Jørgen Sundgot dons the Jabra BT200 Bluetooth headset - also known as the FreeSpeak - and finds a very comfortable, yet somewhat sizeable headset that performs brilliantly.
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Through delivering headset technology to among others Siemens and Motorola, GN NetCom - the company behind the Jabra brand name - has already proven its worth in the most scrutinizing of circles. Thus, it does not come as much of a surprise that the most recent version of its BT200 (also known as the FreeSpeak in North America and certain other markets) headset is not only comfortable and versatile, but also performs excellently.
 | Jabra's BT200/FreeSpeak headset excels in almost all areas
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Weighing in at 23 grams, the Jabra BT200 is suitably light, although unfortunately quite sizeable. However, due to its stylish and somewhat understated behind-the-ear design, the headset is less noticeable than one might think - although it is still noticeable enough to make heads turn wherever one goes. Two other benefits of its design are excellent ergonomics, as the BT200 can be worn for several hours without particular discomfort, and the forward boom which we suspect to contribute to the excellent microphone sensitivity.
The process of pairing the headset with a compatible device is simple and straightforward, and the remainder of its user interface is similarly intuitive. The placement, size and tactile feedback of buttons is virtually perfect and avoids placing strain on both the hand and ear when handled.
Further bolstering a positive impression, the BT200 uses GN NetCom's patented MiniGel earplug, constructed from a soft, gel-like material. This channels sound into the ear canal whilst at the same time blocking background noise, simultaneously contributing to the high level of comfort and enhancing the overall quality of a conversation. Another, indirect benefit of the EarGel is that it is the only part requiring modification when switching between the left and right ear configurations of the headset: a quick, 180 degree rotation is all it takes - and two spare plugs are included in the package.
One of the most unique aspects of the BT200 is its support for not only the common Bluetooth Headset profile, but also the more rarely implemented Handsfree profile (only recently added - make sure to verify this at your point of purchase), which for instance is present in Nokia's 3650. This yields compatibility with any current or future headset-enabled devices adhering to the Bluetooth specification, and as such secures the BT200 as a future investment.
During testing, the BT200 proved capable of reliably transmitting audio at distances of approximately 6 meters under real life conditions, but minute audio glitches could be experienced even when placing Bluetooth devices on the opposite side of the body as that of the headset. Unfortunately, the headset takes rather long - 5 seconds - to boot, which in most cases is too little time to activate it in time to pick up a call from a device buried in a jacket or briefcase before voicemail kicks in.
Charmingly, the headset lives up to the manufacturer's promise of 3 hours of talk time and 96 hours of standby time, and recharges quickly courtesy of the included charger station which also doubles as a belt clip.
Availability
The Jabra BT200 - or Jabra FreeSpeak - headset is available in Europe, the Middle East, Africa and North America, and sells for $99 USD. A version of the headset which includes a Bluetooth dongle for use with devices lacking Bluetooth support is also available.
Conclusion
The Jabra BT200 headset excels in terms of ergonomics. Its comfort is unparallelled, its transmission capabilities are excellent, and the same goes for battery life. Its dual Headset and Handsfree profile support renders the headset compatible with virtually anything on the market both currently and in the future, and at such a low price it could only be described as a bargain. It has only two drawbacks: its size, and its boot latency.
- What's positive: Excellent ergonomics, transmission and comfort
- What's negative: Boots slowly; somewhat sizeable
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Price and availability
The will start selling for TBA () in November 1999.
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