Nextlink's Invisio Q7 finally sees FCC approval

Wow, we'd darned near forgotten about this thing. Remember the Invisio Q7, Nextlink's hot little bone conduction number from mid '06 that was promised for delivery by the end of the year? Yeah, it never showed up -- until now. It may not be for sale just yet, but at least a few folks at the FCC have had a chance to check it out (ick, we hope they changed earbuds as they passed it around), giving us hope that it'll finally show up in stores in time for the holidays. The $200 price point still puts a sour taste in our mouths, but considering how much smaller it looks than the similarly-spec'd Jawbone, it may end up being worth every penny.

[Dagger @ Nov 1st 2007 3:04PM]

"similarly-spec'd Jawbone" ???? Umm, this uses a bone-conducting mic that utilizes a liquid-filled bubble pressing up against a bone in your ear canal, the Jawbone uses a normal microphone and a effective noise-canceling system, 2 TOTALLY DIFFERENT THINGS.

On the other hand, I'm totally stoked that this thing is coming out finally, as I've waiting for more than a freakin' year now!

[bombastinator @ Nov 1st 2007 3:42PM]

Wait. this thing actually goes in your ear?! What's the point then? the whole advantage of bone conduction is that you can have an earbud like device that does NOT go in your ear.
I could see one as glasses frames or a necklace or something, but an ear bud makes very little sense.
The only argument I can think of is that it will leave a larger space in the ear canal to improve outside hearing. I suspect this will not be very effective.
Ears are very sensitive to change in shape. Anything that goes in or on top of your ear is going to mess with your hearing. World war II army helmets were famous for doing this even though they did not cover the ears at all.
A hang-behind-the-ear with a conductor on, say, the bony area behind the ear would make a lot more sense

[Jesse S @ Nov 1st 2007 3:42PM]

Is the bone conduction for a mic, "headphone," or both?

[Dagger @ Nov 1st 2007 4:18PM]

The bone conduction acts as a microphone. There is a fluid-filled sensitive "bubble" that sits inside your ear and picks up what your saying through the vibrations in your jawbone. I think it has to be in your ear because it's more sensitive than on the outside of your skin (guessing here). I don't think it goes really FAR into your ear canal though, more on the outside like current in-the-ear headsets, so I don't see how this will mess with your hearing too much. It doesn't create a seal that blocks out other noises from you. There is also a speaker unit sitting in your ear so you can hear the other person.

The advantage of this system is that it picks up ZERO ambient noise, so you can be in a wind tunnel or party or wherever, and the person you are talking to will ONLY hear what you are saying, even to the degree that YOU can't even hear what you're saying (of course, you probably won't be able to hear their response...).

[Flashman @ Nov 1st 2007 4:29PM]

Maybe this one WORKS. I've owned everything. Motorola, BlackBerry, Jawbone, etc. They all pretty much suck, though the latest noise cancelling Jawbone was closest to true. I still end up using my wired THEBOOM headset when driving my convertible or at an airport. Eventually maybe someone will get a wireless headset that really works and isn't all fake promises.

[brent @ Nov 1st 2007 4:47PM]

This is great news ive been waiting forever for this.

Ahem...bombastinator: this is bone conducting there are bones in your ear why go with something external when you can go staright to the source? Secondly this is supposed to be declassified military grade bone conducting equipment from what ive read. So why not give the average consumer high quality equipment.

And yes this is supposed to be bi-directional bone conduction, speaking and hearing, and thus elimating outside noises....

I cant wait....

[Jimmy Louis @ Nov 1st 2007 9:41PM]

Ive been waiting for this one forever.... I personally have tried the Jawbone and it's absolutely HUGE and it doesn't really work ALL the time and not like it was advertised... also I have very sensitive outer ears and the ear hook irritated me and getting the 'Bone on and off was more pain that it was worth... I'm using the Samsung WEP500 for it's size and noise-canceling ability and I love it, but it was purchased so that I can have a go-between until the Q7 comes out...YAY!!!

[Chris @ Nov 1st 2007 10:15PM]

"Maybe this one WORKS"

Really, what is so complicated? The Jawbone works awesome for the caller on the other end but it is uncomfortable, sits too far from your ear canal (thus is far to quiet), and uses some weird proprietary charging cord.

I don't think $200 is all that much for a good headset if you use them all day every day. Heck I would pay $500 for one that had the microphone tech of the Jawbone, the comfort of the Plantronics 510, had decent range and a freaking mini-usb charging jack. Is that so much to ask for?

[George Burdell @ Nov 8th 2007 6:04PM]

I almost bought the Jawbone two days ago but the reliability of the charger held me back. So I went online to check for alternatives and I saw that Invisio is finally getting ready to release this puppy. It's about time. Negri is doing pre-orders for almost $230.