bluetooth - sudden reduction in range

[localflighteast]

I have an iphone 4 and a set of LG HBS700 bluetooth headphones.
they worked great up until about a week ago. I could shove my phone in my bag and listen to my music on the way to and from work without an issue.

Suddenly the range on them has diminished considerably. If I put my phone in the same pocket in the same bag that I've been using for the past year , the connection splutters to the point where the pairing between them fails.

Initially I thought they were low on charge but leaving them charging overnight didn't help. I've changed nothing in my set up. I've not upgraded the OS on my phone. I've not suddenly taken to wearing a lead lined scarf.

Any thoughts on what the problem might be and possibly a solution?

Appreciate any ideas

WMAP

[Mike-Bracknell]

Bluetooth actually uses the same radio spectrum as wifi, so it may be that you're being drowned out by some new access point.

[localflighteast]

but I'm mobile. I listen on my way to work , so as I walk to the streetcar, on the streetcar, on the subway and then walkign the other end. The problem is the same no matter where I am geographically.

The only thought I've had is could temperature have an effect? It was plus 30 degrees C when I first started using them. Now its minus twenty. Maybe the range has been slowly decreasing as the temperature has, now its reached a critical level?

[Mike-Bracknell]

What about a deteriorating battery which now won't hold a charge?

[localflighteast]

Possible
I've had them less than 6 months though
The cold could be a factor in that as well
I'm going to leave them
On to charge all night then see how they are in the morning

[Milo Minderbinder]

where is the antenna on the head phones? sounds like damage to it or the linking cable

[localflighteast]

Excellent question Milo, I can't find out, the manual doesn't indicate the position at all and the body is fairly smooth molded plastic . I don't see anything immediately obvious.

They are still playing up :(

[radeng]

Batteries lose performance when cold, and add age and presumably a lot of use, I'd change them to start with.

[localflighteast]

doesn't look like the batteries are a consumer replaceable option, sealed unit :(

I'd estimate my use at about 2-3 hours a day weekdays only. They are six months old. WOuld the battery really be borked after such a short period of time?

[radeng]

Do you run the batteries right down or do you keep them 'topped up' with charge? I'm told that rechargeable lithium don't like being fully discharged and left.

But if batteries can't be replaced, then they are obviously expecting a limited life device, which is to be thrown away. Well, disposed of according to the WEE Directive ( as opposed to SH*T Directive?)

[localflighteast]

I've never let them fully discharge
I usually charge them overnight
Can't believe they could be dead already :(

I spent decent money on them to replace the crappy apple ones that break if you so much as touch them

I guess my next thread will be asking for recommendations for a decent Bluetooth headset

[Milo Minderbinder]

six months?

Sale of goods act
Get your money back or get them replaced

[localflighteast]

Canada has no "sale of goods" act. Consumers have eff all rights from the shops. It'll be a dealing with manufacturer issue

[Milo Minderbinder]

oops sorry - missed the locality
is there no legal onus on the seller to make good on what is a sale of faulty goods?

[localflighteast]

Not really
My understanding is that any issues become the problem of the manufacturer

Some stores will go over and above but they are under no obligation

As to these , there's no indication that they are actually " faulty"
They still work albeit at a reduced range
I send them back , they say they work fine !

[GalFriday]

I just recently (10 days ago) began having this exact same issue with my iPhone 4. I have two different headsets: 2 year old BlueAnt and a 2 month old something else, both are having the same range issues. My only thought is that its the phone, but I can't figure out how. Initially, the iPhone 4 had some serious Bluetooth issues, but from what I can gather, they were apparent in the phone from the first start up, not appearing later, like our issue has.

Mine has a range of barely 8 feet before it becomes static, and will drop connection if something gets between it and the phone at that range i.e. my head, a door, a wall, etc. I used to be able to walk clear across the house and even upstairs before it became even a little distorted. I don't have a huge house, but it's certainly larger than 8 feet.

Localflighteast - I really don't think its the headset...my only basis for that is we have three different headsets of different ages doing the exact same thing. I have not updated my phone recently either, I waiting for the bugs to be worked out of the 6.1 update, so I'm currently running 5.1.

[Milo Minderbinder]

It sounds to me as if the ariel inside the phone has come adrift

[localflighteast]

Damn thing has started cooperating again, Dunno why.
The temperatures have risen though so still not 100% sure that wasn't the issue