Dollars & Sense
Driver Tool: Bluetooth Headsets
It seems as though every day we read of new legislation aimed at the driver using the cell phone while driving. It's called distracted driving and it might not be too long before communities across the nation require hands-free cell phone use only.
And why not?
Holding a phone up to your ear while driving is inconvenient and potentially dangerous. Wouldn't it be better to use both hands on the wheel or at least have the use of one hand to gesture with while talking?
Until a few years ago, your only choices for hands-free cell phone technology were the crummy-sounding speakerphone or a wired headset.
That is, until Bluetooth came along.
What is Bluetooth?
It's estimated there are more than 100 million Bluetooth devices worldwide Indeed, you now can find Bluetooth in an array of products: wireless phones, PCs, cameras, GPS devices, handhelds, and even cars.
Bluetooth works in a simple manner. First developed by Ericsson, then formalized in 1999, it provides a way for different devices to communicate with each other by sending data via a secure, low-cost short-range radio frequency.
Using the technology, cell phones can talk to headsets, PCs can talk to printers or keyboards, and handhelds can talk to each other without any wires. Up to seven connections can be made at one time, at a speed of 1Mbps.
While Bluetooth may resemble Wi-Fi in its use of the same frequency range, the similarities stop there. Bluetooth covers one-fifth the total range of Wi-Fi, and Wi-Fi requires more-expensive hardware and reaches greater distances. Additionally, Bluetooth lets two devices communicate with each other while Wi-Fi establishes a wireless network.
Headsets
The headset industry had to learn new techniques to design Bluetooth headsets. Some first generation headsets were disasters from both a design and functionality point of view. New headsets are generally much improved.
The latest headsets improve on the limitations of Bluetooth's first generation: They're less bulky, more comfortable and easier to use. Some models now have such extra features as noise cancellation, which reduces background sounds around you to ensure that your voice comes in loud and clear.
Bluetooth headsets vary enormously in price. Some can be found for $30 or less, while others cost $300 and more.
There seem to be two main styles of Bluetooth headsets. Some are held in place by a loop around the ear - there are generally more comfortable, but may be less secure. Others are held in place by being physically jammed into your ear. These are generally less comfortable, but may sometimes be more secure.
Ideally, a Bluetooth headset should be something you could wear all the time while expecting to receive or make calls, or something you can quickly and conveniently affix on/around your ear when phone calls come in.
Due to being battery powered by their own separate battery (typically offering 2-10 hours talk time or 25-250 hours standby), ideally a Bluetooth headset would be something you'd only turn on when you need to use it. You wouldn't leave it on between calls. For this reason, the headset should be easy to turn on and off, and should power up and connect to the cell phone as quickly as possible.
Volume controls and other features and functions should be easy to use and understand.
Few Bluetooth headsets adequately meet these design criteria. Perhaps the biggest common problem is how to securely - but comfortably and conveniently - attach the headset to your ear.
Bluetooth has a range of 30 feet and the devices in question must use compatible versions of Bluetooth. The majority of products currently in the marketplace work on Bluetooth 1.1. The Bluetooth Special Interest Group (SIG), a trade association and development group, is releasing newer versions that promise several upgrades and backward compatibility.
As the number of Bluetooth cell phones has increased, the number of headsets has grown even faster. With booms, no booms, and a variety of ways to wear these headsets, you may have a bewildering time finding the correct model for you and your cell phone. While the headset's comfort is important, sound quality is the factor that really matters.
A starting point
ZDnet is a respected technology web resource that offers reviews of the latest tech gear. The following Bluetooth headsets have been rated among the best on the market by the reviewers and readers of the site.
These comments and the prices are intended to be used as a starting point when considering a product.
Useless knowledge time: Bluetooth gets its name from a 10th-century Danish king, Harald Blatand (or Bluetooth) who unified Denmark, Norway, and Sweden. According to legend, he had liking for blueberries that stained his teeth.
*Jabra BT800 Bluetooth headset
Price range - $79-$129
ZDnet says, "LCD screen shows caller ID, has solid call quality, comfortable fit and a vibrate mode."
"Cumbersome pairing process"
"With its cool BT800 model, Jabra takes Bluetooth headsets to a whole new level of functionality."
*Jabra JX10 Bluetooth headset
Price range $97-$179
Reviewers say: "The Jabra JX10 is tiny and lightweight, and it has a smart, stylish design. It feels comfortable in the ear, and the sound quality is great."
"It has a very small pairing button that is difficult to
press."
"If you want a small, lightweight Bluetooth headset that is stylish and has great sound quality to boot, the Jabra JX10 is the way to go."
*Nextlink Bluespoon AX Bluetooth headset
Price - $64
ZDnet found this model to be, "Small and discreet, easy to pair and use, works in either the left or right ear and is comfortable". (However)"The soft-tip earpiece isn't as stable as other designs."
"Though it looks like few other Bluetooth headsets, the
Bluespoon AX is a solid performer."
*Plantronics Discovery 640 Bluetooth headset
Price range - $69-$149
"Great audio quality; multiple charging options; compact design; secure fit."
"Uncomfortable ear hook; smallish controls; not compatible with all phone chargers."
Overall, the web site found that, "The Plantronics Discovery 640 is a well-performing Bluetooth headset that offers first-class usability."
*Gennum NxZen Plus Bluetooth headset
Price range - $139-$154
The reviews say that this unit is, "Comfortable with a secure fit; admirable call quality, although the controls take some acclimation."
"The Gennum NxZen Bluetooth headset offers the same performance as its predecessor but has a much-improved design."
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