Bluetooth hardware is becoming more in vogue as it becomes more required by US States that prohibit the operation of a hand-held mobile phone whilst driving. Although many bluetooth headsets might be subtle and covert enough to blend in as normal day-to-day attire, many of them are just big, gaudy and obvious.
Motorola's H680 is an entry into the “fashionable” line of bluetooth headsets. Featuring slim lines, trim shaping, and subtle coloring (black) the H680 puts the ear bud into bluetooth headset.
However, style, try as we and Motorola might, isn't everything.
How it works The H680 is very simple to use, and overall, very compatible. Although I've never run into bluetooth devices of “differing branding” being truly incompatible with one another, its generally easy to power on, pair and operate the H680 with your mobile phone.
First of all, it features a real, honest to goodness power switch that's independent of all the other buttons on the unit. The power switch is a real change from most other headsets including many others from Motorola.
Obviously, to turn the thing on, you flip the switch.
Pairing is a little more complicated as that it involves holding down buttons while the headset powers on.
The phone's “call”/feature button invokes call handling such as acceptance, rejection and invoking your phone's voice command functionality (if present.) its pretty large, and pretty easy to distinguish on the face of the headset, even with the headset mounted on the side of your head.
You take a call by pressing the feature button. You likewise, hangup by pressing it again during a call.
Two volume control buttons on the unit allow you to control volume during your calls.
Pretty simple operation, eh?
When conversing, the other party sounds nice and clear, and the headset tends to cling relatively well to your head while using it, despite the fact that the over-ear piece that holds the headset on your head is more of a balancing piece than a strong adhesive device to help keep the headset on your face. I've worn this device during physical activity and it kept on my head relatively well.
This unit includes a “mini usb” charging system, which provides you with a plastic holding case with magnetic clasp that keeps the headset secured and stationary in its little case while it charges. When it's done charging, you can pop the unit out of the case and wear it, OR, you can just unplug the little case and carry it around with you as a great way to keep the unit safe while traveling.
How it looks Unlike many bluetooth headsets that look like something from star trek jumped off the TV screen and began sexually assaulting your ear, the Motorola H680 sports a very small, sleek and slim profile.
It's a fashionable headset, to be sure. At many angles, people can occasionally not even notice that you're wearing one. The blue connection light is very subtle, so when you're in a dark area, or in your car at night, the flashing blue connection light isn't a serious distraction. A very important distinguishing feature when driving at night.
However, looks are not everything in this world...
Can you hear me now? No? oh... although you can generally hear your other party well while using this headset, and you can boost the volume if you're having trouble hearing them, the next most important thing is that the other party can hear YOU as clearly.
That's where this headset becomes a problem. My biggest complaint when using it was that when I was talking to people, I sounded like I was 100 feet away from my phone. Simply put, I was too quiet.
Background noise was also a bit of an issue. Sometimes the sounds around me carried more clearly than the words coming out of my mouth.
This is, clearly, a serious problem.
There was also the periodic occasion of “static” between the ear piece and the phone. This is caused by interference between your mobile phone and the bluetooth headset. Although moving the phone closer to the headset (and removing obstacles between the two units) mitigated this problem.
Summary It's sleek and fashionable, but people had trouble hearing me. I didn't buy a bluetooth headset to look great, I bought it to talk to people whilst keeping both my hands free.
It's kind of ashame, because the nice styling and the other great design ideas this headset provides are really nice and somewhat unique features.
But who needs a headset where you can't be understood?
For those who want a subtle and attractive headset, the H680 offers first-rate design and an elegant small size at an affordable price.More at TigerDirect.com
For those who want a subtle and attractive headset, the H680 offers first-rate design and an elegant small size at an affordable price.More at CircuitCity.com
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