Reviewed: March 30, 2009
Reviewed by: Mark Smith
Manufacturer
Callpod Inc.
Type: Bluetooth Headset
System: PS3 / Mobile Phone
Rating: 9.7
What's in the box:
System Requirements
MSRP: $99.95
I’ve never had much use for Bluetooth technology, at least when it comes to headsets. I suppose that will change later this year when Indiana finally adopts the hands-free law for using cell phones in a car, but until then I prefer to hold my phone. Then we have the PS3, a game system that uses Bluetooth for not only its game controllers but also its voice chat system. My first headset for the system was the Jabra, that uncomfortable piece of plastic that came with the Warhawk bundle. I quickly traded that in for a cheap Motorola that got the job done well enough.
The simple fact is that I don’t play that much online gaming on the PS3. The network is still suffering from lag issues and the voice chat is usually choppy and full of static not to mention all the abusive and harsh language that comes from these 10-year olds who lack parental supervision. But with games like Killzone 2 and other big online multiplayer games on the horizon I know a quality headset is going to be required soon so I was eager to check out the new Dragon V2 Bluetooth Headset from Callpod.
On paper the device has specs you can only dream of. With an extended range of 328+ feet (about 10x further than any other Bluetooth headset) I was no longer required to stay in the same room as my phone. The Dual-Mic Noise Cancellation created a pleasant listening experience for the person on the other end of my conversation. With my Motorola, the air conditioning in my car would hit the mic and make it sound like I was in a wind tunnel. Now you hear nothing but my voice. It also helps mute out the sound of the game when you are sitting in the middle of a 7.1 surround system with the sound cranked up. Nobody likes that 1-2 second echo.
But the Dragon V2 goes above and beyond with some special features like being able to connect two headsets together for direct headset "walkie-talkie" communication. Now you can play Secret Service agent with your friends in an area up to 250,000 sq. ft. But perhaps my favorite feature is the ability to pair the Dragon V2 with two devices at the same time. In my case, this was the PS3 and my iPhone. Both devices are synced and if I am playing a game and my phone rings, the Dragon V2 will mute the PS3 and switch to my phone so I can take the call.
Installation - 10
Installation was a snap. After a few hours of charging I was able to easily pair the device with both my iPhone and my PlayStation 3 in just a few seconds. Both devices recognized the headset by name and I was communicating with wireless clarity in less than two minutes.
Aesthetics - 9
The Dragon V2 is sexy, or at least as sexy as a headset can be, even inside the stylish box, which looks more like something you would see jewelry or a fancy watch resting inside beneath the clear cover. The headset comes in three color schemes, Titanium Silver, Carbon Fiber, and my review unit, Black Chrome. Those who favor the smaller headsets probably won’t like the larger disc-style design of the Dragon V2 but I found it extremely comfortable and totally reliable.
There is a small ear-bud-like device that goes into your ear without poking you, while the larger disc-shaped portion rests on your outer ear and the hook wraps comfortably around your lobe. The hook is hinged allowing you to swing the earpiece 90-degrees away from your ear to engage in local conversation or swing it completely around 180-degrees for use in the opposite ear.
Personally, I love the look and design of the Dragon V2 but I realize that we are in a world where everything is getting smaller and people won’t be happy until their Bluetooth is part of their inner-ear and totally invisible. It’s that group of people that may have issues with the look of this headset.
Performance - 10
The Dragon V2 works exactly as promised. The internal 3.7 VDC lithium ion battery takes about 3 hours to fully charge and will provide you with 8 hours of usage (2 hours more than most Bluetooth headsets) and 300 hours of standby (100 hours more than most Bluetooth headsets). This is an amazing battery life that you can easily take for granted, especially compared to other headsets, and I constantly keep forgetting to charge the headset. I wish there was some sort of low-battery beep or light to remind me to plug it in. One nice feature is that the headset will charge using the same USB cable you use to charge your SIXAXIS controller.
The voice quality is exceptional, both in what I hear and how others are hearing me. Understandably, I get much better quality when using the Dragon V2 with my cell phone than on the glitchy PS Network, although things are getting better and Killzone 2 has polished up the online performance and voice chat quality quite a bit.
Overall – 9.7
The Dragon v2 is by far the best Bluetooth headset I have ever used. It may be a little pricey ($99.95 MSRP) for the average gamer, but when you consider that this can also double as your cell phone headset – at the same time – the only obstacle you’ll have to overcome is the misconception that smaller is more desirable. For me, it’s all about comfort and quality and the Dragon V2 excels at both.