Bluetooth Technology: Tips for Buying Headsets or Headphones

By Simon Canfield

The technological horizon has always got something new to
offer, and among the most recent of these offerings is
Bluetooth enhanced hardware. For those of you who are
unfamiliar with this latest-and-greatest technology,
headsets and headphones in the Bluetooth line offer the
ability to use your cell phone without the need for hands
or dangling wires. In other words, when you have one of
these, you’ve got yourself a wireless piece of hardware
that attaches to the ear which allows cell phone
communications to take place without the inconvenience or
hassle of holding the phone to your ear or trailing long
wires from the headset to the body of the phone.

If you’re toying with the idea of purchasing a Bluetooth
headset or set of headphones, you’ll need to understand
that – as a result of the nature of this type of technology
– they aren’t as small or light as a headset that isn’t
wireless. This is simply because it needs extended
technology in order to function, as well as a battery to be
used as its power source. What this means is that many of
these sets are rather bulky and can be a bit
uncomfortable. If that’s not something that you’re willing
to accept, then perhaps Bluetooth isn’t the product for
you.

One of the biggest benefits of this type of technology is
that it affords you the opportunity to have a conversation
on your cell phone without having to hold it up to your
head. With the concerns of harmful radiation that’s
emitted by these phones, the Bluetooth headsets and
headphones serve as a buffer and eliminate the exposure to
these harmful rays. It also allows you to make contact
with your computer and lets you use one headset for both
the cell phone and PC simultaneously. If you feel that
you’re going to have the need for features such as these,
then consider purchasing this type of product.

Though Bluetooth products such as these are compatible with
most types of phones and carriers, that’s not true in
every case. Before making a purchase, be sure that there
are no compatibility issues. You’ll need to be sure that
your phone complies with Bluetooth 1.1 or greater and that
it offers the options of both hands-free and headset
capabilities. Plug compatibility isn’t an issue, since
it’s a wireless unit.

If you’re not planning to wear the headset or headphones
all day, then you’ll need to be sure that they’re kept
close at hand if a call should happen to come in on your
phone. You may need to place it on a cord around your neck
so that you’re free to move about without the worry of
leaving your Bluetooth somewhere. That means that you’ll
have to ensure that your equipment has a loop that will
allow a strap connection.

Other things to consider are whether or not your set can be
used if you wear eyeglasses, the cost and range of the
unit, ease and comfortability of use, weight, the ability
to switch from one ear to the other, technical support, the
presence of a pairing password, appropriate monitors for
battery limits, effective noise cancellation and a plethora
of other features that you may feel are necessary.