Entered CNET Catalog: 12/05/2007
SKU: 895867001105
Manufacturer: Callpod, Inc.
Manufacturer description
Talk on your mobile phone without wires with the Dragon Bluetooth headset. With a 328+ ft range, you can roam around your office or home without having to carry your phone. Dragon can also connect with your PC for Skype calls simultaneously, allowing you to switch between your PC and mobile phone with a press of a button. With advanced dual-microphone noise suppression, the callers on the other end will enjoy crystal clear voice even if you are at an airport, noisy restaurant or car. Works with all Bluetooth-enabled mobile phones, computers and PDAs.Product summary
The good: The Callpod Dragon is a great-fitting headset with easy-to-use controls, plus a very wide connection range of 100 meters. It also features multidevice pairing and walkie-talkie functionality.
The bad: The Callpod Dragon had subpar outgoing sound quality, with the occasional echo and background hum.
The bottom line: The Callpod Dragon is comfortable and user-friendly, but we wish the sound quality was better.
Editors' review
- Editors' Choice: No
- Reviewed on: 12/06/2007
Most Bluetooth headsets have a range of around 10 meters or 30 feet, and if they are outside of this range, the Bluetooth connection fails. This is typical of Class 2 Bluetooth technology, and until recently, not many headsets adopted the higher sensitivity and power of Class 1 Bluetooth, which promises a range of around 100 meters (328 feet). The Callpod Dragon Bluetooth headset is one of the first Class 1 Bluetooth headsets we've seen so far, and we were indeed impressed with how far we were able to extend the connection range. In addition, the Dragon features noise-suppression technology, multidevice pairing, a walkie-talkie feature with another Dragon headset, and a very secure and comfortable fit. Our only complaint is that outgoing sound quality wasn't the best. At $129.95, it's certainly quite a pricey headset, but if you want a headset with a large connection range plus walkie-talkie capabilities, the Callpod Dragon fits the bill.
Sporting a circular disc shape, the Callpod Dragon certainly doesn't have the look of a traditional Bluetooth headset. Measuring 1.25 by 2.16 by 2.25 inches, the Dragon looks more like a tiny black and gray hockey puck. That said, we liked how lightweight it was at only 0.9 ounce, and we liked how it lies flat to the face when worn. The multifunction button is placed prominently right in the middle of the headset, and thanks to its large size and rounded surface bump, it is easy to press even when the headset is worn. On the top of the Dragon is the Power button, which also acts as the volume rocker. You can push it down to toggle the power on and off, and you can rock it left and right to adjust the volume. This was also easy to press and use. Above the multifunction button are red and blue indicator lights, and underneath it are dual microphones for noise suppression.
On the back of the Dragon is a slender earbud that fits just inside the ear, along with an ear hook that can be switched to fit either the left or right ear. The ear hook is not quite optional, since you really do need it for a secure fit. But once it is properly placed around the ear, the Dragon fits like a glove. It's definitely one of the most comfortable and secure-fitting headsets we've tried. We should note that Callpod suggests you wear the headset in such a way that the headset's two microphones align in a straight line to your mouth, for better sound quality.
The Dragon has many of the typical Bluetooth headset features that we've come to expect: the ability to answer, end, and reject calls, call mute, and dial support. It also has some bonus features, like conference call support and multidevice pairing, meaning that it can be connected to two devices simultaneously. A nice bonus is that it can be paired with another Dragon headset for walkie-talkie functionality.
We tested the Callpod Dragon Bluetooth headset with the LG Venus. The Dragon automatically goes into pairing mode the first time it's turned on, which is a big help in getting us started. If you want to send it into pairing mode again for another device, you can simply press the Power/Volume key once. Perhaps it was because of the full duplex speaker in the device, but we experienced excellent incoming call quality. Our callers sounded loud and clear, with natural-sounding voices. Outgoing sound didn't fare as well, however. Callers reported a slight echo in our voice, plus an occasional distant hum in the background. That said, they still managed to hear us in crowded environments, like a noisy restaurant.
We were definitely impressed with the Bluetooth range of the Dragon. When paired with another Dragon headset to test the walkie-talkie functionality, we were able to communicate even though we were in different corners of the CNET building--about 300 or so feet between us. We should note that at around the 250- to 300-foot mark, we heard increased static and noise, though that may have been because of the walls between us.
The Callpod Dragon comes with an AC adapter, a USB cable, and a car charger. It has a rated battery life of 8 hours talk time and 12.5 days standby time.
User opinions
Select a User Opinion to view: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25out of 25 user reviews
Callpod does not stand by its product; why buy it?
Pros: Looks cool on a 15" monitor; otherwise nothing.
Cons: 1. The fit is horrible. (look at reviews online to see how stiff everyone is when wearing it so it stays on)
2. If you buy it and decide you don't like it, the company will not take it back because it was opened. (HOW DO YOU TRY IT?)
out of 25 user reviews
A wonderful Bluetooth device -- when it works.
Pros: Silent, works over a long distance. Classy style. Sound quality is good.
Cons: Hard to keep in ear. Hard to disengage from a call. Short life expectancy.
out of 25 user reviews
Terrible support do not respond to e-mail.
Pros: OK when they work
Cons: We bought 2 Callpod Dragon 2 for use on our yacht in order to have two way hands free communication between the cockpit and the foredeck. They worked OK for a year but the battery life was very short and we needed to use headbands to use them safely.
We have e-mailed their support department both from within their website and direct 5 times over one month without getting a single reply although their website promises a reply within 48 hours. They give you a tracking number but there is no means of using it within their website.
I would not recommend this product at any price
out of 25 user reviews
Horrible product hate it
Pros: Packaging, Pouch for storage & style looks trendy
Cons: Too big & bulky, hard to adjust in ear, arm attach broke 2nd day, doesn't stay well, volume week, material like cheap plastic, difficult to use
out of 25 user reviews
The callpod dragon was great until I tried it on.
Pros: Style, packaging and walkie talkie feature...I bought 2 to use with a passenger on my motorcycle
Cons: It just will not stay in my ear at all, even trying both tips supplied. I tried several days but just not working. I used on-line support and they were not very helpful at all..."no one else has reported having problems with the fit" kind of thing.
I'll do more research before buying in the future.
out of 25 user reviews
Worst headset I have ever used
Pros: Can not think of any
Cons: Very poor audio reception and sending
I do not recommend this heaset. (sounds like the company has a bad quality problem and is not willing to stand behind the product when you get a bad one)
out of 25 user reviews
Terrible device - audio quality so poor people won't talk to me.
Pros: light, comfortable
Cons: Nobody would talk to me because they couldn't hear me!
I hope these guys go out of business. They are terrible.
out of 25 user reviews
awesome features! big and heavy with a horrible ear loop
Pros: Awesome features! Class 1 bluetooth 100 meter range, and callpod to callpod walkie talkie with some distance 72,000 meter
Cons: the callpods very cool features got shot to hell with the horrible ear loop. The ear loop is hard, non-rotatable, non-adjustable and looks like the knobs holding them in place will fall off in a mont
out of 25 user reviews
Terrible Sound Quality and Fit
Pros: Long Range and Battery Life
Cons: Sound quality is abysmal both voice and audio. Headset is comfortable for about 10 minutes then begins to hurt.
After about a month of regular use, the ear clip also stopped staying on properly, which drove me to relegate the device to the drawer along side many other bluetooth headsets.
out of 25 user reviews
What are these other people thinking?
Pros: Great range, easy to wear all day
Cons: Wish it had different colors.
out of 25 user reviews
Works great!
Pros: Easy to use controls, awesome range
Cons: none yet - we'll see
out of 25 user reviews
Worst...Headset...Ever!
Pros: It looks good in the box
Cons: uncomfortable to wear, lousy sound.
out of 25 user reviews
Pretty good headset with some major drawbacks
Pros: Comfortable and light weight
Cons: Big design flaw, you have to hold the button for 3-4 seconds to hang up; however, if the other person hangs up before you and you are holding the button to hang up, the Callpod disables the bluetooth
out of 25 user reviews
Terrible for the price paid
Pros: Small Size....
Cons: Very poor outgoing sound
out of 25 user reviews
It looked better than it worked.
Pros: Different style, change of pace from the same old thing.
Cons: People on other end don't know what the hell I'am talking about
out of 25 user reviews
Long range and awesome walkie talkie feature
Pros: good volume, comfy, long battery life
Cons: wish it came in different colors
out of 25 user reviews
Powerful and Comfortable
Pros: Sleek design, comfy, and great volume
Cons: none just yet......
out of 25 user reviews
extremely impressed
Pros: good sound quality, fits my ear perfect
Cons: wish i had 2 for walkie-talkie mode
out of 25 user reviews
Great for my iPhone!
Pros: Great range, lightweight, good sound quality
Cons: none that I have found
out of 25 user reviews
Great headset, easy to setup and use
Pros: simple ergonomics, lightweight
Cons: none so far..
out of 25 user reviews
Not even in the same league as the Jawbone
Pros: Cool little flashing lights??
Cons: Poor ear clip design and awful sound qaulity.
out of 25 user reviews
Awesome device!
Pros: Range, Sound quality is fine
Cons: No replaceable ear gels like jabra
I'm using this with a Samsung Blackjack phone and the range is awesome! Two story house with finished basement, I can leave the cell phone in the basement and still talk fine on the 2nd floor. I've had various Jabra model's before and a Nokia BH800 and the maximum range was perhaps 8 feet.
Unlike the CNET review I think the sound quality is good.
I love the fact that this is firmware is upgradeable - but not with Vista 64 bit - you will need to use a 32 bit computer. I will mention that I emailed their support email about the issue, and they offered to adjust the sound quality and upgrade for free - just send it in - and I got a real reply not from a support bot. I'm trying to remember when I got a great response from tech support and it's been few and far between.
The car charger, charging cable via USB and wall plug are something everyone SHOULD include but don't.
out of 25 user reviews
Pretty freakin sweet!
Pros: Loud volume, decent range, not bulky.
Cons: Wish it was a stereo headset for my iphone
out of 25 user reviews
Are you there??? Can you hear me now ??????
Pros: The unique charging abilities that are included with the set. The package comes with a nice zippered bag to store all the parts and pieces.
Cons: Can you hear me now?? To todays standards the set is a little large,
out of 25 user reviews
This thing is AWESOME!
Pros: long range, great clarity, lightweight, cool
Cons: none that i have found
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