JPL-BT1-Pro Headset

Price: £49.95
Contact: 01258 820100, www.jpltele.com

Hands-free calls in-car can now be as clear as conversations on your home or office phone. That’s the claim JPL is making about its new Bluetooth Headset.

First impressions count, and when we got the unit out of the pack, it immediately reminded us of the kind of bulky headset used by call centre staff. It has an adjustable headband, while the single earpiece rests on your ear instead of in it.

Attached is a full-length microphone which rotates, for use on the left or right ear. On the outside of the casing is an answer/end/redial button, along with volume controls. But while we loved being able to manually adjust the loudness of our caller, the buttons feel a little cheap, and the opposite side of the headband is uncomfortable.

Still, sound quality impressed, with our caller reporting clear and crisp audio, and there was no distortion. The only concern came when we had the window down and tried to speak; the person on the other end of the line needed us to repeat what we said. His voice also sounded a bit quiet through the leatherette earpiece.

But the looks and build quality of this unit aren’t our only gripes; the price also lets the package down. For £50, we expected much more, and not even the included 12V car charger can justify that expense when our current favourite – the Jabra Easygo – is £20 cheaper.

Verdict

Rating: ★★★
What is it?
Bluetooth hands-free kit with a leatherette earpiece and a headband
Problems?
Not the best-looking device, quite large, build quality leaves a lot to be desired.
Why buy?
Unit can be adjusted for comfort on either ear, long microphone gives good sound.