Jabra BT3030 - Bluetooth headset
Manufacturer: Jabra Part number: 100-93030000-02
- More product information:
- Editors' review
- User reviews
- Specifications
- Manufacturer info
- Bottom Line:
- The Jabra BT3030 is a great, affordable option for a stereo Bluetooth headset, if you want to use your own headphones.
Read more
Where to buy
| store | customer rating | inventory | tax & shipping | price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Amazon.com Marketplace |  | In stock | Enter zip code to get total price: Price +Tax +Shipping =Total price | as of 12/08/2009 |
  | ||||
CNET editors' review
Jabra BT3030 - Bluetooth headset price range: $40.00
- Reviewed by: Nicole Lee
- Reviewed on: 08/05/2008
The good: The Jabra BT3030 is slim and lightweight, plus it has tactile and easy-to-use controls. We especially like that it has a 3.5-mm headset jack so you can use it with any headphones. It's affordable and music quality was decent.
The bad: The Jabra BT3030's call quality could be improved.
The bottom line: The Jabra BT3030 is a great, affordable option for a stereo Bluetooth headset, if you want to use your own headphones.
Now that stereo Bluetooth has become a common feature in a lot of music phones, it's no surprise that stereo Bluetooth headsets have become quite popular as well. Stereo Bluetooth headsets come in many shapes and sizes, from the behind-the-ear style of the Motorola Rokr S9 to the over-the-head style of the Jabra BT8030. The Jabra BT3030 is in the style of a pendant, or as its design suggests, more of a dog tag. It's been available for a while now, but we think it's still worth it. The Jabra BT3030 can be purchased for around $39.99. Of course like any stereo Bluetooth headset, the Jabra BT3030 requires a cell phone with the A2DP or stereo Bluetooth profile.
The Jabra BT3030 consists primarily of a small remote control unit housed in a dog-tag style pendant. Measuring 2.1-inches long by 1.6-inch wide by 0.38-inch thick, the pendant is slim and compact with a metal finish and a rubberized border all around it. All of the controls are laid out right on the front face in a straightforward grid. They are the Play/Pause key, the track shuffle keys, the volume controls, plus the multifunction Call key. The keys are all made of rubber, and are raised above the surface for a nice tactile feel. The 3.5mm headset jack is on the right spine, while the charger jack is on the bottom. On the top is an opening for an optional lanyard. Also on the top is a tiny microphone.
Getting the headset set up is pretty simple. Just power it on via the multifunction Call button, and turn on the Bluetooth pairing mode on your cell phone. We managed to pair the Jabra BT3030 with the LG Chocolate 3 without a problem. From there, we could play/pause tracks, skip songs, and adjust the volume, all from the Jabra BT3030. The Jabra BT3030 comes with nice pair of ear buds that sit comfortably in the ear, but since it has a 3.5mm headset jack, you can use any headphones of your choosing.
Aside from using the Jabra BT3030 for music, you can also use the it to make calls via the last number redial or voice command. When there's an incoming call during music playback, the music will pause and you will hear a ringing tone. You can then hit the Call button to answer the call. After you hang up, the music will resume from the paused point. Other features include call-waiting support, the ability to reject calls, plus the ability to transfer calls from the headset to the phone, and vice versa.
Sound quality was quite good, and comparable to most MP3 players on the market. The bass was a little weak, but the overall quality was decent. Call quality was mixed. While we heard our callers just fine, we did have to bring the pendant close to our mouths for callers to hear us. They reported a little bit of static and echo from us as well. This seemed to vary from caller to caller, however, so we urge you to give it a trial run before you settle for it.
The Jabra BT3030 also comes with an optional clothing clip accessory, plus an AC adapter. It has a rated battery life of 8 hours talk time, 7 hours music streaming, and 9.58 days standby time.
User reviews
-
-
I bougth this to replace my Motorola MOTOROKR ? S9 Bluetooth Headphones
by armoredcore2006 on June 19, 2008
Pros: sound quality, comfort, cool looking, cool features and great battery life.
Cons: mmm... I still havent been able to remove the lanyard lol other than that, Im loving this product!
Summary: Ok, So I have the S9 that were supposed to be sweat proof. THEY ARE NOT!!! One trip to the gym made them go bad! I was pissed to see ...
Summary: Ok, So I have the S9 that were supposed to be sweat proof. THEY ARE NOT!!! One trip to the gym made them go bad! I was pissed to see that a product that its advertised as a sweat resistant will not resist sweat at all! Anyway, back to the BT-3030. This this is has a better sound quality and are WAY more comfortable. You can actually lay down in your bed to listen to music (yay) It only takes 2 hours to charge (maybe less) and so far I am liking this product. Oh one very important thing to say about this things is that I was running the other day and guess what? the music will not get all choppy or cut off at all!!! Yes, another complain I have about the S9. Running was impossible with those. (even walking really) So, if your looking for a reasonable priced bluetooth to listen to music and still be able to answer your call, this is the one you to get. Hope this helped!
7 out of 7 users found this user opinion helpful.
-
Best I've used yet
by EMS_Jes on July 23, 2008
Pros: Compatible with ANY 3.5mm headset. Easy to stow away in your shirt. Delivers OUTSTANDING sound quality for the wearer and EXCELLENT clarity to the caller
Cons: One headset cord shorter than the other.
Summary: I have used Bluetooth technology since around 2003 or so. I was a machine gunner in the Marine Corps, and, my hearing is, now, less than acceptable. Added to that, ...
Summary: I have used Bluetooth technology since around 2003 or so. I was a machine gunner in the Marine Corps, and, my hearing is, now, less than acceptable. Added to that, my ear canal openings are rather small, as headset sizes go. And, as if all that weren't enough, I work at a sea port along the Florida coast, so...wind is a huge factor in any call I make, headset or no.
I purchased this because my hearing issues require me to use a stereo headset if I am going to use one at all. All the other Bluetooth devices I've used were pretty poor for my hearing, not to mention all the excess noise they picked up that interfered with my caller being able to hear. I also didn't want something that would require me to be attached to my phone. Having been in the Marines, and accustomed to wearing "dog tags", I figured, this was something I could at least try.
Before writing a review, I waited to see how a week's worth of use would be. Day one was greatly impressive. The sound quality was great, the ability for my caller to hear was excellent (according to them), and the comfort was perfect.
The three sets of earbud covers that come with it are VERY pliable and offered no discomfort in long term wearing. I had to go with the smallest size. I sometimes wear them in excess of 9 hours a day (in a row) and have had NO discomfort at all. The ease of it being around my neck also provides me the ability to tuck it in to my shirt. This, I thought, would be a HUGE problem.
As it turned out, it was a HUGE benefit. Working in the Port, we have a lot of wind coming through. Even if it is calm and still in town, it's windy at the Port. The nature of nature, I guess. Today, it was windy and stormy, with winds in the range of 15-35kts. I had the BT3030 tucked in to my t-shirt, under my uniform shirt. I was standing in an unprotected (from the elements)area, eying the storm for funnel clouds and the wind was quite impressive. Enough to knock you off your balance with some gusts. I was sure my call was doomed. I raised my voice to compensate for the wind, and heard my caller ask, "Why are you yelling?" I could hear the wind buffeting against both ears, standing in the wind head on. I covered my ears, and asked if they could hear me clearly, and without the background noise of the wind. Their response was, "Just like you were sitting right next to me. Why?" I found this to be overtly impressive. I have had the same experience during calls I've made on the beach near my house as well. If I raise the volume on the device to compensate for my portion of the wind:sound issue, all is well.
Admittedly, outside of my shirt, the caller was deafened by the wind sounds. I have also had no issues at 70 miles per hour, with the windows open, on the interstate.
The buttons are easy to manipulate, and well sized and spaced. The headset is interchangeable in case you want to move to a higher quality headset, though, these seem to be just fine. To test this, I plugged my computer headphones in to the device, and it worked perfectly.
The convenience of being able to tuck the device out of my shirt, and, out of the way was very beneficial to me, as I am often climbing in and out of tractor trailers to due inspections at a security check point. The headphones only offer one problem to me, and that is the new design that seems to be catching on. The cord for the left ear bud is definitively shorter than the one for the right. I've noticed it as a trend over the last year or so. I don't get it, but, I don't like it. Although, I would not call it a design "flaw", it is bothersome to me.
The battery life, at least in the first week, has proven to be quite impressive. After the first full charge (which took about an hour after opening the package) I talked to friends and family for about the next 8 hours. It was my day off, and no, I don't spend that much time on the phone on a regular basis, but, I do spend a lot. Thus the comfort concern I had in a device.
Again, outside of the shirt, in an open environment, the background noise is an issue. However, walking around my house with it out presented no real problems, until I ran the water in the kitchen sink, at which time the caller heard NOTHING I said, and asked something about me being at a waterfall, etc, etc.
Given the reasonable price ($64.95 or so from Amazon.com, including expedited shipping), ease of use, compact size and easily tucked away, battery life, and sound quality and clarity for both me and my caller...I have no issues with this device what so ever, save the ear bud cord thing. Again, maybe that issue is just a "me thing".
Jabra has, on this device at least, raised the bar for overall performance and quality of a stereo style device.
If my opinion changes over time, I will edit this post and make note of it.Updated
I still love this thing. I agree that the optional "clip" is "a tad flimsy". And, that's being gracious. It's pretty much useless. The lanyard comes apart fairly simply with a good tug, and, I did this to apply a dog-tag chain protector (like I wore on my dog-tags in the Marine Corps). It keeps the chain from grabbing hair, etc, and is simply a flexible tube of clear(ish) plastic that the chain slides in to.
I have found that as either the battery on my phone (AT&T 8525), or, on my BT3030 wears down, the distance of operation degrades. DRAMATICALLY! I have found, that after about 2-3 hours of use, even with my phone plugged in, the distance at which the device has viable operation can be less than 3 feet.
That having been said, I would have given it a considerably lower rating. However, to be fair, I live and work near the Cape Canaveral Air Force Station (CCAFS) and the Kennedy Space Center (KSC) in Central Florida. I live in Cape Canaveral, and, the signal here (though AT&T claims it is 3G( is the E (Edge) Network, on a good day. The equipment at both KSC and CCAFS have the ability to create monumental problems with cell phone, and I would presume, wireless devices in and near the area. Nextel shares and IdenNet frequency with NASA and causes for huge issues with their network in this area. Until I can get away from the area, and test the device for a few days, I have to lower the rating, in fairness to potential consumers who may read this. The first day I used the device at work, I was able to set my phone on top of a chair, outside, and walk about 30 yards from my phone, with NO signal degradation at all. Very impressive. However, now, I am finding, that as time wears on (battery life is averaging about 6 full hours of talk time, and that's 6 hours of CONSTANT talk time).
If I find the device fairs better in a less electronically congested area, great, I'll make note of it here. But to be fair to the point of these reviews, I had to change it. I still think it is the BEST Bluetooth device I have EVER used.2 out of 2 users found this user opinion helpful.
-
Wonderful Stereo Bluetooth Headset
by Kaye Esse on April 11, 2008
Pros: Convenient Size, Good Sound, Easy to Use
Cons: Optional clip is a tad flimsy.
Summary: I like the dog tag design for two things: You can keep up with it easy and it is not bulky, heavy, or big. (I returned the Motoral S9 for ...
Summary: I like the dog tag design for two things: You can keep up with it easy and it is not bulky, heavy, or big. (I returned the Motoral S9 for that reason) The headphones that come with it have pretty good sound for music. If you have a favorite pair you can use those if they are 3.5mm. The only minor flaw I find with this device is that the mic is on the dog tag; which if you are small like me when it is around your neck it hangs too low and if you're outside your callers won't be able to hear you well. The optional clip is the savior to that because you can clip it on your collar but, the clip is not that sturdy. Although you could also shorten the chain with wire cutters.
All around great device. Perfect if you ride public transportation (you can rest your head back without a bulky power pack in the way) and want to listen to music and be able to answer the phone without having to get it out of your bag or pocket.2 out of 2 users found this user opinion helpful.
-
Great triple-purpose Bluetooth device!
by KI4LIV on February 24, 2009
Pros: Small and light. Wear it under your shirt. Sound quality is excellent!
Cons: None that I have found.
Summary: I was given this item by a co-worker who got it for his kid. His kid didn't think it met his "cool" image, so, he took it back from ...
Summary: I was given this item by a co-worker who got it for his kid. His kid didn't think it met his "cool" image, so, he took it back from his kid and gave it to me.
I use it to listen to music when I am at the gym, running, or biking.
I use it when I am in a noisy room where I wouldn't normally be able to hear someone I am on the line with. The included earbuds do an excellent job of sealing your ear so that outside noise is blocked out. Lets put it this way - with these on and nothing playing through them, it's almost as quiet as it is when I am wearing my hearing protection at the pistol range!
Third use that I have found for these - as a bluetooth "dongle" for my car stereo!
I hooked up a 12 inch stereo patch cable from the earphone jack on the "Dog tag" to my AUX input on my car stereo, then I stream audio over the internet to my cell phone, which is then played through the car stereo - works AWESOME!
The co-worker saw that I did that trick with the stereo and is now wishing he had thought of that! He would have never of given them to me !
After having used these for a week now, I would buy another one if this one was lost or stolen!1 out of 1 users found this user opinion helpful.
-
Best I have found!
by stevenp166 on October 27, 2008
Pros: Nice audio, sleek way to wear them, loudest I have found and super easy to operate. Love the chain or you can just clip it on your shirt. Music is very clear!
Cons: This is only cuzz I like my music loud! Could be just a tad louder and I mean a tad, most people would like the volume which I also do it's just me I like it very loud!
Summary: Tryed many of them and these are the loudest I have found. I use them when working out and they work pretty awesome!
Summary: Tryed many of them and these are the loudest I have found. I use them when working out and they work pretty awesome!
1 out of 1 users found this user opinion helpful.
-
Just OK. That's it. Just OK.
by cab6v on October 6, 2008
Pros: Doesn't look as toolish as other headsets if you put the dogtag under your shirt. Cool to have stereo headset for music.
Cons: Call quality is not very good on either end - has a constant low hissing. It is ok sometimes, but people on the other end hear clicking in the background even if I'm not moving. On top of that, the lanyard causes clicking for listener if you move.
Summary: It would be fine if the call quality wasn't so fair to average. In order to conduct calls for business that don't make my clients not want to ...
Summary: It would be fine if the call quality wasn't so fair to average. In order to conduct calls for business that don't make my clients not want to talk to me, I'm going to have to get a real headset - probably the Blue Ant V1. If not for its music ability, this thing would be pretty useless. With the music ability and its ability to go incognito and not make me look like a bluetooth dork, it's only an "ok" product.
1 out of 1 users found this user opinion helpful.
-
Great Bluetooth Headset!
by dj_lexy01 on August 7, 2008
Pros: Cool dog tag! Love the design! Very easy to use!
Cons: You can't hear anything when you use both earpiece. They're like ear plugs, which is a good thing cause all I want to hear is my music. If you don't want it to be like that, then lower the volume or just use a single earpiece.
Summary: I bought this bluetooth headset because of many reasons..
I want to get a bluetooth that I can use for listening to music
I don't like an ear clip ...Summary: I bought this bluetooth headset because of many reasons..
I want to get a bluetooth that I can use for listening to music
I don't like an ear clip style that will make me look like an alien or something
and I love the design!
The voice quality is great!
It is very easy to use..just connect it then you're ready to go1 out of 1 users found this user opinion helpful.
-
Been through MANY stereo bluetooths. Best so far!
by mjrei1 on November 16, 2009
Pros: Good to great stereo sound. Good battery life. Use with any headphones!!! Very affordable.
Cons: Volume about 2 clicks from perfect. Otherwise perfect.
Summary: I currently own many stereo bluetooth headsets and have reviewed most of them here on CNET. The Jabra BT3030 is my favorite all-around to date. So much so that I'...
Summary: I currently own many stereo bluetooth headsets and have reviewed most of them here on CNET. The Jabra BT3030 is my favorite all-around to date. So much so that I've purchased a total of 3 BT3030's! (That's saying alot as I own some of the best--Altec Lansing Backbeat 906, Jaybird JB200, Plantronics 855.) What makes BT3030 so good?
- Price: $30-$40 new online.
- Sound Quality: Good to very good.
- Battery Life: 7-12 hrs of music.
- Functionality: Super functional.
The only negative is a minor one, and that is some of my lower volume mp3's aren't as loud as I'd like. So, occasionally, I wish I could bump up the volume 1 to 2 notches... not a big deal.
To keep this review short, let me just say that overall the BT3030 beats the competition hands down. I still own but no longer use my other more expensive stereo bluetooth headsets.
I've paired my BT3030 with Shure SE210 headphones and together they sound fantastic! They appear as if they were made for each other as the Shure's cable length is short (all Shure headphones come with super short cables, and include longer cable extensions that are unnecessary with the BT3030) and similar in length to to Jabra headphones that come with the device. Functionality is second to none. The unit clips on my t-shirt collar under any dress shirt, hidden from view but where the mic works perfectly. During business use I put in only 1 earbud which makes it less noticeable than any standard bluetooth headset. After work at the gym I pop in the other earbud and I've got fantastic stereo sound!
At $40 bucks each, I've got several and I NEVER EVER run out of battery! So small extras are easy to carry in a pocket.
Some of the negative comments about the microphone are lost on me. I'm very picky about performance and I've yet to have anything but compliments on the call quality from the listeners on the other end of a call.
All things considered, pair the BT3030 with quality earbuds and there is no competition for the money in stereo bluetooth headsets. Not only that but the geek factor is nonexistent as these look like a standard earbud(s) vs. others that look like Frankenstien bolts or worse, ear muffs! Most of the time people don't know I've got a bluetooth phone connection, let alone a stereo music connection! There are many stereo bluetooth devices but none surpass the value, functionality and performance of the Jabra BT3030. -
THE Best BT Solution!
by Jouten_Za on October 5, 2009
Pros: Design is perfect. No 'Dork' factor. Good battery life. Excellent call and music sound quality.
Cons: The 'clip' is worthless, but I don't use it anyway.
Summary: I had my doubts about this BT headset, I have tried many so I went in with pretty low expectations.
I am pleased that these headphones perform phenomenally in music ...Summary: I had my doubts about this BT headset, I have tried many so I went in with pretty low expectations.
I am pleased that these headphones perform phenomenally in music and calls.
I absolutely love the design. I like that I can use whatever headphones I choose. I also love that I can play my music from my phone to the 2.1 speakers I have. It's an awesome feeling knowing you can use it that way too.
Apparently from another review states you can stream audio too. I believe it.
I will more than likely get one for my wife too. She even thinks it's 'cool'.
Thanks Jabra, I didn't think you would impress me, but you did. -
Sounds like am radio circa 1950
by weeeze11 on August 11, 2009
Pros: Cheap got it for $25. Most of the features work w/ the iPhone.
Cons: FF & FR don't work w/ iPhone. No bass for music.
Summary: The sound through is so steped on that my Ultimate Ears sound like airline headphomes
Summary: The sound through is so steped on that my Ultimate Ears sound like airline headphomes
Specifications
- Manufacturer: Jabra
- Part number: 100-93030000-02
- Description: Bluetooth just got cool thanks to the BT3030. Not only does it look good, it sounds great. Finally a product that lets you listen to music from your mobile - without damaging your style! BT3030 plays music from any enabled device such as mobile phone and Mp3 player. Play, pause, skip - remote control your music without touching your mobile. Yep, that?s right - no wires! No need for phone envy - keep it in your pocket! When a call comes in, your tune pauses and the call connects. A microphone in the dog tag picks your voice up, loud and clear. No hands, no missed calls. The dog tag design keeps the wearing style simple. But if it doesn?t fit your wardrobe, use the optional clip. Your belt, your bag, your pants - you choose the look, you choose the style.
General
- Product Type Headset - Bluetooth 2.0 EDR
- Weight 1.1 oz
- Recommended Use Cellular phone
Headphones
- Headphones Type Headphones - Binaural
- Headphones Form Factor Ear-bud
- Headphones Technology Dynamic
- Connectivity Technology Wireless - Bluetooth 2.0 EDR
- Bluetooth Profiles Advanced Audio Distribution Profile (A2DP), Audio/Video Remote Control Profile (AVRCP)
- Sound Output Mode Stereo
- Impedance 16 Ohm
Microphone
- Microphone Operation Mode Mono
Remote Control
- Type Remote control
- Supported Devices Cellular phone, Digital player
Wireless Link
- Transmission Range 33 ft
Connections
- Connector Type 1 x DC power input
Miscellaneous
- Included Accessories Lanyard, Clothing clip
Power
- Battery Headset battery - Rechargeable
- Run Time (Up To) 8 hour(s)
- Standby Time 230 hour(s)
Manufacturer Warranty
- Service & Support 2 years warranty
- Service & Support Details Limited warranty - 2 years
Manufacturer info
- Jabra
- Manufacturer profile
- Browse Jabra products on Shopper.com
-
- Website: http://www.jabra.com
- Address:
77 Northeastern Blvd., Nashua, NH 03062 - Phone: (603) 598-1100
- Fax: 603- 598-1122
