Recently Callpod released two new Bluetooth headsets and today I have one for review called the Vetro, it’s the more expensive of the two that were announced. Coming in at $100 some might think it’s expensive, but there are other out there that cost much more. I’ve been using it for a week now and I’m rather impressed by it, but I don’t care for its size, it’s a bit large for my personal tastes. The battery life is very good, and the range is excellent providing about 50 meters. Call quality is good as well, which is the most important thing right?
The Vetro comes in very nice display style packaging.
Once you figure out how to get it open you’ll be greeted with many accessories. Inside you’ll find both wall and car USB style charges, two USB cables, one long one small, carrying pouch, extra earbud and loop and the documentation.
The headset itself has a frosted plastic cover on the top of front.
If you wear your headset on the right side then the answer or multi-function button and dual microphones are on the top.
Then on the bottom would be the USB port:
On the top is the power button, but it’s also rocks back and forth to control volume. I like this design for the volume quite a bit.
On the bottom is the earbud that is made of GummyGel. This Gel material molds itself to your ear for a tight and comfortable fit. Once you remove the Vetro, the GeummyGel goes back to it’s original shape.
Specifications:
Meaning “glass” in Italian the Vetro represents the next generation of Bluetooth headsets with unsurpassed design, performance and comfort. The Vetro has a customized internal amplifier which gives it 5 times the operating range of a standard Bluetooth headset. When paired with most current mobile handsets and Smartphones, users can roam up to 50m (164 ft) away. We created a proprietary designed ear bud which utilizes our formulated GummyGel material. The ear bud literally molds itself to the inside of your ear for an all-day, comfortable fit. When it’s removed from your ear, it returns to its original shape. With our proprietary two-way, walkie-talkie functionality, you can also connect the Vetro to any other Callpod Bluetooth headset and communicate up to 84,000 sq ft. while you are still connected to your mobile phone.
Features:
5x Range
The Vetro has a customized internal amplifier which gives it 5 times the operating range of a standard Bluetooth headset. When paired with most current mobile handsets and Smartphones, users can roam up to 50m (164 ft) away.
GummyGel Comfort
We created a proprietary designed ear bud which utilizes our formulated GummyGel material. The ear bud literally molds itself to the inside of your ear for an all-day, comfortable fit. When it’s removed from your ear, it returns to its original shape.
Small Yet Powerful
Weighing less than 1/2 an ounce and measuring as thin as 1/2” the Vetro is one of the smallest and most powerful Bluetooth headsets on the market.
2-Way Walkie-Talkie
With our proprietary two-way, walkie-talkie functionality, you can also connect the Vetro to any other Callpod Bluetooth headset and communicate up to 84,000 sq ft. while you are still connected to your mobile phone.
Upgradable Firmware
Keep all your Callpod Bluetooth products delivering optimal performance by using the Callpod Bluetooth Firmware Updater (available free at callpod.com/download). Works with Dragon, Phoenix, Drone, Onyx and Vetro. Available for Windows 7/XP/Vista.
Specs:
Talk Time: Up to 8 Hours Talk Time / 300 Hours Standby Time
Battery Charge Time: 3 Hours for Full Battery Charge
Input Power: 3.7 VDC Built in Lithium Ion Battery or 5VDC
LED Indicators: Power / Pairing / Headsets & Mobile Status
Dimensions: 2.169″ x .655″ x 1.267″
Standard: Bluetooth 2.0
Audio Quality: SCO and eSco Links Supported
Encryption?: Yes
DSP: Dual-Mic Noise Suppression
Firmware Upgradable?: Yes
Profiles Supported: Hands-Free 1.5, Hands-Free Audio Gateway Headset
Includes AC wall charger, car charger, USB charging cord, travel pouch, replacement earhook and GummyGel earbud.
Price: $99.95
Here’s the Vetro with my Jawbone2 for comparison:
As you can see it’s a bit bigger both width and height.
Then here they are on their sides for a different view:
The Jawbone2 seems a little bigger at this angle because of the shape, but the Vetro is more square making it bulky and honestly it just feels big on my face.
I used the Vetro with the Samsung Galaxy S or Captivate for AT&T.
The Vetro is very comfortable for long periods of use though. I put it on and after 15-20 minutes I really didn’t even notice I was wearing it. It’s lightweight, weighing in at only 1/2 an ounce so that’s part of the reason it’s comfortable to wear.
I don’t like earloops, but you must use it with the Vetro, so of course I did. Even with sunglasses on it wasn’t uncomfortable, it’s a flexible plastic material and it’s very thin.
The earbud seems large when you first put it in, but it’s not really. You push it in your ear and it stays there and helps to block outside sounds out.
The build quality is nice, it feel very well made and sturdy. I’m not sure what the point of the frosted plastic part is aside from decoration, that plastic actually makes it a bit thicker and it could have done without it.
Call quality is very good, the dual microphones seems to do a very good job at helping to keep the noise out even if you’re outside or driving in the car with the windows down or the radio on. I talked to several people with it and I could hear them fine and they said they could hear me with no issues. The volume gets nice and loud as well if you need to turn it up. The volume control is one of the best features, it’s a rocker switch that you just push back and forth to raise and lower the volume.
To answer or end a call you can’t just push the button, your really have to squeeze the entire headset which works fine.
I had no issues with battery life, you’re supposed to get about eight hours of talk time. I’ve only charged it once and made several calls, it would probably take me over a month to talk for eight hours on my cell phone though. The standby time is rated for 300 hours, which is about twelve and half days meaning you can go a long time between charges.
One of the other great features of this and other Callpod products is the fact that they can be used as walkie-talkies. You can get another Callpod heads and connect them together via Bluetooth and talk to each other while still using it as a Bluetooth headset for your phone. This would be great for businesses with large offices or even working outside as the range is 84,000 square feet.
Speaking of range the Vetro offers 50 meters or 164 foot, which is amazing really. You can leave your phone and just wander off most anywhere. The signal though is dependant on what’s between you and the phone of course, but that’s the same for any headset.
Conclusion:
The Callpod Vetro is a very good, high quality Bluetooth headset that has a decent feature set. The call quality, range and battery life are excellent, as is the build quality.
The fact that you can pair it with another Callpod product and use as walkie-talkie is a useful feature, I myself have used this feature with the two Dragon V2 headsets that I own and it works very well.
I’ve got many headsets floating around and there’s only three that I would use all of the time, but I think the Vetro could be the fourth as I like the quality of it and it’s very comfortable to wear for long periods of time.
Pros:
+Excellent range
+Very good call quality
+Easy to use
+Good volume control
+Can be used as walkie-talkie
Cons:
-A bit too large for my tastes
-Must use earloop
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| Design | |
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