BlueAnt Q2 user reviews

2.5 stars

"Amazing and disappointing at the same time." on October 31, 2010 by mrvolvo371

Pros: Lightweight, comfortable, unobtrusive, great sound, good voice command performance, simple to pair and operate. I liked everything about it until...

Cons: Sound cuts out intermittently, making conversation difficult if not impossible with my iPhone 4. I returned it for a replacement and had the same problem with the second unit.

Summary: I bought the Blueant Q2 along with a new iPhone 4 (16 GB) 8 days ago, fully expecting a top of the line, noise canceling Bluetooth headset and that's what I got. The sound quality and voice command performance were excellent; even better than I expected. The Q2's sound was louder and clearer than when I used the iPhone 4 alone. I could hear a barely noticeable occasional thumping when certain persons I had called would start speaking, which I assume was the noise canceling feature kicking in (similar to that I've experienced with noise canceling hearing protectors) but it wasn't particularly annoying. My first impression was that this going to be a great headset.

On about the third phone call using the Q2, I noticed a little bit of the sound on my end cutting out, then the person I was talking to mentioned the same problem. In continuing to use the Q2 over the next couple days, this intermittent problem kept happening, requiring me to shut the Q2 off and continue the call directly with the iPhone 4 several times. As a test, I grabbed my wife's older, cheaper Motorola Bluetooth headset, paired it with the iPhone 4 and it worked perfectly - not even a hint of the sound cutting out.

I quickly realized I couldn't live with this and returned the Q2 to the AT&T store for a replacement. The new replacement behaved in the same manner; everything worked great except it kept cutting out, sometimes losing whole words or going dead for several seconds. Following the advice in the owner's manual, I tried resetting both the iPhone 4 and the Q2 then re-pairing them, with no improvement.

I then went to the Blueant web site and it recommended updating the Q2's firmware on-line but I found that's easier said than done. Although Blueant states they'll have a Mac version of the "Updater" available by October, 2010, it's not available yet. (I'm a Mac convert.) I then got out an old Windows XP machine and later the wife's newer Windows Vista laptop and tried to update the Q2's firmware, unsuccessfully. With both computers, the "Updater" program would shut down just before it started to update the Blueant Q2. I spent most of Saturday trying to get this to work, with negative results.

Reading further through the Blueant web site I found that they admit to the existence of "Bluetooth connectivity and audio issues" with the iPhone, suggesting that customers contact Apple. Hmmm. This is not sounding good for me. It's pretty obvious that some "issue" exists but I have no idea how to determine whose "fault" it is or how to go about getting it corrected.

In view of my recent experience with my iPhone 4 and two Blueant Q2's, I'll likely return the Q2 for a refund and try another brand of Bluetooth headset. It also appears that there's some merit to the other reviews that claim a problem exists between the Blueant Q2 and the iPhone 4. Why some people have had this problem and others haven't seems to be a mystery. I can only suggest that anyone considering this combination be aware of the potential for disappointment.

3.0 stars

"Light and comf but quirky" on February 24, 2011 by NickFuji

Pros: This headset is Light weight, very comfortable with or without the ear hook. The voice commands are intuitive. Very high volume.

Cons: Strange pairing set up. Often does not recognize voice commands. People you call will know you are using a headset. The volume almost goes too high.

Summary: I am an IT sales pro that works from home. I am on the phone for five hours a day. I use my blackberry for this exclusively. I had been using a Plantronics Pro that I was very happy with when I decide to upgrade.
I ordered my Q2 from Provantage for a reasonable price. When I recieved the new headset it was packaged well. It comes with a partial charge for those of use who need immediate gratification. Otherwise it takes atleast four hours to charge.
Setting up the Q2 was quick. I paired it to both my Blackberry curve for work and my Glyde that I use for home. I was able to download both phonebooks into the headset quickly. I tested it by using my wifes cell to call my own. This worked flawlessly. That is where the goodtimes ended.
Once I downloaded the phone books my two phones would no longer ring or vibrate during incoming calls. The only notification I could recieve is through the headset saying the name of the caller. This is OK if the headset never leaves your ear, but I do take mine out occasionally. Also there is no mail notification coming from the blackberry or headset. Since I rely on the blackberry to notify me of new mail this was pretty upsetting.
The voice command feature is OK. It often does not respond. When someone calls it allows you to say answer or ignore instead of pushing the MFB. Sounds like a great feature and it is when it works. For me this feature worked about 50% of the time.
I have a friend that I convinced to buy the Plantronics Pro shortly after I did. When I bought the Q2 he was eager to hear how it sounded. He was not impressed. I didn't want to believe that my new headset was sub par so I called the Plantronics test number so I could hear for myself. The Q2 sounded mumbled and a little distant. For the next week I asked my clients if they noticed the difference and most said yes.
The pairing feature is quirky. You connect to two devices. I figured that meant you could only be connected to two devices at the same time, but you could pair with as many as you like. This turned out not to be true. You can only have two devices registered in the pairing table in the Q2. I used to pair with two cell phones and two laptops with the Pro. I could only connect to two at a time and that was ok. Now I cannot pair with my two phones, then disconnect one phone and pair with my laptop to give a remote presentation. Then just connect back to the other phone when finished. I have to reset the Q2 which erases the pairing table and the phonebooks stored in the headset.
Sometimes when I walk away from one of the paired phones it does not reconnect to the Q2. It happens with both phones. I have to power down the headset and power it back up to reconnect to both phones. This does not always work right away. Sorry to make the comparison again but the Pro reconnects with ease. If I walk into the room find and find the phone ringing, the Pro will connect if I press the MFB even after I answered the phone manually.
Battery life is atmost there and a half hours of constant talk time. I recharge both phone and headset every night. I have had this headset for more that a week. I have had it die during a couple presentations around lunch time. I realize that I ask a lot of a headset, but five hours of talk time is a must. I suppose there has to be trade off to the small and light aspect of the Q2.
I would recommend this headset to the casual user. A person who only has one phone and my want a headset to use around the house while doing quiet chores.

Updated on Mar 14, 2011

After using this product for 10 days I did decide to return it.
-The battery life is far less than advertised. Three hours was the best it achieved. I know the charge is supposed to last longer after a few weeks use but not two full hours longer.
-The call sound in relation to the person you are calling is moderate at best.
-The feature where you can tell the headset to answer or ignore a call sounds nice but most often does not respond to the voice command.
-The headset operates inconsistantly. That is a big issue. If a gadget has a quirk that is consistant then I can deal with it. The Q2 may automaticaly connect to my phone within a certain proximity or not. I mean if I left the room it would disconnect and when I came back in the room it may or may not connect, regardless of the distance once back in the room.
I have more reasons why I returned it but the point is that I never should have strayed from my Plantronics Voyager Pro.

5.0 stars

"Best Bluetooth Ever!!!!" on August 8, 2010 by dgates71

Pros: 1. Loud
2. A2DP works well with iPhone 4
3. Noise reduction is better than any bluetooth I have used. I have used 2 Jawbones and 3 Blueants, this one tops them all. Able to use outside in the wind clearly.
4. Announces name of inbound caller.

Cons: 1. Price, this thing is kinda steep.
2. Bigger than the V1 but that is really not a problem. (Very comfortable to wear)

Summary: The Blueant Q2 is by far the best Bluettoh you can buy right now. Good battery life. The voice sounds clearer thru the bluetooth headset than on the phone. Blueant has listenedto their customers and has now made the ultimate bluetooth headset. The thing is not cheap, but once again you get what you pay for.

2.5 stars

"Would be great if people could hear me." on September 15, 2010 by JeffP99

Pros: Great features: Voice control, announcing incoming calls by name, etc
Great incoming sound quality.

Cons: Loses contact with phone (iPhone 4) randomly. Outbound sound is choppy, as if I'm repeatedly hitting a mute button.

Summary: Wanted to love this headset as features are terrific, but it's pretty useless when the person on the other end hears only every 2nd or 3rd word I say. No response from BlueAnt when I submitted a support request. Returned the unit.