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SuperTooth Crystal review

SuperTooth Crystal review

Even though it’s close to becoming a standard feature in new vehicles, Bluetooth is still a pretty rare thing to see built into vehicles that are more than a few years old. Sure, the ability to operate a smartphone hands-free is a really convenient thing to have, but it’s not something that would solely drive the purchase of a new vehicle. A far less expensive option is an aftermarket solution, whether it be in the form of a replacement stereo system, hands-free car kit, or even a simple wireless earpiece. Today we’re looking at a hands-free car kit, the SuperTooth Crystal.

SuperTooth is a privately owned company headquartered in Nébias, France with production based in the Philippines. The company is a bit unique in that it isn’t a “rubber stamp” manufacturer that just puts their logo on someone else’s product; they manufacture and assemble their own devices in their own factory.

The SuperTooth Crystal is a portable Bluetooth hands-free kit that installs simply by sliding a metal clip onto your car’s visor. It comes with a micro USB charging cable, a 12V DC car power adapter, and a double-sided metal clip for mounting. It comes in five colors: blue, purple, grey, black, and white (the review sample is black).

Specifications:

  • Dimensions: 49x130x14mm
  • 113g (with clip)
  • Bluetooth hands-free kit version 3.0
  • Quick visor attach via metal clip
  • Headset and hands-free profiles
  • Multipoint: Two phones can be paired simultaneously
  • A2DP support for GPS or music streaming
  • Low battery audio signal
  • Automatic pairing
  • Operating range: 10 meters
  • Voice recognition dialing (if phone supports)
  • Last call redial
  • Reject incoming call
  • Charge time: 3 hours
  • Use time: 20 hours talk, 1,000 hours standby
  • 2-year warranty

If you have an iPhone, the SuperTooth Crystal’s battery status is displayed in the status bar. Unfortunately Android users don’t get this information.

Using the SuperTooth

The magnetic clip is a great mounting method. There is a round indentation on both sides of the clip so the SuperTooth Crystal can be attached to either side of the visor without having to remove the clip. The magnet is strong enough to hold the device in place securely, but not so much that intentional removal is difficult.

Speaking of removal, if you make a habit of removing small electronics from your car when it’s not occupied, the SuperTooth Crystal is small and light enough that it will easily fit in a pocket, purse, or any other place you could conceivably store a cell phone.

The SuperTooth Crystal charges in about three hours, and I haven’t been able to drain the battery completely. I haven’t had to charge the thing since its initial power-up even after weeks of testing. If you’re a heavy talker while driving, you might have to charge it once every other week. Color me impressed.

My experiences with mobile device speakers have typically been in two extremes: either a speaker is too quiet to be useful in a moving vehicle (such is the case with my current cell phone), or at a usable volume the speaker distorts or rattles the entire unit. I’m happy to report that the SuperTooth Crystal’s speaker has neither of these problems. The output is loud enough to hear clearly even in a noisy vehicle, and it doesn’t produce distracting extra noises while doing so.

The SuperTooth Crystal’s microphone is very good as well. It picks up your voice and manages to get rid of most of the background noise. If you aren’t speaking, the microphone doesn’t pick up much background noise either. It doesn’t completely eliminate road and background noise, but it does the job well enough that the caller is easily understood.

Black on black. Hard to see.

As good as the SuperTooth Crystal is, I have one small complaint, and it has to do with the buttons. The buttons light for the first second or two after the device is powered on, but there doesn’t appear to be a way to light them up manually. There are no tactile markings either. In other words, if you don’t have the button layout memorized, it is difficult to distinguish one button from another without taking your eyes completely off the road while driving. That being said, the button to answer a call (arguably the most important) is nicely lit when the phone is ringing, and as long as the volume is adjusted properly before driving this may not be an issue for everyone. Of course, with colors other than black (our review unit’s color) the button cutouts are much easier to see.

The SuperTooth Crystal’s MSRP of $69.99 is a little steep but it can very easily be found at far lower prices at online retailers including Newegg ($40) and Amazon (as low as $35), making it a great deal.

All told, the SuperTooth Crystal is a very good device. It’s well built, has very good call quality, runs for a very long time on a charge, and carries a very good street price. It might just be the perfect last-minute holiday gift for the techie on your list.

Comments

  1. RWB
    RWB So it's good for phone calls in a vehicle but how's the audio playback for music while in a vehicle? Or did I somehow miss that part?
  2. RWB
    RWB In rereading my post I see it may come off a bit rude so just in case I just wanna say it was not my intent! :)
  3. ardichoke
    ardichoke I don't really think devices like this one are made for music playback. They're strictly meant for making phone calls. I can't say for sure, but I wouldn't be surprised if it didn't even register as a bluetooth media playback device.
  4. mertesn
    mertesn Sorry, forgot to include thoughts on A2DP. Well, it does work for music playback without any extra setup. It's better than nothing if you don't have another way to play music wirelessly. I can say for certain it's louder and more clear than my phone's speaker.
  5. RyanFodder
    RyanFodder Does it have an audio output to 3.5 mm jack?
  6. Thrax
    Thrax Why would it have that?
  7. RyanFodder
    RyanFodder So I can hook it into my car and play music since the 3.5 mm jack is broken on my phone.
  8. mertesn
    mertesn
    Does it have an audio output to 3.5 mm jack?
    It does not.

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