Hi Christopher, Check out the Soundband on www.kickstarter.com.
However, the project was funded and closed I think just before mid September so you couldn't order one until they are actually released and will be sold normally. They are also more expensive, but are supposed to sound far superior to the Aftershokz and I very much like the fact that they can be used wirelessly with Bluetooth as well as wired. This means if you run out of juice you can plug them in and also that you can bring just one headset for travelling when you might want to use them on a plane where Bluetooth has to be turned off. They are worn behind the neck and rather than in front of your ears the soundband sits behind your ears and apparently is quite small. I did write about these back at the end of August after I heard about the Soundband on the Today in iOS podcast and about a week or 2 before the project closed. They had overwhelming support and far exceeded their funding goal. If you search the archive for "Soundband" you should find my post. Only other unfortunate thing about the Soundband is that they have pushed production/shipping way off into the second quarter of 2014 so it could be another half a year before I get mine and longer before they are generally available. Regards, Sieghard ----Original Message----- From: viphone@googlegroups.com [mailto:viphone@googlegroups.com] On Behalf Of Christopher Chaltain Sent: Thursday, November 28, 2013 11:36 PM To: viphone@googlegroups.com Subject: Open ear bluetooth headsets and the Aftershokz Bluez I'm looking for some open ear bluetooth headsets, and I'm particularly interested in the Aftershokz Bluez. I've read up on them on AppleVis.com, and I've reviewed some of the discussions here on this list, but before I put them on my Christmas wish list, I was wondering if there's anything else I should consider. Here are more details on what I'm looking for. I'm specifically looking for something I can use when outside to listen to GPS instructions and check information at street corners or bus stops. I want to be able to hear what's around me, so the fact that they're open ear is important to me. I'm specifically looking for the convenience of bluetooth. I just don't want to have to worry about the wire when out and about. I have plenty of other headset/headphone options to use when listening to music, so sound quality is not a major factor. I mostly want to be able to use them to hear VoiceOver. Stereo is also not a requirement. Since I'll be using them outside, I'd like them to be water resistant. They don't have to be water proof, but I don't want to worry about them if they get a little rain or sweat on them. I wear hats when it's raining, so I'd like something that's not over the head. I'd like to wear them under a hat with a brim that goes all the way around my head. I'm not too rough on things, so I'd like them to be durable, but they don't have to be super tough. The only thing I've read about the Aftershokz Bluez that give me pause is the noise bleed. Ideally, I'd also like to be able to use them in meetings, to check on notes, appointments and the like, without bothering those around me, but I usually use ear buds similar to those from Apple right now, and I could continue to do that if the bluez won't work out in that environment. From what I've read, the Aftershokz Bluez seem to meet my needs, but I'm wondering if there's something else I should be considering. For example, I had a one ear bluetooth LG headset that went around one ear and just rested outside the ear canal, which might also do the trick. Unfortunately, they don't take a charge any more. I'm curious if there are any other options like this, and how these headsets, which just sit at the entrance to the ear canal (similar to Apple's ear buds), compare to these bone conducting options. Do these open ear bone conducting headsets really give you more environmental awareness than say the Apple ear buds? thanks for your input. -- Christopher (CJ) chaltain at Gmail -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the "VIPhone" Google Group. Post a new message to VIPhone by emailing viphone@googlegroups.com. Search and view the VIPhone archives by visiting http://www.mail-archive.com/viphone@googlegroups.com/. Reach the VIPhone owner and moderators by emailing viphone+ow...@googlegroups.com. Unsubscribe and leave VIPhone by emailing viphone+unsubscr...@googlegroups.com. More VIPhone group options can be found by visiting http://groups.google.com/group/viphone?hl=en. --- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "VIPhone" group. 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