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Overview
I am not what you would call an early adopter of
technology. While I get excited and often marvel about the newest
technology gadgets, I rarely buy them. Complexity is to blame. The
sheer thought of spending hours reading manuals and searching online
discussion boards, trial and error and feeling like an idiot, while
trying to configure the new gadget makes the whole thing of being a
“technology geek” a rather unattractive proposition for me.
So, first things first: Setting up and pairing the Bluetake BT400 G3
with my Sony Ericsson T610 phone was straightforward, easy and it
only took a couple of minutes until I was placing my first call.
The Bluetake BT400 G3 comes with an AC charger, two extra color
plates, an extra ear hook and a multi-language guide booklet.
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Backside of the BT400 with the
foldable earhook. |
The headset can be worn on either ear by
removing the ear hook, flipping it and relocating the ear hook to
the headset again. This is a little awkward the first time, as it
requires some force and I was not quite sure, whether I would break
something or remove the ear hook properly.
Wearing the BT400 G3 is very comfortable even over an extended
period of time due to its light weight and soft rubber ear hook.
The sound quality is very good as well. I tested both placing and
receiving calls with the BT400 G3 and both microphone and earpiece
were very clear in sound.
The range of the headset is around 15 feet. This is very convenient
and allows for a very free usage of the headset. I could, for
example, place the phone on my desk and freely walk around in my
office.
Functionality and User Interface of the BT400 G3 is rather minimal
and simple. There are three buttons two of which are for volume and
one is a multi-functional button with multi-color indication lights
(LED). During charging the LED is red until fully charged when it
switches to green. Charging takes around two and a half hours.
The headset is turned on by holding the button for 5 seconds and
turned off by holding it for 2 seconds, with the LED blinking blue
or red respectively.
The headset is paired with a Bluetooth phone by holding the
multi-function button for 7 seconds (LED is flashing red and blue)
and following the pairing instructions from the phone.
As stated earlier, setting up the headset was easy and uneventful.
Additionally, Bluetake offers an
illustrated step-by-step guide on its website for the 25 or so
phones to which it is compatible.
The only minor challenge I encountered was that the volume of the
headset was set very low by default (I actually believe there was no
volume at all). This caused me initially to think that I had not set
up the headset correctly.
Once in use, adjusting the volume is a little tricky if you switch
the sides you are wearing the headset often. As the phone is
flipped, the volume buttons which are placed on top of each other
are also flipped. Meaning, that when wearing the phone in the right
ear, the volume is increased by pressing the top button and
decreased by pressing the lower button and when wearing the phone in
the left ear - you guessed it - the volume is decreased by pressing
the top button and increased by pressing the lower button. To remedy
this, the volume increase button actually has a little knob as a
sort of a tactile identifier; however this might be too subtle for
most to detect.
The BT400 G3 will ring together with phone and the multi-function
button on the headset can be used to answer incoming calls. Outgoing
calls can be initiated via voice dial if the phone has this
functionality and it is set up.
When not in use the headset’s microphone can be folded. This makes
the headset very compact and easy to carry even in pant pockets.
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The Bluetake BT400 G3 comes with an AC charger, two extra color
plates, an extra ear hook and a multi-language guide booklet. |
Conclusion
Bottom line, the Bluetake BT400 G3 is well worth
the price of around USD 60. It is easy to set up and use, light
weight and comfortable to wear and features a very good sound
quality and range.
How to Buy
The Bluetake BT400 G3 sells
on SuperMediaStore
for $54.00 with a Coupon (blue10off)
The Bluetake BT400 G3 sells on
Amazon.com for $69.95.
See also our review of the
Bluetooth
Headset BH 220.
Specifications
- General Radio:
Bluetooth Class 2, up to 5~10 meters (in open space)
(The maximum operating range depends on the paired phone model,
battery power, and environmental factors.)
Carrier Frequency 2.402~2.480GHZ
- Spread Spectrum:
FHSS (Frequency Hopping Spread Spectrum)
- Antenna:
Chip antenna
- Bluetooth Profile Supported:
Headset Profile
Hands-Free Profile
- Multi-Pairing:
It allows the headset to be paired with several Bluetooth devices
but connected to only one device at a time. The only one basis for
multi-pairing is that the last connected/communicated device has the
highest priority than others.
- Input Power:
5V 500mA, AC adapter
- Battery:
3.7V / 160mA / Li-Polymer / Embedded and Rechargeable
- Standby time / Talking time:
350 hours / 10 hours
(The maximum operating time depends on the usage frequency and
environmental factors. A long distance wireless connection and use
with a mobile phone will increase the power consumption.)
- Dimensions and Weight:
92mm(L) x 50mm(W) x 26mm(H), 26g
- LED Indicator Status:
Blue: Power on mode, Red: Low power or being charged, Blue & Red:
Pairing mode, Green: Full charged
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Bluetake BT400 G3 Box |
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