AUDIO REVIEW

Logitech Mobile Bluetooth Headset review

7.0

Editors' Rating

Ease of use		7.5
Design		8.5
Audio quality		7.5
Features		5.0
Value		6.5

Jonathan Bennett ZDNet.co.uk

Published: 08 Jan 2004

The Mobile Bluetooth Headset's soft styling and neat carry case give it a more gentle appearance than many a competing device, but is there substance behind the pleasing design? That's debatable: battery life is good, certainly, but this isn't the cheapest headset we've examined, and it lacks extra functions.

The Mobile Bluetooth Headset uses a boom microphone, which other manufacturers have been trying to avoid, but this one folds back to make the headset more compact when you're not using it. An unusual ear clip design is also used, which grips the ear using a sprung pincer (it's more comfortable than it sounds). In fact, despite being one of the heavier headsets available, Logitech's device doesn't feel too bad in use.

The controls are positioned toward the rear of the headset. The call button is easily found by touch alone, but the volume control rocker can be more difficult to find. You'll need to brace the headset with a couple of fingers to use the call button, but the volume controls are far enough forward not to need this.

You don't get any extra call functions with Logitech's headset, despite it supporting the headset profile. The call button answers and ends calls, and turns the headset on and off, and that's it. There's no support for voice dialling, redialling or any other functions. You can mute the headset by holding down the volume control for four seconds -- quite a delay, especially if you're driving.

Logitech claims the standby time for the Mobile Bluetooth Headset is 300 hours, the longest of any similar device we've looked at. Although the talk time of seven hours isn't quite as long as the Plantronics M3000's claimed life of eight hours, it's pretty close and the M3000 doesn't have as long a standby time.

The Mobile Bluetooth Headset is supplied with a combined case/charger. The mains charger plugs into the case to recharge the headset's battery, but you can also use the case for protection of the headset while you're not using it. It's very sturdy, so should stand up to even quite severe knocks. However, it does also mean extra bulk to carry around if you need to recharge the headset while you're on the road.

Logitech's headset will appeal to you if you need longer standby and talk times, but the lack of support for extended functions is disappointing, especially at this higher price. The carrying case is an interesting and unique, but doesn't justify the cost of the Mobile Bluetooth Headset alone. By all means keep an eye on what Logitech does with this device (the missing functions may soon appear, for example) but for now other headsets probably deliver better value for money.