WHAT'S HOT
The Bluespoon
AX extends Nextlink's lead as the most advanced
bluetooth headset by not only being smaller and
lighter than the previous smallest Bluetooth headset
(Nextlink's Bluespoon Digital), but also adding
excellent features such as ear-switching
capabilities, replaceable battery, significantly
increased range/reception, and mini-USB port for
recharging. What's that? You want more? Well,
the price is also going to be less than a 3rd of the
cost of the Bluespoon
Digital and even less than the budget-friendly Bluespoon
Cameleon.
The Bluespoon AX should eventually be available in
an array of different colors.
WHAT'S IN
THE BOX
The Bluespoon AX that I received came in a nice clear plastic package. It contains the Bluespoon AX wireless headset, a Mini-USB cable, soft cloth baggy to carry the Bluespoon in, two different size soft spring rubber earpieces, a neck-strap with mini-USB attachment, and a CDROM containing the instruction manual and promotional materials.
PRODUCT FEATURES
Like any Bluetooth
headset, the Bluespoon AX only requires a Bluetooth
device to create a bond with. It's PIN number
is the easy-to-remember 0000 and it supports both
the headset and handsfree profiles.
The Bluespoon AX is smaller than the Bluespoon Digital and Bluespoon Cameleon. It doesn't require a bulky cradle for recharging either.
The mini-USB port on the back of the Bluespoon AX is what you can use to charge the battery as well as reset the device when changing the battery. It's not the same mini-USB port that you find on many other USB peripherals such as digital cameras and printers however.
You can take the battery out by pulling against a small indent in the plastic drawer on the bottom of the headset. The drawer is not so easy to pull open that it could fall apart accidentally, but it's not impossible to open when you need to. Oddly, when replacing the battery, the Bluespoon AX Headset may not be able to power back on using the power button. You have to plug the Mini-USB wire into the back while plugged into another power source (such as your desktop computer) in order to get the Bluespoon AX to turn back on. So that means even if you have an extra battery, you still need a USB power source to boot up the Bluespoon AX after replacing the battery.
It takes a little while to figure out how to comfortably mount the Bluespoon in your ear. You have to put the tip of the tail into the upper part of your ear and then push and twist the speaker end into your ear canal. Once you figure it out, it's like you've just reached enlightenment. There are two different sized soft springs included, and you are also advised to shorten the soft-spring's tail by cutting it piece by piece until you have a comfortable fit. Do this with caution however and test it by placing the soft-spring on the headset and into your ear each time. You don't want to cut off too much. Once you've gotten a perfect fit, the Bluespoon AX is very comfortable. It doesn't move around at all and it becomes easy to forget that you're wearing it. Although prolonged use will likely remind you when your ear gets tired. At that time, you can easily switch it to the other ear for further use.
After you've been using the Bluespoon AX for a while, you may notice that your highest volume setting can become lower and lower. This is due to ear-wax getting into the soft-spring's speaker hole and clogging up the sound. Don't worry though, it is very easy to clean out. Just take the soft spring off of the speaker, and push the end of a paper clip through the hole to clean it out. Another option is to run the soft-spring under hot water, just be sure to dry it before re-attaching to the headset.
The range on the Bluespoon AX is much better than the earlier Bluespoons. There still is a slight problem with transmitting the Bluetooth signal through solid objects. It works best when there is a line of sight connection. However, it is still very much improved. For example, with the older Bluespoon Digital, the audio was very scratchy if I kept my Pocket PC Phone in my left front pants pocket while the headset was in my right ear. The Bluespoon AX works flawlessly in this scenario.
HELP SUPPORT
Since the Bluespoon AX
was just released, the Nextlink.to
website does not provide alot of information about
the Bluespoon AX. However, I am sure they will
update the site with new
videos, FAQs, and other information when the
time comes. Nextlink is very
communicative with their customers. The CEO has been
known to respond to support inquiries himself. The
Nextlink staff is also quite active and helpful on
certain mobile phone forums that discuss their
products. I think it's excellent that Nextlink is so
involved with their customer communities.
SYSTEM REQUIREMENTS
You need a Bluetooth enabled phone, PDA, or Computer
in order to use the Bluespoon AX (It's got to get
it's audio from somewhere). You'll also need
some kind of USB port to charge the Bluespoon AX's
battery since it does not come with a normal AC
power adapter. You can easily find an AC to
USB power adapter that plugs directly into a wall
outlet, as well as a car cigarette lighter to USB
power adapter. I use the USB power adapters
that came with my Belkin Bluetooth GPS reciever and
they work perfectly as long as I use the mini-USB
cable that came with the Bluespoon AX. The USB
charging interface is very flexible. You'll
also need a desktop computer with a CDROM in order
to read the manual and check out the other
information that's included with the Bluespoon AX.
BUGS AND WISHES
While the Bluespoon AX has addressed and eliminated
almost every possible problem with their previous
Bluetooth headsets, there is always room for
improvement. Future versions will likely be even
smaller, with greater range and battery life. Maybe someday Nextlink will integrate their jawbone
conduction technology with a Bluetooth headset.
These Bluespoons have gotten so small they could become easy to lose. The included neck strap is supposed to help solve that problem, but I'd rather see a sleeker solution. For example, some method of clipping it to your Pocket PC Phone when it's not in use would be excellent.
PURCHASING
The retail version of the Bluespoon AX should be
available in mid-December. You can pre-order
the black version from
Pilcon for $87 USD. All of the limited edition
clear versions have been sold. It should also be
available from a number of other online retailers
mid-December.
PROS
- Smallest/Lightest Bluetooth headset currently available
- Replaceable battery
- Comfortable and customizable soft-spring ear-mounting system
- Easy to use buttons
- Mini USB charging interface.
CONS
- Mini-USB cable required to power on after replacing the battery
- No digital signal processing and noise reduction
- Potentially easy to lose
OVERALL
IMPRESSION
Nextlink has always been the
leader in providing extremely small and lightweight
Bluetooth headsets. With the Bluespoon AX,
they have surpassed all other Bluetooth headset
manufactures in terms of features, size, weight, and
functionality. Nextlink already had the
smallest and lightest Bluetooth headset with their
Bluespoon Digital. No one else was even close. Now, the gap is even bigger.
