New Bee Bluetooth Earpiece

I could just as easily given this 4 stars...my real grade is a 3.5 star. It's mediocre, but it's solid enough that it's very good for the price. It's been a while since I had to buy a bluetooth earpiece, and I was pretty disappointed in the selection. I realize not many people use these anymore, but I don't like the 2-ear headphone option, and I don't like talking on my car's bluetooth. I was prepared to spend on a "good one" this go-around, but found almost none that consistently performed well and people really seemed to like. I considered buying a $200 one but even that had such mixed reviews when I looked at the most recent reviews. This one seemed solid at worst, so I figured I'd get it and maybe keep looking for a great one (which I didn't lol). This thing is a little bigger and thicker than it needs to be, but not by much. And once you get it connected, it's solid. Sound quality is fine and I never ever lose connection. Volume isn't the loudest but typically good enough. Where it's terrible is if it's off and you want to turn it on and answer an incoming call. Every other bluetooth in my life (a lot) has automatically connect to the call within a few seconds. Not this thing. Ever. It'll take a few seconds, then connect for a few seconds, that go mute again. Then nowhere for a few seconds...not on bluetooth or your phone. Absolutely maddening if you even try, and I learned not to. So I either leave it on, or I answer on my iphone. Maybe I just stay on speaker, or if I know it's a lengthy conversation, I ask if I can call them right back. If there's no incoming call activity, I can turn on the bluetooth and it will connect in 10 seconds or so, and then I'm fine. But it took a little getting used to, having to plan around not being able to just turn it on and take a call. And frankly it's annoying as hell I have to, and the reason for only 3 stars. Borderline ridiculous with tech today. But once you get past that, it performs well and consistently. Certainly worth the $30 or whatever I paid for it. Even if you have it as a dependable backup and look for something better.