Jawbone ICON HD - Bluetooth Headset - Black - Retail Packaging

CUSTOMER REVIEW



I bought this for my Droid Bionic. I recently dropped my Jawbone2 (J2) in the driveway, and subsequently ran it over with my car. I still have the BlueAnt Z9i. I didn't care for the J2's software/interface, but it did the job. The 2 hidden buttons were a bit annoying. This ICON HD is just right. It only has a couple functions, which I like. It has an actual power switch (thank goodness), versus the hold area for 3-6 seconds on the J2. The ICON HD is much easier to get into pairing mode than the J2 and the Z9i.



I also like that ICON HD has fewer issues connecting to my phone. It just connects, as long as I have BlueTooth (BT) enabled. My J2 needed me to first enable the phone BT, then power on the J2. The other way around was less reliable, when I needed it. The J2 (V2.0) noise cancellation was very good. The ICON HD noise cancellation (v2.5?)appears to be just as usable. I used to drive a very noisy Honda Civic, but recently upgraded to a new Honda Accord, so the ambient noise is much reduced. I cannot comment on the ICON HD versus my previous noisier vehicle.



The BlueAnt Z9i I have is just not a good headset for newer phones. Its volume cannot be controlled by the phone, and it isn't loud enough. The ICON is maybe slightly louder than the J2, and significantly better than the Z9i. The Z9i also suffered from too many buttons. It was quite irritating to figure out. The ICON HD has one button during operations, and it keeps it simple. It depends on the phone for volume adjustments. It doesn't have any complicated functionality, nor do you have to memorize anything special software patterns of button pushing. The phone has all the control, and does the work. The ICON can do some stuff like bounce between calls, and answer them, but you don't have to use it at all. The phone is much easier to navigate. It can switch between two calls, but I prefer to do it on my phone, to make sure I know who I'm talking to.



My only negative, I haven't found one of the three included looped inside the ear earbuds that fits me. I like the idea, but they need one more in between size, slightly smaller than the large size for me. Included in the box are four disc only style buds to pick from, so you will find an earbud configuration that will work for you. I wasn't able to fit the looped style buds that I wanted to try, but the other options do work just as well. They are a little easier to slip into the ear.



Overall,



+Very usable phone audio (I don't need the music),

+Improved hardware layout

+Reliable pairing

+Decent Noise Cancellation

+Many choices of ear buds (7 + over ear hoop)

+Enters pairing mode easily



-(no longer an issue, see update below)limited choice of the looped earbud sizes, for me.



[Updated 30NOV11]

I've had it for over a month now. I stand by everything I stated above. The Bluetooth is very reliable when attempting to connect during a call in progress. I am so happy with it, I bought a second one for wife, knowing she will find it much more user friendly than the last three she has struggled with. I avoided the top of the line Jawbone Era, as it has too many features, and it just seemed to make it way more complicated than necessary. ShakeShake for pairing, and TapTap for answering calls, seriously? No thanks, I'll just let my phone do the work, the way I already know how! Bluetooth headset manufacturers ought to focus on four features: On/Off, Bluetooth pairing reliability, low battery, and audio quality in and out, including noise filtering. Quit making it harder than it needs to be. Let the phone do the heavy lifting of phone control.



It took me a while, but I stuck with the largest loop earbud, I not have it working just fine. It fits well, and holds very steady. I never tried the over the ear loop. The trick for me was sliding it forward in my ear, then pushing the loop in under my inner ear lobe. It took me a while to get proficient with it. Looking back, I guess I was trying to get it under my inner ear lobe first. I'm not really sure what I was doing, but it makes sense now.



I customized two features on the headset. I changed the voice, via the Jawbone software, and I added a primary phone number to dial. I press and hold the headset button, and it dials that number. I don't use the feature much at all, but a couple times it has been handy. The different voice, if fine too. I enjoy the attitude of the new voice. It makes it just a little more interesting.



[Updated 11JAN12]

(w/ Android phones) If you have it connected when you start playing music, it plays the audio, unless I have the headphone jack occupied. I didn't expect that, but it works okay. I don't really count on the tiny speaker to do the job. I have only charged it three times in three months. I have only had it hiccup once, when pairing while a call is in progress. It eventually worked, but not right a way. Still very happy.



Wife is using it, with no complaints so far. It has been two weeks... She liked the "simple to use" selling points.



[Updated 2APR12]

People still seem to like this review, so here's another update. Works will with iPhone 4. Only hiccups so far are when switching over to the audio for music playback when it is already playing. I think it is the Android OS's problem, not the Jawbone. Wife lost hers, and got upset. She was really liking it. I got another one, all is good. Previously she would just switch to the wired headset, without much complaining, so I think we have a winner! People can tell when I'm on the headset versus playing a phone call through the stereo. I think the Droid Bionic is really good at noise cancellation too. I started using it occasionally for music audio more. It works pretty good. It starts falling out when the ear gets sweaty, about 20 minutes later. It is manageable. It might work better with the ear loop, but I don't care enough to try.



[Updated 14JUL12]

I thought it was worth noting, it went through the clothes washer in the pocket of a pair of jeans this week. Found it when transferring the clothes to the Dryer. Dropped it in a bag of rice and put it out in the sun for four days. Charged it up, and it is still working perfectly, no issues with the speaker, no problems at all.



Another annoyance, I have a Droid, and wife has an iPhone. On a recent road trip I was using it as a audio playback device for a podcast. Her phone was paired with it, as well as mine. Every time I started playing something, it would kick over and connect to the iPhone Bluetooth. I don't understand why, it is probably just how Bluetooth works, but it is worth sharing.



[Updated 6JUN13]

My ICON that went through the wash was mis-placed. It was still working the last time I used it. I'm now on my last one, from the wife. She stopped using it in favor of the iPhone headset that came with her phone. I'm using the medium size loop earbud. It turns out to be the best fit for me. Glad I never tossed them.



[Updated 3OCT13]

My power switch stopped working. I'm not certain why. I contacted Jawbone to see if they can help. The headset still accepts charging, but multiple cycles of the power switch will not turn it on. Still digging how simple this thing is. That should be its #1 selling point. I look forward to using it again.