BlueTake BT400 GII Bluetooth headset review

BlueTake is a Taiwanese company which specialized in Bluetooth devices such as adapters, routes, access points, Bluetooth CompactFlash cards, headsets etc. Their latest Bluetooth headset is the BT400 GII model.

Official Specs

    • Bluetooth v1.1 available
    • Supports Bluetooth Headset profile only (can not be used with Nokia 3650)
    • Carrer Frequency: 2.4GHz ~ 2.480GHz FHSS(Frequency Hopping Spread Spectrum)
    • Class II, 10 meters radio coverage area (in open space)
    • Rx Sensitivity < -80 dBM
    • Standby time: 100 hours
    • Talk time: 4 hours
    • Foldaway microphone
    • Adjustable ear hook
    • Changeable color plate
    • Dimension: 92mm x 50mm x 26mm
    • Weight: 26g

      Optional accessories:
    * Color Plate
    * Car Charger
    * Black Jacket
    * BT009S Bluetooth USB Adapter
      
      Sales Package:
    • 1 x mini CD
    • 1 x Bluetake BT400 GII
    • 1 x AC adaptor
    • 1 x BT400 quick-start leaflet
    • 1 x warranty card

 

The BT400 design consists of a main body which holds all the electronics and the battery. There is a microphone which swivels to almost 180 degrees. If not in use, the headset's microphone can be gathered back close to the body of the unit. It feels very durable so you do not have to be worried that it will snap in half.
The other moving part is a hook like half plastic / half rubber piece which holds the BT400 on your ear. The hook can be removed (theoretically) and adjusted for left/right ear. The manual is very vague about the step that the user has to follow to do this. I tried to carry them out only to notice that the hook was already cracked (after about 30 days of use).

Another flaw that I noticed after a month of slight use, was the design of the recharging socket. In contrast from the rest of the headsets that I've seen and tested, this one does not have a charging cradle and you have to plug the AC power adapter into the DC POWER IN socket situated in back of the headset. Unfortunately, after plugging it in, the recharging process would not start most of the time. I had to plug/unplug several times before the charging would start.
For all of the customization freaks out there, you can add this toy to your wish list. The headset's covers can be changed. Bluetake sent me five additional color covers.

BT400 GII compared to Jabra FreeSpeak BT400 GII open Bt400 GII

 » Installation / Pairing

The paired process was easy like it is supposed to be. The user has to hold the Power button for 5 seconds to place the headset into a discovery mode. Next step is to start searching for new devices from your phone. The headset uses the standard password of 0000.

 » Operation

The operation of the headset is very simple. Press the Power button to answer a call. Press it again to hand up. If during a call you receive a second one, press the Power button to answer it. Very foolproof design. The other two buttons adjust the volume up and down accordingly.

I did not notice a lot of discomfort wearing the headset for prolonged periods of time. What I did not like was the flapping microphone on my cheek when I moved my head abruptly. But this is normal “feature” of any headset (like the Sony Ericsson HBH-30) which has a somewhat extended microphone boom.
Do not expect to be able to jog and wear the headset in the same time. It is not going to happen. Even a moderate headshake made my headset airborne. The reason is that the hook which holds the earpiece lacks any type of spring mechanism to hold it tight to your ear. After a month of use, the plastic hook was very loose and did not have the strength to hold the headset securely to my ear (when head-shaking).

 

 Initially, I tested the headset with my T68i (software firmware R2E 006) and I have nothing good to say but a lot of echo. Later I received an email from Bluetake explaining that there is a software issue between the R2E and the BT200 GII. They recommended using T68i with firmware version R8A015 or above. So basically, I can not say what sound quality the headset produces with Sony Ericsson T68.
The headset only supports only the Headset profile, so it does not work with phones that support only the Hands-free profiles (such as Nokia 3650).
The next phones I did testing with were Sony Ericsson T610. Overall I am dissatisfied with the sound quality of the headset. The sound it produces is not clear enough all the time and noticeable sound rumbling appears. Most people I talked to sounded like having the flue. The other party also complained most of the time about walkie-talkie like sounds (interference) while I was in very quiet environments.
On the other hand, the headset's design cancels very well wind noises. I used a fan to simulate outside windy environment and the headset passed the test very well.

»Battery Life

I was very satisfied with the battery life. The specs on the box match what I experienced in actuality – around 100 hours of stand-by and around 4 hours of talk time.

»Conclusion

The headset is good for noisy environments, but its durability is questionable. It has great battery life, somewhat obtrusive design (compared to Jabra Freespeak), excellent range, and very disappointing sound quality.