No other consumer product is influenced by as many variables as Bluetooth earpieces for hands-free driving. The phone, the wireless carrier, the fit of the earpiece, the weather — they all impact call quality.
Plus, the quality of these devices can be hard to gauge. They generally sound good to you. But if all you hear in your ear are shouts of "Hello, are you there?" you may need a new model.
I've developed a rule for Bluetooth earpieces: Buy three and save the receipts. Test them, then keep the winner. Most Bluetooth earpieces pair easily with today's mobile phones, so it shouldn't take more than five minutes to change devices.
Despite claims of new technologies, I have yet to test a Bluetooth earpiece that performs well while walking down a busy city street. And don't fall for assertions of high fashion; you still will look dorky wearing one.
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Each of the three devices profiled in this report has appeal, but I have a winner.
<< BlueAnt V1
Shape, style: Rectangular and silver, with a control button that flashes blue. Least attractive of the three. The central control and volume buttons are large and easy to operate.
Comfort, fit: The most comfortable; I could see wearing it all day if needed. With the foam cushions, it never felt like they would fall out, so I didn't need to try the included rubber cushions.
Sound in my ear: Disappointing. Callers sounded distorted, but better at lower levels.
Using my aging phone: The iPhone caller was driving when I called, and he heard me very well. The BlackBerry caller said it was the best she heard me.
Using the Google phone: The iPhone user said I sounded distant, with more distortion; he had to pay closer attention. The BlackBerry user reiterated her previous opinion, describing the sound as very clear.
Intangibles: The V1 talks to you using voice-control features. The voice commands were impressive, easy to learn — say "teach me" if you need help — and fun.
Price: About $80 at several online retailers.
Verdict: The winner.
As for Jawbone . . .
• The Jawbone device works well for those who don't mind its touch.
This analysis does not include the Jawbone, which I reviewed in June. I found it excellent. But unless it touches your face, people can't hear you. So it's not for everyone. To read the review, go to chicagotribune.com/ jawbone.