Nextlink Bluespoon AX2 reviewed: 4/5 stars

MobileTechReview has thrown down a review of the Nextlink Bluespoon AX2 Bluetooth 1.2 headset. They are mad impressed by the diminutive size and weight — in fact, it's so light at 1/3-ounce that when worn "it doesn't feel like it's there." They didn't like the fact that it actually goes "in the ear" perhaps for fear of cooties. Body louse is not really a concern for us since we tend to hoard our toys, but the sound quality certainly is. They expected a deeper bass sound from the in-ear design but found it to be "overly telephonic" — this proved to be "tiring." However, volume levels were excellent for clear conversations in noisy environments. As to the battery, they achieved 7 of the 8 hours talk-time claimed (connected to a PC at max distance) and were not happy to find that charging must be done via USB only as a wall charger is not supplied — not very handy if you're mobile and only have access to your laptop or Crackberry. All-in-all, the AX2 comes away with 4/5 stars.

[Via MobileTechReview]

[(Unverified) Posted Dec 19th 2005 2:06AM]

So what you do because there is no wall charger is take your USB power brick from your newish iPod and use that!!! w00t First comment

[(Unverified) Posted Dec 19th 2005 2:06AM]

Can't there really be an engadget post without comments reffering to the ipod ? This american obsession over glorified mp3 player is unhealthy, IMO.
And, Thomas, if "you’re mobile and only have access to your laptop" then what exactly is not handy about using its USB port to charge the thing ?
All in all, cool headset - pity about cheap black plastic looks, though.

[(Unverified) Posted Dec 19th 2005 2:06AM]

My regular AX works alright. Sound is not the greatest unless you have it in your ear just right. Takes about a week to get quick-draw with putting it in. Also, blocks out much of the outside noise when in which can be a good thing, just not when listening to music in the car.

Hopefully with the new one they fixed the thing not comeing back on at all after removing and re-inserting the battery (which forces you to do it a couple more times, connect to charge etc. until it comes back on), AND having to re-pair every once and a while because the device forgets.

I liked my Moto HS820 a hell of a lot more in operation and ease of putting the device on, however that one was dorky as shit.

Nextlink's 5G looks cool, however too expensive for something that jams in your ear and can fall out. Personally, getting your car wired up with one of those bluetooth handsfree kits is the way to go-best part-dont have to wear anything, and theres a wire you connect to your stereo to auto-mute when your phone rings.

[(Unverified) Posted Dec 19th 2005 2:06AM]

constant - not all of us in america are obsessed with the ipod, just wanted to reassure you..

/begin sarcasm
"It's an iPod world, we're just living in it..."
/end sarcasm

Would have been nice if the Bluespoon had a little more dynamic range tho..

[(Unverified) Posted Dec 19th 2005 2:06AM]

I work at a retailer of this product, and have opened it for customers. It does come with a wall charger, in addition to the usb cable. At least ours does...

[(Unverified) Posted Dec 19th 2005 2:06AM]

Yeah - I'm in the middle of reviewing the same product and the one that I received came with a wall charger too. Not sure why this reviewer didn't get one.

[(Unverified) Posted Dec 19th 2005 2:06AM]

Just to let you know that I have this headset and there is a wall charger that comes with it. So don't let those crazy Ninja Monkeys fool you. Cause there is! Ha!

[(Unverified) Posted Dec 19th 2005 2:06AM]

@ #5
Are you in the US?

I am looking for a reseller for this this headset. I am in NYC.

[(Unverified) Posted Dec 19th 2005 2:06AM]

Um, last time I checked, laptop USB ports were powered, anyhow.

[(Unverified) Posted Dec 19th 2005 2:06AM]

I hope the guys at Nextlink have improved the shell strength: the previous "AX"'s brokes into pieces after a week of normal use.

Also, the other guys (those at MobileTechReview) may have never seen an "in-ear" thing... the AX is not an "in-ear" device, it simply hooks to the ear. Etymotic ER-6i or Shure ExC *are* in-ear things. So you simply can't expect in-ear-like-boom-bass from the AX.

[(Unverified) Posted Dec 19th 2005 2:06AM]

Go to your local RadioShack if you want to see one of these. They just started carrying it last week.

[(Unverified) Posted Dec 19th 2005 2:06AM]

call radioshack and ask for Catalog #17-991 to see if they have em in stock

ax2 is in ear since it sits there, it does not just cover your ear like the hs850. personally the ax2 fits better and doesnt mess with my glasses