Jabra CLIPPER Bluetooth Stereo Headset

Product Details

• Product Dimensions: 3.4 x 1.9 x 3.7 inches ; 0.6 ounces
• Shipping Weight: 3.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Shipping: This item is also available for shipping to select countries outside the U.S.
• ASIN: B0040X33SE
• Item model number: CLIPPER
  

By : Jabra
List Price : $59.99
Price : $45.87
You Save : $14.12 (24%)

Product Description

Amazon.com Product Description
Enjoy wireless stereo music and hands-free calls with the innovative Jabra CLIPPER Bluetooth stereo headset, which combines a compact Bluetooth device that easily clips onto bags, clothing, and belts and noise-blocking earbuds. Aesthetically clean and appealing in design, the clip-on device connects wirelessly to your Bluetooth-enabled mobile phone or MP3 player. Plug the comfortable earbuds into the 3.5mm headphone jack on the clip-on device, and you're ready to lose yourself in your favorite music or take calls when they come in.
Clip onto bags, clothing, and beltswhile easily switching between musicand calls (see larger image).
The Jabra CLIPPER combines a tiny clip-on Bluetooth device with noise-blocking earbuds.
Additionally, the Jabra CLIPPER can connect to two devices simultaneously thanks to Jabra's Multiuse technology. There's no need to change between an MPE player and a mobile phone when a call comes in as both devices connect wirelessly to the Jabra CLIPPER, allowing you to switch between calls and music instantly. Additionally, incoming calls automatically override music played on a cell phone and, at the touch of a single multi-function button, you can easily pause, skip tracks or alter the volume. You can also keep a phone and MP3 player separately in a bag or pocket without breaking the connection.
The Jabra CLIPPER is designed as a clothing clip. This gives you a variety of simple and practical wearing styles: Just clip it on your shirt, jacket, t-shirt or whatever that fits your needs. It can also be used with any other 3.5mm headphones. The CLIPPER also features USB charging capabilities, an incoming caller alert, durable construction adhering to US Military rain and shock resistant standards, and up to 6 hours of talk time and up to 8 days of standby time.
Pairing the CLIPPER with Your Phone

1. When you turn on your Jabra for the first time, the headset will automatically start up in pairing mode.
2. Activate Bluetooth on the phone
3. Press 'Yes' or 'OK' on the phone and confirm with PIN code 0000 (4 zeros)
4. Your phone will confirm when the pairing is complete
5. For later pairing: Turn your headset off. Press and hold until solid light comes on

Using the CLIPPER
Tap the Multi-Function button on your headset to answer a call. To end your call, just tap the Multi-Function button again. (See a larger schematic image of all the controls.)
What's in the Box
Jabra CLIPPER, noise-blocking earbud headphones, two extra sets of earbuds in different sizes (medium and large), charging plug (MicroUSB 5-pin)
WIRELESS MUSIC AND CALLS ON THE GO Jabra CLIPPER is the newest addition to Jabra's Stereo Headset range providing users with wireless stereo music and calls in one cool little Bluetooth clip. Jabra CLIPPER's in-ear headphones block external noise which enhance its clear, vibrant music and calling quality - leaving you to get lost in your music rather than the outside rumble. However, to make sure you're still connected to the outside world, Jabra CLIPPER automatically switches between your music and incoming calls to your phone. Plus, to prevent you from dropping out of range or leaving your phone behind Jabra CLIPPER cleverly features a mobile distance alert (within 10 m). The Jabra CLIPPER is compatible with any device with Bluetooth technology and has the ability to connect to two different devices at the same time. It also comes with a 3.5mm plug so that you can use your own favorite headphones.

 

Jabra CLIPPER Bluetooth Stereo Headset

 

Technical Details

• Combines a tiny clip-on Bluetooth device with noise-blocking earbuds--clips onto bags, clothing, and belts
• Automatically switch between music and calls; incoming caller alert lets you know when a call is coming through
• Can connect to two different Bluetooth-enabled devices (mobile phone and MP3 player) simultaneously
• Remote control your music--play, pause, stop, skip track (phone dependent)
• Up to 6 hours talk time and up to 8 days standby time
• Automatically switch between music ; calls
• Compatible with other headphones with 3.5mm jack
• Great wireless stereo sound

Customer Reviews

While I have used a number of Bluetooth headsets over the years for hands free calling, I am just now getting into the world of stereo Bluetooth thanks to my Droid X. After having seen the Jabra Clipper on Verizon's site, I decided to give it a shot. I will focus on the music experience since that is my purpose in getting this unit. I still prefer the speakerphone option for calls. I will use the following criteria for my evaluation: pairing, sound quality, ease of use, and comfort.
Pairing: This keeps getting easier with each device that I try. After charging the Clipper, I turned it on and it went immediately into pairing mode. I was able to pair it with my Droid X simply by scanning for Bluetooth devices and selecting the Clipper - no code required. I never understood the point of entering the generic 0000 code since it was the same for every device, but that is no longer an issue - at least with the Droid X.
Sound Quality: The earbuds that come with the Clipper are in a word dreadful. I switched to the medium sized set of buds in order to get a good seal, but the sound quality of the music was just awful. It was thin, muddy, and sounded cheap. Thankfully you can unplug these duds from the Bluetooth receiver and replace them with any 3.5 mm headphones/earbuds of your liking. The downside is that you will have to spring for these on top of the Clipper if you don't already have a pair available. For testing purposes I switched to my Creative EP-830 earbuds that came with my Creative Zen X-Fi. The change in sound quality is night and day different. If you don't already have an alternative just know that you are going to have to make an additional purchase for the Clipper to be usable. I am no audiophile, but even my untrained ears found the included earbuds beyond unacceptable.
Ease of Use: Usability has long been an issue with Bluetooth devices due to the dreaded multi-function button. The Clipper only has three total buttons when the + and - are added in. These three buttons control powering on and off, volume, play/pause, navigating songs, and call management. Each button does at least two things depending on context or length/type of press. I found this to be manageable but annoying. Others may find this frustrating. If you've had bad experience with multifunction buttons on other Bluetooth devices, you can expect more of the same.
One other are of note on ease of use is the "clip" itself. It will work really well on belts and belt loops as well as on shirts with buttons or your jacket. However the Clipper is very stiff, and I found it impossible to get it on my t-shirt sleeve using one hand. Yet if you get it secured, it should be very good for active use since it passes military standards for rain and shock resistance. While it doesn't free you from wires, it will keep you from pulling your high dollar phone or music player off of the treadmill.
Comfort: This is somewhat of a non-issue based on the poor sound quality, but the included earbuds are also not comfortable. This is just another reason to replace them.
Overall: The Jabra Clipper is an intriguing if imperfect Bluetooth stereo device. You can replace the included earbuds and still come at a decent price. It is promising for active use, but suffers from the same usability issues that are common among Bluetooth devices. I think it depends on what you are looking for. A couple of alternatives to consider are the Lg HBS-700 and Motorola S10-HD. Each of these has a different form factor and target different user types. Feel free to ask questions in the comments below.

Revised review-- April 21, 2011
Several weeks ago Mr. John C. Kendall wrote to tell me of a use of the Clipper. He suggested that it be hung on a lanyard! I immediately thought, that's interesting. I don't think that even Jabra considered that. Well, last week the jack on my Blackberry developed a shortage and it's going to be too much to repair without buying a new one. (Besides I'm switching to Sprint for their EVO 3D! No more Blackberry's!)
The lanyard suggestion worked flawlessly in an unexpected assignment today. So, I'm upgrading the review to 4 stars, thanks to Mr. Kendall.
Original review follows below with a minor adjustment.

What this is and what this isn't
Inspection and Testing
Conclusion
I think it's important to point out that the description of this product is somewhat misleading. This is NOT a headphone/ earphone, per se. The CLIPPER set is a 3-piece set that is made up of the CLIPPER (a clothing-clip style receiver), a Danish-designed "Around The Neck" earphones and a charger for the unit.
The main piece, The CLIPPER --what the company calls "the headphone" -- is nothing but a Bluetooth receiver and transmitter. By itself, it is unable to allow you to hear music or speak to an incoming caller. It picks up the radio waves from a Bluetooth-enabled Smartphone, mp3/4 player such as an iPod Touch. (Although it doesn't work with the Mac's OSX operating system, Jabra supplies instruction for it to connect to Apple's iOS operating system for the iPhone 4, iPod Touch and presumably, the iPad.) It has two slots, one for a micro USB wall mount and a 3.5mm audio jack for the headphone/earphone connection.
About the included earphone: This is not to be considered an essential part of the product. Since in the quickstart guides and at Jabra's website there's only brief mention of it being packaged after a lengthy discussion on how the main piece works. It is my suspicion that it is merely a placeholder for your "better" earphone or earphone/speaker set. It is wiry thin and most likely will not stand up against normal use for more than a few days AND it doesn't have a speaker-line to receive any calls, which is the main selling point of the Clipper.
Here is where the buying recommendation thing becomes very tricky.
Pro's
1. (A2DP) The receiver/ transmitter works well with all of the earphones that I tested it out on from the cheap Blackberry supplied speaker earphones up to the Ultimate Ears: a total of 5 including the around-the-neck earphones that came with it. It reproduced the sound that I recognized were the strengths of the different earphones and the device alerted me with a nice chime and silenced the music after about 2 rings.
2. The wireless distance to receive a signal was precise at around 30 feet.
3. About the size of an iPod Shuffle.
4. Although the device is extremely difficult to pry open to attach to a garment, if you'd consider it to be hung on a lanyard, it may be a lifesaver!
Con's
1. You'll need to supply your own headphone/ earphone for this device. (The supplied is largely for testing out the product and nothing more.)
I own the Jabra EXTREME Bluetooth headset I received last year and I still love it. Jabra makes fine products: stylish and well built. However, I think they made an engineering mistake with THE CLIPPER. The device although a bit bulky to wear if you're wearing thinner clothing, works as promised. But my main gripe is the product's [in]ability to clip on to clothing. This, for me, is a really, really big deal. For all that it promises technologically (and delivers) the principle design makes it a toss up as far as my recommendation is concerned. If you have a breast pocket that buttons down, then the Clipper is a good deal. If you want to put the Clipper in a pant pocket, it works well. But...To clip or not to clip...THAT is the question.
So... 5 minus 1 equals 4 stars.