BONX Grip Is Like a Walkie-Talkie, but Better

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If you participate in activities where you want to communicate with your friends, but you need to be completely hands-free, then you might want to check out the BONX Grip. It uses your phone (and it’s 3G/4G/WiFi signal) to allow communication between two people (up to 10) without touching any buttons. Think of the convenience when fishing, biking, or hunting!

In order to make it work, you (and anyone you’ll be communicating with) will have to download the BONX app. But once you’ve done that, and each of the up to 10 people you want to communicate with is wearing their BONX Grip headset (or using the app as a walkie-talkie, basically), you’ll all be set.

Included in each BONX Grip package are the Grip headset, S, M, & L earloops, S & M earbuds, a USB to microUSB charging cable, BONX sticker …

… and a metal carrying case.

BONX is not a phone. It’s not a walkie-talkie or a speaker, either. It’s a device that connects you to friends and loved ones even when you’re on opposite sides of the globe or in the harshest of environments.

So you can share the oohs and ahhs of a breathtaking view, the joyful hoots of a well-landed jump, or excited screams of adrenaline-pumping moments with your friends in real-time.

You can share whoops, sobs, sighs, or cheers, but most importantly, you can enjoy sharing the world around you with the people you love. So go make noise with BONX.

Let’s take a look at the BONX Grip. Available in green, pink, black, and white, the Grip can be customized to fit your outer and inner ear with the included accessories. The BONX Grip needs to go in (and on) your right ear, so you’ll want to size for that side. Play with it for a bit; the fit that you want is going to be where the Grip is securely in your ear and comfortable.

Before using the BONX Grip for the first time, you’ll want to make sure that it is fully charged. I received a green and white one for the review; one arrived fully charged, and the other just needed a little top-off.

Next, you’ll download the BONX app from either the Apple App Store or Google Play.

You’ll need to go through a bit of a setup process. At the end, you’ll be asked to test whether you can hear and speak properly for the BONX Grip to send and receive based on when you or one of your group speaks.  I should also mention that when new features are added to the BONX Grip, you’ll be able to upgrade the firmware through the app.

Once you’ve paired the BONX Grip, you’ll set up a “Talk Room” for your friends to join. Obviously, they will have to have their own BONX Grip in order to join.

Group ready? Now all you have to do is talk. It doesn’t matter if you are standing across the room from each other, across a field or stream, or across the world. As long as each of you have a BONX Grip connected to the app, and a cellphone that is connected to the internet via 3G, 4G, or WiFi, you’ll be able to talk to each other without pushing any buttons and without using your hands. If anyone in your group doesn’t have a BONX Grip headset, then they’ll simply have to use the app on their phone, and it will work well.

The BONX Grip:

• Lets you talk in real-time with up to 10 friends.
• Delivers unlimited range anywhere your phone has reception.
• Maintains a connection without interference, range or license—even when the network signal is weak.
• Voice assistance notifies users when the network is lost or mute is enabled.

Think about it; if you are riding a bike, hiking, fishing, or jogging, you want to be able to keep in touch with your companions (or with someone at home who didn’t come). With the BONX Grip, you can just start talking, and you’ll be immediately connected to anyone else who is in your Talk Room whether or not they are wearing their BONX Grip at the same time. If they don’t have a Grip, or if they aren’t wearing it right at that moment, they’ll still be connected to you through the app.

No calling necessary, and without fumbling for buttons to talk and receive; you’re just connected.

Specifications:

• Microphone: Dual microphone
• Weight: Approx. 15g (*1)
• Size (w/o Earloop): W: 44mm x D:18mm x H: 32mm (*1)
• Battery: Lithium polymer battery
• Charging: microUSB (Included)
• Playtime using BONX apps: 7 hrs. (Expected)
• Standby time: 400 hrs. (Expected)
• Waterproof: IPX5
• Bluetooth: Dualmode Bluetooth 4.1 (Classic Bluetooth and Bluetooth Low Energy) Communication range with smartphone: Approx. 10m (Class 2)

The BONX Grip detects your voice and with machine learning technology, it adapts to your sound environment to cut out panting or other sounds. You can even use the BONX Grip as a Bluetooth headset to listen to streaming music (albeit in mono) or to answer your phone and engage in calls — but you will have to press the larger end of the outer earpiece — the multifunction button.

The BONX Grip is waterproof, shock-resistant, and the battery last for about 7 hours. It’s a brilliant solution for active people; the headset is comfortable and secure — no matter what you are doing and no matter how long you end up wearing it.

I think the BONX Grip would make an excellent holiday gift for your favorite sportsman or any outdoor enthusiast, really. If you engage in group activities and you want to be immediately connected to the other participants without having to make a call, the BONX Grip is an excellent solution.

The BONX Grip retails for $139, and it is available directly from the manufacturer.

Source: Manufacturer supplied review sample

What I Like: Hands-free and always connected to your phone for calls or messages from your BONX Talk Room; Easy to operate; Clear sound even in noisy environments; Perfect for use when you are engaging in sports (or other activities), and you need to be completely hands-free; Can be used as a walkie-talkie through the app if one of your group doesn’t have a BONX Grip

What Needs Improvement: Nothing — it works as advertised

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About the Author

Judie Lipsett Stanford
Judie is the co-owner and Editor-in-Chief of Gear Diary, which she founded in September 2006. She got her start in 1999 writing software reviews at the now-defunct smaller.com; from mid-2000 through 2006, she wrote hardware reviews for and co-edited at The Gadgeteer. A recipient of the Sigma Kappa Colby Award for Technology, Judie has written for or been profiled by nationally known sites and magazines, and she has served on multiple industry hardware and software award panels. She is best known for her device-agnostic approach, enjoyment of exploring tech, gadgets, and gear, and her deep-diving, jargon-free reviews.