• Bluetooth wireless technology means that the sheer convenience of hands-free communication is enhanced with total freedom of movement.
• Unfold the boom microphone, place the headset over the ear and a link will be established automatically.
• This universal accessory encourages users to update, change and evolve because it is compatible with all other 1.1 compliant Bluetooth wireless technology phones by Motorola and other manufacturers.
• 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.

• Motorola BLT-04 Bluetooth Headset Carrying Case
• GN Netcom 4170 Headset Telephone
• Philips HL150 Lightweight Stereo Headphones
• IO Gear GBGPS201 Bluetooth GPS Kit -US and Canada Maps
• Behind-the-neck Headset W. Mic

Motorola Wireless Headset HS850 stores information from the device or devices with which it has been paired (device ID, etc.). Motorola headsets can be paired with up to seven devices. Wirelessly interacts with Bluetooth 1.2 compliant devices, including handsets, PDAs and computers.

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.

Customer Rating:
Summary: Good Item
Comment: This Product is good but the Item which I got had the Loose connection with the Power Charger But It works.

Its a good battery saver so you have to charge for less number of times.

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Customer Rating:
Summary: Motorola HS850
Comment: I have used the Motorola 500 for a while and upgraded to the 850. This is an excellent product, way better then the 500 series. I just can recommend this to anyone out there !!

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Customer Rating:
Summary: My New Bluetooth...
Comment: I love my new bluetooth. The most wonderful, comfortable thing about it is that it actually fits, with a pretty tight seal, OVER my little ear instead of inserting an uncomfortable, BULKY object IN my ear!!! Yay, more effective for me and I actually forget I am wearing it.

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Customer Rating:
Summary: Motorola HS850 Bluetooth
Comment: Way too bulky and the boom is annoying. After pushing the button for voice activation, the sound is delayed for a slight second and so sometimes you only here like "command" instead of "please say a command." Just not as happy with it as my other one.

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Customer Rating:
Summary: sounds like i'm on speakerphone...
Comment: well...
i mostly got it so that i could talk on the phone while i put on make-up (haven't even tried it in a car yet) but i may as well be on speakerphone for as loud as i have to speak to be heard...
hands-free is one thing...but i feel like i'm shouting...
so i rarely rarely rarely even try to use it...
the one good thing is that it seems to hold a charge for quite a while...

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