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Plantronics M1000 Bluetooth headset, €179

10.03.2003
ON TEST: After a relatively slow start, Bluetooth finally seems to have hit the mainstream with the last year seeing a steady increase in the number of Bluetooth-enabled devices on the market.

Bluetooth is a technology that enables wireless communication between devices via short wave radio. At present, its prime application is in cable replacement and Bluetooth-enabled phones, laptops and personal digital assistants are now available. One of the first applications the technology saw was in wireless headsets and the Plantronics M1000 is the latest on the market.

Until now, Bluetooth accessories such as this have been very much the preserve of the mobile manufacturers and this Plantronics headset is the first one I have come across from a third party. However, Bluetooth headsets are relatively simple devices to use and this one is no exception.

Bear in mind that you’ll need to have a Bluetooth-enabled phone in order to use it. However, there are plenty on the market these days such as the Nokia 6310 and the Sony Ericsson T68i. Many of the upcoming high-end phones scheduled for release this year also will be Bluetooth enabled.

Before using the headset for the first time, it’s necessary to pair it with your mobile phone. Simply hold down the headset’s button for a few seconds to activate the pairing process. Next, you search for the headset using your phone. Once the headset is discovered you enter its pass code on the phone and it’s ready for use.

When receiving a call, the headset as well as the phone will ring. Simply pressing the button on the headset will answer the call. Making calls is also relatively straightforward. You can choose to make a call through the headset by simply hitting the ‘yes’ or ‘no’ key on your phone after dialling.

Given the relative simplicity of Bluetooth headsets, it can be sometimes hard to differentiate between models. In its favour, this device has greater flexibility over other ones. The earpiece is adjustable, leading to a comfortable fit and less risk it will fall off. Similarly the boom is also adjustable, ensuring that it can be positioned as near to the mouth as possible.

Overall the headset compares well with others on the market, its key advantage being wearability. It’s a little on the pricey side, but then again, so are most of the others on the market, but hopefully prices will come down in time.

STAR RATING

Handling: ****
Features: ***
Performance: ****
Value for Money: ****

By Dick O'Brien