Review: Motorola H500 Bluetooth Headset

Motorola H500

Motorola H500

Motorola H500

Motorola H500
Weight	15.5g (0.55oz)
Body Size	58mm x 27mm (2.28" x 1.06")
Talk Time(1)	7:10
Ear Loop	Over Ear
Left/Right Ear?	Both
LEDs	1, blue
Pairings	Unspecified
Headset Sound	Good
Mic Sound	Good, no noise reduction
Talk Test	MP3
Wind Test	MP3
Noise Test	MP3
Included Accessories	AC charger, quick start guide, user manual
1) hh:mm. Music was piped continually through the headset in both directions, for a worse-case scenario

The Motorola H500, released at the same time as the H700, represents a lower end model in comparison, though is still a respectable headset in its own right. The Motorola H500 is the updated model of the Motorola HS820, and is the subject of today's review.

The H500 is a very sleek looking headset, and is available in many colors - including orange, pink, nickel, ice, and magenta. As well as the colored area on the front, the headset also boasts an elegant looking, though easily scratched, shiny plate that adds to its aesthetics. The H500 is neither small nor overly large at 58mm x 27mm (2.28" x 1.06"), but it is a sturdy unit. The headset itself is also relatively lightweight, tipping the scales at 15.5g (0.55oz).

The Motorola H500 delivers the standard Motorola buttons: a multifunction button, a volume up button, and a volume down button. The multifunction button is located in the middle of the shiny plate on the front face of the headset. While this location does make the button look pleasant, it also makes it quite difficult to find when wearing the headset. The volume buttons are located on the top and bottom of the unit (as you wear it), and unlike the multifunction button, manage to combine good looks with ease of use. An LED is found on the front of the unit, bordering the Motorola logo, and is blue in color.

Included in the H500 package is an AC wall charger, a quick start guide, and a user manual. The included lithium polymer battery gave us 7:10 (hh:mm) of talk time, with a manufacturer claim of 200 hours of standby time. Charging the headset was simple; the port at the rear of the unit is easy to locate and, using the provided AC charger or a mini USB cable, charging from empty to full took just over an hour. The H500 also has a sleep mode to help retain battery power when the headset is not in use.

The Motorola H500, like other recently released Motorola headsets, has very easy to use controls. To power up the H500, you must hold the multifunction button until the LED flashes, or alternatively until a tone is heard from the headset (if it is being worn), and to power down follow the same steps. To pair the unit with your phone from power off, simply hold the multifunction button for 5-10 seconds or until the LED is permanently lit. In adhering to standards, Motorola has kept the pairing code as "0000," and pairing with a Sony Ericsson W800 and a Nokia 6230 was a breeze.

Both headset and handsfree profiles are supported by the H500 over Bluetooth version 1.2. The number of simultaneous pairings available with the unit was unspecified.

 

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