Motorola HS850 Bluetooth Headset

Amazon.com Hands-On Review

The Motorola HS850 is the company's update to their HS810 headset, one of my personal favorites. The changes made to produce the new HS850 are few, but the effect is relatively substantial. But first, let's start with what is the same.

Like the HS810, the HS850 makes use of a body design that employs a folding microphone boom. The folding microphone boom acts as the on and off switch, as well as just providing a convenient way to make the headset smaller and more pocketable when not in use. When a call comes into your phone, you can turn on and answer the phone at the same time just by unfolding the microphone boom. You can end the call and turn it off by removing the headset and re-folding it. Using the headset in this way conserves battery power, since no battery juice is wasted on standby time - time where the headset sits around waiting to be contacted by a mobile phone or other compatible device. The physical design of the HS850 and the battery savings it imparts is my favorite aspect of the Motorola HS850.

The HS850 folds neatly and fits easily in your pocket.

Of course you don't have to remove and turn off the headset between calls. If the headset is already on when an inbound call comes, you will hear the ringing come through on the headset and can answer it by pressing on the main multi-function call control button. You can end the call with this same button, and adjust volume levels with the two volume buttons. If you are using a phone that supports the Hands Free Bluetooth profile, then you can also use the call control button to reject an inbound call or redial the last number.

The HS850's audio properties are also like those of the HS810 before it. The audio quality in both directions is very clear and understandable, but sounds a bit thin. You and the party on the other end of the call will both be able to understand each other easily, it just doesn't sound as full and natural as it might with some other headsets. The HS850 makes up for this small lacking by having great resistance to wind noise, though. That makes the headset perfect for people that enjoy driving with their windows down, or those that work outside. Most headsets are very susceptible to wind noise, the HS850 bucks that trend.

Two softly pulsating blue LEDs signal when the headset is in use.

And now for the new stuff. First up, a more powerful battery. The HS850 I tested managed an amazing 7 hours and 50 minutes of talk time. That is a full two thirds improvement over the older model. The truly amazing part is that this new battery life didn't come at the expense of added weight. Like the HS810 before it, the HS850 weighs only .7oz (19.9g).

The next major change perhaps sounds more important than it worked out to be in reality. The HS850 supports the newer Bluetooth v1.2 spec, whereas most headsets support v1.1 only. Motorola claims that when used with a v1.2 compatible phone (there are still relatively few available at the time I write this), the HS850 will be able to connect faster, use less battery power, and offer improved audio quality. While I can see what appears to be a slight improvement in connection speed, I haven't really noticed much of a change in battery life or audio quality.

The last major change is purely cosmetic. The new headset is sold in this very nice black color and is also available in blue-gray, like a darker version of the HS810's color. I find both colors more attractive than the light silver found on the HS810.

But regardless of the color, you can't go wrong with Motorola's HS850, which I consider to be perhaps the best value on the market.

Pros:

Small, light
Comfortable
Nearly 8 hours of talk time
No wind noise
Can be worn on both ears

Cons:

A bit unusual looking
Audio lacks bass

What's in the box:
Motorola HS850 Bluetooth Headset, User Manual, and Quick Start Guide.

--Reviewed by Michael Oryl, editor in chief of www.MobileBurn.com

Customer Reviews:

too heavy and bulky.......2007-12-31

i had the h700, which as it turns out is lighter and more streamlined, i thought the product would be super light and barely visible on the ear...but is is a bit bulky for a blue tooth piece for the ear...i would check for lighter products...

Worked well so far!! and Now breaking apart! 1 year of use so far.......2007-11-15

I have this set for a year or so. It works well till date.
But the plastic part close to volume button cracked and broke, which is very close to ear hanging loops hinge. Used the crazy glue.
Lets see how much long it holds on.

HS850.......2007-10-30

This product looks great and that is it. It works when it wants to.

Great Headset.......2007-10-26

This is a great product I had it for about 2 months already, This is a big difference from when I had the H500. Battery Life is good. Only thing is, it doesn't stay on my ear to well, had the same problem with the H500; a lot of time it feels like its gonna fall off, but other than that the sound quality is great.

Survived washing machine and still works great!.......2007-10-23

I've had this headset for several years. I had echo problems when I used it with my LG 8100 so I stopped using it, but then I got an iPhone and decided to give it a try. It paired right away, sounded great, and was a joy to use. Recently, it had an inadvertent encounter with the washing machine. I let it sit out a couple of days to dry, gave it a full charge, and then attempted a phone call. Much to my surprise it still works perfectly. Highly recommended to iPhone users who don't check their pockets before doing the laundry!

Average customer rating:

Can you hear me now?
Great Product
Motorola HS850 Bluetooth Headset
good item but WRONG color!
HS850 - Terrible

Motorola HS850 Bluetooth Headset Black

Manufacturer: Motorola
ProductGroup: Wireless
Binding: Wireless Phone Accessory

Hands-Free | Type | Accessories | Categories | Cell Phones & Service

Motorola | Brand | Accessories | Categories | Cell Phones & Service

Motorola | Brands | Electronics Features | Electronics
Similar Items:

Product Features:

The HS850 also stores information and wirelessly interacts with Bluetooth 1.2 compliant devices, including handsets, PDAs and computers
Smaller than its predecessors, coordinates with the look of Motorola handsets
Features a pulsing light that shows when you are on a call
Increased, talk time of up to 8 hours and standby time of up to 200 hours

ASIN: B000A87LS6

Amazon.com Review

When it's all said and done, you can't go wrong with Motorola's HS850, which I consider to be perhaps the best value on the market.

--Reviewed by Michael Oryl, editor in chief of www.MobileBurn.com

Pros:

Small, light
Comfortable
Nearly 8 hours of talk time
No wind noise
Can be worn on both ears

Cons:

A bit unusual looking
Audio lacks bass

What's in the box:
Motorola HS850 Bluetooth Headset, User Manual, and Quick Start Guide.

Product Description

Motorola Wireless Headset HS850 is a superior Bluetooth 1.2 headset offering premium wireless experience with faster connections & better audio quality.

Customer Reviews:

Can you hear me now?.......2007-08-04

My boyfriend and I each got one of these in the hopes that it would end our search for a good bluetooth headset. We thought, cool design, good price, Motorola... Didn't quite work that way.

We both agree that the unit is relatively comfortable, and the flip-out boom is a neat feature - makes for a very small unit when not in use. The buttons are also easy to use, and pairing is simple. Having the boom flip be the on/off is also a nice feature.

Unfortunately, the thing that really matters - sound - isn't there. Even in my luxury SUV, I can barely hear anyone at freeway speeds, with the volume at max. He's got a sportier (read: noisier) SUV, so he can hear even less. We also both feel that fit has a lot to do with this. I, for one, ended up pushing the thing up against my ear, which improved the volume. The earpiece won't hold the unit in this position, though.

So, both units will be going back where they came from this weekend. :(

Great Product.......2006-12-27

I have had an HS810, which has been replaced with the HS850, for 2 and 1/2 years. It is still works great. I am a heavy user, and almost never use my actual phone to talk. Now the rubber part of the earpeice is falling apart. I also have 2 small children whom sometimes handle and play with my earpeice. It has been misused and abused over the years. The range works well. Once I was in my bedroom when my phone rang and I finished my conversation and realized my phone was in my car in the garage. I would say it was at least 30ft away. I only wish the HS850 wasn't so big. I guess the H700 is the perfect fix for that, however I tried it and have gone back to my HS810!!

Motorola HS850 Bluetooth Headset.......2006-11-11

This is an outstanding bluetooth headset. It connects immediately with my Motorola RAZR cell phone. What I like most is that the arm is the on/off mechanism. Open the arm and the bluetooth turns on and connects. Close the arm when you're done and it turns off. This is easier than the Motorola 500 headset.

good item but WRONG color!.......2006-08-01

I ordered this product from Amazon and they shipped me a gray one! This may sound really high maintenance but when I order a product that says black headset...I expect a black headset.

However, the headset works well.

HS850 - Terrible.......2006-07-07

The Motorola HS850 is one of the worst built pieces of equipment that I have ever encountered. We bought 4 units as a trial for our field personnel: 2 of them arrived with faulty boom switches, one had a failed power supply after a week, and the other 2 had faulty boom switches in less than a month of use. The mechanism that switches the device on and off via the boom is flimsy and if not highly unreliable immediately, it will become so after moderate use.
Our technical department had the displeasure of repairing one of the headsets and were disgusted by the build and design quality.

I'm not the kind of person who usually writes products reviews, but wish I had read a review like this before I ordered the Motorola product.

Needless to say we will not be buying in this Motorola product for our staff!

Average customer rating:

HS-850 Bluetooth Headset

Motorola HS850 Bluetooth Headset- Black

Manufacturer: Motorola Inc.
ProductGroup: CE

Headsets | Telephone Accessories | Accessories & Supplies | Categories | Electronics
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Product Features:

Bluetooth wireless technology means that the sheer convenience of hands-free communication is enhanced with total freedom of movement.
Smaller Size, Bigger Power. This tiny powerhouse is less than 5 cm in diameter when folded and weighs just 20 grams.
Increased talk time of up to 8 hours and standby time of up to 200 hours.

ASIN: B000NGWKI6

Product Description

this stylish headset fits comfortably on either ear and will sync with compatible mobile phones, PCs or PDAs up to 10 meters away. Besides enabling users to place, receive, or end calls with one touch of the call button, the HS850 also delivers exceptional battery strength - boasting up to eight hours of talk time and eight days (200 hours) of standby time.

Customer Reviews:

HS-850 Bluetooth Headset.......2007-09-21

Great product.. Indispensible especially while driving, excellent audio -of course it's a Motorola, right ??? (Hope they continue to manufacture the (1st Generation) Black one's ...

Average customer rating:

Motorola BlueTooth Head Set

Manufacturer: Motorola/GI
ProductGroup: CE

Headphones | Headphones & Accessories | Sound & Recording Equipment | Products | Musical Instruments

All Headphones | Headphones | Accessories & Supplies | Categories | Electronics
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Motorola BLT-04 Bluetooth Headset Carrying Case

ASIN: B000H5DYT2

Samsung WEP180 Bluetooth Headset (Black/Silver, US)

Average customer rating:

Headset
Great functionality but waste

Samsung WEP180 Bluetooth Headset (Black/Silver, US)

Manufacturer: Samsung
ProductGroup: CE

Compact size Weight: 13 grams and long talk time
Talk Time: 6 hours; Stand By Time: 110 hours
Detachable ear hook
Mulit-function button (redialing, activating voice dial, rejecting calls etc)
BOX CONTENTS: Bluetooth Headset WEP180 Black, travel charger, user manual

ASIN: B000PPRV0C

Product Description

With class leading performance the Samsung WEP-180 Bluetooth Headset is your perfect companion, allowing you to talk effortless anywhere, any time, and in any situation.

Designed to perfectly complement the current range of Samsung Bluetooth-capable mobile phones, the WEP-180 Bluetooth offers style and features that should make it a consideration for anyone looking for a new Bluetooth headset.

- Up to 8 hours of talk time and up to 200 hours of standby time
- Weight: 15 grams
- Charging time: 2 hours
- Adjustable ear hook for placement on either ear
- Call waiting support
- Last number redial
- Call rejection support
- Bluetooth version 1.2
- 10m range

Customer Reviews:

Headset.......2007-12-25

This is actually much better than what would be expected for the pricing. The earloop is actually somewhat bendable to reshape part of it, but not the entire loop...just the lower half. And the earpiece part is smaller, and the actual ear portion fits inside your ear. It also has very good clarity in the connection (no crackling), and the talk time is very good (I think about 6 hours). Of course, in a car, it is still noisy to the person on the other end (which will always be the case for bluetooth headsets that are not upper end, military grade). I personally just needed it to be a little more feasible to carry around in my pocket, and for the earloop to be more conforming or shaped to my ear.

Great functionality but waste.......2007-12-09

This is my first blue tooth headset. Head set looks great!! Small yet stylish, great sound quality. But the biggest problem is, it doesnt fit in your ear and the so called ear hook stays way above your ear. The multifunctional button lies on the top of the head set and I press the this button every time i try to adjust the position of the headset during a call and the call ends. This is so embarassing and also my ears hurt if I try to push the ear plug into my ear. Please dont buy it.

Average customer rating:

This is a fake
Only thing wrong with it was that it wasn't black
Great little headset

Motorola H700 Black

Manufacturer: Motorola
ProductGroup: Wireless
Binding: Wireless Phone Accessory

Motorola | Brands | Electronics Features | Electronics
Similar Items:

Product Features:

Handsfree Motorola Wireless Headset lets you use your Bluetooth 1.1- or 1.2-enabled mobile phone up to 30 feet away, indoors or out.
Fold out the microphone boom to connect to a call.
Provides up to 6 hours of talk time or approximately 130 hours of standby time, all with a charge of less than an hour!
Features innovative noise-reduction technologies.
Includes an easy-to-adjust Volume button; and a multifunction button to control three-way calling, call start/end plus hold and mute.

ASIN: 7030131746

Product Description

Product Description The best just got better. With proven 5th generation technology and form, the Motorola H700 Bluetooth Headset enhances the popular folding microphone design with superior audio performance, echo cancellation technology and an approximate 30% reduction in size. Discriminating consumers will welcome the Motorola H700 because it eliminates wires while delivering crisp, clear communications. With a 10-meter (30 feet) connectivity range, new levels of comfort and simple one-touch access to your most desired features, wireless has never looked so good.Designed for enhanced comfort while delivering a 30% reduction in size and weight from its predecessor, the super compact Motorola H700 delivers unbeatable comfort with an ergonomic ear hook that can be worn on either ear. With unsurpassed call quality and Motorola's exclusive PowerFlip design that lets you answer and end calls with ease, this headset optimizes on-the-go conversations - with style and simplicity.The Motorola H700 is the premium choice for those who are serious about wireless connectivity, offering up to six hours of talk time, 130 of standby time and charge time of less than one hour. Designed with your calls in mind, the headset features Bluetooth 1.2 wireless technology for better call quality, faster connections and less interference.Feature rich doesn't mean complicated. A blue light lets others know when you're on a call. The light changes colors to let you know when the headset is in pairing mode, charging or running low on battery power. The ability to connect with compatible devices up to 10 meters (30 feet) away helps you chat, sync and send - even when your mobile isn't in sight. Fashionable and functional, the Motorola H700 is the essential partner for serious mobile consumers.

Customer Reviews:

This is a fake.......2007-07-15

The H700 sent to me will only stay in pairing mode for 1 second. I am unable to pair my phone with the headset bc it doesn't stay in pairing mode long enough. I own another H700 already and the packing of the H700 I ordered from this retailer is different from the H700 I already owned. I am returning this H700 today.

Only thing wrong with it was that it wasn't black.......2007-05-07

This headset works great with my Treo 700P. It connects quickly, is sufficently loud enough, and people seem to be able to hear me with little or no problem. My only issue was that I thought it would be black all over, and it appears to be the normal H700 that everyone else is selling. I was happy enough with the performance not to let the color bother me.

Great little headset.......2006-09-11

This is my first Bluetooth headset, and I personally love it. I've seen reviews where they say the mic rests on your cheek and I can see how it could. Fortunately my face is shaped just right for this.
It was easy to set up and even easier to learn to use.

Pros:
Price: Down signifigantly from the MSRP
Size: Small and light, you can easily forget you're using it.
Volume: from what I understand this is a fallback in many BT headsets. This one is fine.
Flip out boom mic: the on/off functionality of this is great.
Battery life: I'm charging this every 2-3 days, without needing to, I love it.

Cons:
Maybe too light, "feels" gentle, I don't want to test the ruggedness of this as I like it too much to lose it.

Overall: I love it, and would highly recommend it (as long as you don't encounter the mic problem some people run into (read a few reviews you'll see)

Average customer rating:

Motorola HS-850 Bluetooth Headset (OEM)

Manufacturer: Motorola
ProductGroup: CE

Bluetooth compliance: Bluetooth version 1.2 specifications (forward and backward compatible). Supported Bluetooth profiles: Bluetooth headset and hands-free profiles
Compatibility: compatible with other Bluetooth devices with Bluetooth 1.1 (or higher) specifications and support the Bluetooth headset and/or hands-free audio profiles
Operating range: Up to 10 meters (30ft). Talk time: Up to 5 hours. Stand-by time: Up to 100 hours
Pairing passkey or PIN: 0000
This item is OEM (Original Equipment Manufacture). The internal Electronic Chips and quality are exactly the same as the authentic product. Appearence may vary slightly.

ASIN: B000MQKVMY

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