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...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.
This is Bluetooth V3 but the industry has already approved V4 for manufacturers to use so that should show up soon in products.
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 LOVE my Jabra FREEWAY Bluetooth Speakerphone that I use in my convertible and I really needed another speakerphone for my SUV. My husband uses the Jabra JOURNEY Bluetooth In-Car Speakerphone in his work truck, so you can see we are long time users of Jabra products and they have been reliable, easy to use and we consider them to be high-end quality. Sadly I do not feel the same about the Jabra TOUR. Pairing it with my iPhone 4S was extremely easy, just follow the voice commands after you turn the unit on and go to the bluetooth setting on your phone.Voice commands are easily recognized and Siri's responses are heard back loud and clear. Siri is the only one heard loud and clear, but anyone else who I talk to sounds muffled and hard to understand. Even when playing music the sound the speaker produces is not the best. It states it is a "Powerful 3 watt speaker delivers rich sound on calls, music and multimedia", but it sounds like someone has turned the bass off and the treble on the highest setting. There is nothing rich sounding about that. This speakerphone should of came with the option play it through speaker, or transmit it via FM to your car stereo. At least that way you can control the equalizer settings to your likings.
The unit is extremely sturdy and it will stay put. Now Jabra needs to come out with a new speakerphone that has the construction and the functionality of the voice commands of the TOUR with the FM transmitter feature and virtual surround sound of the Jabra FREEWAY.
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This did not work well for my wife with an iphone 5. She is short but the Motorola T325 works much better and she went back to it. The Jabra one cuts the person off if another starts to talk, it is like having a conversation between an airplane pilot and the tower. The motorola T325 does not do this and you can have a normal conversation.
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