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Bluespoon AX2 Bluetooth HeadsetBy NextlinkMGN Rating - (IMG:http://www.mobilegadgetnews.com/modules/Reviews/images/blue.gif) (IMG:http://www.mobilegadgetnews.com/modules/Reviews/images/blue.gif) (IMG:http://www.mobilegadgetnews.com/modules/Reviews/images/blue.gif) (IMG:http://www.mobilegadgetnews.com/modules/Reviews/images/blue.gif) (IMG:http://www.mobilegadgetnews.com/modules/Reviews/images/bluehalf.gif) Rating Legend
1 star: Find something else; save your money
2 star: Below average; not recommended
3 star: Average; performs as advertised but not inspiring
4 star: Good; worth the money
5 star: Great; best of its kind on the market
Review by Smeg36Review Date / October 13th, 2005If you already read
my Bluespoon 5G review, you would know I love the Nextlink Bluespoon line of headsets, including the AX. I used, and loved, the AX for a while. There were only a few minor flaws to it; slightly clunky design (the multifunction button would clank around), not the greatest battery life, and average range. So Nextlink, in their infinite innovation, designed the AX2. Everything about it looks like the original AX. To an unknowing consumer, they would be the exact same headset. The build and features is where the AX2 differs from the original AX.
Nextlink took their already great headset, and fixed every problem I ever read anyone having with the AX. The multifunction button is now solid and secure. There is no clunkiness to this headset. It is solid as a rock that has lots of little electronic bits inside.
Another complaint with the original AX that I both read about, as well as had first hand experience with, was a brittle casing. A drop even from your desk to the floor could chip the AX casing. Well, for the greater good I performed several drop tests on the AX2. The casing must be a different composition because it stood up to my drops without a scratch.
One of the things Nextlink definitely got right with the AX2 is battery life. The spec sheet they sent me with the AX2 indicates and estimated battery life of 8 hours of talk time, and 500-1500 hours of standby time from a single 2 hour charge. While I didn’t perform any scientific formulated tests, I was able to use it for a week and a half between charges. I make at least ½ hour of calls a day, and turn my headset off when not in use. I was very impressed, to say the least, with the battery life.
Another great improvement of the AX2 is the range. The spec sheet rates the range at 10-15 meters. I think that is an understatement, but didn’t do any rigorous testing to prove it. The AX got average range with most devices I used it with. With my Samsung i730 it got horrible range, which should be blamed more on the i730’s Bluetooth than the AX. I couldn’t even turn my head without getting static. With the AX2, I can go anywhere in my apartment and still get a clear signal. The range is amazing. I can run into the gas station and leave my phone in the car, and still pick up clear calls. Even walls can’t stop the AX2. It can leap a building in a single bound! Well, I guess not that far, but it is pretty great.
A new feature added to the AX2 over the AX is the inclusion of Bluetooth V1.2. The AX is only V1.1. V1.2 is compatible with V1.1, but also has many added features when used with a V1.2 phone. Sadly, all my devices are still V1.1 (come on USA, get with the times!), so I wasn’t able to test out any of the additional V1.2 features.
As with the AX, the AX2 uses Nextlink’s soft spring to hold the headset in the ear. I can’t stress enough how much I love the soft spring. It is by far the most comfortable way to hold a headset in the ear. No hooks, no disproportionate weight distribution, no nothing. It is just comfortable. I often forget I have it on. Its light weight and small size, combined with the soft spring, makes the AX2 one of the most comfortable headsets out there.
The AX2 is charged using an included USB to 4-pin miniUSB cable. The battery is user replaceable, so you can get a spare if the 8 hours of talk time isn’t enough for you (although I can’t imagine that ever happening). This also means that when the rechargeable battery no longer holds a charge, it will be simple and easy to replace.
As with all Nextlink Headsets, the AX2 comes very professionally packaged. It comes in an easy to open blister pack with the headset, USB/miniUSB cable, 2 different sized soft springs, the AX2 user’s guide, AX2 quick start guide, and a lanyard that can plug into the miniUSB port of the headset to wear around the neck.
I have one, and only one, complaint with the AX2. And my complaint is actually a result of one of my favorite features of Nextlink headsets. I really like the loud volume Nextlink gives their headsets. I have slightly bad hearing, and think the louder a headset is the better. The AX2 can go pretty loud. I really like that. The person calling me doesn’t feel the same way. While the call is crystal clear and super loud on my end, the caller can head an echo of themselves. I have found that if I turn the headset down 2-3 notches from max, the echo goes away completely. I can still hear the caller no problems at 2-3 notches below max, and the caller no longer had any echo, so it all works in the end. However, I am always tempted to turn the volume up to max just because I know it can go louder.
One other complaint that some may have, but I don’t, is the touchy mic on the AX2. I only use my headset while in my car with all windows up or at home. I don’t really use it outside or in busy environments. I have noticed while walking from the car that any slight gust of wind gets amplified like crazy. Even a little wind will render talking unhearable. You have to balance the features you want in a headset I guess. In order to pick up your voice at all with such a small headset, the mic must be amplified. The drawback to this is it doesn’t discern between your voice and someone else’s near you. As I said, this isn’t really a complaint of mine, but some people may be bothered by it.
Overall, I think Nextlink has hit another home run. They continue to impress with each new release, and the AX2 is no exception. Its small size, enhanced features, amazing battery life, and unheard of range make the AX2 my headset of choice. At least until Nextlink release a new one! There are a couple minor glitches, but they really don’t dissuade me from recommending the AX2 to almost everyone. Those who drive convertibles or work outdoors may want to look elsewhere, but for everyone else the Nextlink Bluespoon AX2 has an expected release of mid-late October.
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