Nokia BH-800 Bluetooth Headset Review

Nokia has designed its BH-800 Bluetooth headset as the model from the ultra-small class of wireless handsfree accessories. In competition with other even smaller headsets, the BH800 is not only tiny, but also packs lots of style: coming with fashionable accessories in the box, it is a brilliant complementary to both ladies’ and gentlemen’s look.

The Box Includes:

• Nokia BH-800 headset
• AC power charger
• Optional earloop
• Neck-strap
• Carrying pouch
• User manual in multiple languages
  

Nokia BH-800 is tiny rectangular headset with slightly rounded corners and clean design without anything unnecessary to distract from its style. It is available in two color variations: silver and dark one, and the one we are testing is the dark-colored, called “Coffee Black”: it’s in dark metallic gray color in combination with mirror-like silver parts.

But apart from the stylish colors, what you will notice immediately is its tiny size. It measures only 1.61” x 0.7” x 0.35” (41 x 18 x 9 mm) with weight of 0.32oz (9grams).



The BH800 has three keys: on the front side there is typically situated the Talk key used for answering the calls; it is silver square with mirror view. Raised from the surface, it is easy to feel it and press it, which will be indicated with good tactile response.

A rather strange solution is the volume control – it is done by one scroll-key for both volume up and down. The small scroll is situated in the rear part, and depending on the ear you attach the headset to, it may be on either the top or bottom side. It is easy to feel and use, and a nice extra is that moving through the volume-level-steps, brings different sound and it is easy to feel if your are in the upper or lower part of the volume.

On the rear side is situated a small square plastic key, that is used only for powering on and off the device. Next to it is a three-color LED that can blink in red, blue, and green colors.

The back side houses the earpiece and a rubber nipple with hole, for attaching an ear hook. The earpiece is rounded with rubber for more comfortable feeling and solid connection with your ear; if you don’t use the optional earhook (we didn’t), it will be the only thing that keeps the headset on your head. The rubber material is only around the piece, and doesn’t cover it, but you won’t have “metal-touch” feeling when it is properly installed.

The construction of the headset is of high quality and it feels very solid. It doesn’t produce any sound when pressed or shaken, which gives for it classy feel.



Functionality:

Pairing the headset is also a strange, but useful solution. The headset doesn’t have “pairing mode”, but once powered on, if there is no other device connected to it, BH800 will be discoverable for devices that search for it. This mode will be indicated by flashing of the LED in green. The headset can be paired to up to eight devices at a time, but can be connected to only one.

If you know what to do, as this is an extraordinary type of pairing, it is very easy to complete it in a few seconds. After the phone finds the headsets, the default 0000 key should be entered.

Once connected, the LED will flash with blue color. In this stand-by mode, a single press of the Talk key will bring the voice control menu up (if the phone supports it), while if there is an incoming call waiting, this will answer it. In order to reject it, the same key should be briefly pressed twice.
An interesting and once again unique decision is the way the volume it muted – a simple press of the volume slider will do it, which means the latter is 3-way key – scrolls up, scrolls down, and can be pressed.

Performance:

The quality of the sound during a call is high in both directions. People we were talking with heard us with average strength but very clearly and realistically, hearing a natural human voice coming from the BH800’s microphone without any echo.

The incoming sound was very loud, but put at 10 of 10 volume, the earpiece volume was distorted; at 9 of 10 it was high-enough and clear. The voices sound realistic and natural, but we were able to hear some noise while the other party speaks, that disturbed us.

Even as it lacks noise-reduction system, we tested the performance in a windy environment. Unfortunately the results won’t please you, and using it in noisy environments is not recommended.

With 6 hours of continues talk-time, the Nokia BH800 performed as well as the Bluespoon AX2. This is an average result, but as the headsets are from the ultra-small class, this is reasonably well.

The range of the Class 2 specification of Bluetooth is 10 meters (30feet). We tested how the headset performed, compared to other models, and the result is is 11% better than the one of the AX2. It still doesn’t reach the limit of the specifications

Comfort:

As it can be used without the earhook and any kind of other loop that is attached around your ear, the BH800 is extremely easy to be attached with only a few movements – just push the earpiece and it will sit over your ear, steadily attached with the rubber ring in your ear-canal. This is extremely easy and we liked it more than the AX2 that has to be attached via soft spring.

But it is not only easily attached – it stays extremely steady and comfortable, and it can be worn for hours without getting tired of it! As it won’t wobble on your face, and thanks to its minimal weight, you may even forget that it is there. BH-800 stays so steadily, that it won’t troubles you even while training or running.

Thanks to the small size and stylish design, BH800 won’t turn you into robot while you are wearing – it is stylish accessory that takes just a small part of the face, next to the ear. It looks serious and stylish there with no undesired flashing.

Conclusion:

The Nokia BH800 is not the smallest, but is one of the most stylish headsets in the tiny category. Made with great construction quality and innovative decisions, it is very comfortable and user-friendly accessory with good performance. Packing strong sound with good quality, it better than average and definitely worth the price.