Posted 04/02/2008 5:53 PM by Stan
Filed under: Bluetooth Headsets, Cell Phone Accessories, Plantronics
The CTIA trade show is going on in Las Vegas right now, which means lots of cell phone and accessory companies are dropping all kinds of new crap. Plantronics' new headset is most stylish than units they have shipped in the past and even comes in a cooler box. I've spent most of the day with this thing on and have a few impressions that you can find after the link. Don't worry, there are no pictures of my ears.
The good:
It's extremely light and pretty small enough that you don't look like too much of a douche wearing it in public. It found my Treo 755 with no problem and set up was as easy as I could've asked for it to be. The small, rubber thing that keeps the piece in your ear is surprisingly effective, even in my abnormally small ear canals (don't make fun, I'm sensitive). The sound quality that comes from the speaker was excellent, maybe even better than the crappy ear piece on my phone. The carrying case is really swanky and uses magnets to stay shut. It kind of looks like an upscale lipstick case...or...that's what some chick told me. Yeah.
The bad:
No matter where I positioned it, the outgoing sound quality wasn't exceptionally good. It wasn't bad either, but one of my co-workers put it like this, "I can hear and understand you fine, but it kind of sounds like you're talking into a can." Also, I would've preferred if it used regular mini-USB instead of the cable it comes with. The last thing I need is more cables to lug around.
Verdict:
While it looks and works great, the $150 price tag relegates it to people with unlimited cell phone plans and emu skin briefcases. The rest of us will probably be stuck searching for bargains and mail-in rebates.
