Jabra CRUISER2 Bluetooth In Car Speakerphone

The Jabra Cruiser 2 is one of many hands-free Bluetooth products brought out by Jabra. The in-car speakerphone allows the user to safely answer and make hands-free calls whilst driving. To set up the speakerphone, the unit needs to first be charged up for just 2 hours (an impressively quick charging time), either via the included USB cable into a PC (or something similar), or plugged into the cigarette lighter of a running car.

Once charged, the device is turned on by a simple flip of a switch and then a voice automatically guides the user through how to link it up with a mobile phone via their Bluetooth capabilities. This literally takes around a minute. Once done, the speakerphone is good to go.

The flexible metal grip on the underside of the speakerphone allows the device to be clipped on to a cars sun-visor (drivers side is recommended). Once attached the unit can be used unconnected for up to 14 hours of talk time, or for 20 days on standby (impressive huh?). However, should you need to charge up the speakerphone in the car then the unit can be plugged into the cigarette lighter and it will begin charging again (although you may need to reposition it away from the sun-visor during charging to avoid getting entangled in the dangling power cord).

The unit has very well positioned (and easy to identify whilst on the move) buttons located on the outward facing-side of the speakerphone. In the centre is the 'answer/end call' button, to the left and right are the volume controls, and in the middle-and-back is the ever so handy 'mute' button. Apart from the radio button and the 'on/off' switch which are both located on the side, that's it!

The volume and clarity of calls on the device is superb. Even in heavy rain, driving on noisy tarmac, or in dense traffic, the clarity of the calls is incredible. Incoming calls ring twice and then the device informs you of the number calling. The speakerphone can also have up to 1,000 contacts transferred and stored on to it, which will then inform the user who is calling before they answer (if your mobile phone has this capability).

The speakerphone can work on voice activation as well as announcing your contacts names as long as your mobile phone has these inbuilt capabilities. The best way to check whether your phone will be able to make full use of the speakerphone is to check the required specs on the Jabra website.

All in all, this is a very easy to use and well designed piece of equipment to make peoples lives just that little bit easier (and possibly safer). The unit is strong, sturdy and discreet, with simple easy to locate operating buttons. The call clarity is nothing short of superb, and when combined with a mobile phone that allows for voice functionality, the speakerphone delivers a completely hands-free experience.

I bought the cruiser 2 after having bought just about every other portable bluetooth/fm transit handsfree out there and returned them in disgust at the fact that other people simply could not hear me if i was doing any more than 20mph due to the terrible noise cancellation in the devices..I genuinely have tried all of the cruiser 2's competitors and been unimpressed by them all. I fully expected the cruiser 2 to be just as disappointing, and had steeled myself to having to buy a parrot hard-wire in system after another let down- I could not have been more wrong! The jabra works incredibly well. i charged it and took it out for a test drive, and after phoning a friend, discovered that no matter what I did, he could hear me perfectly at his end, up to and including doing 80 mph with the windows wound down! The FM broadcast is clear and strong- i think other people may have occasional problems because the device does not always pick the most appropriate channel first and you can get some crackle in the transmission. if this happens, just press the + volume button for 3 seconds and it will scan up through the frequencies till it finds a better channel. I have never had the slightest bit of interest in writing a review for anything I've bought on amazon before, it really isn't me..however, I was so impressed with this device after having been let down by all of it's contemporaries, i felt a little bit compelled to try and help anyone else who might be wading through the quagmire of sub standard rubbish pick this one first instead of making innumerable trips to the post office as i did to return low grade christmas cracker toys to their creators..

This Jabra CRUISER2 works with Bluetooth mobile phones, and once paired the Jabra can remember up to 7 mobile phones. Although it's got a perfectly good loudspeaker you can pair the unit to your car's FM radio as well, either for playing your phones MP3s or the voice call. Things like 'reject call', 'call on hold', 'redail' or 'voice dialing' are dependent on your phones abilities, but things like 'answer call', 'mute' and 'end call', night driving mode and adjust volume are standard. The Jabra even talks you through pairing your phone and passengers can access the device as well - the unit has a range of 10m [33 feet] and the rechargable battery lasts for 14 hours [recharge by a USB connection from a PC via the supplied USB cable or the 12v cigar lighter cord]. The unit attaches to the sun visor near your head. The Jabra also boasts 'Dual Microphone technology', 'Voice Announcements', and a Status display. It's size is L 65 mm x W 130 mm x H 19 mm and it Weighs 85 grams. Full charging time is 2 hours.

To operate the Jabra you push the big plate on the top - left/right for volume and the middle is the answer/end button. To pair you just set the mobile phone to find the Jabra. There's a mute button in the speaker grill and an FM transmit and on/off switch on the side of the unit. All other commands are tapped into the answer/end button [i.e. tap, double tap, press (1s) and press & hold (5s)]. There's also four little icon status LEDs: [battery status, call status, connection status, FM status], that can be switched off in night mode. Although no substitute for a wired connection, the music FM transmitter to the radio is as good as any I've used [main problem is when you move to different locations a weak FM radio station might start to interfere].

So whats it like to use. I got this Jasbra Cruiser 2 for my sister for Christmas, and she loves it. She says it was really easy to set up [her hubby connected her Blackberry and Apple iPhone via bluetooth quickly], it sounds very clear and it's easy to use. It also sounds clear to those on the landline back home. Plus it looks good. So it was hit and 5*. Go to Jasbra's website to ensure your bluetooth phone model is compatible. Many months on my brother-in-law commentated how good this Jabra Cruiser2 is [others he has tried weren't great]: "The Cruiser 2 connects quickly when you entering the car, it's easy to use, looks good and sounds clear when listening to".