Motorola HS810 Bluetooth Headset

Rating:
Summary: Not so great as a computer headset
Review: First of all, let me make it known that I used this headset with a Bluetooth enabled laptop computer rather than with a Bluetooth enabled mobile phone.

That being said, I bought this headset on the advice of one of Best Buy's "geeks" that roam their store who assured me that it would work great as a computer headset as well.

Setting up the headset to work with a computer was easy once I read the directions. I had no problem with the configuration of this product or getting it to respond to my Bluetooth enabled laptop (read the easy to follow directions). My complaint was with the volume levels. Both the headphones and microphone volume were only marginal. I looked everyone in the Bluetooth configuration menus on my laptop to adjust the volume for both the headphone and microphone volume adjustment, but they were not to be found. As a result, people could only barely hear me and I could hear them only in a more quieter environment.

I sent a request for help to the Motorola support web site, and got back what appeared to be an outsource to a third world reply of "Response:" followed by the same list of three URLs that I had previously been shown by their "knowledgebase".

At that, I put all of the parts back into the package that it came with and took it back for a full refund.

Again, this review should only be used by someone who is thinking about using this headset with a computer instead of a Bluetooth enabled mobile phone. I did not try it with a mobile phone, so it may work perfectly well with one. All I am saying is that if you're looking for a Bluetooth headset to use with a computer, then this is probably not your best choice.

Rating:
Summary: Not too bad of a product
Review: For the most part, this product lives up to the hype. I bought this headset to use with my phone and laptop. The headset worked perfectly with my V600. The included documentation was pretty good for the phone/headset combo. On the other hand to get it to work with the laptop, I had to go through a few number of hoops for the USB/Bluetooth dongle but also with the headset/XP2 setup. In the end, the catch was that I could not use the XP2 drivers for the dongle (you must manually direct the program to use the included CD drivers) and that you need to specify in the sound options the use of bluetooth audio/ microphone, instead of your onboard sound card. Once I got things up and running, there was no problem with audio/voice quality on either end using skype. If you need more specific details, there are web sites decribing the setup.
By the way, the headset ear piece is a lot more delicate than I thought as it seems to be made of somewhat weak rubber like material.

Rating:
Summary: Looks Great, Feels Great, Sounds Okay
Review: I bought this headset a few days ago. I am using it with my Motorola MPx220. It connected easily to the phone which was not an issue. The one problem I have with the phone and not the headset is that Voice Recognition dialing is not supported by the phone's OS. One point to make is that the bluetooth connection between the phone and the headset takes about 5-7 seconds to connect. The issue with this is that when the phone rings with an incoming call and you pick up the headset and extend the mouth piece, it may not connect in time to answer the call. I have had this issue a few times. I love the freedom of the wireless headset, but the sound quality is okay. You can definitely hear some crackling or popping at times. If you like to be unteathered but willing to sacrifice some sound quality then this is the headset. A friend of mine purchased the HS820 and didn't like it due to the fact that it turns it self on when in his pocket due to now have the mouth piece flip option.

Rating:
Summary: Works exactly as advertised, 30 seconds to install
Review: I have a Blackberry 7100t and it took me about 30 seconds to get up and running with this bluetooth headset. I actually took this recommendation from another 7100t user and I am glad I followed his advice since I have no patience for installation hassles. While I have had great experience installing and using this device, that is not to say you will have the exact same experience when you try to use this headset with your Bluetooth phone. So do ask around (or read reviews at Amazon or elsewhere on the Web) to find out the headset that is known to work well with your phone. If this particular headset passes this test and has been reported by others to work well with your particular phone, go ahead and order. The sound clarity is great and the unit is very lightweight (you hardly notice you have it on).

Rating:
Summary: nice...but flimsy earpiece
Review: I have had this product for a month. I am using it with the Moto Razr V3. It works well and is easy to use. It is also fairly comfortable.

My problem is that the rubber earpiece fell apart. It provides a cushion for your ear. It would be easy to replace (it simply snaps on and off). I called Motorola to order some (I figured a dozen would last me a year!) I was told that they don't sell the earpiece separately. Since it is in warranty the only way I can fix it is to ship it to them and they will then ship me a new one. So, I have to go without it for about 2 weeks. If the next earpiece lasts as long as the first one, I'll be without the headset 2 weeks out of 4 while it is being replaced!

Hello Moto! Get a clue! sell me replacement earpieces!


Rating:
Summary: Very satisfied owner!
Review: I purchased this headset so I could use it with my Motorola v551. The pairing of the two devices was so easy it barely took a couple minutes before I started making calls with the voice dialing feature. So far I have no complaints about the sound quality, very clear and people on the other end are surprised when I tell them that I'm using a bluetooth headset! No problems with sound quality while driving as well. This device will attract attention, in a good way, you will get questions about it from friends and strangers. The range is very decent, I've been able to roam around my house with the phone in the living room with no reception/sound quality issues. This is a great product!..So far this is my second product from Motorola, both my cell phone and headset a such great quality products that they may have made themselves a loyal customer out of me! Or a least a great fan of their products!

Rating:
Summary: Volume is too low
Review: This might be the most comfortable BlueTooth headset out there

However, I've been very upset with connection speeds and call volume

Most people say that they can hear me very well ----- however, the connection speeds take forever to establish ---- in addition, the call volume is simply too low to even use it regularly

I use a Treo 650 --- I've heard that this headset works excellently with Moto products - your mileage may vary.....

UPDATE: I have also tried the Moto 850 ---- sadly, it is really no better than the 810 --- there are some volume improvements, but the volume is simply too low on my Treo 650 ---- I recommend the Scala 500

Rating:
Summary: Great for Blackberry 7100
Review: What I've learned is that certain bluetooth headsets work better with different phones. I used a Jabra set with the 7100 at first because that is what the T-Mobile store recommended. It was a frustrating experience with dropped calls and problems getting synched and staying synched. With the Motorola HS810, it synchs up and works like a dream. The flip open boom to turn on and off is a wonderful feature. I get some crackling in heavy wifi noise environments (My office has 5 different wireless LANs within range and many cordless phones) when I use it but overall it is fantastic. Definite buy if you have a Blackberry.

Rating:
Summary: Dont use the belt clip
Review: When I did have this headset, the sound quality on my end was good, battery life was excellent, as was the range. The other person always said there was an echo when I was talking to them. The design is very odd, as the ear "clip" is not very comfortable at all. It was always a task to get it around my ear quickly, and even then it did not feel secure, although it never did fall off. My biggest problem with it was the belt clip, since it came off when I was walking and I lost the headset. I have had cell phone belt clips and pager clips which have never come off, I feel as if it was a design flaw or perchance a fluke. Overall, I didn't like the feel of this headset.

Rating:
Summary: A beauty to wear, but...
Review: [Note: I bought this around July of 2004, and my initial review did not show up in the right place... so this is a repost of a 5 month old review]

More than the convenience, at this point, this headset is attracting conversation in book stores and Electronic stores that I frequent. I hang it around my neck (Neck strap included with packaging) and many curious people ask, "is that a miniature phone?" Well, it's a wireless headset, I say. A Best Buy salesman even said, "I envy you!".

Anyway, that's the non-essential part. Now for the usefulness:
It's great when I need to talk while driving. Very convenient. But if you are not wearing it when you get a call, it's quite dangerous to take it out of your neckstrap/glovebox/seat and wear it on your ear. I don't find it very easy to slip it on my ear - certainly at least not easy while driving.

If you are in Sales/Marketing and similar professions where you expect a lot of calls (receiving/sending), then this is the device for you, because I'd say you will soon get used to just wearing it around your ear all the time. The cordless convenience in these scenarios can't be beat. But if you are just a gadget freak (I'm guilty here), and got it just for the technology, then, well, chances are, you may not be using it all the time. (Works great to create an impression though!).

If your phone supports voice recognition, then making calls is easy with this headset - just say the name and about three seconds later (in the case of Motorola V600 phone), the phone will start dialing your number. (You will not like the 3 second delay at first, but you will probably get used to it quickly). To receive calls, just extend the mic boom and the headset connects to your phone. But if you are already wearing this headset over your ear, then the boom is always extended (and I think the battery is probably being drained in this position) - you have to press a little button on the side to accept an incoming call in this scenario.

I'd give 5 stars for the ultra-cool design, finish, form, voice quality and the packaging (which includes a snap off neckstrap, a really good looking pouch and a charger)
I'd give 3 stars for the practicality of this thing. (No fault of Motorola here. Just comes with the headphone territory). As I said, for some people, this wireless convenience really works.

I'll keep mine. When not actively using it, it at least keeps the Sales kids in Best Buy really talking shop with me. I guess they look at me as an "early adopter" and a tech savvy guy (which I am ;>) )

ps. Finally, for the kids out there, whether you use a handsfree set or a phone, talking while driving is distracting and is considered dangerous by many. So please use discretion!