Home | Stories | Reviews | TreoCast | Treo Store | Accessories | Software | Discussion | Mobile | About | Search
 
treocentral.com >> Products & Reviews >> Accessories
Jabra SP500 Speakerphone

Mon Jan 16, 2006 - 11:22 AM EST - By Douglas Morse

Overview

Over the past few months, I’ve been seeing new and improved versions of products that I reviewed within the past year. Sometimes there are minor improvements; other times there are only iterations on the same design. For example, The Smartphone Experts MP6 is a welcome variation on the Aluminum hardcase I reviewed earlier. Recently, the folks who made the mr handsfree blue butterfly headset contacted me to send a slightly improved version of their latest headset – the old version I reviewed here. And the revised headset will be reviewed soon. Cases also come in sequels such as the Krusell Handit and the Handit Platinum. With the addition of four new Treos this year, I imagine we’ll be innundated with sequels, variations, and deluxe versions of accessories. The difficulty will be sorting out the worthwhile improvements from the marketing hype.

This review takes a look at the Jabra SP500, which boasts some improvements over its predecessor and also some degradation in features. The volume controls and battery usage have changed significantly.


Design


The design of the SP500 is nearly the same as its precursor, the Jabra SP100, and looks like an oval-shaped device with a boom mic that swivels into the air to point towards you. In the center is a large multi-function button to answer, hang up, and place calls on hold. On the side of the unit are a volume wheel and a mute button. There is also a small button dedicated to pairing and a charging outlet in the front.

The Jabra SP500 also ships with a svelte AC adapter, windshield mount and visor clip. The unit uses two ‘AA’ nickel hydride batteries that CANNOT be swapped out for the alkaline variety. Also, the LED will automatically shut off after one minute of talk time, reducing distraction while driving.

Color-wise, the Jabra SP500 is an unremarkable dull grey top with a darker gray base. The windshield mount uses three suction cups and swivels and rotates this way and that for proper orientation. The speakerphone also ships with a visor clip and a car charger. If you’re one of the few smokers left in the world, I suppose this last accessory won’t do you much good.


Functionality


The good news is that pairing is easy. There is now a dedicated pairing button on the side. Press it until the phone shaped LED turns blue, then initiate the pairing process on the Treo. The usual 0000 passcode will do the trick.

The main difference between the units is one you might not notice at first, The volume wheel on the side of the SP500 is of the infinite spinning variety. At the same time, the SP500 introduces auto-adjusting volume circuitry. The result is an exercise in frustration. As I tried to make the volume of some calls louder, the circuitry would cut in and automatically ‘adjust’ the call volume. This was especially irksome when there was extraneous noise in the room. The volume would adjust down when in fact I needed it to be louder.

Under most circumstances, though, I noticed the sound quality to be more robust than the previous generation. It was fuller, in general louder (though not as adjustable). There was occasionally scratchiness, though nothing too annoying. The problem was that people listening to calls reported the same sort of distortions and problems as the previous generation. Scratchiness and general low fidelity were problems. Maybe the microphone itself is not of good enough quality. Certainly a lot of resources went into the speaker.

The speakerphone also supports last number redial (a nice feature), hold, call reject, and call waiting.

The unit has the ability to be used in a variety of situations. It can easily sit on a desk, angled gently towards the user. The boom microphone swivels into the correct position for optimal direction. The windshield mount seems to struggle a bit under the weight of the speakerphone and I didn’t find it as secure as I would have liked. Unlike the SP100, the SP500 cannot be used with standard double ‘A’ batteries—only the rechargeable type. Since Jabra didn’t spring for the better Lithium Ion batteries, the hydride ones will eventually have to be replaced. I suppose there could be an odd circumstance where you’ll charge up a second set of double ‘A’s and bring them along as a backup, though the unit claims up to 20 hours of talk time. And that’s almost as many minutes as I have in my monthly plan, so I wasn’t able to test that.



Next Page: Conclusion >>



Treo accessory store
 
User Opinions
No reader opinions available.
Would you recommend Jabra SP500 Speakerphone?
Yes   No  

Product Info
Details
» Name Jabra SP500 Speakerphone
» Company Jabra Corporation
» Talk Time 20 hrs
» Standby Time 480 hrs
» Fact Sheet & User Opinions
Availability
» Available
Pricing
» $79.95

Sponsored Links


Jabra SP500 Speakerphone from
TreoCentral Store


References
Actions
» Print this page
» Digg!





Cases

Chargers

Bluetooth

Headsets

Keyboards

Memory
Protectors Cradles
Styli


More Treo Accessories

1200mAh Battery
Palm 1200mAh Battery for Treo 750, Treo 680
Extend your talk time!
Just $14.95 BUY

More Batteries
1350mAh OEM Sized Extended Battery
Seidio 1350mAh OEM Sized Extended Battery for Centro, Treo 800w
More talking and texting!
Just $39.95 BUY

More Batteries
Pen Stylus  (3-Pack)
Palm Pen Stylus (3-Pack) for Treo 755p, 750, 680
Extra Styli!
Just $14.95 BUY

More Styli
Cradle w/ Spare Battery Slot
Mobi Products Cradle w/ Spare Battery Slot for Treo Pro
Charge your device and a spare battery
Just $24.95 BUY

More Cradles
Cradle w/ Spare Battery Slot
Mobi Products Cradle w/ Spare Battery Slot for Treo 800w
Charge your Treo 800w and spare battery
Just $24.95 BUY

More Cradles
Apollo Leather Case
Krusell Apollo Leather Case for Treo Pro
Practical yet classic
Just $34.95 BUY

More Leather Cases
Hector Leather Case
Krusell Hector Leather Case for Treo Pro
Features 2 reinfored leather belt loops
Just $29.95 BUY

More Side Cases
H15 Bluetooth Headset
Motorola H15 Bluetooth Headset
Best background noise cancellation
Just $109.95 BUY

More Wireless Headsets
Top Pouch
Smartphone Experts Top Pouch for Treo Pro
Keep your Pro safe and secure
Just $24.95 BUY

More Top Cases
Side Pouch
Smartphone Experts Side Pouch for Treo Pro
Elegance with a custom fit
Just $24.95 BUY

More Side Cases
Spring-Clip Holster
Seidio Spring-Clip Holster for Treo Pro
Security with quick and easy access
Just $29.95 BUY

More Holsters
Vehicle Power Charger
Palm Vehicle Power Charger for Treo Pro, Treo 800w
Charge your Treo as you drive
Just $29.95 BUY

More Car Chargers
Micro-USB Travel Charger
BlackBerry Micro-USB Travel Charger for Treo Pro, Treo 800w
Features folding blades for maximum portability
Just $19.95 BUY

More Wall Chargers
 
 

Copyright 1999-2008 TreoCentral. All rights reserved : Terms of Use : Privacy Policy

TREO and TreoCentral are trademarks or registered trademarks of palm, Inc. in the United States and other countries;
the TreoCentral mark and domain name are used under license from palm, Inc.
The views expressed on this website are solely those of the proprietor, or
contributors to the site, and do not necessarily reflect the views of palm, Inc.

Explore more: The iPhone Blog | WM Experts | Crackberry | CentroSpot | Android Central
Smartphone Accessories: Windows Mobile Accessories | iPhone Accessories | Blackberry Accessories
Fuze Accessories | G1 Accessories | Xperia Accessories | Touch Accessories | Instinct Accessories
Bold Accessories | Blackjack Accessories | HTC Accessories | Centro Accessories | Motorola Q Accessories
Mogul Accessories | Tilt Accessories | Nokia n95 Accessories | Duo Accessories | Verizon XV Accessories
Dash Accessories | Shadow Accessories | Voyager Accessories | Venus Accessories | Touch Accessories
Curve Accessories | Dare Accessories | Venus Accessories | Curve Accessories | Bold Accessories
iPod Nano Accessories | iPod Touch Accessories