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I'm thinking about buying an inexpensive Bluetooth headset for my cell phone. When these first became available they were pretty expensive but now I'm seeing some deals that make it really affordable. I can get the IOGear GBE201W7 for $20 after a $10 rebate for instance.
I'm not one of those people who want to walk around all day with a headset in my ear. The way I currently use my handsfree kit is in the car and normally only when I'm making or receiving a call. This involves plugging it in the phone and then my ear before placing a call. I usually unplug it afterwards because the phones ring is almost muted when it is plugged in.
Can I use a Bluetooth headset in this manner. Can I just pick it up when the phone rings, turn it on, and pop it in my ear to take the call or does it have to warm up or something?
Any comments on this or other Bluetooth headsets would be welcome.
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[quote BLeonard]Can I just pick it up when the phone rings, turn it on, and pop it in my ear to take the call or does it have to warm up or something?
Yep, them Vacuum Tubes gotta get hot before they start working!
Just kidding!
I know that my Nokia BT headset has to go through a short routine where you have to pick it from a list everytime you turn the headset on. Takes just long enough for the call to go to VM.
It is a great headset, one of the best out there, problem is that being the best of a group of crap products means it is still crap. I gave up the BT headset when all my friends and clients started complaining of not being able to understand me. Changed phones, BT headsets, same problem, went back to wired, problem gone.
BGnR
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My Motorola BT headset works well by just opening the boom mic, and pressing a button---as long as you have paired it recently.
Motorola also make a BlueTooth speakerphone that works well in a quiet car.
You might be able to chage the profile while headset is plugged in to raise the soune of the ringer.
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The neatest implementation I've seen of Bluetooth with a phone is when I ride with an Apple System Engineer. His car has a bluetooth option installed. When he gets a call a voice alerts him through the cars stereo system. There are controls on the rearview mirror. It seems to work well for him but it's an expensive option and I always buy Hondas which are great cars but they never have the gimmicky add-ons.
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I use a Nokia phone with a Moto BT headset.
All of the functions of the Nokia with a wired headset are available with this Moto HS.
When I turn on the phone first, then the headset, the phone automatically recognizes the HS. This HS sleeps if the phone is out of range for more than 5-10 minutes. A push of the HS button wakes it up again.
In normal use, the HS stays "awake", and there is no warm time.
The Nokia gives different options for ringing. It's possible to use this combo in the manner you wish.
What options you have will depend on the phone/HS combination you choose.
There are some downsides to BT, but they are so minimal for me that I won't go back to wired except as a backup to the BT HS breaking.
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[quote BLeonard]I always buy Hondas which are great cars but they never have the gimmicky add-ons.
Neighbors Honda Odyssey has the BT option, it does that.
So does the Acura RL with the nav system.
BGnR
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Thanks. I always buy Accords.
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[quote BLeonard]Thanks. I always buy Accords. I always buy Hondas which are great cars but they never have the gimmicky add-ons.
That should read, "I always buy the CHEAP Honda"
Buy the Nav System, it has the BT.
Not Cheap though!
BGnR
