Bluetooth Earphones

The good people at WirelessGround.com sent us the Quickcell Q7 Bluetooth Wireless Mini Headset for review.

The outer packaging was quite secure with adhesive tape all over but I was, nonetheless, expecting the product’s box to be sealed as well. It was not, and neither is the plastic shell containing the headset, AC and USB chargers, two ear hooks, and manual. At any rate, since the Quickcell Q7 Midnight Bluetooth Wireless Mini Headset was being given to me free, it’s not something I will complain about. Besides, everything that the box said it contained was in the shell, all looking brand new.

The first thing I thought when I opened the box is “It is small.” I actually measured it with my caliper and indeed it is 1.0″ x 0.5″, making it one of the world’s smallest Bluetooth headsets. The circular earpiece is about 0.5″ in diameter and is mounted on the upper section. At its stem, where it connects to the main body, is the port for the chargers. Below it is a Q7 logo. The microphone is a tiny hole on the lower end of the body. An elongated multi-function switch bisects the part opposite the earpiece. I don’t have a device to measure its weight, but holding it my hands, I can readily believe it to be 4.5 grams.

The manual said that initial charging could take up to two hours, but the blue light below the multifunction switch indicating full charge came on in less than one hour. In the meantime, I read the included manual two times over just to make sure I understood it. With the Q7, it is not only the earphones that are small. So is the manual. It felt like I was reading the fine print on some insurance policy. I did manage to read it though.

Once the headset was fully charged, I got to work. Pairing it with my Samsung cell phone was quick and easy. After activating it by pressing the switch and waiting for the blue light to turn on, I turned to my phone and activated its Bluetooth connectivity, searched for Bluetooth devices within reach, and selected Q7. It prompted me for a PIN and I just keyed “0000″ as instructed by the manual and printed on the box. That’s it. My phone and the headset were linked.

I initially did not bother with the ear hooks. I inserted the headset into my ear and started dialing. I talked at length with my friend telling him I was testing a Q7 Headset and I noted that the sound at my end was quite clear with no background noise whatsoever. It did sound a bit muffled but it is barely noticeable and I clearly understood everything my friend was saying. I walked from my phone while talking but at about 25 feet, my friend said I was beginning to sound garbled. At 30 feet, I was disconnected from my phone. And that was in open space. With a wall between me and the phone, distance was reduced to roughly 15 feet.

Reconnecting with my phone, I made a few more calls, this time using the ear hooks with the headset. It fit perfectly. I’ve tried other ear hooks before and they irritated my ears but not this one. After more than an hour, I still didn’t feel anything. Even with the headset, it is so light that you can actually forget you are wearing it. I decided I’d always wear the ear hooks when using the Q7.

Just to find out if the redialing function works with the headset and my phone, I pressed the switch for about 2 seconds and the phone redialed the last number I called.

I like the Q7. The best thing about it is its size and weight. Personally, I don’t feel very comfortable with a large device hanging from my ear looking like it is glued to my face. The Q7 barely goes beyond my tragus (the tongue-like projection at the front of the outer ear). The earpiece rests just outside the ear canal so it does not isolate other sounds. It is encased in a removable rubber cap with a looped attachment. I figure this is for easy removal if you want to clean it. At any rate, the casing is what makes the earpiece comfortable as it is worn inside the ear. I don’t really make nor get that many calls but I have been using the headset for over three days, and I haven’t had the need to recharge it.

If you’re interested in the Quikcell Q7 Mini Bluetooth Headset or other great mobile accessories then WirelessGround.com may just have what you’re looking for.

This entry was posted on Monday, May 31st, 2010 and filed under Reviews.