Motorola HS850 Bluetooth Headset Color Sent Based on Availability Comes in Black Blue and Grey or Silver Bulk Packaged
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.
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.
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 HS850 headset is blue-gray in color, like a darker version of the HS810’s color. I find it 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.
–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.
User Ratings and Reviews
1 Star unsatisfied
In regards to the above, please be advised that the above bluetooth 1. not new. 2. can barley hear the caller at the highest valume. 3. there was a double order for the above , which I called customer service and advised them that I was billed 2 times for the bluetooth and was told to refuse the second delivery and I would receive the credit for it as of today May 29,2009 no credit whice has been over 2 weeks I have send your customer service an e-mail to this effect with no response. That left a bad taste in regards to amazon.
4 Stars Great Headset
I used the original HS820 for years which was a great headset. This HS850 seems to match the quality of the original HS820 — not the cheaper ones rolled out later — with added convenience of the boom for on/off function. Sound quality is good and device connection is very easy. I’ve connected it to my Treo 680 and Blackberry Curve. I take this over the smaller dysfunctional brands or models any time.
1 Star Junk
Let me start off by saying I am not a negative person. I have thoroughly enjoyed using Amazon up until this point. I saw this headset and liked the price, saw that it was a Motorola, so I ordered it, thinking I got a great deal. Well, when it came, it looked used and after I plugged it in, it didn’t do a thing. I had it plugged in to charge for a half hour – nothing. So, giving Amazon the benefit of the doubt, I asked for a replacement and sent the first one back. The second unit came and it looked worse and also didn’t do anything when it was plugged in. So, I’m not sure if they’re aware they’re selling used junk or what but they really need to pull these off their “shelf”. They’re garbage. They’re even too light to make decent paperweights! Needless to say, I sent the second one back and asked for a refund. I guess the hunt continues…
5 Stars Great Headset for $20 – Paired with Sanyo Katana II
Works great paired with my Sanyo Katana II; I can’t see how a $100 could be too much better.
It is not super comfortable, so if you want to wear one all the time (ie. “The Borg”), I might try some on at the store.
4 Stars Excellent buy
I used to have a Motorola H700, but lost it. Bought a Jawbone replacement, which was a complete waste of $100 (I’m not reviewing Jawbone here so I won’t go into details). I always liked the way the Motorola H700 fit on my ear so I shopped around ’til I found this one – the HS850. Looked like a good deal, and it was. People would tell me, with the H700, there would be delays in the transmission – they would say something but there would be a delay in my response. It was their biggest complaint. Once I had the HS850, I asked if they heard the delay, they said no. They tell me it sounds clear, and I hear them clearly. It IS a loose fit on the ear, but that’s what I like. It goes on/off easy, so I don’t have to leave it on my head. If I’m expecting a call, I may wear it until the call is completed. But if I’m not wearing it when the call comes in, it’s easy enough to pick it up, turn it on, and put it on my ear. No fighting with snug ear loops and putting something IN my ear. NOTHING goes into the ear canal (yay!). And unlike the Jawbone, I can always tell when it’s turned on or off – the mic boom is open, or it’s closed. Very simple, easy to use. Love it. I prefer it over my $100 Jawbone ANY day.
