Bluetooth Advice: Moto HS820 Headset

[Bavarian]

I ordered myself a Moto HS820 the other day for my Moto V551. I'm just curious to see how these Bluetooth headsets work.

Anyway, I know Moto also makes the HD850. I went with the second-best (HS820) because it weighed less than the HD850. The 850 can also connect to computers and other non-cell Bluetooth devices, and has longer battery life. Alas it is heavier though.

Any thoughts on this device? Is it any good?

Moto HS820


Linkage ($54 Canadian = STEAL!)

[adventurelarry]

I have the HS820 and I am very pleased with it. The only complaints I have heard about when I researched these was that there was audible wind noise. I have not heard any, and those I have spoken with have not mentioned an either so for me it is a non-issue.

--Larry

[PersonaNonGrata]

I have been using the HS820 for a while now, as have three of my co-workers and my fianceé and her parents. We have had very good luck with it. I like that it is small and light. You forget you're wearing it. I have banged my desk phone handset against it more than once. That'll make your ear ring. The sound and voice quality is good. The price is also the most reasonable of the Moto BT headsets.

The cons: The mic is a little far from your mouth but that is a trade off for its compact size. The mic tends to be very sensitive to wind noise. Do not drop it too many times. Two of us have and the volume buttons are rather delicate. They press against tiny little plastic tabs that control volume. One of those broke after a drop. Same thing happened to a friend's. (Yes, I took them both apart.) The battery life is much better than BT 1.0 but not as good as BT 1.2. I charge it up every night and it will last me all day without any problems. It will go dead if you do not recharge it every few days, even if it is powered off.

One really crappy thing is that once you pair your BT headset with the V551, or any other Moto phone for that matter, you will lose all MP3 and MIDI ringtones, and distinctive rings. It will default to the generic Moto ringtone. There does not seem to be a way to get around that. I had that with my V505 and now with my V3. It sucks because I can't use my favourite MP3 ringtones and my BT headset at the same time.

Overall, it is a good little piece. Amazon has it for $45 in Hematite Gray so if I dropped mine into the toilet today I'd probably order another one. $54 CDN is pretty good. Screw the GST though!

[Bavarian]

Thanks for the replies. I can't wait to get mine (should arrive tomorrow - Wed). Mine is also supposed to be Hematite Gray, which I prefer to that other blue-like color they have.

I guess I should've asked you guys about this purchase BEFORE buying it, seeing as how you are well familiar with its few flaws as well.

Alas, wind noise and the default Moto ringtone are things I can live with - at this price, a genuine Moto Bluetooth headset is worth it.

I didn't quite catch that comment about the Bluetooth version, PNG. From what I understand, this is a 1.1 device, right?

Good night!

[PersonaNonGrata]

Originally Posted by Bavarian

I didn't quite catch that comment about the Bluetooth version, PNG. From what I understand, this is a 1.1 device, right?

Good night!

Yes, it is a 1.1 device. I mentioned it because 1.2 devices are starting to appear and they tout greater battery life. I wouldn't really sweat that though. It's just a "more better, more cooler" kind of thing. I haven't had issues with the battery life of my 820. It is also nice that your one Moto charger will charge your V551 and your HS820. You might consider getting this handy little cable that allows you to charge your phone and your headset at the same time with the same travel charger. I ordered a few this week.

New gadgets are cool. Just be prepared for people looking at you like you're schizo when you're talking to someone on the BT. People always think I'm talking to them or myself.

[rayxi]

I have the HS820/V551 combo and for the most part it works great. In addition to the ringtone problem PNG already mentioned I have the following dislikes:
- The fit is loose for my ear. It falls off if I turn my head quickly.
- It doesn't come with a lanyard so you have to carry it in your pocket. See next point.
- If you accidentally tap the main button while it's in your pocket it will do a voice dial without you knowing it. Many times my wife calls me on the office line to tell me to hang up the cell phone because she listened to me get out of the car and walk up to the office. Last week she listened in on a coversation I was having with a lady I met at the tire shop while I was getting my winter tires mounted. Good thing I was a good boy that day.

I've been trying to find a lanyard for it but no luck. I know the previous models came with a lanyard but I've yet to see it for sale.

[Bavarian]

Ah this is dangerous! They shouldn't have made it possible to initiate any calls from the headset itself.

It fits my ear well, and does not come off even if I explicitely shake my head left, right, up and down.

I think this device is pretty cool. So far it's working great - I paired them on the first try...

If I put the V551 on silent mode, will I still hear some sort of sound on headset that I have an incoming call? That would be "tres" stealth!

[rayxi]

If you don't assign voice dial to any numbers you won't be able to initiate calls from the headset.

I think there is a single beep on an incomming call when your phone is on silent.