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Review of Nokia BH-608 Bluetooth Headset

In the box:

Headset
Tips
Charger
User Guide

The story behind this model is an interesting one. Several years ago Nokia remembered the solution for Bluetooth headsets when the main block borders on the cable with speaker and microphone. The same idea came also to Samsung and Sony Ericsson. It’s a joy for those who do not want to carry the headset in the ear, but the ergonomics is not perfect. I cannot label BH-608 a wireless device, because the block has to be fixed somehow and you cannot carry the headphone at all times. A friend wanted to get BH-608 as soon as he saw it due to the hybrid nature of wired and wireless components. The target audience must be happy.

Design and Construction

The official website mentions so-called premium design. There are two colors offered – dark grey and light. The front panel has glossy plastic, while the lower part uses standard texturized plastic of grey color. On the clip we have a metal element, which I decided not to scratch. The build is excellent and the cable length is perfect. The headphone boasts a dark blue ring similar to other Nokia models. The dimensions are 51 х 22 х 15 mm, weight is 18.7 g. The clip keeps BH-608 well on clothes. I successfully tested it with the jacket. What I did not like was the headphone, which is too broad and the ear hurts after prolonged use. Tips are not soft enough and I do not know why it was not possible to include the internal headphone. Several girls I know failed to fix the headset at all. It was too big and inconvenient for them.

Controls

Here you will have to get accustomed a bit, especially if you had experience with headsets for iPhone. The cable hosts a small block with the microphone and the button. You have to speak into the microphone, but the button is responsible for muting the sound instead of answering calls. The main block is for the multifunction button to answer and end calls, dial the last number, etc. There are buttons for volume controls at the top, but they are slightly hard. It is difficult to imagine Nokia headset without the on/off button. Near it we see a light indicator. Overall the controls are good, but at times I try to press the button on the small cable block.

Vibration

As in other similarly designed gadgets from Nokia here we can also switch on/off the vibro. It starts during the call, but it is switched off by default. To activate the feature press and hold buttons of call end/volume decrease for 5 seconds. Vibration is pretty gentle, especially if BH-608 is fixed to the shirt closer to the body.

Power

The manufacturer claims up to 8 hours of talktime and 8 days on standby. Fast charge technology ensures that a 1 hour charge can be replaced by a 15 minute one to go strong for more than 3 hours. It is an extremely useful feature and works well. Well done Nokia for not ignoring the basics! It would be perfect to get fast charge in phones too. Unfortunately, the old 2 mm jack is employed here.

Multipoint

The headset supports simultaneous handling of two phones. After the first run BH-109 can search for phones automatically. Connect the first phone and then disconnect Bluetooth. Afterwards send the headset into the coupling mode by pressing and holding the on/off button for 5 seconds until the indicator starts blinking. Find the headset on the second phone and connect the first one. Also press the volume increase button at the same time with the on/off button. It is so complicated. I will reiterate my unoriginal point that manufacturers should make the connection of two phones more simple and transparent for users. The feature is popular, but the implementation is awful. I tested BH-608 with Sony Ericsson Xperia Ray and BlackBerry 9780. Everything worked well and without interruptions.

Phone Connection and Sound Quality

I used the headset predominantly with my favorite BlackBerry 9900. The connection was stable and after the first run the headset goes into the coupling mode automatically. Speech reproduction is fine, but remember that you have to move the microphone closer to your mouth from time to time. While walking the cable is loose especially if the block is attached to the jacket. You would better fix it somehow. On the other hand if you move the microphone closer to your mouth the interlocutor will hear you even if there is noise all around. Speech transmission quality is top-notch and the average operation distance is 6 meters. Bluetooth 2.1 completes the lineup.

Conclusions

The model costs around $50 and I liked the following features:

Design is impressive, but it is still not a premium product. The clip is reliable and the cable's length is appropriate as well
Vibro is supported
Simultaneous connection to a couple of phones
Fast charge technology is good
Controls are convenient, but at the beginning you can accidentally switch off the microphone

All in all Nokia came up with a niche, but high quality product for those who do not want to carry the headset in the ear. A 2 mm charger jack is not welcome though. Feel free to purchase this model. I think that car drivers will enjoy BH-608 most of all.

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Sergei Kuzmin ([email protected])
Twitter Livejournal
Translated by Maxim Antonenko ([email protected])