Bluetooth Reception Inconsistency - any ideas? (FIXED)

[JoshMcD]

First let me say thank you to those of you who have put so much into this forum and site. I have gleaned much from the questions, answers, and wiki for many months now, and there has always been an answer for my problems (or the explaination why it just won't work). However, I have run into an issue that I would like some input on.

I have an XDA IIs with the latest full ROM update from O2 (not a cooked ROM), with the following ROM specs:

ROM: 1.40.00 WWE
Radio: 1.12.00
ExtROM: 1.40.237 (Corporate Installation)
Broadcom BT Stack: 1.0.0 Build 3900 w/ optional patch for HQ Audio & keyboard

I use bluetooth for both a GPS device and a Motorola HS-850 hands-free headset. I have no reception issues whatsoever with my GPS device. I can also connect and use both devices simulataneously. However, I encounter some strange anomalies with the HS-850. When I am in my car or in a room in my house, the reception is fine within 10 feet. I can hear the other party, and they can hear me clearly without static. However, if I am outside or in a larger room of my house, the quality diminishes greatly, even to the point where neither me nor the other party is discernable. I wear the leather case included with the XDA IIs on my belt, and whether in or out of the case, the quality remains the same in both scenarios. The only way I can get the reception to be acceptable outside is to hold the phone within 1 foot of my headset.

I have read most of the posts and all the wiki regarding the Blue Angel's bluetooth capacity (or lack thereof), and I do not have the disconnect issue that others have discussed in this forum. My question is: have others experienced similar issues, and is it typical for the environment (closed vs. open) to have such a drastic change on bluetooth capability? It is almost as if the bluetooth reception is dependent upon whether or not the signal can be "held" within a room or vehicle. To make it stranger, I can leave my phone in the car during a call, close the car door, and walk around the car and retain an excellent signal and carry on conversations without any problem.

Any ideas or thoughts would be appreciated. I have not upgraded my ROM to the latest available Blue Angel ROM as the updates do not seem to have affected this issue specifically, and my PDA/phone works perfectly apart from this one issue. If anyone thinks this would help, I would be interested in updating.

Thanks for your time to read and consider my dilemma.

[JoshMcD]

I just wanted to update everyone.

I was able to acquire a Motorola HS-820 headset. After pairing, it worked much better than the HS-850. One comment from a friend was that it is "400% better than the other headset." The 820 is also a little louder, which makes it nice on my end as well.

I can now use my headset in and outdoors without losing or dropping my voice. Occasionaly it will break up when something gets between the phone and the headset, but for the most part, the headset works perfect even outside of direct line of sight.

So for all of you out there trying to decide on a headset, my recommendation is to try one that is known to work and then experiment if it doesn't. There were many on this forum who recommended the HS-850, and I purchased mine per their recommendation. Unfortunately, it didn't work well with my Blue Angel. After getting the HS-820, it worked very well, and I am now happy with the bluetooth capabilities of my XDA IIs.

On the other hand, I have also read on this site about those who have done the opposite of what I have: began with the HS-820 and moved up to the HS-850 due to problems with the HS-820. As we can see from the testimonies of many on this site, the Blue Angel's bluetooth capability is quite variable.

Thanks again to all those who have helped on this site. It is an excellent resource that I intend to pool from for a while to come.

BTW: I did not update the ROM at all during this time. I am still running the same config as posted above.