Callpod Dragon Bluetooth Headset

by Callpod

Product Details

• Product Dimensions: 5 x 5.1 x 4.2 inches ; 5.1 ounces
• Shipping Weight: 11.2 ounces
• Shipping: This item is also available for shipping to select countries outside the U.S.
• ASIN: B000X2H8DM
• Item model number: CDHS-0001
• Average Customer Review: 2.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (23 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #91,663 in Cell Phones & Accessories (See Top 100 in Cell Phones & Accessories)

Product Description

Dragon is a 100+ meter range Class-1 Bluetooth headset that allows users to roam around the office or home without having to carry a mobile phone. Advanced dual-microphone noise suppression gives callers a crystal clear conversation even if at an airport, noisy restaurant or in a car.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

33 of 33 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars initial units defective -- very poor audio quality; replaced with newer units that fixed audio problems, March 17, 2008

By 

D. Goldstein (San Francisco, CA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Callpod Dragon Bluetooth Headset (Wireless Phone Accessory)

I purchased 2 CallPod Dragon headsets from another online vendor that sells them here through Amazon. The product has an excellent feature set, nice form factor, and the attraction of being able to operate headset-to-headset (intercom mode) without any cellphone in between. The latter was the primary reason for purchase.

Unfortunately in testing the 2 units over multiple weeks, the audio quality in all settings was very poor. In intercom mode (device-to-device), there was a significant humming noise that was loud enough to be distracting. I intended to use the intercom feature in a quiet clinical setting where voice quality needs to be clear and intelligible at all times. Unfortunately the Dragon headsets didn't live up to expectations, and since this was the primary intended use mode this was a great disappointment.

When used as a regular handsfree headset with a cellphone while driving on the freeway, the audio quality on the call-receiver's end was so muffled and occasionally garbled as to be nearly unintelligible they told me. I tried both Dragon headsets with the same cellphone in the same location back-to-back with similar results. The person on the other end actually insisted I hang up and switch to my regular bluetooth headset -- a Plantronics Voyager 510 -- which was crystal clear in comparison.

I called the Callpod folks to find out what the issue might be. They suggested making sure both units were fully charged in order to reduce noise issues. Repeated charging cycles didn't improve things. I also upgraded the firmware in both devices (using their website download) without significant effect.

Since the reviews I've seen across the internet range from "excellent audio" to describing similar general audio clarity problems, I wonder if Callpod just has a high defect rate with these units. While this wasn't a scientific, controlled test by any means, I certainly expected these to perform better out of the box and the fact that 2 units exhibited similar issues sealed it. I returned both units.

I hope Callpod resolves the issues with the Dragon. It's great on features, design & upgradability and the intercom is a killer addition, but this product unfortunately performed poorly.

[UPDATE June 20, 2008....]
I confirmed directly with the manufacturer that my initial 2 units were defective, resulting in the very poor audio quality. The manufacturer apparently had a number of bad units early on -- supposedly the manufacturing problem is fixed.

On contacting the company directly, Callpod graciously offered to ship out a couple newer headsets to demo, and with these I was able to confirm the worst of the audio issues appear to be fixed. I haven't tested extensively with cell phone use, since my application is exclusively using the headset-to-headset calling feature. In this mode, the sound quality is now quite good with very little of the annoying noise experienced with the original units.

In the interim, had a chance to test the SoundID headset which also offers a headset-to-headset call mode. The Callpod Dragon headset with fixed audio wins hands down. The build quality on the Callpod headset is significantly better than the SoundID, the audio quality of the SoundID headsets was extremely tinny headset-to-headset, and the Callpod Dragon headsets provide a much more secure fit to the ear.

So (if Amazon let you) I'd bump the Dragon headset up a star [from 2 to 3 stars] based on these new units. I'd give it 4 stars for my particular application -- headset-to-headset use. Importantly, kudos to the company for being very responsive upon receiving direct customer feedback and going out of their way to provide a good customer service experience.

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Better than most, January 30, 2008

By 

R. Rickey "Michael" (Orange County, CA USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Callpod Dragon Bluetooth Headset (Wireless Phone Accessory)

I've used a number of different headsets and I am having the best luck with the Dragon.

As you can see, the unit is round. It's small and thin enough that it isn't a bother. My only problem is with the larger earloop, has these little pointy things that bothered me. I cut them off and am much better now.

Volume and readability are good. Button easy to find and the functions easy to remember. I do wish it would remember volume settings after having been turned off.

The accessory set included is above average, wall, car and USB chargers. And, a little pouch to keep it all together.

I should warn purchasers...there was an improperly adjusted set that was shipped. I had to send mine in to have the microphones balanced. A process that took it out of my hands to about 10 days. In the end, the results were good.

I've used Jabra, Plantronics and even the JawBone. I'm sticking with the Dragon.

15 of 18 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Never Had A Better Bluetooth Headset--Period, February 14, 2008

By 

Nom De Amazon Here "TechnoPhile" (NorEaster) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Callpod Dragon Bluetooth Headset (Wireless Phone Accessory)

Callpod's Dragon Bluetooth Headset does it all. After having used everything in existence from the Jabra to the Jawbone--and the Motorola(cough) to the Nokia... None have the distance, the configurability (two simultaneous connections) or the talk or standby time that this baby does. More often than not, I have mine connected to my Blackberry (for phone-usage) while playing multiplayer games on my PS3--which has never connected well to a Bluetooth headset previously due to distance in my home theater.... This one does, as it is Class-1. All I have to do to answer a phone call in mid-game is press the center button--and Voila! Telephone on... Call ends? I'm back to the game without a button push.
More, with another person in the office (or a spouse at home,) who also owns a Dragon? You get full duplex (both can talk over the other) communication between the paired Dragon devices. I'm told that the Dragon does up to eight devices (for storage in memory...) although I've only tried five at the same time--I'd it is just as easy as the five devices I have at this point. The dual noise cancelling Mic allows me to drive with the windows down or talk in a loud environs with no issues. GREAT PRODUCT! Highly recommended. I can't wait to try their conference phone product (the phoenix.) You'll like this very much. It's even fun to use with the PS3 Voice Morphing that came on the newest firmware for Sony's Blu-Ray Baby.