When Bluetooth (short range, radio frequency communication standard for wireless connectivity) first became available, one of the first devices to take advantage of this new protocol was the cellular phone. The protocol was perfect for short range use such as synchronizing the phone to your computer, using the phone as a modem, or wireless, hands-free headsets. I have always been a fan of hands-free headsets. You could talk on the phone while keeping both hands on the car steering wheel and the earpiece made it easier to hear the person you were talking with. Not to mention reducing the radiation dangers from holding the phone to your head.

However, I hated the design of the older wired headsets. I would have to wrap it up after using it, unwrap it while a call is waiting, and it would get tangled up with the keys in my pocket. When Jabra released their EarGel products, I immediately bought one. The comfortable EarGels made the headset easier to use for long periods of time, but there was still the issue of keeping it untangled in my pocket. When they released the EarBoom Winder, I bought it and it became my standard headset. It was small, compact and the cord auto-winds when I am not using it. But it still had a cord.

Bluetooth headsets promised to be the ultimate answer to the hassle of using a wired headset with a cellular phone. But would it be everything that we could hope for? One of the first companies to produce a Bluetooth headset was Jabra. By combining a sleek headset design with their comfortable EarGel technology, Jabra introduced the FreeSpeak Bluetooth headset. Now Jabra has updated the FreeSpeak with the new BT250V, the latest model in their original line of Bluetooth headsets.

The BT250V is a lightweight (0.8 ounce) headset that fits behind the ear and the newer Mini-Gel fits into the ear for a comfortable, firm fit. The Mini-Gel allows for clear sound and reduces a lot of the background noise. The controls are simple. There is one multifunction button that turns the unit on or off and activates commands to your phone. There is also a volume control and L.E.D. to indicate the status of the BT250V. The BT250V is an amplified headset, so the volume control changes the sound level of the BT250V. Combined with the volume control of the phone itself, I could hear the conversation in almost any noisy environment.

The BT250V comes in different configurations depending on your device. If your phone has Bluetooth 1.1 or higher capability, you can get the basic model. If you phone does not have Bluetooth, then you can choose the Non-Bluetooth model which comes with a Bluetooth Transceiver to attach to your phone. The only problem I personally have with this solution is having one more device hanging on my belt. However, if your phone supports voice commands, you could put the phone and Transceiver in your pocket, purse, or briefcase and do all your dialing and call answering with the BT250V. A great scenario for Bluetooth use.

For those of you who are worried about Cellular Phone Radiation, Bluetooth is a low voltage device and emits very little radio frequency energy. Far less than the phone itself. So the BT250V could be considered a cellular phone safety device. Also keep in mind that Bluetooth headsets are not water-proof, so just because your phone is safely in your pocket does not mean you can talk on the phone in the rain.

The BT250V has very clear sound and good range. The maximum range for Bluetooth 1.1 is 30 feet with a clear line-of-sight. It usually takes a few seconds for the phone to acknowledge the connection when you push the multifunction button, but the delay is minor. The BT250V is so light that after a few minutes of using it, you will not even notice that it is on your ear.

The BT250V features a Vibration Ring feature which is works well and is great when the BT250V is in a pocket or purse. However, I found it a little annoying when I was wearing it and it started vibrating on my head.

The battery life has been greatly improved from previous versions of this headset. The BT250V has a maximum talk time of up to 7 hours and a stand by time of up to 200 hours. More than a match for the most power conservative phone.

The size of the BT250V might be a little large for some people. Especially women, who may not want to wear a device of this size around their ear. People who wear glasses might also experience a little difficulty getting comfortable with the headset.


The BT250V come complete with a docking cradle and AC adapter for charging. There are also extra Mini-Gel earpieces. You can purchase additional Mini-Gels separately. An auto power adapter is also available as an option. The docking cradle can be equipped with a belt clip to transform it into a convenient holder for the BT250V. This is a very efficient and cost effective design. I personally do not use the docking cradle on my belt since I have a habit of knocking the BT250V out of the cradle when I sit down. I prefer to use a pouch-case on my belt to hold the headset. Currently I am using an old Nokia horizontal case for the 8290. Not quite as elegant, but it does hold the headset securely and protects it from scratches.

Not only is the BT250V a solid product with good performance, but it is one of the least expensive Bluetooth headsets on the market. In general, Bluetooth headsets are expensive, especially compared to standard wired headsets, but the Jabra is far less expensive than first-party models from Ericsson, Nokia, and Motorola. The BT250V is not the smallest unit on the market, but it is comfortable and easy to wear.

Good design, competitive price, wide availability, good performance, and great battery life. What more can you ask for in a product? The Jabra BT250V delivers…without the cord.

Pros
Easy to use
Vibrate Feature
Comfortable
Long Battery life

Cons
Large size
Cradle with Belt-Clip

Rating: 8 out of 10 Stars.

-Harvey Lee
Technology Editor

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Product: Jabra BT250V Bluetooth Headset
Manufacturer: Jabra
Web Site: www.jabra.com
Category: Mobile / Hardware
Price: $99.99
Supported Devices: Any mobile phone with Bluetooth capability