Product Description

No wires. No limits. Designed to enhance the experience of any Bluetooth technology enabled phone, the Motorola Wireless Headset HS850 also stores information and wirelessly interacts with up to eight different Bluetooth 1.1 and 1.2 compliant devices, including handsets, PDAs and computers. The Motorola HS850 Bluetooth Headset is in it's original condition. Product also includes original charger, warranty, and manual.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #33 in Cell Phone Accessories
• Brand: Motorola
• Model: HS850

Features

• 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.

Amazon.com Hands-On Review

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 Reviews

good sound quality but its unstable
calls sound great on it and the volume and call buttons are super convenient but the ear hook is a little unstable which makes it difficult when walking or moving around because it feels like it will fall off. plus the person you're talking to can hear the mic hit your cheek as you move.

HS850 BLUETOOTH
I love it. The charge lasts for a long time as noted. The only thing, not good to listen to music using this bluetooth. The sound can be static, low and somewhat distorted. Great to hold phone conversations though.

Not as good as the 700
I got this bluetooth headset to replace my moto 700 when it gave up the ghost. I was hoping that the new model would be better but it has a lot of negatives and wish I would have gone with the old 700. Sound quality is only a bit better. The unit itself is larger and heavier than the 700. The fit on the ear isn't as good. Since the unit is bigger it is hard to slip in my cell case with the phone and it hangs on the outside which makes me worry about losing it. The main drawback is the lack of USB charger now instead of using a universal plug I am back to being a slave to a proprietary plug and I hate it. Hubby and I could take one power cord on vacation and share it now it is another thing to remember to lug around. Also the plug has to be plugged in just right or the unit won't be getting any juice. The 700 would change color as it was charging to let you know when it was getting done this units light comes on or off. I don't remember which it is. If I had to do over again, and I know I will when this one dies, I will go with the 700 again. It was more than good enough.