.

Doesn't anyone have a problem with how the spoon wears and appears? You got this growth growing out of your ear? I get interesting comments about my Jabra and it starts great conversations. But the spoon? I've never seen anyone wear one. It's got to create stares.

Janak Parekh
12-20-2003, 09:56 PM
Doesn't anyone have a problem with how the spoon wears and appears? You got this growth growing out of your ear? I get interesting comments about my Jabra and it starts great conversations. But the spoon? I've never seen anyone wear one. It's got to create stares.
I've seen pictures, and it doesn't look that bad -- considering the increasing variety of headsets nowadays, no one here would even comment on it, AFAICT.

And this device, with its over-the-ear clip, would be less unusual-looking, IMHO. Certainly better than the old Moto BT headset, which made one look Borg-like. 8O ;)

--janak

zoltix
12-21-2003, 12:39 AM
Now that using your mobile phone whilst driving is unlawful in the UK, the BT headset is becoming slightly more common.
Hopefully we will start to get better BT setup procedures, instructions and operating reliability.
As with many of these devices (including PDAs) the ordinary man in the street falls at the first hurdle when asked about bonding/pairing, pass codes, COM ports etc.
He will also find that the 30 foot operating range is an illusion. I have driven down the main UK motorway listening to regular beeps as the BT disconnects and reconnects with my phone on the seat next to me.
These things have to work all the time - if they don't, why bother - why pay for frustration?

adamz
12-21-2003, 05:30 PM
Have you seen the Bluespoon Cameleon?
http://www.nextlink.to/bluespoon/chameleon/index.htm

It's about $140. Larger than the Bluespoon Digital, but still looks pretty cool and has the nice in-the-ear thing. I don't like the ones that hook over the top of your ear 'cause you can't wear them very well with glasses. Also you can change the colors with the Cameleon. And at 16g it's still lighter and smaller than most other Bluetooth headsets.

Ekkie Tepsupornchai
12-21-2003, 05:55 PM
I don't like the ones that hook over the top of your ear 'cause you can't wear them very well with glasses.
I guess that just goes to show you... different people... different tastes. Despite wearing glasses, I always opt for the "over-the-ear" design as I find I have less issues with the earpiece staying attached to my ear.

Robotbeat
12-21-2003, 09:36 PM
Personally, I think that $100 is way too much to spend on simple wireless headphones. A much cheaper idea is to just get like an FM transmitter thingy, like the "i-rock," and just have a really small radio on your headphones. I don't know. Maybe I should try to build a cheaper one...

I guess that for people who have bluetooth already, this is kind of nice, but I'll personally wait for a while until the price goes down on bluetooth accessories. I mean, isn't bluetooth supposed to be ubiquitous? Stuff usually gets ubiquitous (stuff like USB and RS-232 and such) by being cheap and easy-to-use. The first thing is still a ways off, and they've just started on the second.

Even so, it's nice to see progress in this area!

shill79
12-22-2003, 04:02 AM
Personally, I think that $100 is way too much to spend on simple wireless headphones. A much cheaper idea is to just get like an FM transmitter thingy, like the "i-rock," and just have a really small radio on your headphones. I don't know. Maybe I should try to build a cheaper one...

I guess that for people who have bluetooth already, this is kind of nice, but I'll personally wait for a while until the price goes down on bluetooth accessories. I mean, isn't bluetooth supposed to be ubiquitous? Stuff usually gets ubiquitous (stuff like USB and RS-232 and such) by being cheap and easy-to-use. The first thing is still a ways off, and they've just started on the second.

Even so, it's nice to see progress in this area!

With all due respect, this conversation is about bluetooth headsets for a mobile phone, not headphones for music. The i-rock solution you mention isn't the same thing.

Fzara
12-22-2003, 08:50 AM
I just ordered my Bluespoon Digital the other day, Janak. I remember posting on the OT thread, deicidng on which one to get, and I decided to get the Digital for its awesome sound quality, looks, talk time, and its lightweightness.

Sure, I paid close to $305 from Alphanet, but GUESS who has it!? UPS!!! They tried delivering it to me on Friday, but I wasn't home, and the trucker didnt come to the station till 8'ish, so I wasn't able to pick it up. I came on Saturday, and he was CLOSED at 4pm!! Hopefully i'll have better luck tomorrow. (Word of advice-never ship with UPS. :| )

adamz
12-28-2003, 05:31 PM
I don't like the ones that hook over the top of your ear 'cause you can't wear them very well with glasses.
I guess that just goes to show you... different people... different tastes. Despite wearing glasses, I always opt for the "over-the-ear" design as I find I have less issues with the earpiece staying attached to my ear.

Really? I've tried the Jabra 200, and that seems to fall out and move around pretty easily. The Bluespoon won't move no matter what.