[7100simpleisbetter]

I am reaching out to see if any other 8100 users have tried the BT8040. I have found that I get great sound when I initially pair the phone and the headset but after it is disconnected for whatever reason (turn off headset, move out of range, etc) when it reconnects after about 5 - 10 seconds I get so much crackling and static that I cannot hear the person and they cannot hear me. If I delete the device and re-pair it, again great sound on initial connection but garabage after a disconnect. This seems like odd behaviour and was wondering if anyone else is having this problem and if anyone knows of a fix for it.

Thanks in advance!!!

SIB

[7100simpleisbetter]

Not that anyone else seems to be having this problem but me and one other person but I am posting this for anyone else that shows up here looking for anwers.

I have found that the problem seems to be with some conflict/interference by the handsfree profile between phone and the BT8040 headset. Running 4.3.1.14, if I disable the Handsfree function the device connects as Headset and Stereo Audio and the crackling is gone.

What you lose from this change is the following:

1. You won't be able to initiate calls or voice dialing from the headset because those are all functions of the handsfree profile. You will still be able to answer and end calls and talk on the phone and play streaming audio from the media player.

2. If you have other devices (in car bluetooth, other headsets, etc) you won't have the ability initiate calls, etc and if the only profile that exists on the other devices in Handsfree profile then it won't even connect.

You can switch the Handsfree profile on and off through the Bluetooth menu but be prepared to do this everytime you switch between the BT8040 and your other devices.

I am hoping this gets fixed in future builds of 4.3.1 (or 4.5 if that is the real name) so I can keep the headset and it works for everything seamlessly.

Good luck and would love to hear if others find this fix useful.

[doggie]

I share your pain. I am experience the same (annoying) crackling noise with my Jabra BT5020. How do you disable the Handsfree function?

[7100simpleisbetter]

Originally Posted by doggie

I share your pain. I am experience the same (annoying) crackling noise with my Jabra BT5020. How do you disable the Handsfree function?

If you are running the 4.3.1.14 beta, here are the directions. Let me know if it works.

1. Go to Options -> Bluetooth
2. Click the menu button (blackberry logo)
3. Select Options
4. Scroll to the Handsfree check box and click your trackball
5. Click menu button and Save
6. Disconnect and reconnect your device

I have found that you need to initiate the connection from the phone in the same menu for it to connect properly. You can do this by highlighting your BT5020 headset in the Bluetooth screen then clicking your trackball and selecting "Connect" with the headset turned on. You will lose functionality but phone calls are crisp and clear from my experience.

[spock1k]

i am having the same problem i am on 4.2.1.96.

[cdemke]

Originally Posted by spock1k

i am having the same problem i am on 4.2.1.96.

I am having this same problem with a new bt5020 and my pearl, and I am running 4.2.1.96 as well. I just tested it with my co-worker's Pearl that is also running 4.2.1.96 and got the same results. I just bought this headset and it is unusable!
Where do I get a copy of 4.3.1.x fw?!?!? Will it work with AT&T?

thx,

Chris

[desertanimal]

I've got the same problem. I emailed Jabra and was told that they are working on a software update. That has been three weeks ago and there is no movement. Jabra's email is
.
The below Blackberry firmware versions are confirmed to have the firmware conflict:



v 4.2.0.73

v 4.2.1.94

v 4.2.1.96

v 4.2.1.107



· Could also be any version between .94 -.107

· There may be more versions.

I have an 8100 and an 8700

[2ndHalfCor]

I'm running 4.2.1.107 and have the same problem with the BT8040. I can't find any way to disable the hands free profile to get the partial fix described in this thread. Does anybody know if it's even possible with this version. Very frustrating to buy a new device and be unable to use it.

[John Clark]

Fortunately, there newer OS's out there now. Have you tried .109 for the Pearl? Also, 4.5 is out for the 8100. I don't recommend the current 4.5.0.37 version for TMobile devices but you can read about it here.

[2ndHalfCor]

Thanks, John. Can you tell me where I can find .109 for the 8100? T-Mobile only has the one I've been using.

[John Clark]

http://www.blackberryforums.com/gene...ilanguage.html

[2ndHalfCor]

Thanks, I upgraded to 4.2.1.109 (after working though a 507 error), but there is no difference. I still have the crackling and cutting out with the BT8040. I don't know whether this means my phone is different (still works fine with my old BT250 and the BT8040 works fine on my wife's 7105t) or whether .109 needs to be added to the list of firmware for which there is an issue with this device.

I think I will go ahead and try an upgrade to 4.5. I was hoping to wait for T-Mobile's release, but now I'm motivated. Won't have the chance to do it before tomorrow, but I'll report back whether it solves the problem.

By the way, thanks very much to John Clark. Your responses have been almost immediate and very helpful. You provide a great service to mankind -- or at least us BlackBerry users.

[2ndHalfCor]

Just an update. I installed 4.5.0.37 (yes, I know about the fried SIM reports, but they seem all to involve Curves rather than the 8100 (the one 8100 report didn't really seem to be a fried SIM) and I decided to live dangerously). The media player plays beautifully to the BT8040 (which is really nice, by the way), but is still crackly and cuts out during voice calls. Very strange. At any rate, I disabled the Handsfree function, and I get clear phone calls with the limitations described elsewhere in this thread. Guess that's the best I'm going to do until this issue is resolved. At the present, I would be cautious about purchasing the BT8040 (and perhaps some other Jabra devices) for now.

[bart1234]

Hi there, having the same problem with 8100 and BT8040. According to Jabra in Netherlands it's a Blackberry fault (!)

I am trying to disable handsfree but I do not have this option, I can go to menu but not able to tick or changes any box.

Any advice?

Bart

[2ndHalfCor]

Originally Posted by bart1234

I am trying to disable handsfree but I do not have this option, I can go to menu but not able to tick or changes any box.

Bart

That's why I had to upgrade to 4.5 (which is working fine by the way, no fried SIM yet -- knocking on wood). I don't know of other options: (1) upgrade the OS, disable handsfree and put up with the limitations, (2) wait for the fix from RIM and Jabra (good luck with that one), (3) buy a different headset.

As for me, I'm hoping the T-Mobile release of 4.5 will come soon and will include a fix.

[bart1234]

thanks perhaps dummy question but how to upgrade your phone, I am bit of a leeman and think my company secured my phone!

B

[2ndHalfCor]

Just to update this thread. I've upgraded to the latest 4.5.0.55. Still get the crackling with the Handsfree function selected. Has anyone else found a fix for this problem or heard anything from RIM or Jabra? I'm one of the few that likes voice dialing and it's unavailable without the Handsfree selected.

[Batou]

I had a similar problem with 4.2.1.96. I upgraded to 4.5.0.52 earlier in the week with the link provided by John Clark and followed the tips from 7100simpleisbetter. The calls are now very clear. As an added bonus I can also listen to music through the headset because 4.5 supports A2DP. Unfortunately you will lose voice dialing with Handsfree disabled. If you still experience crackling try to delete the profile and re-pair the headset and blackberry to recreate it. A battery pull might also help, although after the upgrade I didn't experience any crackling.

[2ndHalfCor]

Just upgraded to an 8120 and the BT8040 works fine. All is right with the world. Wonder if it is something to do with the hardware on the 8100?

[ErnieH]

I'm quite sure the fault is with the 8100 - the BT8040 seems to work fine with other phone models. I tried multiple 4.5 versions on my 8100 and could not get rid of the crackling. I finally exchanged it for a Moto S9.