Budget Bluetooth headset recommendations

Shout It Out on 03/02/2013 - 21:06

Hi,

I am not sure if I should post this here or in the Electrical section, so please move if this is the wrong section for my post.

I bought a Nexus 4 and now need a new Bluetooth headset to go with it. I need something "in ear" as I have 1 deaf ear and background noise (like driving in a car) can make it very hard for me to hear someone on the phone.
I had an "on ear" set from Jabra once and it was very uncomfortable. I couldn't make it fit properly and the speaker sat too far from my ear. It was nearly impossible to make calls with that headset.

My budget is $40,- at the most right now. I looked at reviews on Google and most of the reviews are for sets that are cheap in the US, but very dear in Australia. Or handsets that are not at all available in Australia. Not very useful.

So if anyone could point me in the right direction, I'd be very grateful…..

Thanks in advance :o)

Mobile

Comments

  • Helmuth on 04/02/2013 - 10:54
    +1

    Don't know where you are, but check out https://www.officeworks.com.au/retail/search/bluetooth?sortB… and see if any of the cheap ones are in stock close to you.

  • Shout It Out on 04/02/2013 - 15:34

    Well, I rang our OfficeWorks and they have NO bluetooth headsets whatsoever. He reckons that they're only small and that they only order items that are popular in the local market. I guess driving handsfree is not a priority up here. And they wonder why so many people killed in accidents on the highway. DOH!

  • lonertic on 04/02/2013 - 18:50
    +1

    I've had many Bluetooth sets over the years and my fav is the Plantronics Voyager 855 (it's a few years "old" now as in they have newer models but I still find this one the best)

    It's an in-ear with multiple sized buds for a good fit, has an optional wired earphone for stereo use (eg: listening to music or blocking out the kids/mother-in-law on the other ear), can be used as a single-ear Bluetooth comfortably too… The microphone is also extendable (slides out) for better voice calls, and Plantronics as a brand a quite well regarded for their ambient-noise cancelling technology (compared to some Chinese brands at similar prices) so it's great for driving, but if you wear it on your right ear and have the windows down while driving, no brand of Bluetooth will work properly. So I normally wear it on my left.

    Dunno any local retailers, and being an older model theyre harder to find. Cheapest on eBay that I can find is here: http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/Plantronics-Voyager-855-Wireless-…

    • Shout It Out on 04/02/2013 - 20:54

      Looks good, except for the US adapter and it is ofcourse refurbished. That last one isn't a biggie but that adapter might be a small problem. It doesn't come with a USB charger by any chance?

      • lonertic on 04/02/2013 - 21:11
        +1

        Standard micro USB plug :) … Another great feature that I love about it.

        Search around, don't have to get that particular link, that was just the cheapest I found…for a few bucks more I'm sure u can find it BNIB…it's an older model but I don't think it's a discontinued model…

        • Shout It Out on 04/02/2013 - 21:30

          Hmmmm the ones I see from the US don't mention anything about micro usb cable included….. Meaning I'll have to dig through my drawer of useless cables to find one. Am I right? That the cable is not included?

          I saw this one from the US. I did a search through his feedback and I went back about 15 pages and every Voyager855 he/she has sold has been left with positive feedback. So might be worth thinking about this one:
          http://cgi.ebay.com.au/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=330700…

          EDIT: I found a micro usb cable, so that's at least 1 worry less. Also, I am planning on buying a USB charger for the car to use on my Nexus 4, so this should catch 2 birds with 1 stone. Might even look at a double USB charger…..

  • Shopwise on 10/09/2013 - 03:09

    Believe it or not, they even have a headset…in a hat designed to help the hard of hearing. http://www.maxvirtual.com/

  • ProdigyShin on 11/09/2013 - 11:38

    I am thinking if you would like to spend $9 to try the Jabra Bluetooth from Coles.

    Some people get it for $6.50 but I got it for $9.
    http://www.ozbargain.com.au/node/115268

    Also I got my gf a bluetooth from this website… :)
    http://www.n1wireless.com/cart.cgi

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