iTechTalk.com "Sound ID 510 is genuinely an excellent Bluetooth headset for iPhone users."

ORIGINAL LINK bluetooth cell phone headset

Nowadays you find applications for each and everything and Bluetooth headsets are one among them. The BlueAnt Q1 is the first one to have Android application which is used to read the incoming messages, and now sound ID 510 Bluetooth headset is the first one to have custom iPhone application which helps in boosting the headset experience. It is useful in a lot ways. It can fine tune the audio quality, it has unique headset locator feature. Not to forget, it’s actually a headset from Sound ID. It possesses an environment awareness mode, 3 microphones for finest noise canceling, and to assure ear comfort it has multiple ear fittings. This headset when combined with iPhone app, makes it the best headset for iPhone users. It is tagged with $130. Sound ID will also release applications for Blackberry and Android users, A2DP functionality through a firmware upgrade later in this year.

Design and Features

510 look almost similar to the previous headsets such as Sound ID 400. It measures 2.1 in long by 0.6 in wide by 0.3 in thick. Weighs about 0.02 lbs. It is so skinny and slim that it almost looks like a gumstick. It is sheathed in a solid plastic shell. Comes in standard colors like white and black. Even though the design is plain it does have a shiny modest appeal.

On front plane there’s a multifunction round call button with a small LED indicator speck just above it. Button has curvy surface hence it is easy to find by feel. The rest of the front surface has a touch sensor volume control, you can just slide the finger up and down to alter the volume. But most of us prefer physical controls to avoid accidental alteration with the volume. Power toggle is on the left side to turn the headset off. On the top you’ll find the charger jack. On the back you’ll find the earpiece which is fully clad in one of the soft, comfort ear loops. The loop is narrowed down to a spout for a nice, well-fit in the ear. The headset comes with an optional ear hook for a more secure fit. It is so comfy that you don’t get tired of it even after wearing it for hours together. The ear loop can be placed to fit both the ears, and for more customized fit the Sound ID includes 3 different sizes. Other accessories include USB charging cable, Universal AC travel charger, and Clip holster carrying case.

Sound ID’s previous headsets had separate controls like environmental sound mode and personal sound mode. Now they are put with in the iPhone application, called EarPrint. You can download it from iTunes Appstore and it works only with Sound ID 510. Also the special features are with iPhone app and not available on any other phone at present. EarPrint has 4 discrete components: Sound level indicator which measures the loudness in the surrounding area by decibels, Personal sound mode which allow you to fine tune the incoming audio. It also has tools section which allows you toggle Environmental mode, a noise reduction demo and the in-call status indicator. The Environmental mode allows you to listen to the neighboring noise. It can be set to either focused or surround. This mode is somewhat waste coz you can simply take out the headset to listen to the surrounding noise. Why has an option for that? Weird.

The tool section also has Find my headset locator which is extremely useful when you lose the headset somewhere. You just need to tap the locator button and headset will start to squeak an alarm. Using EarPrint application you can even find out battery life of your headset.

Other usual features found in headset are rejecting, answering and ending the calls, transferring calls from headset to phone and viceversa, and last number redial. It also includes 3x noise navigation technology, Bluetooth 2.1, Multipoint technology to connect it to 2 different devices at a time.

Performance

When paired with the Apple iPhone 3G you will be delighted with the call quality. You can get the best incoming audio with the help of fine tuning. It also has superb outgoing call quality, all coz of the microphones and 3x noise navigation. The noise cancellation works as mentioned. It performs splendidly even in windy conditions. The battery can stay up to 5hrs talk time and can survive for 5.62 days.

Sound ID 510 is genuinely an excellent Bluetooth headset for iPhone users.