FreeSpeak BT200 Bluetooth headset

ALTHOUGH THE BT200 headset from Jabra falls under the category of voice rather than data accessories, it provides a very interesting insight into how Bluetooth works. Whilst the majority of purchasers will probably be interested in obtaining one for its hands-free capability while driving a vehicle, there's no reason why the BT200 couldn't be employed for VoIP calls (Internet telephony).

Like any Bluetooth device, the BT200 needs to be paired with another product before it can be utilised. You therefore need to ensure it is 'discoverable' - a task which is achieved by holding down the main control button until the blue light stays solid for a few seconds. Next, in order to 'pair' it with another device, you'll need to know its 'password' - which in this case is 0000 (four zeros).

The INQ tried this process with a number of different handsets. An intriguing discovery was that while it could be paired with a Nokia 7650, there must be an incompatibility in the way both devices have implemented Bluetooth's headset profile. They recognise each other but the combination simply doesn't work. Significantly if you visit Jabra's handset compatibility chart here, the 7650 isn't listed as compatible with the Freespeak BT200.

No worries, though, because the BT200 worked well with Nokia's 3650. It worked even better with the Sony Ericsson P900. Using a Bluetooth headset provides the perfect opportunity to capitalise on the integrated voice dialling (ie Nokia Voice) capabilities which most handsets offer. You can train them to associate names with at least nine different telephone numbers. The beauty of this approach is that you can dial numbers while driving. Just press the BT200's button (easy to do since the BT200 since behind your ear) once; say your magic (command) word - for example, "Dial", and then follow that with a name. The handset repeats the stored name it thinks you mean, and then dials it.

For receiving calls while driving, all you do is set the handset to answer incoming calls automatically after a few rings. The latest Nokias and Siemens handsets have built-in profiles which detect you're using a Bluetooth handsfree and set such parameters automatically for you.

The only downside to the BT200 is battery life. It's quoted 'standby' time is 100 hours but the INQ found that after reasonable 'talktime' during a day by nightime it needed a recharge. By contrast, one good thing about the BT200's design is that the earpiece rotates so you can wear it behind either ear. µ