Especially ridiculous are those who keep the headset on in venues after being told to shut off all cell phones and pagers.

Actually saw a fool in church with it on...

Visions of Janet's "Control" video dance through my head sometimes when I see these.

I am quite astonished at the anti-BT comments in this thread! I wonder if these people have used a wireless headset or know why they are used?

1. The sound quality with my Motorola H700 is incredible. I can not only hear better, but I am heard more clearly.
2. When a call comes in, the phone does not ring, disturbing others. I can discreetly answer it, and as per point #1 above, can almost whisper
3. With it in my ear, I don't have to fumble around in my pocket or belt pack to answer a phone or flip open a headset and turn it on. Tap the button and I am on-line. There used to be times I could not answer a ringing phone in time! Driving, walking, navigating airport escalators, etc -- its all handsfree!

I wear mine whenever I have a reasonable expectation of getting business calls. My staff forwards calls to my cell any time I am out, and if a client is on the line, I am far more concerned about having an efficient and clear conversation with a customer, than whether some total stranger in an airport thinks I look like a dork!

All that said, I don't wear it at a social event, in a business meeting, or after business hours anyway. I wonder how many of the naysayers above, while they don't wear a headset, are the rude types who leave their cellphones on during meetings and movies. Yeah, they disturb the entire audience, but at least they don't LOOK like dorks!!

Bottom line, what I look like does not affect you, does not impact on your quality of life (might even improve it if I keep both hands on the wheel, unlike you!), and is really none of your business! Besides, aren't you the same person wearing sandals and a gaudy sweater? :D

HereNow

I couldn't agree more with your comments...well said!

^ ^

I agree, dress for the occasion. I work for myself and have a lot of clients that I provide support to. So my earpiece is on anytime that I may get a call.

I vote pro BT. I have the smaller Motorola BT headset (820), and don't use it much, but when I do, it's when I'm at home. I didn't have much luck with using it in the car (too much background noise), inside airports (also too much background noise) or in the grocery store (weak cell phone signal in there anyway, usually).

But -- Chicago now has a ban on cell phone use while driving. I live outside the city but can't be holding a cell phone while driving whenever I'm in the city. (And you anti-BT folks, don't you go driving around Chicago holding your cell phone to your ear either.) So I got the Motorola BT speaker that clips to the car's sun visor. It's much easier to hear and be heard with that than with the little earpiece (for me, at least). I think the speaker is great.

I opted for the clip-on speaker rather than the one that gets hard-wired into the car, so I could take it with me on trips and use it in rental cars.

Well said. I might add another benefit is that my phone has voice dial so I just hit the button and say the name and I am able to watch the road when driving or watch where I am walking in the airport (something that drives me crazy is people who cant walk and talk/dial at the same time).

I use my BT because the sound quality on my Treo sucks.:td: I however never just "wear" it around. I find it tacky just like the OP.

Watching Ameican Idol the other night, there was actually a gentleman who auditioned with his BT in his ear! It was a real classy move :rolleyes:

I also think that the people walking around or eating lunch wearing their headsets look absolutely ridiculous, total "Nick Burns" types, and I live in San Francisco, where out-there styles and tech are not only permissible, but encouraged.

It was kind of like the pager crazy in the 80's, just at the tipping point where pagers were no longer the realm of doctors and drug dealers, they became status symbols. I had one I kept in a bag, but I used to claim that I wasn't on any leash, which was a bit of a stretch.

I've owned a few BT headsets because I was looking for something that would work in the car, but nothing really seemed to work as well as the wired ones, everyone complained about road noise. In the end I picked up a Prius, which has a pretty good bluetooth hands-free.

HereNow is my new hero - well said. Thanks!

gpg

This is an amusing thread. Of course everyone should use a hands free device, BT or otherwise while driving. Not the point. And, too, there are lots of good, practical reasons to wear your BT around when not in use. I will still be the one giggling when I see you :D

I use Sony HBH DS970 stereo bluetooth ear buds. Honestly, for all you can tell I'm listening to my music (I am, actually) unless I'm speaking into the air. No winky blinky stuff going on, just understated walkmanesque ear buds that go down to a little oblong bluetooth unit on a neck strap.

Works a champ. Can take calls, pop them out of my ears to listen to people, fast forward or rewind through music, volume adjustment, pairs with a laptop and a pda as well as my cell phone. The base response is a bit thin, and like any wireless music there's occasional cut out or interference, but for me, it's an optimal solution.

http://reviews.cnet.com/Sony_Ericsso...-32147864.html

Regards,
-Bouncer-

Headset as fashion accessory? You knew this was coming: The New Diamante Bling Bluetooth Headset. The first bluetooth headset made for women!

Yes, nerdy tech girrlz, it comes in pink OR silver. Classy!!

:D

BT vs american idol poll
 

This post got me thinking - I propose a poll: what is tackier - wearing a BT or watching american idol?

First vote: watching american idol is much tackier, and to announce you do even worse:D

It's all about this headset. :p I actually caved in and bought one the other week, but no... I don't wear it all day long. In fact, I've only used it twice (only in situations where having people on speaker wouldn't be appropriate). I wouldn't dare hold the Sidekick up to my face like a regular phone.