Here's my dumb question for the day. I've never had a handsfree set for my cell phone, but I need to buy one soon -- probably today. But since I'm not physically looking at them, I'm not sure I understand the differences.
While this one has a speaker that fits over the ear, I don't see anything about a mic.
And this one doesn't even seem to have a way to attach to your ear.
So, it's really obvious to me how the first one works. But with the other two, not so sure if I get it. On the second one, does the speaker serve as both the mic and the speaker? And on the last one, is more like setting your phone in speaker mode so it doesn't have to be right near your ear or mouth?
TIA for your patience . . .
Posted by erosomniac (Member # 6834) on :
In the second one, the little blue & silver piece on the cord is the microphone.
In the third one, it's an earbud-style headset, so it goes in your ear like an earbud headphone. It has a similar dangling microphone.
The dangling mics are more or less comparable to the older style microphones. They're more prone to cutting out if you're moving around a lot, but otherwise they're definitely useable in an ordinary situation.
Posted by Fyfe (Member # 937) on :
You will also look like an insane person. I am constantly thinking people are crazy, only to realize a moment later that they are talking on their cell phones.
Posted by Noemon (Member # 1115) on :
I don't know anything about the particular models you linked to, but I know that it isn't uncommon for the earpieces to be equipped by an omni-directional mike that, despite being nowhere near the user's mouth, is nonetheless able to pick up their voice clearly. I've never had one, though, so I don't know how well they work. It seems to me like there would be problems with ambient noise, but who knows. If you get one let us know how well it works.
Posted by erosomniac (Member # 6834) on :
quote:I don't know anything about the particular models you linked to, but I know that it isn't uncommon for the earpieces to be equipped by an omni-directional mike that, despite being nowhere near the user's mouth, is nonetheless able to pick up their voice clearly. I've never had one, though, so I don't know how well they work.
There are minor ambient noise issues; the same problems that plague any omnidirectional mic, which all headsets seem to have these days. The ones with the in-line microphone do have problems if you walk very, uh, vigorously, thereby moving the microphone away from you too often.
Most in-line mic setups do, however, have a clip that will pin the mic in place. This causes its own complications, because you need to leave enough slack for head mobility or risk yanking the earpiece out of your ear fairly frequently.
Posted by Uprooted (Member # 8353) on :
Thanks for your feedback, all. I'll probably get the one first one. Fyfe, I won't be using it at the store or walking down the street, I promise! I always think people are nuts, too.
While I'm at it, can I share my latest pet peeve? People who hold loud conversations on their cell phones in the library . I go to the library to work fairly often, and this is becoming more and more common. I just don't get it. I mean, if you have to leave your cell phone on to take a call, then quietly excuse yourself to go out to the lobby, OK, fine. But to make everyone at the adjacent tables or computer stations listen to your conversation with your real estate agent? Puh-leeze.
Posted by Lyrhawn (Member # 7039) on :
The battery life on a single charge is remarkably long, with the only downside being that is sucks up cell phone power. But my RAZR has such awesome battery life it could win an iron man contest.
I really do love it though. Your phone can be out in your car while you're inside, or upstairs, or have the phone in your pocket, it doesn't matter, you can still get it, and with the push of a button and saying someone's name you have easy to use voice dialing. It's insanely handy.
Posted by Noemon (Member # 1115) on :
Thanks for the link, Lyrhawn. I'm getting a RAZR tomorrow, and have been trying to decide what bluetooth headset to get for it.
Out of curiosity, did you do much research before you got this one? Have you noticed any downsides to the thing (other than its draining your phone's battery, I mean)?
Posted by Lyrhawn (Member # 7039) on :
I did a little bit, yes, but not a ton. I knew it was either between the one I linked above, or this one.
But in the end I chose the one I did because of the little flip mic feature. When you flip it closed it turns off the connection, but it automatically establishes one whenever you flip it open, whether you are on a call or not. So you can leave it on, and in your ear to answer a call, or save energy and flip it closed.
There aren't any drawbacks really. I suppose if you are in a really loud room you might not be able to hear it so well, but I've yet to really have a problem with it, and the RAZR has such great battery life, I don't think you'll ever suffer. I only have to charge my RAZR every two days or so, and that changes to every other day or so when I have the bluetooth powered on non stop.
Posted by Noemon (Member # 1115) on :
Thanks! I just ordered the same model you ended up getting. I'll let you know how I like it.
Posted by Lyrhawn (Member # 7039) on :
Cool, I hope you like it. It's really convenient and very, very easy to use. Enjoy!
Posted by Irami Osei-Frimpong (Member # 2229) on :
I think I'm getting old, and I've never been a fan of portable phones, but it takes my full measure for me not to write off everyone I see with an ear jacket as a horse's ass poseur.
Posted by Orincoro (Member # 8854) on :
Resistance is Futile.
You will adapt to service us.
You will be assimilated.
Night and weekend minutes.
Call your family for free.
Resistance. Is. Futile.
Posted by pH (Member # 1350) on :
Cingular offered to cut me a deal and give me an ultra mega super online-only deal on a phone as though I had a new contract with them just for me to extend the one I have.
Not all THAT much of a deal, I know, but I couldn't even get the mega online savings when I switched to them because I wanted to keep my number. Shut up. I know they just want me to extend my contract. But you don't understand how obsessed with electronic gizmos I am.
Right now, I have a Samsung X497.
I can get a Blackberry for $70, but if I get a Blackberry, I might as well pay extra for the ultra mega special data plan...
I kind of want the Samsung D307 or the Sony Ericsson W600i (which is also an mp3 player) or a RAZR...but Samsung came out with its own version of the RAZR on another provider, so I'm wondering how long it'll be before that one is available on Cingular...
Maybe I should just buy one on eBay...
Does a phone have to be quad band to work in Europe?
-pH
Posted by Lyrhawn (Member # 7039) on :
quote:Originally posted by Irami Osei-Frimpong: I think I'm getting old, and I've never been a fan of portable phones, but it takes my full measure for me not to write off everyone I see with an ear jacket as a horse's ass poseur.
Why? You'd rather them drive with a cell phone in one hand and another on the wheel? I'm betting you'd prefer they drive and not talk on cell phones at all, but if they are going to, why not do so safely?
It's when they wear them in restaurants for absolutely no reason that I think they are being a bit silly.
Posted by Noemon (Member # 1115) on :
quote:Originally posted by Irami Osei-Frimpong: I think I'm getting old, and I've never been a fan of portable phones, but it takes my full measure for me not to write off everyone I see with an ear jacket as a horse's ass poseur.
This doesn't surprise me terribly. If it's any consolation I felt the same way about cell phones in the mid 90s. I can remember my incredulous disgust when a friend of mine told me he was getting one, as it seemed to me to be entirely unnecessary, and little more than a status symbol (and at that point they did function as status symbols). It wasn't until after my car burst into flames on the highway a few years later that I decided that a cell phone was a handy thing to have.
If you find yourself wearing a headset (or the descendent of today's headsets--maybe something built into a pair of ordinary looking glasses?) a few years down the road, don't beat yourself up about it.
Posted by Kasie H (Member # 2120) on :
pH -- TriBand phones work in Europe. It just has to be GSM capable.
Posted by pH (Member # 1350) on :
Then why would one need a quad-band phone?
-pH
Posted by Noemon (Member # 1115) on :
Personally, I think you should go with the quad-band turbo. It's like the regular quad-band, but it has a strip of aloe.
Posted by fugu13 (Member # 2859) on :
A QuadBand phone will have more coverage/better reception. One band is far more common in Europe, but the "fourth" band is also in use.
Posted by prolixshore (Member # 4496) on :
The first time I saw people wearing the headsets, I thought they were incredibly stupid. However, a typical day for me involves anywhere from 2 to 4 hours of phone calls, many of which I end up making from the road. I use my headset for all those calls so that I can better concentrate on driving.
My sister's job has her driving about 4 or 5 hours each day, not including her hour commute to and from work. She has to be in contact with the world during all that time, and this involves many, many phone calls. Her headset is practically a necessity.
If you have one for status, or you sit in restaurants and classrooms with it on your ear, then perhaps you could do without it. For some people, it can really improve life.
--ApostleRadio
Posted by Noemon (Member # 1115) on :
quote:Originally posted by fugu13: A QuadBand phone will have more coverage/better reception. One band is far more common in Europe, but the "fourth" band is also in use.
::nod:: And the aloe strip really doesn't do anything but get your ear greasy; I'd recommend getting the plain old quad-band.