JABRA BT8040 - headset

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$55 - $180
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JABRA BT8040 - headset

 

PRODUCT FEATURES: DSP (Digital signal processing) technology Active noise reduction Intelligent volume equalization Acoustic shock protection MultiPoint connects up to 8... more...devices - 2 at any one time A2DP for streaming music Auto pairing, answer/end call, voice dialing, last number redial, reject a call, call hold/call wait, mute, quiet mode Rechargeable battery with charging option from AC power supply or PC via USB cable Bluetooth 2.0 supporting headset - up to 10 meters range

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The Jabra BT8040 Ups & Downs
A review by Nuggs on JABRA BT8040 - headset
Apr 26, 2008


Author's product rating:   JABRA BT8040 - headset - rated by Nuggs


Advantages: Small, simple, quick charging time, pairs to multiple devices, great range
Disadvantages: Doesn't seem to work with all phones, fit, not true noise - cancellation

Recommend to potential buyers: no 

Full review
Pros:
  • Small size
  • Easy to move from ear-to-ear
  • Simple/few buttons
  • Lightening fast to charge
  • Multi- pairing so that you can use one headset for multiple phones
  • Excellent range

Cons:
  • Doesn't seem to be compatible with my Blackberry 8030
  • Does not block background noise on the user's side
  • Not the most secure fit
  • Not intended for use with streaming music/mobile GPS

I have tried several blue tooth headsets over the years. This particular one has many positive attributes that I enjoy. It also has some significant downsides to it, that I can't easily excuse for the price I paid.

Out of the box, it comes with both a wall charger and a USB cord for charging. There is no complete paper-based manual, instead it comes with a CD. I'm sure that is a pro on the environmental side, however, I like something that I can refer back to without having a computer handy.

Charging is super quick- I would have to estimate that it usually takes well under an hour. The lighting system is very helpful in indicating where in the charging process it is (it goes from red to a gradually shifting to a solid bright green).

Pairing is very easy to do- I have done it a few times on the go when I've upgraded or changed my personal and work phones.

Making calls through voice activation is good (if your phone is compatible). It is not something that can be used for streaming music or navigation use, like I have on my EnV/Voyager- it will shut off reception of the sound and not recognize that you require the ongoing listening ability. According to an associate at the Verizon store, it is working as intended. I see this as a flaw, as who really wants a secondary bluetooth to accommodate functions that will be commonplace across phones in the not-so-far-off future?

Sound quality on the user's end is great. I have had a few complaints from callers if I've got backgound noise, which was disappointing for its noise-cancellation claims.

Where it gets dicey is when I attempt to use it with my Blackberry. It works like a charm with my LG's I've paired it with. The Blackberry is touch-and-go. Often, when I engage it's use (either before I place a call or during the call), the incoming sound is very metalic and robotic sounding. I don't even know what I would sound like if I tried to talk during this. Sometimes after maybe 20 seconds, it will sound normal. Other times, I have to toggle back and forth between my handset and bluetooth to get it to "click". Even when it is working right on my end, I have been told that I'm static and hard to hear. I usually wind up just defaulting to my handset or speaker phone if I need to participate in a discussion.

Battery life seems decent- no complaints there!

Probably the best thing about this is the range. I can leave my phone on the couch and go run to my car or let the dogs out with no break in reception. I still sound fine on my LG and hear perfectly on both phones (assuming that it finally starts working well on my end for the Blackberry). This is the beauty of the newer Bluetooth technology. I had a Plantronics that I love but the phone had to be within about 18" of my ear or it would get static-sounding.

Volume-wise, this phone does well. I'm always turning the volume on everything up- with this one I can hear easily, as the gel covering funnels the sound into your ears (rather than my old Motorola H500 that rested outside of the ear- I never could hear well on that one).

In terms of fit, the headset comes with a number of different contoured gel ear moldings that pop on and off of the speaker. The gels are right/left interchangeable so you can move it from ear to ear without making any adjustments. They are easy enough to change, but I really have yet to find one that is 100% secure. I'm on my second headset currently, as was on the phone with the first one, when it was brand new, washing dishes and... you guessed it. It still worked after the fact, but I blamed the "disconnect" that I had with the Blackberry on residual water damage. As you can see from my review above, it wasn't. Based on this, I think they are pretty durable though. The Verizon consultant that I worked with on another issue said that his dog chewed his into 4 pieces- he put them back together and it worked like a charm. That says a lot for a bunch of plastic!

All and all, I have mixed feelings about this purchase. For the price they are charging, I'd expect truer noise cancellation and the ability to pair it with any phone with ease. I'd also think that it would not time out for ease of use with modern cell phone media applications. I think it's a decent headset (when it works), but would imagine you can find a less pricey multi-device pairing headset that functions equally as well. 

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More details
Sound Quality OK sound quality 
Durability Very strong 
Design & Look Good 
Comfort Satisfactory 
Value for Money Too expensive 

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