T-Mobile MDA - Motorola H700 Bluetooth headset

Purchasing a Bluetooth headset can be problematic; with issues of sound quality and functional compatibility with different phone manufacturer. Sound quality can be very subjective and depends on how well the cell phone's Bluetooth radio and stack is implemented. Functional compatibility depends on the headset manufacturer's testing with the phone you want to use. Over the last year I have had the opportunity to test different Bluetooth headsets with my T-Mobile MDA and I found that Motorola headsets are consistently functionally compatible with Windows Mobile 5.0. They were the only headsets I tested that worked with the HTC voice speed dial application and the voice quality was generally good. I found most of the other manufacturer had good and sometimes even better sound quality than the Motorola headset but not being able to use voice dialing is a real problem for me. Being in the market for a new non stereo Bluetooth headset (I already have the Motorola HT820) I was drawn to look at the Motorola product catalog. (see my reviews on pocketnow.com, search Bluetooth)

The latest Motorola headset is the H700 and it has gotten good reviews, especially the newer B version. I don't like having to wear a headset all the time, the H700 offers the ability to close the mic boom and easily slide into one's pocket. The other major advantage of the folding mic boom is that it acts as the power on/off switch. I can answer a call on the MDA, pull out the headset, open the mic boom, place it on my ear and continue the conversion. And of course it works with the voice dialing on my T-Mobile MDA.

As I mentioned previously, the B version is the latest revision for this headset and according to many sites a big improvement over the A version. However trying to purchase one of these B version units can be daunting since the only way to tell is to look at the model number on the back of the headset (SYN1311A vs SYN1311B). With the frustrating sealed packaging every accessory comes in these days it is impossible to tell from the outside of the package. You have two choices; purchase a B version direct from Motorola (they have an excellent return policy) at the list price $119.99 or from most retailers for a market price of around $69. I chose to go with newegg.com, unfortunately I received an A version. Since I have 30 days to return it I will do so and to newegg.com's credit the packaging was not sealed so I can return it in the exact condition I received it. The problem is that no one can guarantee an A version, although every post I have seen had success when purchasing from the Motorola store. Last week I found a deal at CompUSA for the H700 with a $50 instant rebate and $20 mail in rebate from the list price of $119. At a net price of $49, this headset was a bargain, the only issue was again whether I could get a B version. I bought the unit and carefully dissected the packaging with an eXacto knife to retrieve the headset. I was thrilled to find that this was a B version. The only difference I noticed between the newegg.com unit and the CompUSA unit was the color. The newegg.com unit was blue and the CompUSA unit was gray.

I have not put the headset through its paces yet, in couple of weeks I will report back with my thoughts.

Update: As 12/19/06 Motorola is currently selling the H700 for $99.99 on its website.