Actually reviewing the 2.5mm model for cellphones...
Written: Sep 22 '05 (Updated Sep 22 '05)
|
Product Rating:
|
|
|
Pros: No more cord slack; price; neat-o factor
Cons: So-so sound; no clip - why?
The Bottom Line: 5 for design, 3 for performance - 4 is fair. Get these if you need a cheap, decent pair of 2.5mm buds!
|
|
|
| dominickalcid's Full Review: Keyspan ZIP-LINQ Retractable Cable (k-zip-audio-cd... |
Name: Ziplinq Stereo Headset 2.5 mm Micro/submini Plug
Item#: ZIP-AUDIO-CD6
I bought this item as a replacement for the earbuds that came with my Audiovox SMT5600 smartphone (read my epionion!). The supplied earbuds are OK, but I needed something that was for music only (the supplied buds have a mic - this ZipLinq does not).
I ordered from an e-tailer and got the shipment in about 3 days via UPS, $7.99 for the buds, 4.99 for shipping. This makes the cost of these very specialized earbuds (2.5mm not the usual 3.5) quite a bargain.
The packaging was secure, it comes in the same plastic packaging that regular headphones come in. After fishing out the product, I was amazed at how simple this thing is - you simultaneously pull both ends (plug side, and buds side), pull to the desired length (there are no infinite lengths - in actuality, there are segmented lengths that you feel with 'clicks') and voila: earbuds on a retractable cord. To release pull outward again slightly and the cord snaps back to carrying position, like a tape measure. Looks? Black wire, black hub with Zipling paper logo glued to both sides.
Details from my e-tailer's site:
* 2.5mm SubMini Stereo Plug
* Stereo Earbuds
* Expands from 4" to 48"
* gold plug
REAL WORLD USE
They lack a bit of power. I crank up my phone's volume to 70 (out of 100) to listen to tunes when I would actually be at 30-35 on the supplied buds. Nothing major, I just have to crank the juice. I am not looking for audiophile quality since it is music from my phone afterall and these are indeed 8-dollar earphones. For what you get, they sound just fine. I should also mention that the bud-part of the earphones will not fit perfectly in your ear - fact. I had to cover the buds with those foam covers you see on every other bud out there. Now, nice and snug...
You get used to the pulling and retracting quickly, but one thing they forgot was a clip for the hub to attach to your shirt or what-have-you. Without one, the hub will pull the buds out of your ears since the hub is relatively heavy. To solve this problem, I put the hub in my shirt pocket - but what do you do when you have no pocket...
All in all, great product that fills a need. I expect the next generation of these buds to be great; I'd get an improved version even if they jacked the price to $20-25. The retraction thing is just oh-so functional...
Thanks for reading!
Recommended:
Yes
|
|
|
|
Epinions.com ID:
dominickalcid
|
|
Member: Dominick Alcid
Location: DC Metro - USA
Reviews written: 17
Trusted by: 2 members
|
|
|
- Add to My Yahoo!: 
- Add to Google Homepage: 
© 1999-2009 Shopping.com, Inc.