I realistically give this 4.5 stars, but I reserve 5 stars for perfect devices, so I round down.I'm a gadget-guru and have used a number of Bluetooth in-car speakerphones in search of the perfect device. In fact, I've used so many, I've come up with a criteria-list of 14 items that I use in my pursuit of the perfect Bluetooth device.
What makes the perfect car bluetooth speakerphone?
==============My 14 Most Important Criteria Items============
1. It should have caller-id that speaks the name of the caller
Yes, this Jabra Tour has spoken caller-id, works great!
2. It should automatically turn on/off as you are away from the car
Yes, it does this with a motion sensor which also works great.
3. It should have ample volume while driving at highway speeds
Not as loud as the Supertooth HD (my favorite), but reasonable and acceptable.
4. You should only have to press a single and easily accessible button to answer or place a call
This is where I mainly deduct a half-star. The button to use voice-dial is different than the button to answer a call and they are tiny and opposite each other. In fact they are so small that you sometimes have to glance up to see that you are pressing the right button this defeats the purpose of hands-free that is supposed to keep your eyes on the road. If Jabra could just improve this, I would absolutely give this 5 stars. Look at the Supertooth HD SuperTooth High Definition Bluetooth Portable Visor Car Kit and Speakerphone for Cell Phones, iPad 2, and iPhone Retail Packaging (Black) (the only 5 star rating I've given), it's one big button, just press it, easy to find every time without looking.
5. It should make use of your phone's built-in voice recognition system (if your phone has this)
Yes, assuming you can press only the small voice-dial button and not something else. Jabra if you made the big round speaker an actual pushable button, you'd have an awesome, perfect product. [I'm still waiting for a manufacturer to make a wireless button we can install anywhere so we don't even have to reach up to the visor]
6. It should be easy to pair and auto-download your phone's contacts
Yes, super easy to do.
7. It should reconnect easily when you are in the car
Yes, this works very well.
8. Callers should be able to hear you clearly at highway speeds
Callers can understand me but as with every Bluetooth speakerphone, they will likely know you are talking on a speakerphone or headset just because of road noise. I've used/listened to built-in factory Bluetooth phone systems in BMWs and Hondas and you can still tell they aren't holding the phone to their ear and mouth.
9. The charging port should not be obstructed when the device is installed on a sunvisor
Yes, this is on the side and it is in an ideal spot.
10. It should have a long battery life
Yes, although it doesn't automatically tell me battery life like the Supertooth HD does whenever it connects, you can hold the voice-dial button down for 3 seconds, say Battery and it tells you battery life. Fully charged it's some 20+ hours of talk time. After a couple of weeks of moderate usage, it was still at 12+ hours of talk time. I think after a month it was still around 10+ hours, which is excellent.
11. It should be reliable whether it is -40 degrees in Fargo or the internal car temperature reaches 140 degrees in Texas
I've only had this for a couple months so it is too soon to tell, I will update this review after a few more seasons.
12. It should have good documentation or manufacturer's website and/or responsive customer support
Yes, Jabra is excellent with their website and online support documentation. In fact, it doesn't really ship with a detailed manual, but it is easy to find on their website. I've noticed a lot of vendors have been doing this, cost-cutting, but greener for our environment.
13. It should be usable whether the sun visor is flipped down or up
I am not deducting anything for this, but no, this is "one-sided" for however you've installed it. If you flip the sun visor, the speakerphone will likely be blocked and against the windshield and you're going to have to blindly find the buttons and lean forward to talk. The Supertooth HD is the only device I'm aware of that uses a magnetic clasp so that it can be removed and used on any side of the visor. If you never use your visor, then this is a moot point.
14. It should be reasonably priced
As of this writing, the Jabra Tour is ~$85 and the Supertooth HD is ~$60. I still feel the Supertooth HD is a better device and value all around.
Key features:
1. Good sound quality
2. Very easy to use
3. Pair up with multiple devices
4. Auto on and off with the motion sensor
5. Compatible with both Android and Apple IOS (and SIRI as well)
6. Make calls using your voice (voice control feature)
Sidarta Tanu
Buy Jabra TOUR Bluetooth In-Car Speakerphone - Retail Packaging - Black Now
I was wondering what the difference was between this "Tour" and the Jabra "Freeway" as they are so close in price...One big difference is that the TOUR uses Bluetooth 3.0 and under while the Freeway is Bluetooth 2.1 and under... Note that Bluetooth version 4.0 is already out there.
The Tour is louder, which in my case is good for use in my noisy old Jeep CJ... at cruise anyway 8-)
Voice commands TO THE TOUR work the same as my Jabra Freeway, but you must hold the voice command button down for at least two seconds, just hold down until you hear "say a command" and not just a quick on/off push
Actual PHONE commands must be avail on your phone in order to use them.
Jabra seems to have this bluetooth tech down pretty well, but have to wonder why make a fully new model at this price point with the Freeway already in place with happy customers... but again, it IS louder with this big single speaker and 3 watts of power.
Bluetooth range is set by industry standards (low power) so you're not going to find any that have longer range (33ft) until the rules change in general and allow them to make more powerful bluetooth transmissions.
The Jabra Tour DOES play music files from your phone... however is not in true stereo.
Great heavy duty, full width solid metal clip to hold on the visor (or even your belt or shirt/pants pocket if you care to use it that way) Also works just fine on the desk as a speakerphone.
Car charger and USB cord supplied, but Jabra really should have included an AC wall charger at the MSRP I think. I would never charge something like this from my computer's USB port.
This TOUR works well, but you might want to check out the Freeway before you pull the trigger; Jabra FREEWAY Bluetooth Speakerphone (Black, Retail Packaging) Just know it's not quite as loud on full volume as the Tour.
PDF user manual is available for download or viewing at the Jabra site.
Read Best Reviews of Jabra TOUR Bluetooth In-Car Speakerphone - Retail Packaging - Black Here
I couldn't figure out how to end calls between my iPhone 4S and Jabra Tour. The Answer/End button doesn't do it. Just figured out I need to press the button on the opposite side (where the phone icon is) and tell Siri "End Call" or "Hang up." So far I'm happy with the Tour.Want Jabra TOUR Bluetooth In-Car Speakerphone - Retail Packaging - Black Discount?
Pairing is very easy, works well with my iPhone 5 and there is no need to enter any pin.It is very loud! I drive with the windows up, and I have to turn down the volume during the conversation with the other party if not my voice would tend to be louder.
I tried talking in a very normal volume and the other party can hear me comfortably.
Under the iPhone 5 Bluetooth settings, you can easily select to turn on or off for contacts sync with the TOUR.
Overall built quality seems very good with a matte finishing, very portable and has a good strong visor clip. But do not press the middle Jabra logo too hard, it has the feeling that it would sink in if press too hard. But in anycase, there is no need to press the middle Jabra logo. It's just the speaker cover.
I minus a star for the following reasons:
1. No changlog on the firmware update. I emailed Jabra, and they say they do not have a list of the changes, but normally the new firmware correct bugs and connection issues with cellphone systems released after the Jabra model.
2. The latest English firmware version currently is 1.30. When I pair it up, it shows up as Jabra TOUR v1.18.0 in my bluetooth settings. I thought after updating the firmware, I thought I should be seeing v1.30. But it did not change. Maybe it wasn't design to change. But it would be good to somehow see the current firmware version.
3. May have some crackling sound here and there, probably due to the connectivity and the interference around but not too obvious.
4. The volume control between my iPhone and the Jabra TOUR is not in synced. Adjusting the volume on one of them does not control the other. Maybe it's design like this to prevent adjusting the volume that is suppose to be for normal handheld phone usage.
Overall I am pleased to have it in my car. The current novelty of hearing the Tour say "Connected" when I enter the car is quite cool.
Update: 4th April 2013
Been having some trouble with this. The other party couldn't hear me at all. They could when I switch to my iPhone speaker mode.
I removed the device and reconnect, and I saw the 1.30 firmware version reflected this time round.
I had to reboot my iPhone to get everything working well.
But there is this stuck tone that would buzz for a few seconds when I hang up the call.
I hope a newer firmware would fix all these issues.
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