A brilliant top-end Bluetooth headset

The Plantronics Voyager Pro+ is the latest version of Plantronics’ successful Voyager Pro line. With superb sound quality, a comfortable fit, and clever features, it’s one of the best Bluetooth headsets available.

The Pro+ uses a powerful in-ear speaker, resulting in excellent sound quality is excellent. As well as providing ultra clear calls, the speaker also makes it quite worthwhile to listen to music, something that’s achieved through the use of the popular A2DP standard supported by many top-end car stereos as well as most smartphones.

On the other side of things, the microphone is also of high quality. Whilst the good quality components used in the Voyager Pro+’s construction contributes to this, the greater factor is the excellent AudioIQ² noise-cancelling technology used, which does well to eliminate background noise like air conditioners, engines and the like.

Another strong point is comfort; the headset’s low weight and clever design ensures that it’s comfortable to wear for long periods, despite its large size.

One last point in its favour is that the Pro+ integrates well with the iPhone, offering an app that displays the headset’s battery life.

The Voyager Pro+ is one of the few products on our site to have received a near five star rating on average, with eleven out of twelve reviews offering full marks to the headset and a 4.8/5 score overall. The Pro+ is also critically well regarded, scoring 5/5 from What Mobile, 4/5 from PC Magazine and 4.5/5 from Hexus.

If you’re looking for a top of the line Bluetooth headset, then the Plantronics Voyager Pro+ is an excellent place to begin your search.

• View the Plantronics Voyager Pro+ Product Page

If you have any questions about the Pro+ or indeed any Bluetooth headset, feel free to contact me via the social media options below, or just leave a comment in the blog itself.

• Reach us on our Facebook page at Love Your Mobile
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This technology is that clever that is eliminates all background noise and auto-adjusts the incoming call volume to the surrounding environment; meaning that no matter where you are you can hear and be heard perfectly.

Jawbone ERA Motion Controlled Bluetooth Headset

Inside the headset, there’s a 10mm speaker with full HD audio performance, making it Jawbone’s most powerful speaker to date.  The Era is also the first Bluetooth headset to include a built in accelerometer and MotionX technology.  This means it’s completely integrated with the MyTALK platform, which allows the headset to function with motion application such as ‘TapTap’ to answer phone calls.

Sound good?  Well we’re giving you the chance to win one over on our Love Your Mobile Facebook Page.

All you have to do in order to be in with the chance of winning the headset is:

1. ‘Like’ the Love Your Mobile Facebook page.
2. ‘Like’ a product on the MobileFun.co.uk website
3. Tag ‘Love Your Mobile’ in a status telling us why you love the product you liked.
4. Write on the ‘Love Your Mobile’ wall telling us which product you love and why.

e.g ‘@Love Your Mobile – I love the Stuckbuddy because not only is it small so I can carry it around, but it also stands up my iPhone 4 and even hangs my keys!

Good luck to all those entering and we’ll announce the winner soon!

Idapt Universal Charger I4

It’s no surprise that the idapt has been nominated, as it’s the sleekest, multi charger around, which reduces clutter and doubles up as a mobile phone holder.

Even better, it charges up to 4 devices at once and is compatible with more than 3,500 devices including Nintendo devices and the Sony PSP, as well as the major mobile phone brands.  To charge multiple devices, the Idapt has an interchangeable tip system, meaning that you simply just select the tip required and place it in the device.

In order to help save energy and money, the Idapt has LED lights next to each charging port that let you know if your device is fully charged or not.  It can be turned on and off and also saves on power, as only one charger is being used instead of four.

Idapt I4 Universal Desktop Charger

Apple Smart Cover

The Apple Smart Cover was one of the most sought after accessories when the iPad 2 was released and it’s easy to see why.  With its sleek multi-functional design, allowing it to be used as both an iPad 2 stand and iPad 2 screen protector; the Apple Smart Cover really is the ultimate iPad 2 accessory.  Plus, there’s a wide variety of colours and styles to choose from, meaning there’s a smart cover for everyone.

It has faced a small amount of backlash though, as many users wanted coverage for the back of the iPad too, but when teamed with a smart cover compatible case the Apple Smart Cover does it’s job just as well.

Apple Smart Cover

Jawbone Era

Being the most beautiful and stylish Bluetooth Headset around, the Jawbone Era well and truly deserves its nomination.  Not only is the Era light and sophisticated but it has built in military-grade NoiseAssasin 3.0 and wind cancelling technology.

This technology means that all background noise is eliminated and the incoming call volume is auto-adjusted to the environment; meaning you could be standing in the middle of a noisy building site yet still be able to hear and be heard perfectly.

The speaker inside the headset is a 10mm speaker, with full HD audio performance, making it Jawbone’s most powerful speaker yet.  The Era is also the first headset with built-in accelerometer and MotionX technology.  This makes it completely integrated with the MyTALK platform, allowing the headset to function with motion applications, like ‘TapTap’ to answer phone calls.

Keep your eye on our Facebook page ‘Love Your Mobile’ as we’ll be giving away a Jawbone Era this month.

Jawbone ERA Motion Controlled Bluetooth Headset

Mophie Juice Pack Air for iPhone 4

The Mophie Juice Pack Air, is a multi-functional gadget: not only is it a protective form-fitting case; but it houses a powerful 1500mAH battery and enhances the sound quality of the iPhone 4 – a triple threat some might say.

Not only that, but the Juice Pack Air also has 500 milliamps fast charge technology, meaning it doesn’t take long for the battery to recharge and allow your iPhone 4 to have practically double the battery life it had before: making it one of the best iPhone 4 accessories around.

To top it off, the iPhone 4 case has four LED lights on the bottom which indicate the remaining battery life as well as the time remaining to charge.  The Mophie Juice Pack Air more than deserves its place in the short-list.

Mophie Juice Pack Air

Griffin Adidas MiCoach Armband

This armband is one of the finest around, due to the two giants teaming up to create it: Griffin and Adidas.  Both companies are well known for their excellent quality and forward thinking products, so it’s no surprise that the armband has been nominated.

Compatible with a wide variety of devices the miCoach armband is simple and convenient, yet extremely powerful.  It allows users to listen to their music whilst exercising or when teamed up with one of the apps, monitor their fitness and offer training guidance.

The iPhone 4 armband is constructed from ultra-lightweight nylon and has an easily adjustable velcro seal for comfort. It also contains a handy key holder, adding to it’s practicality.

Griffin Adidad MiCoach Armband

Even though these gadgets deserve their positions in the shortlist for the Gadget Accessory of the Year, we though that one gadget was missing: the Keycase iPad Folio Deluxe with Bluetooth Keyboard.

It’s the biggest selling iPad accessory to date and has an extremely stylish finish; whilst offering first class protection for your iPad.

The case itself is made from polyurethane and has a folio look once closed; but the iPad keyboard is the star of the show.  It’s a full QWERTY keyboard, which features silent keypress technology and is dust and spill proof; perfect for those who intend to use it on the go.

Battery wise, the keyboard lasts up to a whopping 45 hours off a single charge and has a ten minute auto sleep setting, allowing the battery to last even longer and preventing accidental keystrokes.

We think it deserved a nomination because of it’s functionality and clever QWERTY keyboard.  What gadget would you like to have seen nominated?  Let us know by tweeting us @MobileFun or tell us on our Facebook page Love Your Mobile.

Keycase iPad Folio Deluxe with Bluetooth Keyboard

Let’s take a look at what it’s got to offer…

It’s teeny-weeny
Stunningly small and startlingly stylish, the Jawbone ERA weighs just 10.2g and measures a miniscule 51.3 x 24.1 x 14.5 mm, making it small and light enough to use all day without getting earache.

It looks great
The ERA is a marvel of architecture, with a layered exterior and a sleekly textured finish.  It’s available in four elegantly low-key colours: Midnight, Shadowbox, Smokescreen and Silver Lining.

It sounds great
The ERA has the largest and most powerful speaker of any Jawbone headset so far, measuring in at 25% larger than other models.  It also offers high-quality, full-spectrum HD audio, so your caller’s mellifluous tones will be music to your ears!  The ERA is the first Bluetooth headset to feature NoiseAssassin 3.0, a noise-cancelling technology that was originally developed by the military for use by helicopter pilots and tank controllers. So it can certainly handle a bit of background traffic noise!

It’s technologically advanced

This is the first headset to feature a built-in accelerometer and MotionX technology.  Jawbone are in the process of developing a range of exciting motion-based apps for download via their MyTALK platform, and the first two have already been released: ShakeShake, which lets you go into pairing mode just by shaking the headset, and TapTap which lets you answer phone calls with just a tap.

Perfect for the car

Bluetooth headsets are a great way to stay safe whilst chatting on the road, and the Jawbone’s motion apps make it easy to take calls on the go.  Team it with a USB car charger to make sure you stay powered up and in touch no matter where you are.

It’s a great fit for all

No matter what size your lug-holes are, Jawbone cater for you – the ERA comes with eight different size/shape earbuds and an optional binaural earloop, making them the perfect fit.

The Jawbone ERA is available over on the main site, along with many more Bluetooth accessories.

The team brought back some interesting bits and pieces of news about the most cutting-edge in upcoming gadgetry, as well as a few videos of stuff in action.

Krusell have launched the Krusell SEaLABox, a truly waterproof smartphone case which allows you to continue using your phone in the wet – and even underwater! The SEaLABox is available in a range of seven different colours, and works for a range of smartphones – our team saw it used with an iPhone and an HTC Desire Z, though the HTC HD2 and Desire HD proved a little too large.  The case is certified to IPX7 standard, and test duration was 30 minutes at an immersion depth of 1m.    Great news for swimmers, sailors, skiers and just about anyone else who gets soggy on a regular basis.  See the video below for the amazing sight of an iPhone being fully submerged in a bowl of water – eek!  The iPhone in the video can also be seen working with a case on – the one shown is a Gaia case.

A few weeks ago we told you about the BeeWi Mini Cooper S Bluetooth Controlled Car, which got loads of interest around the blogosphere.  The drawback to it, though, was that it only worked with certain Android and Symbian phones – not with iPhones.  Apparently there’s good news on this: a new red version just for the iPhone is on its way.  BeeWi have also been working on Bluetooth-controlled helicopters, which sound like they’ll be less costly than the gorgeous-but-expensive AR.Drone RC Quadricopter.

Sony Ericsson released the very nifty, very chic-looking MS430 speaker stand which is housed in an unusual aluminium tube.  Small enough to put in your pocket, the MS430 can go wherever you go and works with any device that has a 3.5mm headphone jack – the one downside is that it doesn’t have a charge option and runs instead on AAA batteries.  Our team also saw the speakers being used in tandem with the Sony Ericsson MW600 Bluetooth Headset, which means that you can play music remotely from your phone via Bluetooth – see the video below for what we mean.

SIM-based NFC payments using your mobile phone look to be just around the corner as Visa and DeviceFidelity announced plans for their innovative solution that lets you use any phone with a MicroSD memory slot as a contactless payment device.

MWC saw people getting their first hands-on glimpse of HP’s new tablet device, the TouchPad; the device runs WebOS (the operating system used on the Palm Pre mobile phones), has a 9.7 inch capacitive touchscreen (like the iPad) and supports Flash (unlike the iPad).  Our team also got a glimpse at the TouchPad Charging Dock, which like the TouchStone Charging Dock for Palm Pre is an inductive charger that works using the special magnetised non-stick battery cover, meaning that there’s no need to plug the TouchPad in – you just stick on and it charges away.

The team managed to catch a glimpse of some official HTC docks – it looks as though some HTC-branded HTC Desire docks/ HTC Desire HD docks may be on their way at last:

And there was also a Sony Ericsson Xperia Play dock on show, which switches your phone into slideshow mode once it’s plugged in.  It looks a bit temperamental, though, as you’ll see from the video:

Were you there too? Let us know about anything exciting you laid eyes on!

Hope you had a great Valentines Day on Monday, if you celebrate it!  Personally I mostly celebrate it by glowering all day at any happy couples I see, but that’s just me…

Here’s my round-up this week:

The Etch-a-Sketch Case for iPhone 4/ Etch-a-Sketch Case for iPad is really cute, for the nostalgic types who love a bit of kitsch.  It’s officially licensed to celebrate the 50^th anniversary of Etch-a-Sketch (sorry if I just made anyone feel old!) and if you team it with the free Etch-a-Sketch app then you can relive your childhood with a modern twist.

The Otterbox Defender is the toughest Galaxy Tab case ever – well, until someone makes a tougher one!  It’s got three different layers of material to absorb shocks and protect against scratches and scrapes, so however bumpy your commute is it’ll get you through the day.  We’ve got a press release for it here.

Speaking of commuters, I’m a bit sceptical about this next one – the Earzee Bluetooth wristband, which basically makes your hand into a phone so that you can go even more “hands-free” than with a Bluetooth headset.  You may look correspondingly even sillier, though! It’s a novel idea though, so if you’re a journalist and would like a go with one then let me know.

Fandroids will be pleased to know that the SIM free HTC Desire S is available for pre-order, and already generating a lot of attention – not surprising really, given the success of the Desire. It’ll be coming into stock very soon.

And here’s a funny thing – the iPhone 4 Horn Desk Stand.  It’s a bit like the modern equivalent of a gramophone, and acts as a desk stand for your iPhone 4 whilst also amplifying sound from your device with its horn.  Great for watching movies, and available in black and white.

A bit of news from our sister site GamingZap – they’re very excited about the Playstation 3 TwistDock which holds and docks your console, as well as charging your controllers, clearing up all of that annoying PS3 mess that gets in the way – and it swivels!

As usual, journalists can drop me a line if they’ve any enquiries or wish to request a review sample.

Best wishes,
MF Nat

Up until recently my answer would have been that the main differences were size, weight and battery life. While that’s still true for most headsets, advances in headset technology have meant that there is now something else to consider when choosing a Bluetooth Headset – Noise Cancellation.

Noise Cancelling Bluetooth Headsets

Now, you might be thinking that noise cancellation is nothing new, and technically it’s not – noise cancellation has been around for years and in a number of formats. From simple design changes such as foam covers over the microphone to clever software that makes your voice clearer, but the newer generation of Bluetooth headsets go one step further. Most of the latest noise cancelling headsets have 2 microphones built into them, one that picks up your voice and another that picks up background noise. Software in the headset then analyses the sound from both microphones and any sounds picked up by both microphones are removed so that your voice comes through clearly.

Not all Bluetooth Headsets currently have this feature, and trying to find the ones that do out of the 140 that we sell will take you some time, so to help you along I’ve listed below our top 10 noise cancelling headsets. Most of these headsets have the dual microphone technology, although a couple of them have some other clever technology to cut out back ground noise.

Jabra BT530
The BT-530 is a fantastic Bluetooth Headset from Jabra that packs in a lot of features at less than half the price of the latest Jawbone Headset.  As well as having 2 noise cancelling microphones, the Jabra BT530 has intelligent volume controls that will automatically increase the volume when you enter a noisy environment. The Jabra BT530 is a multipoint headset that allows you to use the headset with two mobile phones at the same time. For more information about multipoint, read our post on ‘What is Multipoint’.

Jabra BT530 Noise Blackout Bluetooth Headset

Plantronics Voyager Pro
Like Jabra, Plantronics specialise in Bluetooth headsets and their latest headset, the Voyager Pro is one of their best. It’s a lot smaller in reality than it looks in photo’s and rather than being worn in the ear, the Voyager Pro sits over and behind your ear, making it extremely comfortable – especially on long journeys. The Voyager Pro has two microphones mounted in the boom microphone and as well as using the technology described above to filter out background noise, the Voyager Pro has 3 layers of Wind Shield protection and Audio IQ technology to enhance the sound even further.

Plantronics Voyager Pro

iVoice GX-7
Despite iVoice being relatively unheard of, the GX-7 is an excellent little bluetooth headset. At just 42mm long and weighing less than 9g it’s one of the smallest and lightest headsets you can get, but that doesn’t mean it compromises on features. The GX-7 has dual microphones and echo and noise reduction software to eliminate background noise and automatic volume control that increases the volume when you enter a noisy environment. What makes this headset really special is that it supports caller ID, not by way of a screen on the headset, instead it calls out the callers name or number when a call comes in.  The GX-7 comes with a USB charger that can be used to charge the headset in the car, at home or using your PC/Laptop.

iVoice GX7 Bluetooth headset

Jawbone 2
Jawbone changed the way that noise cancellation in bluetooth headsets worked. Jawbone’s work slightly different to other noise cancelling headsets, as they use a ‘voice activity sensor’ to help make your voice stand out. This sensor needs to maintain contact with the side of your face as it picks up vibrations as you speak. It then uses this information with the sounds picked up from the two microphones to eliminate almost all background noise.

Jawbone 2

Jawbone Prime
Jawbone Prime is almost the same as the Jawbone 2, but adds multipoint and it doesn’t rely on the voice sensor making contact with your face.  The other technologies in the headset have been improved so that you still get excellent results even when the headset isn’t touching you. When it is making contact it gives the noise reduction a boost, improving the audio quality further. Jawbone Prime are available in a wider range of colours too. Named ‘Ear Candy’ the Jawbone Prime is available in Black, White, Yellow, Brown, Red, Green & Purple.

Jawbone Prime

Blueant V1
BlueAnt make several very clever Bluetooth Headsets and the V1 is incredibly small when you think of how much is packed into it. While the V1 is promoted more for its voice capabilities, the BlueAnt V1′s noise suppression technology is excellent. It has dual microphones as well as wind noise reduction and echo cancellation.  The BlueAnt V1 is a multipoint headset so you can use it with 2 phones at the same time, or have it connected to your PC or games console and quickly and easily take calls from either device. The V1 keeps controls to a bare minimum, with most functions being controlled by talking to the headset. If you get stuck, just ask it for help and it will talk you through most functions!

Blue Ant V1

Blueant Q1
The BlueAnt Q1 has everything in it that the V1 has with a few extra tweaks and improvements. You can store speed dials in the headset which allows you to quickly and easily call people without having to touch your phone. The noise cancellation technology has been improved too.  While it’s not as tiny as the V1, the new shape of the headset helps reduce wind noise and the dual microphones can cope with wind speeds of upto 10mph. The Q1 is also a multipoint headset and can be used with 2 devices at the same time.

BlueAnt Q1

Nokia BH-602
Nokia don’t currently make any dual microphone headsets, instead they rely on Digital Signal Processing to improve the qualilty of the audio. The BH-602 stands out from the rest of the Nokia range as it’s the only headset with automatic volume adjustment, so while it’s not going to do as much as the other headsets on this page to make sure that your voice is heard by callers, you won’t need to fiddle around with volume controls when you walk into a noisy room.

Nokia BH 602

Motorola H15 Moto Pure

Motorola haven’t done much in the way of new handsets in the last 12 months, but they have managed to produce some great accessories. The MotoPure H15 is a compact Bluetooth with a fold away microphone that will answer calls automatically when you unfold it. As with most headsets here it has dual microphone technology to help eliminate background noise. The MotoPure H15 comes with a handy charging desk stand that will charge the headset, but keeps the headset accessible for when a call comes in.

Motorola MotoPure H15

Motorola Endeavor HX1

The Motorola Endeavor is due to be released in the next few weeks and is different to any other noise cancelling headset. It features a stealth mode which can be activated as and when needed to really make sure that you’re heard. When the stealth mode is activated, a sensor mounted on the part that sits in your ear uses true bone conduction technology to relay only your voice while knocking out the most extreme noise and wind for a revolutionary premium headset experience. The HX1 is a multipoint headset that can be used with 2 devices at the same time and has voice prompts for ease of use.

Motorola Endeavor X1

If you’ve not seen the headset here that does what you want, take a look at our full range of Bluetooth Headsets. If you’re looking for a Bluetooth Headset that will allow you to listen to music in Stereo using a Bluetooth Headset, then take a look at our Guide to Stereo Bluetooth Headsets on the Blog or view all Stereo Bluetooth Headsets on the main site.

Jabra SP700 Bluetooth Speakerphone

So when presented with the opportunity to try yet another Handsfree Bluetooth in-car visor product I did not climb over the office furniture or rugby tackle fellow colleagues to be first in the queue.  However  on this occasion a particular feature of the Jabra SP700 caught my imagination – it claimed to offer  both voice and stereo music streaming direct from my Bluetooth enabled mobile phone to my in-car entertainment unit.

In the Box

The compact and stylish Bluetooth speakerphone also comes supplied with a visor clip that is already fitted, a USB charger cable, USB car charger and ‘plain English’ and compact user guide.

Jabra SP700 Bluetooth Speakerphone Box Contents

Getting Started

Just connect the USB charger cable to a spare USB port on your computer and up pops an illuminated  red battery icon to indicated that it is charging. When fully charged this icon then changes to green.  If you do not have easy or regular access to a computer then think about  purchasing a USB Mains Charger and use the USB charger cable  provided in the box when not in the car.  On the front of the unit are a range of icons that illuminate to indicate what status the speakerphone is in.  I will discuss these in detail later.

There is no dedicated off/on button, and although not immediately obvious, this function is activated by  pressing  and holding the front of the speakerphone; 2 seconds to switch it on and  4 seconds to switch it off.  If like me, you tend to exit your vehicle and forget to switch the speakerphone off then do not worry, the SP700 has an auto-power off when the phone is out of its Bluetooth range.

Pairing the SP700 to your mobile phone couldn’t be easier; when you switch it on for the first time it automatically enters its pairing mode which is clearly indicated by an illuminated Bluetooth Status icon appearing.  Next, just activate the Bluetooth function on your phone and set the phone to “discover” the SP700, enter the pin code (0000), mount it to your car visor and you’re good to go!

The Jabra SP700 clips neatly to your sun visor in the car

Controls

Now the SP700 is not big on controls, I have already mentioned the lack of an on/off button and it does not have any audio adjustment controls aside of a volume up & down button on one side of the unit, and there is also a FM transmitter button located on the opposite side.

Features

Now the SP700 provides the basic functions like any other like handsfree kit, as well as supporting extended features of some phone models like voice dialling – which as you may have already experienced is a potential Olympic Linguistic event in its own right.  Also the SP700 features advanced noise reduction and echo cancellation that insures excellent sound quality on both sides of the call.

When using the SP700 the current status is clarified by a clear voice announcement – available in 10 languages – a treat no doubt for those multi lingual potential users out there or those wanting to practice some basic phrases before arriving at their international holiday destination this summer!

The voice announcer switches from a female to a male voice for different status alerts.  However the announcement that caught me by surprise was the one that announced the caller ID of an incoming call – brilliant – and by pressing the front of the speakerphone I could answer or end the call.  The announcer also confirms when the speakerphone is switched off and also when it has made connection with your mobile  phone.

I found the clarity of the incoming call to be excellent by comparison to other Bluetooth visor speaker phones that I have used in the past, and I can confidently say that my voice was clearly received by my caller.  I must admit that my vehicle  suffers from very little cabin noise generally – however I also tested it in my wife’s 1.4 about town vehicle which isn’t a tractor by any means – but with mischievous and noisy kids in tow I still found the SP700’s speakerphone to be equally as impressive.

The Jabra SP700 has a classic, slim line design

The best feature is the FM transmission -  A simple press of the FM transmission button illuminates the FM transmission icon and speakerphone mute icon, then kicks the voice announcer into action as she clearly tells you the FM frequency to tune your car radio to.  If this frequency is congested by existing  radio stations then you can make adjustments by 0.1MHz at a time using the volume keys, the announcer will recite the new frequency selected each time you make a change.  My radios’ RDS function displayed the word JABRA to indicate that I had sourced the correct frequency and I promptly saved it to a spare preset number.   This remains the fixed FM frequency unless you make a change as previously mentioned or reset the unit to factory settings.  The only thing I did not have time to test was how the selected FM frequency would stand up to long journeys whereby you may drift into localised radio stations sharing the same frequency; however, the ease I found in changing frequencies leaves me quite confident that such an event occurring would not be a major problem to resolve.

The Nokia E71 phone was used to test the SP700 for streaming music to my car stereo, on hitting the play button on the phone, music came belting out almost immediately through the car speakers.  The quality was fairly good, however I found that the SP700’s lack of audio controls came to haunt it as the volume controls previous used to adjust the FM frequency remain set to this function while in FM transmission mode,  so you have to rely on your in-car audio controls to equalize the sound and adjust the volume.  This sometimes is a problem when you switch back to the radio or CD mode as the volume can sometimes be far too high for those built in sources.

Taking calls using the FM transmission mode was a delight, however be aware that your calls may be picked up by a stranger who is tuned to the same FM frequency and in close proximity to your vehicle, so keep this feature just for music or calls that are not of a private or sensitive nature.  On a final point if you turn off your radio or forget to change the status of the SP700 back to its own speakers, then the SP700 automatically disconnects from its FM transmission status following a period of non-use.

The SP700 boasts up to14 hours talk time & up to 255 hours standby however after a week of testing I am yet to re-charge.

Conclusion

I must admit the SP700 has not changed my preference which is to avoid taking calls while driving if I can, however when circumstances dictate that this is unavoidable or for those of you or where this is a day to day necessity then the SP700 does not disappoint, mainly because of its ease of use, functionality, portability and quality.  The Ace up its sleeve however is the FM transmission that adds a more practical and up to date feature for all music lovers who have migrated their favourite playlists into the fashionable multi-media Bluetooth mobile phones that are currently available – a smart move by Jabra.

Qstik Evo Q Bluetooth Headset

What’s Included

Normally with a Bluetooth Headset, you get a user manual and a charger and thats about all, but not with the Qstik.  I was pleasantly surprised to find that along with a Mains Charger, there was a desktop stand, an in car holder and magnetic mount, a spare ear loop and ear gel, user guide and the Stereo Headphones. I’d be impressed if a £70 headset came with that many accessories, but to find them all in with a headset of this price range is fantastic.

The desk holder and car holder both share the same charging cradle, so you will need to remember to carry the charging cradle with you as it’s not possible to plug the mains charger into the headset directly.

2 in 1

Whilst it looks like an ordinary Bluetooth headset, the EVO Q is actually 2 products in 1.  The Qstik is a Mono Bluetooth headset that can be used for voice calls on your mobile phone & VOIP calls on your PC, and when you connect the earphones, it becomes a Stereo Bluetooth headset that you can use to listen to music from your mobile phone or PC wirelessly.  To switch between Mono and Stereo, it’s just a case of plugging in the Stereo Headphones into the headset and launching the Music Player on your phone.

Pairing

Getting the Qstik Evo Q to work with my phone was extremely simple, and exactly how pairing any device should be.  Once it was charged, pairing took seconds.  On the subject of charging, it’s worth pointing out that the Qstik charger is actually a Mini USB charger, this is great as it means that I can charge it from my PC or laptop with a standard Mini USB data cable.  If you have a BlackBerry or Motorola phone then you’ll also be able to charge it with your existing mains or car charger.

 

Pairing the Qstik EvoQ Bluetooth Headset

To get the headset into pairing mode was just a case of pressing the centre button for about ten seconds until the lights flashed. Once they were flashing, a quick bluetooth search on my phone found the headset.  I entered the passkey (0000) and after a few seconds, the Qstik was connected to my phone.

Nokia BH-103 Vs Qstik Evo Q Vs Nokia BH-214

Size & Style

The Qstik has unique styling, but then it’s a fairly unique product.  The main unit of the headset isn’t designed to be worn on the ear all the time, no doubt the designers planned on most people using it with the headphones, in which case the main unit can be in your pocket or clipped to your jacket. Size wise it’s comparable to the Nokia BH-103 and Nokia BH-214, but compared to both of these headsets, it beats them hands down in terms of features and price.  I’ve put a comparison chart at the end of this post to highlight the differences between them. If you do wear it on your ear, it’s lightweight, comfortable and has simple controls that are easy to operate without having to fiddle around.

Audio Quality

Given the price point of this headset I was a little dubious about how clear the audio was going to be, but I had no reason to worry.  The Qstik features exceptional noise and echo cancellation technology to provide really clear audio. Even on the motorways at 70mph I had no problem with hearing callers, or being heard. Listening to music in stereo was equally as good.  Audio came through clearly and  paused when calls came through.

Connecting the Stereo Headphones to the Qstik

Music

The Qstik supports the AVRCP Bluetooth Profile which allows you control your music play back from the headset, with out the need to touch your phone.  On the phones I was using for this test, this only worked on the Nokia 5800 Xpress Music as the iPhone doesn’t yet support AVRCP. There aren’t any dedicated music controls on the headset, so track skip is achieved by different combinations of button presses.  To skip forward you have to press and hold the ‘+‘ button for 1 second and to skip back you press and hold the ‘-’ for one second.  It’s simple enough to do, it just takes a bit of time to remember which way round they are, but you’ll soon get the hang of it.

Battery Life

The battery life on the Qstik is pretty good.  There are headsets that will last longer, but you’ll pay a lot more for a Stereo Bluetooth Headset with the same number of features as the Qstik.  Talk Time is upto 5 Hours, Stand By time is aroud 150 hours, and we managed to play music continually for over 4 hours before the battery died. As mentioned earlier, the fact that the Qstik charges via Mini USB means that charging is easily done through your PC, so If you take the headset and charging cradle to work with you, you can plug it in to your PC and charge it throughout the day so that it’s ready for the journey home. The Mini USB Data Cable isn’t included though, so you’ll need to buy one seperately if you don’t have a spare one at home already.

Comparison

The closest alternative to the Qstik at the time of writing this post is the Nokia BH-103, but there are some significant differences.  The table below points out the key differences:

Feature	Qstik Evo-Q	Nokia BH-103
Mono Headset
Stereo Headset
Removeable Headphones
Includes Mains Charger
Includes Desk Stand
Includes Car Holder
Charger Type	Mini USB	Nokia 2mm
Music Control -Track Skip
Battery Talktime	5hrs	7hrs
Battery Stand By Time	150hrs	150hrs
Battery Music Play Back	4.5hrs	7hrs
Current Selling Price*	£9.95	£29.33

*Prices correct as of 29/06/2009

If this headset isn’t exactly what you’re looking for, why not take a look at our full range of Bluetooth Headsets and Stereo Bluetooth Headsets.  If you’ve got a Qstik EvoQ, let us know your thoughts on it.  Leave us a comment below.

For a number of years now it has been possible to use a Bluetooth Headset with your phone and more recently we’ve seen the introduction of Bluetooth Headphones and Stereo Bluetooth headsets that allow us to listen to music and make calls on our phone without the need for wires, but what if we want the same amount of freedom when using other devices such as PC’s?

We’ve compiled a list of our top 10 Bluetooth Headsets and Bluetooth Headphones / Stereo Headsets.

i-Tech Arrow X:
A budget headset with some great features. The Arrow-X is a multipoint headset which means you can connect this to your PC and your phone at the same time. If a call comes in from either device, you can answer the call quickly and easily on the headset.

Profiles Supported:
HFP (Hands Free Profile)
HSP (Headset Profile)

Jabra BT2020:
The Jabra BT2020 is one of the most comfortable Bluetooth Headsets available. Its unique design means that the bulk of the headset is behind your ear.

Profiles Supported:
HFP (Hands Free Profile)
HSP (Headset Profile)

Jawbone 2:
Jawbone headsets are all about noise reduction. They were one of the first to develop noise cancelling headsets, and are perfect for use in noisy environments (busy offices, sports events etc..)

Profiles Supported:
HFP (Hands Free Profile)
HSP (Headset Profile)

Nokia BH-102:
Attractive, reliable, and easy to use. The Nokia BH-102 is a great starter headset. It has simple controls, upto ten hours talk time and weighs just 11g.

Profiles Supported:
HFP (Hands Free Profile)
HSP (Headset Profile)

Jabra BT530:
The Jabra BT530 is a compact headset with simple controls, noise cancellation and multipoint. The BT530 has upto 5.5 hours talktime and weighs just 10g.

Profiles Supported:
HFP (Hands Free Profile)
HSP (Headset Profile)
A2DP – Single earpiece only

Bluetooth Headphones & Stereo Headsets

Qstik EVO Q:
The Evo Q is a 2 in 1 Bluetooth Headset. Use it on its own as a standard Bluetooth Headset, or connect the stereo headphones to it to get a Stereo Bluetooth Headset. In addition to the Desk/Car holder, the Evo Q also includes a Bluetooth Dongle for your PC making it an ideal headset for VOIP.

Profiles Supported:
HFP (Hands Free Profile)
HSP (Headset Profile)
A2DP – Stereo Audio
AVRCP – Playback Controls

Sony Ericsson IS-800:
The HBH-IS800 offers an extraordinary music experience – unique design,
essential function and high sound quality fused to create a sensational
stereo headphones.

Profiles Supported:
HFP (Hands Free Profile)
HSP (Headset Profile)
A2DP – Stereo Audio

Jabra BT3030:
Bluetooth just got cool thanks to the BT3030. Not only does it look good,
it sounds great. The Jabra BT3030 is a ‘dog tag’ style headset that lets you use any standard 3.5mm headphones with it.

Profiles Supported:
HFP (Hands Free Profile)
HSP (Headset Profile)
A2DP – Stereo Audio
AVRCP – Playback Controls

Nokia BH-504:
A unique folding design with advanced audio and call features make this headset a great choice for music lovers. The Nokia BH-504 lets you control your phone calls and music from the buttons integrated into the headset.

Profiles Supported:
HFP (Hands Free Profile)
HSP (Headset Profile)
A2DP – Stereo Audio
AVRCP – Playback Controls

Sony Ericsson DS-980 & DS-220:
Both of these headses are similar to the Jabra BT3030, but with a few significant differences. The DS-980 has noise cancellation and multipoint, where as the DS-220 lets you use any standard 3.5mm earphones, but doesn’t support multipoint.

Profiles Supported:
HFP (Hands Free Profile)
HSP (Headset Profile)
A2DP – Stereo Audio
AVRCP – Playback Controls