Can the BlueAnt T1 Rugged Bluetooth Headset take a licking and keep on ticking? Read our full review here.
BlueAnt T1 Overview
It's rugged and it talks to you, just like a sensitive Chuck Norris. But the BlueAnt T1 bluetooth headset also fights wind with Wind Armour technology and battles external noise and echoes. The BlueAnt T1 has all of the voice command action found in products like the company's car-friendly BlueAnt S4 Bluetooth speaker device. It imports your phonebook and supports voice dialing so there's no need to fondle your phone. Let's not forget about the protective rubberized skins. Is this $80 earpiece worth your hard-earned cash, or are there better options on the planet? Let's find out.
Using the BlueAnt T1
Aesthetically, the BlueAnt T1 is a compact unit that emulates a Transformer with its angular façade and mechanical appearance. It has a flashy white light embedded within the microphone landing strip that echoes sophistication. However, we weren't too excited about the placement of the On/Off Switch, which resides along the inside of the unit. Most times we had to take the BlueAnt T1 out of our ear in order to power it off or on, so if you leave your Bluetooth device in your ear all day and need to conserve power, it might be a bit of a pain in the rear to have to keep taking it out.
And that's because it's quite the process to fit the thing in your ear in the first place. The BlueAnt T1 will not fit snugly in your ear with the rubber ear insert alone—we tried every size. You'll need the plastic ear insert that loops around the top of your ear in order to keep the T1 buckled in like a little kid on a roller coaster. Once it's in, you're not going to want to take it out unless you have to because the process is like watching a dog trying to find a comfortable spot to sleep.
The BlueAnt T1 also specializes in a multifunction platform, so that means we have buttons doing more than one thing. For instance, the Volume + button can switch or resume a held call. Pressing both the Volume + and Volume – buttons will mute and pair the T1. And then there's the MFB button. No, it doesn't stand for Motha %^$#&!@ Bluetooth. It's the Multi-Function Button, which does just as it says—handles multiple functions. The MFB lets you accept a call, prompt the voice activated menu, conference calls, and more.
BlueAnt T1 Sound Quality
Now the BlueAnt T1 is no Sound ID 510, so we're not introduced to advanced, EQ-based sound quality. Our main concern was the BlueAnt T1's Wind Armour technology, and it held its own throughout fair blasts of wind. As for as the general sound of the device, we found it to be decent, but the Sound ID 510 offered more clarity and better external sound protection. At times, voices sounded muffled, but when we reduced the volume, that seemed to help matters. In addition, the T1's range was not very far. Things started to get crackly at between 15 and 20 feet, so you'll need to keep your phone nearby. Overall, the T1's sound was good, but we've heard better. One thing's for sure—the T1's sound quality was definitely better than the Samsung Modus 3500's.
Like most Blueooth headsets in this class, the BlueAnt T1 supports A2DP for audio streaming and podcasts. Android users also have the option of downloading the BlueAnt T1 Android application, which offers hands-free text message readings by the T1's built-in voice commander. If you're afraid of ghosts and horror films, chances are you are not going to like the BlueAnt T1's built-in voice narrator. The menu guy, Charles (we named him) is fine, but Gendolyn (the scary girl who narrates incoming calls and dictates text messages) gave us nightmares for a week.
BlueAnt T1 Value
If you're in the market for a rugged Bluetooth headset with impressive wind reduction technology, a dust, moisture, and impact resistant design, voice-activated technology (when compatible), and a nice two-year replacement warranty, then the BlueAnt T1 is definitely worth a look. It's upgradable to the latest firmware updates, has 6 hours of battery talk time, and supports Multipoint for connection to multiple phones.
On the downside, the BlueAnt T1 requires a bit of a process to nestle the little guy into your ear, its sound quality is nothing out of the ordinary, and the Power switch is hard to access. But if you can live with these minor hiccups, and are a very accident-prone person with a love for the latest wind reduction technology and bone-chilling voices, then the BlueAnt T1 might be your next wireless accessory.
Price and Availability
The BlueAnt T1 Rugged Bluetooth Headset is available now for approximately $80.
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