[matt g]

We have to have a few tech savvy folks on here that love toys. I've just started to use a Plantronics Bluetooth headset and it's pretty handy. I'm currently shopping for a Bluetooth dongle to connect my cell to my laptop for GPS, wi-fi connectivity and file transfers.

What's your favorite Bluetooth thingy?

[drew747]

No doubt about it, Bluetooth mouse and keyboard!

[dog2000tj]

Just got the Plantronics headset after getting 2 tickets from the NYPD for using a cellphone while driving. I hope this thing works as good as others say it does. Can't afford to get a third ticket.


+1 on the mouse and keyboard

I also have wireless devices for the xBox - controllers, headsets

[Yunus]

If your buying bluetooth just make sure you buy it from somewhere you can return it. There are many different versions (standards) that bluetooth uses and 2 bluetooth devices are not always compatible. This has gotten better in the last year or so but I would suggest paying the extra couple of bucks to get something locally and easily returnable instead of ebay.

[cpttango30]

Originally Posted by Yunus

If your buying bluetooth just make sure you buy it from somewhere you can return it. There are many different versions (standards) that bluetooth uses and 2 bluetooth devices are not always compatible. This has gotten better in the last year or so but I would suggest paying the extra couple of bucks to get something locally and easily returnable instead of ebay.

All bluetooth devices are compatible. Bluetooth is a wireless short range networking protocol. There for if you make a bluetooth device you have to use either the v1 or v2 of the protocol. They just tell you that so you will spend more money at best buy. There is 2 thats it 2 versions of blue tooth. Bluetooth v1 and bluetooth v2 and v2 is backwards compatible with v1. Your devices may not be compatible as in you can't hook your phone up to a Smart board with blue tooth because they don't do the same thing.

I have never bought a bluetooth device in a store. Huh never had a single problem with mine other than me losing them.

One of the better bluetooth head set out there is the Blue ant v1. as for cool devices I prefer the smart board or activeboard with bluetooth. This is an interactive white board for teaching and presenting.

[dnthmn2004]

Bluetooth never really caught my attention. I just can't justify wearing something bulky on my ear when I'm not talking on my phone. I'd probably loose it anyways. And for driving in a car, its called speakerphone. Maybe when they come out with one the size of a nickle, I might get one.

[dirtbikingdad]

Not a techy as I'm too cheap but, I've got some Motorola bluetooth headphones for running/yardwork. They are kind of like those glasses "Dog-The Bounty Hunter" wears, but without the glasses part. They're pretty slick as you can bluetooth to an I-pod and to a cell phone at the same time. Gotta call coming in? It pauses the I-pod and you take the call. You can also voice dial too. I picked them up for $25 on closeout and after rebate at Office Depot. Problem was, after I bought them and they stopped working due to sweat getting into the controls, I had to send them back to Motorola. They replaced them with a re-designed pair with sealed controls. Nice!

The other day, I rec'd some class action law suit BS about hearing loss and bluetooth devices. They mentioned the Plantronics in the the lawsuit too. America is a litigious society! I want nothing of it.

[matt g]

Originally Posted by dnthmn2004

Bluetooth never really caught my attention. I just can't justify wearing something bulky on my ear when I'm not talking on my phone. I'd probably loose it anyways. And for driving in a car, its called speakerphone. Maybe when they come out with one the size of a nickle, I might get one.

My headset isn't too much larger than a Nickle and it weighs a few grams. It's not at all bulky and I can wear it comfortably for most of the day. After a half hour or so, I forget it's there until I get a call. I paid $35 for it.

It's clearer sounding, for both ends, than the speaker phone is on my Ericsson phone, as it has active noise canceling circuitry that the phone's speaker phone doesn't have. Also, a lot of states that have banned cell phone use while driving don't consider the speaker phone to be a hands free device.

Bluetooth now goes way beyond headsets. Like I said, right now, I'm shopping for a Class I dongle so I can use my phone's wireless internet on my computer, as well as using it to link my phone's GPS into my laptop. On top of that, an inexpensive dongle will do the same thing as a more expensive USB cable, but it'll also do much more.

[falseharmonix]

I'm a 'city-boy', and I drive a stick. So having a bluetooth earpiece saves me a lot of grief while driving, which I do a lot of.

I've got 2 earpieces actually. One is a samsung WEP200 that I paid a Benjamin for, and the other came in some bundle with my HTC Touch Pro. Love the phone, but the earpiece is junky (with the bundle). The Samsung is hands down the best I've ever used.

I wouldn't mind getting my hands on one of the Ants though...

[canebrake]