Customer Reviews

Motorola s705 SoundPilot Bluetooth Stereo Portable Music Player,Radio

5 star:		(5)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I bought the s705 to let me watch videos (off my iPod classic 160GB) while using various cardio equipment without worrying about snagging my earbud cord between my head and the iPod sitting on the book holder on the exercise equipment. After a quick search for something that would fit my need, I was surprised at the numerous choices. There are many options for stereo listening only, but the s705 and the Jabra BT3030 Jabra BT3030 Bluetooth Stereo Headset serve as stereo headset + phone headset (with mic on the device) + flexibility to plug in whatever 3.5mm headset you prefer.

Coupled with the Sony iPod stereo bluetooth transmitter (Sony Bluetooth Wireless Transmitter for iPod (Black)), the s705 solution is better than I could have imagined. Features that I use and appreciate:
* connects to ipod (with add-on adapter) and phone at same time
* when call comes in, caller info displays on the s705 display -- SWEET
* upon accepting call, ipod pauses; upon ending call, iPod resumes
* if I press the s705 call button while listening/watching, iPod pauses and the voice prompt beeps to allow me to voice dial from my phone (voice call like you would expect from any standard BT headset)
* clip has enough torque (catch) to stay on my collar
* FM receiver - handy to listen to radio or watch TV at gym (fitness centers broadcast TV sound over FM frequencies). The s705 even has the technology to display the song info broadcast over the air.
* recharges with mini USB (A53 iGo tip iGo Power Tip A53 for Select AT&T, Spring, T-Mobile and Verizon Mobile Phones)
* pairs easily with the two items I wanted to pair with - phone and ipod
* the sound is FINE. I have not noticed any degradation (bass, highs, stutter, static) versus plugging the earbuds directly into ipod. This was something I was concerned about from reviews of s705 and TMR-BT8iP

FYI, I bought the s705 and BT3030 at same time. Why is this better than BT3030?
* the display -- very elegant to be able to see who's calling from the device rather than fishing for your phone. Also, display is handy for other UI features of the s705.
* clip - s705 has enough grab to stay put. Jabra slides off without much effort
* FM - this was a total bonus. Though I would not have thought to put this on my list of wants, it is very handy. Since I wanted the headset primarily for the gym to begin with, it is nice to be able to switch over to the FM when I see someting on the TV screen that I would like to be able to hear
* price - Huh?!?! $35 versus $55. Maybe neither will break the bank, but why is Jabra more money for so much less?

Cons (very slight in my judgment and not worth taking points off):
* there is a delay in sound versus plugging directly into iPod. The only difference this makes is when you are watching video. When somebody is on screen talking, their mouth moves a bit (like a tenth of a second) before you hear the corresponding sound. This is present on both headsets I used and I think a function of any BT adapter I could add on to the iPod.
* I don't really see how to shorten the neck strap enough such that mic is close enough to your mouth to use. Not an issue to me since the clip is very effective. If I ended up wanting to use the neck strap more, I know I could just tie a knot in it to make it the ideal length so again, no big deal.

Keep in mind - the s705 supports standards to allow it to receive sound and control your audio device. Works with any brand of Bluetooth-enabled compatible phone or music devices that support Advanced Audio Distribution Profile (A2DP) and Audio Video Remote Control Profile (AVRCP). I am not sure if all BT devices support these; I did check my devices before purchasing the s705.

In summary, the s705 is extraordinary in form and function. If your need is similar to mine, I cannot imagine a better solution.

It works well in every way except for the microphone. It seems to be better suited to picking up background noise than speech. If you speak too loudly, the distortion makes you inaudible. Don't buy this if you're planning to use it for calls outside of quiet spaces.

For a stereo music listening device it works great. Sound quality is very good, and the output is powerful. The included headphones aren't bad either.

Easy to pair plus you get the FM receiver as a added treat. Mic works Ok when using it with my Iphone. The dongle thing is a little weird so I don't use it. When I get a call I grab the unit and talk into it.
It's great for hanging out at the gym. You can listen to the TV's that are set to FM freq

I was looking for something to replace my Altec Lansing T515 headphones (they also included speakers, but I mostly missed the medallion/earbuds part), which my new BlackBerry 8900 would not recognize. These Motorolas actually looked too good to be true for the price, but when I opened the box, I was absolutely thrilled.

The medallion unit itself is gorgeous, rubbery matte black finish with beautiful blue-lit controls and a very cool little LED readout. Being able to interact with a bluetooth device with a screen is so far superior to trying to work out what's happening by interpreting various combinations of beeps and flashes. The unit comes with a lanyard, a very slick removable clip, decent (if unremarkable) headphones, and a number of very odd looking charger things I assume would come in handy if I traveled to places with strange electrical plugs.

These work flawlessly with my BB Curve 8900, which is saying something, the 8900 is finicky about its bluetooth pairings :). The range is more than adequate, and it's a big bonus to have the caller ID visible on the bluetooth unit when I'm not right near the phone. And FM Radio! Not sure I'll use that too much but a gadget with extra features is better than one with not enough!

As I mentioned, the headphones are mostly quite adequate, but I have a pair of the Sennheiser CX400 ear buds, which have the short cord with an extension piece - bought them for the T515s but they are just as perfect for this unit, as a replacement and/or backup pair. If you find you'd like a little better sound and comfort, I highly recommend the CX400s to go with this unit.

I'm not a fan of any sort of over the head or behind the head earphones, and there are so few good options out there of a bluetooth receiver with ear buds -- and out of all of them, these were the best *and* the most affordable. By far the most appealing feature for me is the little screen, and not having to think, 'wait, what does a long beep and three blinks mean?'

I'm going to buy a few more of these as gifts, and maybe a spare for myself - I'm that happy with the Motorola s705.

I bought this receiver to use a Bluetooth signal in my shop for use with my Peltor audio hearing protectors. The receiver worked great out the box and was easy to pair to my cell phone and receiver. I highly recommend this receiver for similar uses. The set up for this is available at my Blog.

I dont think yall understand the capablitiies of this unit. This is a Class 1 Bluetooth. The only phone that I know of that does Class 1 Bluetooth is the Motorola V3. Most every phone I have ever seen is Class 2. Even your $700 iPhone is Class 2. WHY? Have asked that question many times. Ok so your asking whats the difference between Class 1 and Class 2, well about 230 feet. Class 2 bluetooth, as anyone knows, only reaches about 30 feet, if your lucky. Class 1 bluetooth reaches 300 feet. The Call Pod Dragon is Class 1 and I used it with the Moto V3 with UNBELIEVABLE distance. Phone in the car charging as I am on a call and I forget the phone in the car, walk into shopping center and get 50ft in the store before phone starts fizzing then notice phone is not with me kind of distance.

Ok back to my purchase of the S705. My idea as I did much research and searching the internet. I wanted to use my headset to listen to music from my laptop and still be able to answer my iPhone 3G while working. Well the laptop, Dell XPS1530, only has Class 2 bluetooth. So I looked around and found a Motorola PC850 of which is also Class 1. This USB thumb adapter plugs into any computer, except Vista of course, and you are able to control your iTunes from the S705. These two together are amazing. I walk all over the house and even in the yard listening to my home PC. My PC sets on the floor so when I plug directly into the PC the reception distance is cut to less than half. So I bought a USB extension cable and draped it over the curtain rod so the PC850 hangs in the window, unbelievable distance inside and out. So since my laptop still has Vista I was having issues getting the PC850 to work on it. So I was using my iPhone 3G as an iPod. My research had found that the iPhone does not play well with some of these Bluetooth headsets, but to my surprise I had stereo music and phone calls. S705 was clipped in my polo shirt button area and phone in my pocket. No static as with regular phone headsets that I had used before, even with the phone being that close I still got static with others. So phone runs out of battery and I set it down to charge. I work in a restaurant so I set it to where it would reach lobby and hopefully kitchen. Well I am standing in the back part of the kitchen around a corner listening to music that I figured would be staticy to none at all from my phone when it rings, phone conversation no problem and I am about 80ft away with ALMOST a line of site, couple of machines and around the corner between me and the phone.

Not sure why this thing is not $100. Best headset I have owned so far and I have a drawer full.

Oh and the S705 coupled with the PC850 used on a computer works with ANY audio you want. Does phone calls like phone dongles or Skype or what ever configuration you can think of.

I always hold my breath when I order a new electronic item. I dont want to spend hours figuring out how it works. In the case of this item, I wanted a bluetooth "receiver" for my home audio/video system. It works great. Nice range (Bluetooth sometimes have reception problems, especially in cities like NYC). Clear audio. Included earbuds are fine, though I know audiophiles will probably disagree. Don't know about the cell phone reception or the FM radio reception/clarity, as I didnt buy them for those purposes.

There is a mini-CD included, which has the full instruction/user manual You'll probably need it, as the printed manual is minimal, and does not reference the CD. Thus 4 stars rather than 5.