uDirect3

I have the uDirect3 I got from the VA. I like that it sends phone calls, music, etc. from my cell phone to the hearing aids, very handy for conference calls and with it coming in both ears I can hear so much better. I support computer systems remotely and having a hands-free device for the calls and keyboard are essential for me. I have been using a Plantronics USB phone device and it has a very pleasant voice that tells me the battery's remaining charge, who's calling, has a mute button and weighs practically nothing. But it's for only one ear, which is why I've switched to the uDirect3. Now I can hear but I get a tinny voice, no battery level, no mute button and by the time the uDirect3 tells me who's calling, the phone has already gone through all of its rings and hangs up. I pretty much have to keep the phone close by so I can see who is calling and then press the uDirect3's answer button.I don't like that you have to be wearing it around your neck to make it work. This is a fairly heavy device and after a while it's cumbersome and the cord irritates my skin if I don't have a shirt with a collar. Everyone can see this big thing hanging on you. Yes, I can put it inside my shirt but then that affects the microphone's performance and it's still heavy. It is the day of miniaturization but this device is quite large. The uDirect3 still has a mini USB jack instead of the new sub-mini USB. This means that you have to carry a separate charging cord for it.You can put it in a pocket but then the Bluetooth doesn't work anymore, the cord must be around your neck. Otherwise It becomes a remote to turn your hearing aids up and down. Inside your shirt it will pick up moisture and others have reported that this will hurt the device. If you're walking with the device inside your shirt, it will rub against the shirt and the phone picks up the noise.I have an older Blackberry for work and a new LG phone for personal use. The uDirect3 doesn't like to have both of them connected at the same time, although the instructions say you can have (6?) connected at the same time. If my LG is connected and I add the Blackberry, the microphone on the uDirect3 turns on and in my hearing aids I can hear every movement of the device on my shirt. I have to turn it and the cells off, turn it on, turn off Bluetooth on one of the cells, then turn on the uDirect3. There is a mini-jack if you want to use the earphone jack to connect to your phone, but all of the Bluetooth connected devices have to turn off their Bluetooth or you won't get anything.I had a difficult time getting everything to work at all, let alone work right. The Blackberry is older technology so maybe that's my problem, but the sheer weight of this thing hanging around my neck is the biggest problem. If I could put it in a back pocket while I'm walking around that would be a big help. As it is, I just use my wired headphones and leave the hearing aids and uDirect3 at home when I go for a walk. When I sit at my computer I wear the device and make the conference calls.I don't need both phones connected at the same time and I've learned to turn off the Bluetooth for the one I'm not using. When I use the LG and the Waze GPS app, the instructions come through the uDirect3. The wife really likes that because she doesn't like to hear all the information. If I didn't need this for my work I wouldn't have it, it's just too much hassle if you're at all active.

as described

It's great when it works. But, unfortunately, I didn't realize that some lithium ion batteries may fail and you won't be able to recharge them, if they are not kept at least minimally charged, and there is nothing about this in the literature that comes with the uDirect2. So, I let it become fully discharged and now it won't take a charge, although all the functions work fine when it is plugged into the charger. The one-year uDirect 2 warrantee has expired, although the 3 year warrantee on the hearing aids that it came with is still valid. However, those particular hearing aids cannot be adjusted without the uDirect 2, and are useless without it. The type of battery in the uDirect 2 retails for about $13.00, if you can find one, which I haven't on Amazon or elsewhere on-line, or at Radio Shack, etc., though it appears to be a standard battery type. All you have to do to replace it in the uDirect 2 is unscrew two screws on the back and lift it out. This takes about 3 minutes. But Unitron refuses to sell me a new one, or tell me how else to get one, other than to return the uDirect2 to the audiologist, to send to them at a $75.00 charge, included in which they will extend the warrantee for another year. I do wish Amazon would stock these batteries: RU Model AE482539P.

I own three of these boxes. All work well. I rotate them because the very first one I bought quit after three years, they are supposed to last five. I had to make a sleeve for it to keep moisture away from it. I work as an umpire. Shop around. This price is steep. My first one I got it brand new from Unitron was $249. I went elsewhere when I saw $349, my audiologist says these being phased out.

I love unitron udirect 2 with my hearing aids. I can listen to music without missing what is going on around me. I can controll the volume at will with 5 different modes. I can use it wireless . Works great. I will recommend it to anyone.