Customer Reviews

Contour Design Surfacesound Bluetooth Speaker

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

 

 

1 year update: I wrote the review below 1 year ago to the day. My opinion of this item has changed drastically since I first received the unit. In the beginning, the SurfaceSound Compact worked great. Paired with my iPhone 2G seamlessly. Voice quality was good on both ends. But after a few months, my unit started acting erratic. It would turn on when the mic was in the off position. Sound crackled and lights flashed. It needed replacement. I e-mailed Bluetrek support and got a replacement, but the 2nd unit started having the same erratic behavior from the beginning. I returned the 2nd unit back. I've just received my 3rd unit from Bluetrek, and they sent me back a SurfaceSound Duo, which has a little bluetooth headset. I bought the SurfaceSound Compact in order to avoid having a bluetooth headset while driving. But anyway, there were no instructions, and when I downloaded the instructions from Bluetrek, I cannot believe that there's no steps showing how to link the Duo with my phone. Back to support again. I've never had this experience before with an electronic device, NEVER!

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I've noticed the majority of Amazon reviews are negative on this item. I feel compelled to write this review as my experience has been great with this product. I can't speak for other people, but I bought this item because of [...] Best of Show 2008 award and review. I bought the Bluetrek model from Expansys for around $50, I don't know why Contour Design is selling it for $100. Anyway, as soon as I pull down the microphone,this pairs seamlessly with my iPhone every time. It pairs much more consistently than my $600 Alpine stereo with Bluetooth kit. The sound quality is very good, and the volume is LOUD. The design is very simple so it doesn't attract attention. I'm picky, but I really love this product. The only problem I encountered was I misplaced the car charger, and didn't know how to recharge this item as it appeared to use a proprietary plug. Now I know that the plug is microUSB, so I assume it can be charged with any microUSB-USB cable to any USB port.

I really thought I had made the best purchase based on the reviews. I think somebody was bought off. The sound on the other end is terrible and it pretty much sucks on my end too. I got nothing but complaints when using it. The icing on the cake was when its connector to the sun visor snapped off. I am chalking this one up to experience. If the review sounds too good and looks to slick to be true, it probably is. I just bought the new 3G iPhone which has an updated and outstanding speaker and mic system that gives me the best speaker phone I have ever used. I just lay it on up the dash under the glass and the people on the other end can't tell me if I am moving or not. As usual, Apple knows how to do it right.

The clip holding the phone and the clip broke within two days of use. A shoddy product.

Good product. Very easy to pair with my iphone. And it's easy to use, only two buttons and a lever. The two buttons are for volume and answering or hanging up and the lever is the on/off with the microphone on the end of it. The only reason I don't give it 5 stars is because the microphone isn't quite sensitive enough or it picks up too much road noise. Basically, you just have to repeat yourself sometimes to whomever you are speaking with. Not that big a deal. Money well spent!

I just received this as a Christmas gift from my husband. We got it paired up to my iPhone and tested it. While the speaker sound seems clear, the microphone is just horrible; my husband was in a different room during the test and did not even hear me responding to him in a normal tone of voice. It's going right back to the store from whence it came.

This gizmo is a joint product of two companies: Contour Design and Bluetrek and is just the item you need if you live in a state where talking on a cell phone is illegal while driving. That's the reason I purchased it.

In the beginning, it worked great but lately there have been a couple of disconcerting issues and I've found there is basically zero support network to fall back on. Although both companies have web sites, there is only marketing and product information and very little support information, just a couple of email addresses that I haven't had much luck with.

I paid $80 for it so I'm a little more angry than I would be at $59 but still.....

It's worth while doing a little research before you click the BUY button to make sure there's a support organization to fall back on.....

The speaker phone is clearer than any other I have used. The only thing that would improve its usage is a better charging method. Although it uses a USB connector for charging, a solar charging system would have been a nice add-on. The voice status prompts are also quite nice, instead of having to decipher beeps and colored lights while attempting to drive.

I've had this for over 1 year and have not had problems. Battery life is good. Sound volume is fine, though could be louder sometimes. It pairs great with my iphone and answering is as easy as flipping down the little side piece. It sits flat against my sunvisor and doesn't get in the way, which is the main reason I think anyone would want to buy this. It doesn't have some of the features of other bluetooth speakers like caller ID, etc... but is great for those who want the basics.

An excellent choice for in-car connection. It paired immediately with my iPhone (Though it would NOT pair with my Blackberry) and works "as advertised." The only flaws: low volume, and switch placement on the side of the unit. For some, the volume controls and "accept call" button will be hard to tell by touch while driving. I've hung up on several people while trying to adjust the volume. On the plus side, sound quality is excellent both in the car and on the other end of the conversation. A pull down microphone turns the unit on and is easy to operate. One of the best choices I've made on a Bluetooth accessory..

I really like this! It pairs and remembers my iPhone perfectly. Stays charged forever. Speaker volume at max is a bit lower than I would like, but sufficient. If you have a car with a quiet cabin, it works great. Three weeks now and have not recharged, so battery claims are real. I have it under my visor, and just flip it down and extend the arm to answer a call. Cool stuff.