Solid and durable unit. Default audio voice is a ...
598528
Solid and durable unit.
Default audio voice is a bit loud, but thats about it.
4778121
The thing that impressed me about the UV-82 is that it is a sturdy, solid unit. The radio has great receive audio with plenty of volume. The transmit audio is good if you find microphone hole and speak directly into it about an inch or two away.  If you talk away from the mc., your modulation (deviation) falls off dramatically. Other that that no problems noted except for this word of caution; if you transmit on a VHF frequency and you use the stock supplied antenna, do NOT touch the copper battery charge terminals or you will get a hum dinger of an RF burn.  That problem is probably due to an VSWR mismatch of that antenna on VHF frequencies.  You can avoid it by remembering not to touch the battery terminals when transmitting (which is probably a good idea anyway to protect them from tarnishing) or probably by getting a different antenna.  All in a great radio that I'm satisfied with.
245422
Purchased over 2 years ago, this headset was originally purposed for technical screencast and podcast recordings, with the flexibility of fold-and-go affording me the ability to drop the kit into my laptop bag and record when/where needed.

While the audio quality is excellent for VOIP, there is a hiss/hum at times that has me applying noise-reduction filters to get a truly clear sound needed for audio recordings.  The surprising "bulk" of the rig when not in use [this unit has a lengthy two-corded cable, employs a 3-point folding system to minimize the unit] makes for an awkward user experience when Skype is ringing and you're trying to quickly unravel, put on, and plug in the USB adapter.

The USB adapter is a nice touch, as it acts as it's own input device once mounted and most VOIP software [such as magicJack] quickly recognize the headset once connected.

If you're looking for an always-on rig that you can quickly toss on your head and answer an incoming call... this may not be the best device for you [don't go with a folding unit].

If you need something that's road/travel-friendly that has decent-enough sound quality, I recommend it.
4381034
I ordered this unit because of the good reviews.  After opening I was surprised at how solid this product felt.  It has a metal case, which I'm sure they could have made out of cheap plastic, plus all the fitting are high quality.  I bought this unit because the audio out connections on the TV in my bedroom stopped working, it is a seven year old hi-def set.  As soon as I hooked this unit up, everything worked perfectly, in fact, my sound is better than it was when I was using the audio outputs on the TV.  The unit is in use at least four hours a day, every day, since the day it arrived.  If you have a need for this type of product, you won't go wrong with the J-Tech Digital Premium Quality Hdmi to Hdmi + Audio.
555107
Comes with all the accessories you need to power and connect the unit.  Having tried/demoed travel speaker solutions from Sony, Panasonic, Creative Travelsound, I have to say that this unit beats them in value and OVERALL sound (I am not comparing this unit to iPod solutions).  The mids are clear, highs are bright but enjoyable, and the mid bass is decent.  The MP30 sounds good with acoustic instruments, but like other units in its class, distorts easily to music with deep bass.  Turning down the volume is necessary for music with lots of bass.  I also found that completely plugging the bass port (the hole under the blue LED) on the unit with Kleenex reduced bass distortion, and allowed for louder playback.  The unit plays slightly louder with the AC adaptor.

Likes: small size, can playback pretty loud, comes with volume control, includes AC adaptor, good overall sound, excellent battery life (at least 15+ hours)

Dislikes: Butt-ugly design, fit and finish could be better, battery compartment is tight and may have trouble fitting some fatter batteries.
1787760
This is a great radio that's also durable. The case feels solid and possibly indestructible. The AC adapter is the only issue with a radio that should be durable as it broke in 6 months. Now moving the cord the radio turns on and off. Replacement cord was $27 from Makita and was not the end of the world just thought it should be more durable or even have no AC adapter in a radio at this price. The sound quality is great. The controls have a nice feel. Overall I'm satisfied with it everyday I can use it on the job site just upset when it's dumb AC adapter/ cord was and I missed a few days.
210787
This monophonic speaker is ruggedly built with a hard rubber case and a detachable clip to attach to a bike (because, how much stereo do you need on your bike)? The door that covers the sockets appears to be weatherproof.

They cheaped out on the manual its just two gigantic sheets, folded down to 48 squares. Instead of putting instructions for each language together, they use the same graphics and give the translations for all 8 languages with one set of graphics, which is unwieldly.

The whole unit is black, with raised black operation buttons. Black-on-black was a bad design choice, making it hard to spot the right button at a glance.

But the sound does deliver, both on the bike and as a general-purpose mono speaker. We paired it using Bluetooth with two phones (Samsung Galaxy S5s), with a laptop, and using the cable with a cruddy thrift store CD boom box. With Bluetooth and the phones, the sound was nice and clear, but sound wasn't nearly as loud when the phones were manually plugged in with the cable. We also tested the audio cable with a laptop and sound was loud and clear. (The cable overrides Bluetooth, but it switches back to Bluetooth once you pull out the cable.) Im no audiophile, so volume capacity is more important to me than the nuances of fidelity. This was plenty for my amateur ear.

If you're listening to music and want to make a call, youll need to press the black-on-black toggle button to interrupt the music, and after the call hangs up, it automatically switches back to the music.

This unit also has a bright 3 LED headlight in the front for your bike. The LED headlight is controlled by a pushbutton toggle that cycles through 5 settings  off, standard brightness, extra bright, flashing (twice a second), and patterns of 3 rapid flashes.

It recharges with a standard micro-USB socket, so a cell phone charger could charge it up, and it has a USB-A socket for powering or charging a cell phone from its battery. It's a compact unit with several handy features, and good value for the money.
4537229
Not quite as loud as was hoping for but, it's a solid unit with good sound. Battery life is good and so are the controls. Worth the money
4715670
Pros:
Easy connectivity
MicroUSB charging
Audible notification of connection/power level
Magnetic earbuds
Very durable

Cons:
Volume too low for loud background noise (lawnmower, etc)

I have been using this bluetooth headset for almost 9 months, and they're absolutely wonderful. I use the headset almost daily, and it looks and functions as if it were brand new. The construction is very durable, and has handled every abuse I've thrown at it. Connectivity is very easy, at least for the iDevices and PC I've connected it to. It utilizes a microUSB port for charging (see photo) and a full charge easily lasts me several days, then only takes a couple of hours to go from zero battery to full charge. There's also an audible notification when you turn the device on of its power level and whether or not it connects to a device. Finally, the magnets holding the earbuds are perfect for keeping the cords out of the way. I've tried two other cheap models of this type of headset and the magnets wouldn't even hold the earbuds.

The only bad thing I have to say about this device is that, when working around very loud background noise (think lawnmowing), the volume from the speakers isn't loud enough to overcome the noise. This is probably a safety issue more than anything, though, so I can't really take any stars away for this.
1203277
I've been using this unit heavily for several days. Bluetooth has its issues, but this unit holds up pretty well. The signal can have some issues if I have the phone behind me, but works well in most settings. The battery lasts for a healthy time, and can be recharged while in use. It also turns off after I take my phone out of range. This model also avoided the creepy talking voice alerts that many Bluetooth devices have implemented, and I much prefer a simple beep to tell me I hit the volume limit, connected, or powered on the unit.
469047
I picked this speakerphone up at Costco and have had it clipped on my visor, in daily operation, for over three years.

The profile is low and the weight is light, so it's no problem flipping my visor around to block out the sun when needed (though I can't really use the speakerphone after having done so).

The charging jack is USB micro, allowing me to keep just one charger in my center console for both my phone and speakerphone. But the battery only requires recharging once every three or four weeks. It's just as easy to slip the Jabra into my pocket and bring it inside to charge off the computer's USB port, when the time comes. The unit gives a verbal warning when the battery is low, and unfortunately, the notice is short, so there's not much use left after the first warning comes and the "depleted battery" LED illuminates.

Pairing couldn't be simpler. And frankly, once it's paired, it doesn't need to be touched again. I've used my with Blackberry 9530 Storm and 9550 Storm 2, without a hiccup. Voice dialing commands are easily recognized by the Jabra, and if there's every a problem (occasionally it gets stuck in the voice dial menu), it appears to be the phone's fault, not the speakerphone's.

Voice quality is excellent. I never get complaints that my voice is inaudible or unclear, and the volume pumping out of the Jabra's speaker is loud and good quality. By comparison, I use a hard-wired Parrot system with a separate mic, speaker and control module at work, and while the Parrot's vehicle-powered speaker is louder, I don't find that complex system as a whole any more usable than the SP700.

If there's one complaint, it's that this speakerphone appears as an "Audio Sink" device (shouldn't that be "audio sync"??) and sometimes my BlackBerry chooses to pair with it instead of my&nbsp;<a data-hook="product-link-linked" class="a-link-normal" href="/BlackBerry-Bluetooth-Stereo-Gateway/dp/B001E1KP9A/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_rvw_txt?ie=UTF8">BlackBerry Bluetooth Stereo Gateway</a>&nbsp;device, which interfaces with my car's stereo. To prevent this, I have to make sure to start my car prior to powering on the Jabra, allowing the Stereo Gateway to power up and pair with the phone first. Doing so makes everything work correctly for the rest of my car time, even in instances where I'm running errands, in and out of the car, where the Stereo Gateway constantly is switched on and off yet the Jabra remains powered on.

And the BlackBerry has no problem referring all phone calls to the Jabra while directing Pandora music to the Stereo Gateway.

While I'd prefer to have a built-in speaker phone with no charging or sun visor usage issues, the reality is I've installed a "built in" speakerphone in my wife's car, and a mic problem resulted in a problem that took a whole lot of interior disassembly work to correct. There's certainly something to be said about combining all the parts of a speakerphone into one small, reliable package.
4763740
I was a bit reluctant to get this guy, because my original Jambox stopped working shortly after the warranty ended.  It was a common problem where the bluetooth gets flaky unless a mini stereo plug is plugged *ALMOST* all the way in.  I contacted support and didn't have a good response, though I wasn't expecting much because it was out of warranty.  For something I paid $250 on, I was expecting more than 16 months of light use.

But I did love the old one, so I decided to give this one a try.

I'd say it sounds as good as the old one, though it's not QUITE as loud.  Maybe it has that mode turned on where it reduces the max volume slightly?  It is loud enough to work in the shower, which is one of the places I need the volume -- for when I'm traveling.

One thing I *LOVE* about this unit is that it finally has a "skip song" button, you press the button next to the volume buttons twice and it skips the song.  Three times and it skips back.

It seems a bit sturdier than the original.  In particular the grill, which I never had a problem on the old one but was always a bit afraid of bending it up.  This one feels super solid.

I'm quite happy with the sound from it.  If you like the "Bose sound", this probably isn't the box for you.  I found the Bose version sounded too "compressed" -- too much like radio.  Some people like it, but I find I get tired of it quickly.  The Jawbone I find sounds much more to my liking, I have a bit of audiophile history, and like my audio fairly neutral, to give you an idea.  If you want something that sounds clean, this is a good choice.  If you prefer something that sounds more dramatic, either use an equalizer app or get another brand of speakers.

Jambox in half the size?  What's not to like?
357849
I've had headsets that cost five times more, with no great improvement on sound quality or durability.  In fact, this headset is more durable than my last unit, and is simpler to use.  Quality, effective product with solid battery life and solid build.
1689855
This is my third Bluetooth headset.  I guess I'm a bit hard on equipment, and my expectations for Bluetooth headsets were/are too high, but this unit has been satisfying for a month and a half (that's more than I can say for my Motorola 750 and Aliph Jawbone).

I wear the headset while kayaking, driving, bicycling, and working (often in noisy environments).  I always use the lanyard, which isn't as comfortable as it could be, but is comfortable enough that I forget I'm wearing it.  (Oddly enough, it has fallen off only once with the lanyard, and never without it.)

The earpiece sound is clear and natural, and the volume is more than adequate.  I can easily turn the volume up in noisy situations and still hear the other person well. (the Motorola 750 was so full of static and scratchiness as to be nearly unusable all of the time.  The Aliph Jawbone had great noise cancelling on the mike, no scratchiness/static, and no one ever complained about hearing me, but I often couldn't turn the volume up to a level loud enough to hear them well.)

I carry the headset in my jeans/shorts pocket while not in use, an environment that is apparently hostile.  (The Motorola was badly scratched and unsightly in a month, and died in less than a year, the Jawbone ear clip broke in less than ten days).

There are only two minor drawbacks that keep me from rating the "Ruggedized" Plantronics a 5 star rating:
  1.  The unit must be turned on by pressing and holding the main control button.  That's slightly less convenient than simply opening the boom as on the Motorola. (Very minor drawback)
  2.  The charging port is covered by a rubber flap that must be opened before inserting the charging cord (that's necessary for a water-resistant earpiece).  When I go to unplug the charging cord I sometimes grab the rubber port cover and pull on it along with the wire.  Although it hasn't broken yet, I fear for it's longevity.

All-in-all, I'm quite pleased.

Hope this helps,
Dave
1829173
Nice sturdy wiring, well designed and manufactured. I use mine alot and it has stood up well so far after a year of abuse. Longer than most others I have had in the past. The volume does drop a few notches when split but I think that is unavoidable since you are dividing the signal. Sound is still very clear and includes all information as far as I can tell.
2789259
I bought this to use as I travel abroad the next 2 years. My first impression was that this speaker is solidly constructed and sounds great. It goes pretty loud as well with volume controls on the speaker itself. My only concerns are that the rubber diaphragm that pops up might wear out eventually and crack/fall apart, it seems to be made of the sort of material that does that, but it's good for now. Also, the cord wind-up on the bottom is a square, which means the speaker cord is forced into a right angle, which probably won't help durability. If it lasts at least a year then I'll try to remember to come back and increase the rating to 5 stars, but for now, because of my concerns with durability, it gets 4 stars.
473731
PROS:
Faithful sound reproduction for a unit in this cost range
Easy set up/configure
Can be used with either the supplied USB dongle or through your computer's audio-in/audio-out ports
Works well with Dragon
Works well with Windows XP, Vista, and Windows 7 pre-release

CONS:
Very large USB dongle, awkward with laptop
Not as easy to adjust microphone distance from mouth as other units
Mute switch is stiff and takes too much force to click into position
? Quality control--my first unit had a defective USB dongle (on subsequent return/replacement this problem was solved)

I bought this USB headset to replace the dreadful analog set that came with my copy of Dragon Naturally Speaking 10.  My work desktop and my netbook both have integrated sound cards which were underpowered for voice dictation and Skype.

The headset came well packaged in the typically impossible to open plastic, clam shell.  All parts were accounted for.  There is virtually no documentation that comes with the device, but set up is straightforward and immediate when using with Windows (I tried this with XP, Vista, and Windows 7) so no real documentation is needed.  Windows immediately picked up the USB audio sound card so there was no need for me to configure this in the control panel.  The headset was reasonably comfortable.

The unit is made mostly out of lightweight plastic and isn't heavy on your head.  Conversely, it does not have the most robust construction, so people who make heavy use or need a unit that can take abuse may want to pay for a higher end model. The mic easily flips up and down, but there is little adjustment possible to extend or retract the microphone. Fortunately, the unit works well without such an adjustment.  There are controls for volume and a mute for the microphone that is conveniently on the wire leading to the computer.  The volume works just fine.  The mute switch works but is stiff and difficult to operate with just one hand.

One small gripe I have is that the USB dongle is quite large in size.  This is less of a problem on my desktop, but is less convenient when using with a laptop.

The first USB dongle I received was defective.  I contacted Plantronics customer support via the webchat option and they diagnosed the problem.  Unfortunately, I needed a replacement unit and had to return the unit to the vendor (not Amazon).  The second unit worked without a hitch.  Customer service was average for the industry.  The Plantronics website is serviceable--it's okay in terms of navigation and use, but certainly could be improved. The rep responded promptly and appropriately. There may be issues of quality control here, but this is only one incident and the second unit I received worked perfectly.

The unit works seamlessly with Dragon 10 on my work computer.  It has made voice dictation much more accurate.  I compared this headset to the analog only unit that came with Dragon using the Windows sound recorder.  Even with this kind of crude testing, the sound was far better with the Plantronics head set.  There was far less hiss and the difference in sound was far clearer.  When I compared the Audio 625 connected through the USB versus the analog port on my desktop, the supplied USB was only minimally better.

The real difference was a lack of computer slow-down when using Dragon 10 or when using Skype on my HP-2133 (an underpowered netbook with a slow VIA processor).  In particular, Skype did much better (no crashing) when I used the external USB sound.

Obviously, this is not a studio quality microphone or audiophile sound.  But for the price, this is a great unit for voice dictation or VOIP purposes.