Customer Reviews

Callpod Dragon Bluetooth Headset

5 star:		(4)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(7)
1 star:		(8)

 

 

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.

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.

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.

This is a great idea with poor execution. The primary reason for getting the Dragon was the two-way conversation, but I never got to test it because the first one was so bad, we never got a second Dragon V1.

For me, the best thing about the Dragon is the range. I can leave my cell phone on the charger and wander pretty far from the phone and still receive calls. Unfortunately, my particular set got the "head in a bucket" sound quality that made callers think reception was bad and asking to call back. At least I got the calls. Phone calls beyond one-syllable answers from me were not possible. I did not give Callpod a chance to correct the problem, so given other accounts of great sound, I'm counting this as unreliable quality.

I found what others variously call "too heavy" and "poor fit" just plain poor fit. The unit wouldn't seem as heavy if the ear piece were more comfortable. I tried both ear pieces supplied with the unit, and even though my ear is small, the larger ear piece was less painful. Given that it was still uncomfortable, I'd try to shift it around a bit during the day, but the business end of the Dragon began routinely falling off. Even when I didn't bother it, it would fall off. I checked to see if I had broken or lost a part and concluded that the design of the attachment was the real problem.)

David Pogue of the NYTimes says the sound quality of the newer Dragon is great, and the vendor has redesigned both the ear piece and the method of attaching it to the headset. So given my three main beefs may have been addressed, I recommend not taking a chance on this version and just getting the Dragon V2.

This device should be one of the most useful on the market, because it is a rare Class-1 bluetooth device. This means it works more like wifi than normal bluetooth, allowing you to use it over 300 feet away from the base. You can leave your phone in your coat and still use the headset to talk with it all over your house and yard, even at your neighbor's house...

But the first one I got did not work. It would not hold a charge, even for a moment. The instant you disconnected it from the USB port, it was simply nonfunctional, as if it had no battery.

I hunted down the tech support number for the manufacturer, and called it. Unfortunately, nobody ever answered, nor was any message system available. I tried for days. There was also no viable tech support online.

So I exchanged it (Amazon was wonderful for this, sending out the new one even before I sent the old one back), and found that the new one had exactly the same problem.

This makes me think there may be some simply thing I'm failing to do correctly, even though I follow the directions to the letter...but without ANY form of customer support at all, I cannot find out what is wrong.

I happened to be online now, to search for another class-1 bluetooth device, and thought I'd let everyone know this bad experience.

I absolutely loved the sound quality of this device but I couldn't get the ear piece holder to stay in place. Was it me? Maybe but I ultimately bought a Plantronices and their ear piece holding system was very well done. It would be great if the folks at CallPod adopted this design or close to it...

Sorry!

LEE

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. 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.

Most uncomfortable headset I've ever tried. Sharp edges on earpiece; difficult to fit onto ear quickly. Sounds like talking in a tunnel--very difficult for caller to understand. Range isn't what they claim--better than other models but only about 150 feet straight shot no walls (not 300). Very disappointed!

After reading David Pogue's review in the NY Times, I bought two of these for my husband and me to use when we ride our bikes, and they work great. In an open area the range is well over 300 feet. If I get stuck at a traffic light behind him, I can just open up the channel and let him know to slow up a bit. Perfect for this application. There is some wind noise, but we were able to fix that by adjusting the fit and fiddling with our bike helmets a bit.

They're also great if our old, deaf dog has wandered off and we have to go out looking for her--husband can go in one direction, I can go in another. I think they'd be great for team shopping at Costco, but haven't tried that out yet.

Not sure how well they work for other applications--haven't tried them, but perfectly happy with them as "walkie talkies." Plus, you get to feel like a secret service agent on a mission!

Most uncomfortable ear piece design ever! Poor audio, 50 foot range at best even with line of sight. Don't bother.