Customer Reviews: Read 44 more reviews...
 This is the headset to buy! (Not!: Revised) February 7, 2007
12 out of 13 found this review helpful
My evaluation after 5 months is changed to 3 stars (see end).
Over the last two years I've tried about 10 other headsets, including DSP ones like Plantronics 655 and Aliph Jawbone (paired with a BT Motorola e815). The common problems they all shared were:
1. loss of signal or lots of static (I wear right ear, left hip). This static was both inbound and outbound. The Nokia uses bluetooth 2.0. I'm not sure if that's the difference (all other headsets were 1.2 or 1.1), but I have a great, static free signal that doesn't drop. The signal is crystal clear. After spending time with a bunch of other headsets, am truly impressed.
2. voice quality/volume would vary, with echo and ambient noise problematic. The Nokia sounds very natural and easy to understand. While the design is off ear, the proximity of the speaker to the ear canal and volume of the unit are very easy to hear. I have this on the lowest setting, which works fine. It gives me flexibility to increase the volume in a noisy environment. More importantly, the extended boom mic allows my voice to be picked up easily, even in noisy environments. The mic end actually has 3 ports (straight ahead, top and bottom), so picks up your voice even if you are off-axis. The DSP and echo cancellation really work. As long as you do not have unrealistic expectations, you will be pleased (i.e.- DSP will attenuate steady noises and tones, but not loud voices close to you (you will be picked up, but voices can be heard at a lower volume), but works fine where voices are farther away (i.e.- restaurant noise)). Road and car noise is now a thing of the past, even with the window open.
The control buttons on this unit are well spaced and easy to use, even while wearing gloves. The volume control is about the nicest I've seen- a toggle that goes left/right (up/down). The straight press down mutes the headset, and I've not had any problems confusing these functions. There is a button in the middle that turns the unit on/off, and easily confirmed by the red off light or tone. The button closest to the mic is a answer/end and redial control. The call will also be answered when the mic is retracted if you pull it all the way out, and ends when you retract it all the way. Very intuitive, works flawlessly. There is no delay when using the voice dialing feature.
The ear hook itself takes some getting used to. The manual could be better at describing how to put the piece on. Basically, you hold the hook about 12 o'clock and slip the top portion over your ear and the back part under your earlobe (in the beginning, it's easy to bend your ear back, but if you do, it's not aligned correctly). When the hook slips in, gently rotate the headset (without pushing it snugly in first) to about 10 o'clock. I find the rotation snugs the hook onto my ear. If your ear is large, you will experience tightness and discomfort. That was my problem. I solved it by leaving a pen in overnight to stretch the width of the hook, and had to file down the insight edge of the hook (which was quite sharply angled and hit my ear in 2 places). Since the hard edge was filed, it feels very comfortable, and I am able now to wear it for hours without discomfort. The headset feels very secure no matter how I turn, and operating the controls does not hurt the ear. I wear glasses and have no problems fitting this on.
The recharging cord plugs right into the unit, so there is no need for a cradle. I wish it came with a USB cable for use at work. I haven't been able to find one, but this is a minor complaint. The talk and standby time is superior to all others I've had. The unit is lightweight and build quality is very high. I thought I'd never have a headset that sounded good and worked well, or that I'd have to test out the new, yet unreleased ones for something that met my requirements. I may still try out the new bone conduction units coming out soon as these theoretically will virtually eliminate ambient and wind noise. But this Nokia is the best unit out today, and has made a believer out of me.
Revision: After owning this for a couple of months, I've noticed an occasional problem I find annoying. When I have it on my ear for a while, if I get a call, somehow the BT cuts out (not sure if it's the phone or BT itself, but I suspect BT). I will press the answer button but no signal. I have to reconnect the BT to talk (often losing the call). It doesn't happen all the time-I think it times out after a while, and is annoying when it does. For this reason I would lower the rating to 4 stars. I still like all the other features, but this is enough of a problem I want to see what else is out there. Sigh, I will probably look at the new models when they come out this year and see if I can find one that's perfect for me.
Latest Update: After 5 months, the rubber earpiece on the unit has a tear in it, making it hard to hold properly. I called up Nokia to get a replacement rubber piece, and they wanted me to mail in the unit for replacement. Unfortunately, I no longer have the receipt. No way they they can help me. The service policy is atrocious. I now have a BT I can no longer use for want of a rubber earpiece. What a waste of money! Beware, if you purchase this keep your receipt. I'm dropping this to 3 stars. This and the call dropping says it's not worth purchasing.
Great noise reduction/echo cancellation, sound quality February 21, 2007
7 out of 7 found this review helpful
I've tried out several bluetooth headsets, and the Nokia BH-900 wins for my needs, hands down!
Positives: The ear hook, once you get used to it, keeps the headset firmly on your ear, and (again, for me) is easily wearable for long periods of time.
I used this at a local amusement park (think giant mouse), and was able to converse in spite of crowd noise, and noise from the rides. The noise reduction works very well, even allowing conversation in (moderate) windy conditions.
The headset doesn't need to be put in "discovery" mode, just turn it on, and have your phone "search", and it'll show up! Not sure how Nokia manages this, while all other BT headsets need to be put into a special mode. Also, the lcd on the device is discreet... won't disturb people in a theater, or blind drivers (my wife asked me to take another BT headset off while she was driving, saying it was a distraction).
LCD also blinks green when the headset is turned on but not connected to your phone, then blinks blue when linked to your phone! Makes it easy to know if device is linked with your cell phone or not. LCD turns red while charging, and green once charge is completed.
If cell phone and headset are separated by a large distance, the headset will lose connection, but press and hold the "talk" button, and headset will find and relink with (my) cell phone. Other people have reported the headset losing connection and/or randomly turning off, but I haven't experienced any of those issues. I'm using a Samsung T809.
Buttons are easy to find, even with the headset on your ear. I also appreciate that Nokia, on this device, gives you a (small) separate on/off button, along with the talk/disconnect button and volume/mute toggle switch.
Negatives:
Larger then most other headsets, but it's elegant, love the extending boom mic (which, by the way, answers and/or disconnects your call), and has a very firm ear hook.
Also, wish it came with USB or car charger, but the battery seems to last quite a few days before needing to be recharged.
Overall, an excellent headset!
The best on the market at this time. August 14, 2006
12 out of 15 found this review helpful
This is my 11th different bluetooth headset that I've tried over the past year and it's been been the best, by far, of the ones I've tried. Is it the best it could be....not by a long shot but it works and that goes a long way.
I use it for business calls and have yet to be called on it. That within it self makes it a winner but the Gennum nxZen almost works that good. The difference is I can hear this one with relative ease as opposed to the nxZen. If you boost the microphone (on the nxZen)gain it decreases the in audio which is a issue. I prefer the "in-the-ear" type headset because I'm always using it in loud places like airports etc. The built in boom slides forward and provides excellent out audio for the receiver. I still, struggle at times, hearing the caller. The talk time, so far, is very good. I can wear it for several hours but at some point my ear does start hurting.
I use this with my Treo 700w. It drops the pairing on a semi-regular basis. It was easy to pair to my original phone but I've not been able to pair it with any other thing.
Overall, if you been waiting then wait no more. It's worth price.
Good transmit audio April 12, 2007
4 out of 4 found this review helpful
Sounds very good on other end.
Took a long time for earpiece to soften or maybe my ear confored to it.
Buggy. Have to reset once in a while. 1st call sometimes dumps.
Good noise control on transmit. Steady noise is eliminated but music and voices still cause interference. I use in 18 wheller. One of very few Bluetooth that can be used there. Very few. Thats why I put up with bugyness.
Function and Comfort March 18, 2007
3 out of 3 found this review helpful
Simply the best sounding (both ways) and most comfortable BlueTooth system I've used. Excellent charge life. Boom mic sounds better than phone! Sound is great, even at highway speed with road noise. The ear speaker is actually loud enough to hear with easy volume control. It doesn't flop around on my ear... and... so comfortable I forget I'm wearing it. The only negative is the "hoaky" Nokia ring tone on incoming calls. :-)
Buy it.
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