Jabra's BT800 Bluetooth Headset

Weight	27.6
Body Size	68mm x 33mm
Talk Time(1)	5:41
Ear Loop	Adjustable
Left/Right Ear?	Both
LEDs	One
Pairings	Multiple
Headset Sound	Very clear
Mic Sound	Loud, synthetic
Link	BUY HERE
Talk Test	MP3
Noise Test	MP3
Wind Test	MP3
Included Accessories	USB charger cable
Pros	Display, vibe alert, noise cancellation
Cons	Size/weight
1) hh:mm. Music was piped continually through the headset in both directions, for a worse-case scenario

We are starting to see what is sure to be the next wave in Bluetooth headsets: displays. Like the Sony Ericsson HBH-660, the new Jabra BT800 has a monochrome LCD display that shows caller ID information from the handset - even showing the name if your phone has a contact record for the inbound caller already. In the case of the BT800, the display can also be used for accessing a menu of features inside of the headset, without the need for cryptic button press combinations.

Physical aspects

The cost of that functionality, at least at this point, seems to be extra bulk and weight. Our test unit weighed 27.6g (.97oz) and measured 68mm x 33mm x 25mm (2.68" x 1.30" x .98") in size - not counting the adjustable ear loop. But in return for that extra mass, you get a solidly constructed headset and a nice assortment of controls. These include separate buttons for answering and ending a call, a jog-dial like volume control, and a combination mute/menu button. The two main buttons and the volume control have a really nice feel, the mute/menu button is perhaps a bit hard to press by comparison, but still fine.

There is one last control, of sorts, on the BT800 in the form of a small hole. If you use the included stylus or a paper clip, you can access a hidden button in that hole to put the headset into pairing mode, or to reset it (when used in combination with another button). I find it far more convenient to use the regular menu to put the headset into pairing mode, though.

The charging port on the BT800 makes use of a "micro" USB connector, one that I have seen on numerous headsets recently. The supplied USB cable allows you to charge your BT800 direct from your PC, which is much more convenient for most people - especially if you are travelling. We managed 5 hours and 41 minutes of talk time in our tests using a Bluetooth v1.1 adapter on a PC. The Jabra BT800 supports Bluetooth v1.2, so you might get a bit more talk time when using a v1.2 handset.

Using the BT800

Using the BT800 is a pretty straightforward job. A quick tap on the answer button answers or initiates a call. A 1 second press on the same button will redial the last number, assuming your handset supports the Hands Free profile, which is typically the case these days. A tap of the end button will end the current call, and a 1 second press on it will reject an inbound call. Be careful, though, because if you hold it down for too long, you will turn the headset off. If that happens, holing the end call button for a few more seconds will turn the headset back on. The buttons can also be used to place a call on hold and access call waiting.

Navigating through the BT800's menu is a snap. You simply press the center mute/menu button to access the menu, then use the volume control to move up and down the lists and options. The two call buttons then act as softkeys, just as any phone would have, and allow you to select options and change them. There are a a handful of options to be potentially changed.

 

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