POINT 2 POINT COMMUNICATIONS LIMITED

Choosing a Bluetooth Headset

 

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.
Bluetooth headsets vary enormously in price.  Some can be found for $30 or less, while others cost $300 and more.  Careful shopping, using the information in this article, can save you from an expensive mistake.

Design Challenges in Creating Bluetooth Headsets
Creating a good Bluetooth headset is surprisingly difficult.  Regular wired headsets are very easy to design - with styles ranging from an absolutely minimal earbud speaker and shirtclip/microphone, up to a major dual earcup, over the head, set of headphones and angle-boom microphone.  Light weight versions are so light that having them securely mounted to/on your ear is no problem, and heavy duty headsets include secure mounting as part of their structure.

A Bluetooth headset can never be as small or light as small wired headsets, because it needs to include a battery and extra electronics.  This extra size and weight impacts on how the headset can be mounted on/around your ear.

Comfort Compromise
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.

Common Problems with Bluetooth Headsets
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.

Why Use a Bluetooth headset
Bluetooth headsets are considerably more expensive than regular corded headsets (or no headset at all!).  They are also somewhat more complicated to set up, and you then have the added complication of having to keep their battery charged.

Firstly, whether Bluetooth or not, you should try and always use some type of headset with your cell phone.  This will vastly reduce the amount of radiation that you're pumping out of the phone and into your brain - some scientists believe this radiation could be harmful, although studies to date have been inconclusive.

In some states and countries, you are not allowed to hold a cell phone while driving, and the use of some type of headset is mandatory.  Even if it is still legal to hold a cell phone and drive, it is safer to avoid this whenever possible.

A simple wired headset is a satisfactory solution for many people, but it literally ties you to your cell phone.  With a Bluetooth headset you can have your cell phone in your briefcase on your car's back seat, and still place and receive calls.

Range
In theory, all Bluetooth Class 2 devices are designed to have a range of 10 meters - about 33 ft.  However, this range can vary.
If there is a direct unobstructed view between your headset and your phone, then you'll probably get this range, and perhaps even more. But if your phone is on the opposite side of your head to your headset, and if it is in another room with a wall between you and it, you'll find the range drops considerably.