Functions
The headset's functions are lacking and hard to manage when the headset is on the ear due to its design. Its face has eight ridges, two of which are actual buttons; namely, "power/mute" and "talk/transfer." The buttons do not respond immediately when pressed and often must be pressed more than once. I grew frustrated trying to use the headset's buttons, and usually resorted to using my phone to dial and receive calls.
The phone's volume buttons are located in a relatively intuitive place on the top and bottom of the headset, but it isn't clear why they are necessary for the BT400 G5. There is one volume that works, which is one level below top volume. Top volume almost makes my friends on the other end sound like they are stuck in a tornado, while any volume below one-level down from the top, and I couldn't hear what they were saying.
Sound Quality
Besides the below average sound quality of the BT400 G5 on my end, the headset made me sound bad to my friends. One buddy on the other end said he heard a buzzing sound when I talked, like he was being attacked by a swarm of flies.
The only time I could actually hear the person I was speaking with was when the phone volume was set to one level below top volume in a quiet room. I could barely hear friends on the other end at all while driving, especially at top volume.
To describe the BT400 G5's sound quality bluntly, using the headset during my review process made for a series of awful conversations for both me and the person I was talking with.
Other reviews on the Web said the headset sounded good with their phones, but we have to disagree with their comments for this headset. By the end of my review period, I went back to holding my phone up to my ear while talking and driving rather than endure the poor sound of this headset.
Range
The BT500 G5's range was okay, but I couldn't walk more than 15 feet away from my phone outside without losing adequate listening quality. At 20 feet, the person on the other end could not hear me and was barely audible on my end. The company advertises a 30-plus-feet range. Since it was impossible to get clear reception from any distance from the phone, we could say the headset's true range is indeterminable.
Conclusion
Bluetake's headset makes for an extremely comfortable wearing experience. We'd say the company nailed this aspect of the BT400 G5 with its patent-pending flexible ear hook design. But for its next version of this device, the company really needs to work on the headset's sound quality, range and look. Unless you're specifically looking for a comfortable headset to use while you're sitting around the house, we can't really recommend it. For us, sound quality should be your top priority, and this headset is really lacking in that department.
Pros
- Comfortable fit
- Company reputation
Cons
- Sound Quality for callers on both ends
- Range
- Design
- Difficulty of use
- Poor connectivity
- Poor battery life
Written by Andrew J. Manuse, For the Eyes of the Beholder,
Manuse Media Company
Posted May 8, 2006 by BlueTomorrow.com Editorial Staff
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