Perhaps we ought to start a separate thread, however could you be a little more specific about this "bunch of complaints" regarding the VXi BlueParrot headset. I purchased one just over a month ago and the thing that is driving me crazy is that every morning I have to spend between 2 and 15 minutes before it will start working.

On most occasions, when I boot up the Bluetooth icon is not visible in the tray bar and I have to go to "My Bluetooth Places" and try to connect from there. This never works the first time and I have to pair the device, sometimes over and over again, before it eventually springs into life. Sometimes I have to pair the device using its multifunction button. On other occasions I found that it was necessary to remove the XoVox Bluetooth dongle and plug it back in. None of these methods is foolproof, I just have to keep on trying until something works. AFAIK I followed the original installation instructions correctly.

I am using a wireless router and I did wonder whether there might be some sort of conflict, although once the headset is operative, the two seem to work together perfectly OK.

When it actually works, the headset's recognition is pretty good although it perhaps may not seem so at first as you do of course have to create a new user.

I would have preferred battery life to be a little bit longer or else the possibility of charging the battery separately. As things stand, you really need 2 headsets in order to guarantee continuous use, being able to buy a second battery would have made this a far less expensive exercise, I don't know whether the design could have been changed in order to take this factor into account.

Even if I adjust it, I find the metal headband gets rather uncomfortable after prolonged use, however perhaps this is just me as I understand no one else has complained.

Finally, the wireless freedom is obviously very convenient. You can get up and walk around or have a Skype conversation whilst you are in another room. I was previously using a TalkPro Xpress headset with an Andrea soundpod, whilst it is still early days, I cannot so far confirm that recognition is noticeably better than before, so it really depends whether you feel the convenience of wireless is worth that little extra expense.

Graham

The Sennheiser Headset (modified ME3) or hand-held Sennheiser MD431II, and theBoom microphones are in my opinion and our testing equal in terms of accuracy and noise canceling. I still like the Sennheiser Headset in terms of its simplicity. However, I have taken to carrying theBoom in addition to the Sennheiser Headset with my notebook computer. theBoom is incredibly lightweight and compact and there are times I prefer to listen to playback in private rather than through the notebook speakers. In addition, theBoom is easily used with a cell phone so I can use the cell phone hands-free (it's now the law in New York State as well as several others). I guess the bottom line is it's a matter of preference and the way a person works.

Can you please point me to where I said the VXI Bluetooth is equal to accuracy to the Sennheiser? If I did, it was definitely a mistake. What I think I have always said and believe, is that the VXI Bluetooth GTX headset is the equal of the VXI TalkPro line of wired microphones. I also believe the Andrea ANC microphones are in the same group although slightly more noise canceling. Frankly, anyone who has good enunciation and works in a moderately quiet environment is likely to be happy with any of these microphones.

In our experience there are very few people who will benefit from a wireless microphone. Although the idea of being untethered is glamorous, the reality is that there are other factors involved. The main factor in terms of the excellent Shure TCHS as well as the more secure and long-range Sennheiser Wireless that uses the Sennheiser ME3 is the battery life. One must always keep a set of charged batteries and be cognizant to change batteries when the unit stops functioning and/or recognition becomes poor. In addition, these two excellent units require a belt pack with a wire from the belt to the headset which does not truly make them wireless.

Although once you have successfully installed and used any Bluetooth device, the first time installation requires a learning curve on how to pair the device to the Bluetooth radio. In addition, learning how to use the multifunction switch will also take a few minutes to understand the difference states the microphone can be in.

Training a new user with the VXI Bluetooth GTX is a requirement because the Bluetooth audio signal is much different from a standard microphone audio input. When you listen to the playback the signal sounds dirty but with the new user it works as well as with the wired VXI TalkPro microphones.

We have been working on detailed but simple to follow directions that should make it easier to configure and use the VXI Bluetooth the very first time. I will send you a copy for you to review before posting it and we can share the information with our users.

--
Martin Markoe, www.emicrophones.com

Hello Enrique,

I'll throw in my 2p worth from the other side of he pond. I would add the caveat that the order depends on the criteria that you use and the weight you give to accuracy, noise reduction, comfort and durability.

I'm also looking at “theBoom” but am not finished testing so will leave it out for the moment.

Accuracy:
Modified Sennheiser ME-3 with VXi one-way USB (no.1) or Andrea one-way USB (no.2) but see note 1. below.
VXi TalkPro, Andrea ANC, BlueParrott TalkPro GTX (see note 2. below)
Plantronics CS 60
Emkay 3185
Noise Reduction:
Modified Sennheiser ME-3
Andrea ANC
VXi TalkPro, BlueParrott TalkPro GTX
Emkay 3185
Plantronics CS 60
Comfort:
Modified Sennheiser ME-3, Emkay 3185
VXi TalkPro, BlueParrott TalkPro GTX, Plantronics CS 60
Andrea ANC
Durability:
Modified Sennheiser ME-3
VXi TalkPro, BlueParrott TalkPro GTX
Plantronics CS 60
Andrea ANC, Emkay 3185

Note 1. The noise floor of the combination of ME-3 and USB devices is very low but there are slight difference (best first). Buddy USB 5G, VXi two-way, VXi one-way, Andrea one-way. Unfortunately the full duplex USB’s (two-way) also require the Andrea P-100 pin that makes the arrangement a bit "clunky".

Note 2. The BlueParrott TalkPro GTX headset was designed initially for use with the base station (B-1000) which contains its own Bluetooth stack. It is not strictly fair to blame the headset for problems associated with built-in stacks in notebooks or tablets (where I gather the majority of reports originate). The same could well apply to the problems encountered by Graham (the other one) with pairing and the disappearing Bluetooth icon. No consolation but I have never seen this with any other installations. Where everything is working well we (and other UK VARs who have tested) see no difference in accuracy between the headset used with the B-1000 base station, the B-150 with XoVox Bluetooth adapter and software, and built in Bluetooth using the most up to date stack.

The Comfort ratings above are very subjective and there appear to be regional differences. Users in the UK are generally reluctant to have their ears covered - hence the popularity of the Emkay 3185 here. Some users (myself included) find the Sennheiser very comfortable - others hate it. I loathe "ear hook" microphones. Some users find the wired TalkPro headsets comfortable but dislike the BlueParrott (with exactly the same frame as the wired TalkPro)

It all goes to show that there is no universal headset that will suit all users but with the choice of excellent microphones above there should be one that will suit an individual user.

Graham Hendry
www.itspeaking.co.uk