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Setting Up the Headset
The Flamingo Bluetooth headset comes with six EarClick attachments, the name for the ear bud for this headset. One EarClick is already attached to the device when you open the box. If the device does not fit in your ear with the already attached EarClick, then find one that does fit. The EarClick can be easily pulled out, and another one of a different size intuitively fits right back in its place.
Unfortunately, the Flamingo only fits in the right ear. For most people, that’s not going to be a big deal and really wasn’t for me either. But if you’re like me, you like putting your headset in your left ear so when you’re driving you have your right ear open to other passengers or the radio in the car. It won’t be possible with the Flamingo Bluetooth headset.
Pairing
Like most Bluetooth devices, the Flamingo Bluetooth headset is relatively easy to pair with a mobile phone or computer. Start with your headset off, then engage pairing mode in the device you want to connect it with by following the instructions that came with it. Then, simply press and hold the control button on the Flamingo Bluetooth headset down until it flashes red and blue.
Next, search for Bluetooth devices with your mobile phone or computer and select “Flamingo” when it shows up. You will have to enter the pass code found in your user manual at this point. Once you do, you will be connected and ready to use the device.
Subsequently, you will only have to press the control button on the Flamingo Bluetooth headset and it will connect with your phone. In my tests, the Bluetooth connection was solid.
Battery Life and Charging
The Flamingo Bluetooth headset has two open metal connectors on the back of it that link to two prongs built in to a charging cradle, which in turn connects to the wall with an AC adapter. A magnetic force holds the headset in the cradle, but it is difficult to place the headset in the right position to make a connection. Once it is in the right position, it stays there.
The connection between the AC adapter and the charging cradle is a standard single prong, which in my experience wears out quickly. I don’t understand why CellPoint Connect didn’t just fashion the AC adapter and charging cradle as one piece; such design would have been more durable. Still, once the AC adapter is plugged in to the cradle, there is no reason to detach it, so perhaps the connection will last longer.
The Flamingo Bluetooth headset takes about four hours to charge the first time and each time subsequently. A red light on the charging cradle will indicate that the headset needs more time. It will light up green when the headset is fully charged
CellPoint Connect says the Flamingo gets 8 hours talk time and 180 hours standby. I did not test this with a clock, but from experience it seems like the headset does not get the 8 hours of talk time. I spent one day using the device during my one-hour commute and found it needed to be charged the next day when I wanted to use it again.
Like all headsets I’ve reviewed to date, the Flamingo does not have a removable battery. Thus, the battery life will wear out over time and the headset will need to be replaced when it does.
Style and Comfort
The Flamingo Bluetooth headset is both comfortable and stylish, and its comfort is its greatest strength. It does not get in the way of glasses, winter hats, head movement or long hair.
The headset comes with six sizes of EarClick attachments, which are crafted with anti-allergic material and made to fit well in almost everyone’s ear. The EarClick attachments are similar to ear buds found in most headsets, but instead are split into a top and bottom section that work together to click into the ear lobe. Once I found the right EarClick, the headset snapped right into my ear lobe and stayed there. It is barely noticeable.
The Flamingo Bluetooth headset is small - at 3.75 inches (9.5 cm) long and 0.5 inches (1.3 cm) wide and thick – lightweight – at 0.39 ounces (11 grams) – and easily fits into pants pockets.
The headset is available in eight “HappyEar” colors, including “oyster,” a very pure white; “deep sea,” a dark blue; “moonlight,” a white with a tint of blue; “Paris pink,” a very light shade of pink; “stealth,” a dark gray that is almost black; “watch me,” a florescent pink; “blade,” a lighter silver; and “racing,” which is about as red as it gets.Honestly, I could care less what color my headset is so long as it’s not gaudy, but I know there are people out there who identify with their electronics. The color scheme is built for them. If you are like me and don’t like gaudy, avoid the “oyster,” “watch me” and “racing” colors. The rest are fine.
Though it is more a matter of sound quality, the foam windbreaker and lanyard that comes with the device makes the headset both uncomfortable and unattractive to wear. More on this later.
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