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Edited by : Paul Matt  Translated by: Francis Matthews 
Updated: 8 AUG 2004

The wirefree Bluetooth handsfree becomes one of the most favorite mobile phone accessories. However, the sporty type is rarely seen in the market. The telephone conversation has to stop if you are jogging in the street or exercising in the gym. Recently, we received a sample of I-PHONO BT420 sporty bluetooh headset from Bluetake Taiwan. The set combines Hi-Fi audio with bluetooth headset and is believed to be the world first set. It enables us to listen music, to wait incoming call and to do exercise in the same time. 

The Headset
The new Blutake I-PHONO BT420 contains two parts. The headset and the bluetooh Hi-Fi audio dongle. The headset is behind-the-neck headband design with two stereo headphones in left and right side. Its operation is like the similar design sporty MP3 portable player. But you can find a microphone in the right side for you to talk through the bluetooh voice communication. There is a knot in each earpiece to hold the ears tight.

The audio dongle with a standard 3.5mm is a small audio adaptor to plug to various devices  like MP3 portable player, CD-Walkman. The dongle is bluetooth enabled. It uses the Advanced Audio Distribution Profile (A2DP) to transmit the stereo sounds to the I-PHONO BT420. At the same time, the headset itself can pair with any bluetooth mobile phone. So you can still answer the call even you are listening to the music. It is a good idea to listen to your favorite songs when you are jogging or excising, and no need to worry the missing call
 
There are volume control, answer key and a mic in right side of the headset (click to enlarge)

The behind-the-neck headband design is suitable for sport activities (click to enlarge)

 
The Audio Dongle connects the BT 420 to any audio devices like MP3, CD, or MD portable player (click to enlarge)

The Trial
We have many bluetooth enabled mobile phones like Nokia 6600, Motorola A835 and Orange SPV E200 and Sony Ericsson T610.  We use them all for the trial. According to the instruction. The headset, audio dongle and the bluetooth mobile phones have to finish the paring process before using. It is a pleasant experience. Only few presses all the processes can be done. The headsets can pair with many phones at one time. The phone craziers can change the phone everyday and use the same bluetooth headset. 

The I-PHONO bluetooth headset supports auto-switching. The incoming call alert will replace the music from the Audio Dongle. All you have to do is to press the button located in the right side earpiece once to answer the call. When the call ends, the music will start automatically again. However, from our trial, not all bluetooth capable phones can do that. If used with Nokia 6600, the music will not stop. But you can still press the headset button to answer the call. Bluetake responsible persons told us that all Nokia bluetooth phones had that problem too. And users should activate the auto authorization mode to achieve the manual switching. The similar trial also fails with Motorola 3G A835. Surprisingly, it really works well with SPV E200 MS Smart Phone. We tried many times and cannot encounter any problem. The instruction manual uses Sony Ericsson T610 to demonstrate. We proved that it worked well on that.

Besides the bluetooth mobile phones, this bluetooth audio set can be used with any home Hi-Fi system. It works like a wirefree headset. But one thing we should point out here. I-Phono headset uses bluetooth Advanced Audio Distribution Profile to receive the stereo audio signal. The profile is totally different from the headset profile. Thus, the sounds from the built-in radio and Mp3 players cannot be transmitted through this. 

Considering the voice quality, the headset can produce clear sound with acceptable bass. But the volume seems not enough. The sound filer quality is not good at all. The surrounding peoples can hear what you are listening easier when you are in public transport. The battery is acceptable. Both audio dongle and the headset do not use cell battery. The operation has to stop when you are in the recharge mode. In our trial, the battery can last 3-4 hours non-stop music playing. It is already enough for the leisure users

Website: www.bluetake.com 


colorful changeable covers (click to enlarge)


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