Introduction: Jabra BT3030 Stereo Bluetooth Headset Mod
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About: I know... I should really post something of my own instead of commenting on everyone else's. Problem is, I'm a SITCOM. (Single Income, Two Children, Oppressive Mortgage) Not a whole lot of time to spend on wha…
This is my first instructable. As a lot of people do, I was not expecting to do an 'ible on this so I did't get intermediate step pictures. It is not real hard to see what I've done.
I have been looking for a while for a Bluetooth stereo headset that is comfortable and convenient. I didn't like the around the head style as I would be wearing it almost all the time. I started looking for the pendant style I finally settled on.
I found this Jabra BT3030 dog tag style headset. I haven't seen it anywhere here in the US. I read some pretty good reviews on it. So I found it on eBay for about $26 including shipping from Hong Kong to Largo, FL. It's probably a knock-off, but it does the job superbly.
I Tried the included dog tag ball chain lanyard that came with it. I didn't like the bulkiness with the extra phone cord. So I decided to mod it. (if you can't open it you don't own it)
I bought a nice set of earbuds from CompUSA (local brick and mortar store) You can also find them pretty cheap on eBay. The ones I got are the Skullcandy ink'd earbuds. At first I was appalled with the quality. I found that you have to give them a chance to break-in. Now they sound great with eardrum rattling deep bass and good mids and highs.
I have been looking for a while for a Bluetooth stereo headset that is comfortable and convenient. I didn't like the around the head style as I would be wearing it almost all the time. I started looking for the pendant style I finally settled on.
I found this Jabra BT3030 dog tag style headset. I haven't seen it anywhere here in the US. I read some pretty good reviews on it. So I found it on eBay for about $26 including shipping from Hong Kong to Largo, FL. It's probably a knock-off, but it does the job superbly.
I Tried the included dog tag ball chain lanyard that came with it. I didn't like the bulkiness with the extra phone cord. So I decided to mod it. (if you can't open it you don't own it)
I bought a nice set of earbuds from CompUSA (local brick and mortar store) You can also find them pretty cheap on eBay. The ones I got are the Skullcandy ink'd earbuds. At first I was appalled with the quality. I found that you have to give them a chance to break-in. Now they sound great with eardrum rattling deep bass and good mids and highs.
Step 1: The Mod
1. Here is the mod:
2. Gently prize open the earbuds first to make sure I could do it esthetically.
3. Again gently, removed the skullcandy logo'd cable keeper. I actually slid it down to about and inch from the plug end. I put a drop of CA (superglue) on the cable then slid it into place.
4. Split the cable down to the top of that.
5. Put a small 1/2 inch piece of fuel tubing (new, from another hobby) on so the cables will cross behind the neck and reach comfortably to the opposite ear. The fuel tubing is snug on the cable so it will be adjustable if needed. I made the "lanyard" section just big enough to slip over my melon.
6. Feed the cable into the earbud and tied a securing knot close to the end.
7. Strip and re-solder the cables to the earbuds.
8. Then close the earbuds with more CA.
2. Gently prize open the earbuds first to make sure I could do it esthetically.
3. Again gently, removed the skullcandy logo'd cable keeper. I actually slid it down to about and inch from the plug end. I put a drop of CA (superglue) on the cable then slid it into place.
4. Split the cable down to the top of that.
5. Put a small 1/2 inch piece of fuel tubing (new, from another hobby) on so the cables will cross behind the neck and reach comfortably to the opposite ear. The fuel tubing is snug on the cable so it will be adjustable if needed. I made the "lanyard" section just big enough to slip over my melon.
6. Feed the cable into the earbud and tied a securing knot close to the end.
7. Strip and re-solder the cables to the earbuds.
8. Then close the earbuds with more CA.
Step 2: The Result
Now I have a combination earbud/lanyard setup. The BT xmitter is small and light enough that it doesn't pull too much on the cables or weight down the neck. I hardly notice it's there. If I'm not wearing the earbud in my ear I can quickly stuff it in and answer the phone without pulling the phone out of my pocket. I can adjust the volume, skip to the next or previous song, answer the phone or stop/start music. The sound quality is pretty damned good too.
I can wear it inside or outside my shirt or a combination of the two. I actually like the combination the best. I put the lanyard around the outside of my collar and tuck the xmitter inside the shirt. After you get familiar with the button layout you can easily press them through the shirt. It also comes with a clip that attaches to the back of the xmitter so you can clip it inside of a jacket or pocket or even to the neck of a tee shirt.
I can wear it inside or outside my shirt or a combination of the two. I actually like the combination the best. I put the lanyard around the outside of my collar and tuck the xmitter inside the shirt. After you get familiar with the button layout you can easily press them through the shirt. It also comes with a clip that attaches to the back of the xmitter so you can clip it inside of a jacket or pocket or even to the neck of a tee shirt.