Customer Reviews

Emerson Over The Head Bluetooth Headset

5 star:		(59)
4 star:		(39)
3 star:		(17)
2 star:		(9)
1 star:		(31)

 

 

I have a hard time using Bluetooth headsets for two main reasons: either people can't hear me (I'm soft spoken and my car has a lot of background noise) or I can't hear them (my phone's audio volume is poor). Standard Bluetooth ear pieces don't really work for me, and as I travel frequently in states that now prohibit handset use while driving, I needed a sensible solution. Wired over-the-head versions of this didn't work well with my phone due to the volume issue.

I've only had this for a few days now and it's been a slam-dunk. People have no trouble hearing me, and I even have to turn the volume *down* for a change to hear them. Pairing took a moment or two, but once I was up and running it's been a pleasure to use. I can even use my phone's voice activation system properly now for short names.

There's a short list of cons to this product (which I'm happy to write-off as nuisances). When it goes into power saving mode, I haven't noticed a tone or other clear notification yet. However, all I need to do is tap the action button and it connects back to my phone. The headset isn't always that comfortable if I'm wearing a hat, but it is comfortable to the point I've forgotten I had it on.

If you've had trouble with 'stylish' Bluetooth ear pieces, this is a great alternative that has served me well. There's no substitute for having a mic that actually sits next to your mouth.

As a truck driver cab noise is always an issue when trying to use bluetooth headsets. After going through the previous reviews and seen that another driver was satisfied with this product while driving a Freightliner, I was sold! Freightliners are one of the noisiest trucks on the road.
After using it for a week, I am very happy! I had to actually lower the volume which never had happened before. I believe, I actually use it on half only. I can hear well, and I'm heard well too!
I also like the 3 charging options: it comes with a USB charging cable, a cigarette plug and a 110V plug which both can be used with the USB cable. It uses the same [lately very common] charging connector as most GPS devices, and cell phones such Blackberries.

this will be my 4th bluetooth in 2 years. i've read all the reviews on amazon and on cnet, and have spent the premium money on all that noise canceling stuff and premium high dollar bluetooths. i've used the various plantronics units, costing $90 or so, and they just do not work for me. i've used the jawbone, and though its sort of better..sort of, i look like a complete dork wearing it. i'm a contractor. i'm either outside in the noise and wind with power tools running, or in my van, where it's even more noisier and windier. all previous bluetooths were so disappointing as no one could hear what i'm saying. so, i've resigned to cook my brain, waste an hour a day standing around holding a phone to my ear, and was bitter about it. well, until now.

this bluetooth is fantastic. everyone can hear my voice better than just using the phone. i'm guessing the mic being right infront of my mouth might do that? pretty obvious stuff. it's so easy and clear to talk hands free, even while i'm running my drills and saws, that i find myself talking probably too much. a few times i've ran the battery out in one day, which i think gives me 2.5 hours talk time per charge. well, it's not like i'm wasting time occupying my hand with a ridiculous phone, so i talk a little more. the unit works great. i could not be happier.

IF there is a downside, it is trying to find a good spot to wear this thing when you are not on the phone. it does not work pulling it down and wearing it around the neck as it's uncomfortable doing that. it's too big to put in a pocket. it does not hang from the shirt collar either. what i've found that works okay is that when not in use, you push the earphone off my ear and to the rear, just behind the ear. it stays there pretty well...all day long. the boom arm flips up and it can be hidden close to your hair so it does not look completely goofy. when a call comes in, it's an easy move to flip the boom down and put the ear pad on my ear. though i wear it all day long at the job, i wouldn't wear this thing to dinner with the family. it's a bit too much head gear for that. so, if your lifestyle and environment is noisy and keeping your hands free to use is important and having crisp, clear reception is important too, this is the headset for you.

I selected this bluetooth headset based on two factor, battery life and sound quality and I was not disappointed. I attend meetings during my long commute and not having to mute/un-mute was a big plus. No one could tell that I was driving on the highway with my windows down. The battery lasted for almost 2 weeks as I would turn it off whenever I was not in my car.

Then suddenly it would not power back on, even though it was fully charged. I had bought the unit on August 1 from Amazon and it stopped working on Sept 20 (my return window expired on Sep 19 - go figure). The customer support is horrible for this product. They are open only Monday/Tuesday/Wednesday. You have to leave a message for them to call you back, they never pick the phone. I called multiple times and they called back twice, unfortunately both times I could not take their call. They do not respond to emails, even though they say to leave a message or send an email. Even if they were to agree to repair it in the 90 day window, it is not worth it since you have to cover the insurance and both way shipping.

I have fixed my headsets before, so I opened it up,to see if I would be able to fix it. I was very disappointed to see the flimsy connections barely there solders, The 2 green wires that activate the power/call answer button were off, the small screws supposed to hold the swiveling arm were just hanging there with nothing to support/hold them. There is no way I can solder the connections back either using a soldering iron (the hot iron will melt the unit) or the glue (no way I can reach the connector and work with the glue and the wire).

I have given up on this now. Too bad I really liked the product and I was tempted to buy another one but now that I have opened up the product and seen the flimsy assembly I would not even spend a dollar on it.

After finally upgrading to a Bluetooth phone, I investigated all of those chic over-the-ear devices. All of the professional tech reviews (on the pro Web sites) discussed incremental advances in the capabilities of the sets to filter out noise, particularly in vehicles. Overwhelmingly, the pro's said over-the-ear devices are improving, but all gave them low marks for vehicle noise. Perhaps they're great if you're not in a vehicle.

So, I decided to seek an "old-fashioned" over-the-head model. I read the reviews for various models on Amazon, including the December 7, 2009 review by Nathaniel for this Emerson headset. (I'm forever grateful, Nathaniel!)

By the time the Emerson headset arrived, my husband needed one because his old (non-Bluetooth) cell phone had suddenly perished. Unlike me, my husband is not a tech geek and he LOVES this headset - easy to use, clear, excellent noise filtration for the user and the person they've called.

Thus, I'm ordering another one, today, so I can have one just like I'd planned!

For the same reasons cited in the other reviews, I went searching for a good, over-the-head Bluetooth headset for my Sprint Palm Treo Pro and elected to try the Emerson. I have been using this headset now for about a month and LOVE it!

I drive a loud car that can make it difficult for people to hear me and for me to hear them. This headset fixes that. I can speak in normal tones (no shouting!!) and the other party hears me just fine. In fact, you might need to get used to speaking this way the first few times you use it.

There is one feature that I have come to really like with this headset: when I walk away from the car (like going into a store, for example) I do nothing with the headset and it will turn off on its own. True, you need to turn it on each time, but it saves the charge and requires less frequent charging.

Do yourself a favor, and a favor to those whom you call - buy this headset.

I had several expensive and incredibly uncomfortable "in ear" hands free cell phone earphones and hated them all. I lost them, they hurt, I couldn't hear, and they have too many options that I sure don't need.

I looked a long time to find a plain old over-the head-headset like the one I use at work. Found this product, and now everyone I know uses it. Family, friends, customers - when they see it, they want one.

It's comfortable and LOUD. You can adjust the sound level, but what's important to me is that I can hear and carry on a conversation over loud highway and office noises.

All you do to pair it to your phone is push the button hard. It beeps when it connects. Answer a call by pushing the button, end a call, push the button. That's it. There's a loudness level adjustment but I never seem to need to use it.

It's easy to recharge or you can use it attached to the cigarette lighter in the car with a usb converter if you forget to recharge it overnight.

No more expensive little slippery ear dingies for me.

yeap!! i've had four units of this bt headsets and all toghether combined usage time didn't add a whole entire year... for different reasons they all died.. it all began as a mistake with the shipping order but since i'm a trucker and i was away i got stock with ALL of them..
the first one stopped working..
the second one got wet only from my truck to a warehouse door 20 feet away.. it was only drizzling
the 3rd one.. began only after 3 weeks of use to drop the calls..
and the winner.. the fourth headset began falling in pieces.. the first thing that happened is the liner or ear cover cracked.. so, it was pinching my ear, it would pull my hair constantly as i was removing it from my head,and for last;the head support broke and by that time i didnt have any other headsets to swap parts to this one, i tried to use it bare metal but then it was pinching my scalp so much that i can't talk more than 5 minutes because then get very painful and this is all after 4 month of use.. still works but who would want to use under the circumstances???

I give it a 4 and not 5 because of one silly and annoying design flaw. The sharp "teeth" that make the headband adjustable point downward (toward your scalp). This doesn't show in the pictures on Amazon or elsewhere. If, like me, you have a large, bald melon and you have to extend the headband most or all the way, those suckers will dig into your scalp. "It's a headset!" "No, it's a medieval torture device!" "Wait, it's both!" I fixed - I hope - the problem with a small strip of Velcro (the soft "loop" side, natch) but you baldies should be aware you might need to do a similar modification.

Otherwise functionality and fit are good. Much, much better for me than the many "in ear" Bluetooth devices I've owned or tried. Excellent sound quality on the receiving and sending ends. They may have fixed the car charger problem mentioned in other reviews - mine, while not the sturdiest in the world, is OK so far.

Sparks came out of the surge protector outlet when I first plugged in the first unit I bought. Due to the good reviews in Amazon, I dismissed this as a rare issue and exchanged it for the same product again. The 2nd unit I received charged well and I began using it but on the first night I had it the power button stopped working. I can't turn the headset off, I can't pick calls up or hang up anymore with it either. I called their customer service and they said to send it back in and I will. However, it looks like the quality of these products is questionable at best. I may have to get the same again though because this still has the best reviews of any over the head bluetooth headset. Hopefully 3rd time is a charm...

4/23/11 update: 3rd time went well for a few months, but as of yesterday the on/off button stopped working. I am buying a different one now.