Jabra has been churning out some really cool stuff lately, especially in the premium part of the spectrum. We came out mighty impressed with the recent Jabra REVO Wireless and Jabra Play headsets (do check out our reviews). Released at the same time as the Jabra Play is the dog tag-style Jabra TAG. Much thanks to the folks at Jabra, we get to clip on a TAG and bring it for a test run.
Also read: [Review] Jabra Play
And: [Review] Jabra REVO Wireless
Design and Build
Typical of Jabra, the design of the Jabra TAG is unique. The TAG is sleek, light and slim; keeping you connected while staying out of the way. The way it’s designed gives you flexibility in how you want to wear it. Wear it as a lanyard round your neck, keep it safe in your pocket or use as a clip on.
The minimalist design houses several buttons on the front. The first button on the front side is a multi-functional button that turns the TAG on or off; activate Bluetooth to connect to your Bluetooth enabled device; Play/Pause music; Make/Answer/End/Reject calls; and redialing the last number called.
A pair of forward and backwards buttons gives you the ability to skip music tracks or do a FM channel search. The last button on the front face is a FM radio button.
On the right side of theTAG are volume buttons which can also mute/unmute the mic.
At the top is a 3.5mm audio jack that also houses a special jack connector that enables it to be pendant-style round your neck. And because it is a standard 3.5mm audio jack, you can plug in any third party headphones of your choice.
Finally, at the bottom is a microUSB port for charging purposes.
Sound Quality
Like other products in the Jabra range, the Jabra TAG sports advanced digital sound quality with Digital Signal Processing (DSP), assuring quality audio reproduction for music and voice calls. I found voice calls were crystal clear and audio quality for digital music good. The noise-cancelling earphones aren’t the best I’ve used, but Jabra isn’t stopping users from plugging in their favourite headphones into the standard 3.5mm audio jack.
Comfort & Fit
The Tag itself is ultralight, so hanging it around your neck isn’t cumbersome nor distracting when worn. In fact, at times I forgot that the Tag was there. The supplied earphones fit snugly in the ear with three sizes of ear gels (S, M, L).
Key Features
- Bluetooth 3.0, including EDR, A2DP and AVRCP for wireless streaming of music and media
- Bluetooth range: up to 10 m
- Easy control of music and calls – dedicated volume, answer/end call and play/pause buttons
- Wear it your way – hang it, pocket it or clip it on
- Multiuse – stay connected to 2 devices at the same time
- Can be used with any headphones (3.5mm audio jack)
- Talk/ Music time = up to 8 hours; standby time = up to 204 hours
- Dimensions = 56mm (L) x 34mm (W) x 8mm (D)
- Weight = 30 grams
- Digital Signal Processing (DSP)
- Omni-directional mic with noise filter
- Noise-isolating Stereo Ear buds
Full specifications can be found here – http://www.jabra.com/products/bluetooth/jabra_tag/jabra_tag
Setting Up
Setting up is as simple as turning on your Jabra TAG by holding down the multi-function button for four seconds; and enabling Bluetooth on your phone to pair. If the phone asks for a PIN code, just enter 0000. The LED on the Tag will flash blue. Once paired, Jabra TAG will automatically connect to the device when turned on. Repeat the same steps for your second phone if required. You really can’t get simpler than that.
Usage
Being a Jabra device, it simply just works. Simple to operate and without any guessing on the part of the user. Switching from music to calls is easy too. For the heck of it, I tried playing music through both my phones but it only plays from one source at a time. Overall a pleasing, error-free user experience.
Battery Life
Jabra claims a talk/music time of up to 8 hours with a standby time of up to 204 days. I didn’t get to run the battery down, as I have a habit of charging devices as soon as I get home at the end of the day. The longest stretch of usage was about 5 hours, and the Tag still had juice left.
What’s in the Box
- Jabra Tag headset
- Stereo earphones
- 3 sets of ear gels (S, M and L)
- 1 AC charger
- 1 Quick Start guide
Pros
- Ultra-lightweight
- Attractive, unique design
- Seamless switch from calls to music
- FM radio is a plus
- Ability to connect to two smartphones
- Good sound quality
- Good battery life
Cons
- Noise-canceling could be better
- Locking mechanism for earphones could be improved
- Slightly pricey
Price and Availability
The Jabra TAG retails at RM299 and is covered by a limited one-year warranty. The Jabra music range is available at Machines, Ascentouch, Charlie Cellular, Shining, Connect, Phone Accessories, All IT Hypermarket, Challenger, I-Tec@MV.
Verdict
The Jabra TAG looks and works great as an audio accessory. Its flexibility, good looks and ease-of-use makes it highly desirable. The price may be a deterrent to some, but you get what you pay for.
