Review: XAct XG2500 earbud phone

December 24 2004

In keeping with the blatant commercial spirit of the next few hours ;), and the fact that I continue to be one of the top 5 google results for searches for this product....
Regular readers know that, despite vowe's pronouncement that it is "ugly", I've been keen to acquire an XAct XG2500 "earbud phone" since first reading about it in Wired in June.  When it first appeared online at US$130, I felt it was too expensive.  More recently, I found it online for only $90, which seemed like a fair price.  Thus, it was acquired and arrived here just before my vacation travels.
I haven't had too much occasion to try the phone out yet, but I have taken a few calls with it so far.  As a phone, it works fine.  I'll concur with the comments on my original blog entry that the microphone is super-sensitive, and that friction between the phone and the wearer's face will cause static-like noise.  Thus, it takes some adjustment to find a comfortable wearing position for the phone.  In the end, it is not dissimilar to many mobile phone bluetooth-type headsets.
What really surprised me when I opened the box is how small the phone really is.  I realize that is the whole point, but having never seen it until it arrived here in person, there's a bit of a wow factor.  Here is a photo of the phone which I hope will show its scale.  Yes, that's a Pop Tart on the left -- It was nearby when I took the picture, so why not?  On the right is my standard business card.


Image:Review: XAct XG2500 earbud phone

The XG2500 is definitely a lightweight and portable phone, which is the main reason I wanted it.  I spend a lot of time moving around my home office during the day.  I usually use a headset anyway, but now I'll be free of having to carry a base unit and cord around with that headset.
It's not a great picture, but you get the idea here:
Image:Review: XAct XG2500 earbud phone
The thing I'll have to see yet is how bad the 2.4GHz interference is with my new laptop's wifi.  It surely would be nice to be able to use them both at once, but my expectations are low.  Further, since occasionally I do wander over to the kitchen to start the microwave, which also emits harmonics at 2.4 GHz... well, that's a lot of potential frequency conflict.
The phone lacks for bells and whistles -- no speed dial, mute, etc.  But for its particular purpose -- a wearable cordless phone -- I'm pleased to have less to carry around and keep track of during the work day.

Ed Brill | Highland Park, IL USA Category:  Toys  Add/View Comments [18]

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  1. 1  Volker Weber http://vowe.net/about.php | 12/25/2004 5:00:05 AM

    Now that I have seen it's size, I would say, it is too tiny to be ugly. ;-)

  1. 2  Henning Heinz  | 12/25/2004 6:12:40 AM

    At least you just qualified for Matrix IV.

  1. 3  Gayle  | 12/25/2004 11:44:55 AM

    "Can you hear me now?"

  1. 4  Bruce Elgort http://www.bruceelgort.com | 12/25/2004 1:50:10 PM

    @Gayle,

    I think you meant "Can you ear me now?"

    :-)

  1. 5  mugadafino  | 12/25/2004 2:10:08 PM

    The Brill factor ... :)

  1. 6  Richard Schwartz http://smokey.rhs.com/web/blog/rhs.nsf | 12/26/2004 12:05:43 AM

    Oh, I know! Here: { Link }

    Or the action figure version: { Link }

    -rich

  1. 7  Bruce http://www.bruceelgort.com | 12/26/2004 10:40:29 PM

    Either your business card grew or pop-tarts have shrunk.

  1. 8    | 12/27/2004 12:22:32 AM

    Now all you need is the kung fu grip..

  1. 9  Chris Miller http://www.IdoNotes.com | 12/27/2004 10:57:09 AM

    I am more concerned with the topping and choice of what Pop Tart Ed is eating to care about the little inplanted phone in his head

  1. 10  Mike Lazar  | 12/29/2004 1:07:14 PM

    I'm with Bruce and Chris. That Pop Tart looks tiny! Is that a knock-off brand Pop-Tart? Also, I'm partial to Strawberry filled frosted ones. The big debate is, toasted or untoasted?

  1. 11  Ed Brill www.edbrill.com | 12/29/2004 1:41:11 PM

    That is a genuine Kellogg's Pop-Tart (tm). It is the new chocolate chip cookie dough flavor. Too sweet for me.

    I agree, the fruit-filled ones are better. Toasted is the only way to go, but not microwaved...and definitely not "frozen" as the marketing for this new flavor suggests.

  1. 12  Linus Langer  | 12/29/2004 1:50:55 PM

    I would like to hear what this phone sounds like on the other end...

    Could you call me on it?

    Tks!

    507-663-1798

  1. 13  Rich Carlson  | 9/5/2005 7:47:52 PM

    Just got one myself -- tiny bugger -- does not fit well on the face -- I put a piece of tape around the ear piece before inserting it to help stabilize it, and cut a little piece of rubber and taped it to the mic boom, so it hits my face so people can still hear me talking. Range is not great -- about 30 feet. Sound is not great - tinny and low, even with the volume on "high". It is amazing how small it is, but I'm not giving up my desk phone yet (although I have taken the headset off of it). Interesting that Pop-tarts seemed to recieve more comment than the phone :)

  1. 14  Rich Carlson  | 9/5/2005 7:51:35 PM

    PS Paid $75 at x10.com - do a yahoo search for similar deals

    { Link }

  1. 15  Sri  | 10/20/2005 8:36:16 AM

    How many hours of talk time at a single charge?.. I am assuming.. it is re-chargable?...

  1. 16  Ed Brill www.edbrill.com | 10/20/2005 9:14:02 AM

    Honestly, the charge has gotten very poor over time... now only holds about 30 minutes.

  1. 17  Muhlyssa  | 12/28/2007 8:59:42 AM

    { Link }

  1. 18  Susan  | 2/14/2009 10:56:29 PM

    This model has been on the market 5 *YEARS*?

    This is the 1st I've ever heard of it.