Windows Phone Thoughts: Hands-Free with Logitech's Mobile Freedom Headset

It's All About the Statistics
The headset features a 4V, 140mAh Li-Ion battery, which Logitech claims is capable of around 7 hours talk time or 250 hours standby time. Putting it through the test over a few weeks, I can happily say that Logitech doesn't lie. ;) Unfortunately, charging takes roughly four hours, which is quite a while in comparison to other Bluetooth headsets. I guess range is another factor worth considering. You'll get around 10 metres in open space, but if you're indoors and surrounded by walls, you might expect that range to drop a metre or two. A statistic like that is standard for most of today's Bluetooth devices, and for the average user who has his or her device in his/her pocket and the headset sitting on his/her ear, limited range is a factor not even worth worrying about.

Holy Ultra-Combinations, Batman!
When I first read the instructions, I was shaken, I was stirred, and I was distraught at the sheer number of beep/flashing light combinations I'd have to remember. Come on, this isn't a military exercise. It's a Bluetooth headset!

• Turning on: 5 BLUE flashes, brief low-to-high tone;
• Receiving incoming call: 3 repeating BLUE flashes, melody increases in volume;
• Answering call: 3 repeating BLUE flashes, single beep when answered;
• During call: 4 repeating BLUE flashes, no beep;
• Mic Mute-on during call: 4 repeating BLUE flashes, double-beep every 30 seconds;
• Ending mic mute: 4 repeating BLUE flashes, single beep;
• Ending call: 3 repeating BLUE flashes, single beep;
• Pairing: Alternating RED and BLUE flashes, single high-low tone beep. Repeating BLUE flash when paired;
• Standby or Connected: 1 or 3 repeating BLUE flashes, no audio;
• Voice Dialling: 4 repeating BLUE flashes, single beep;
• Low Battery (less than 30 minutes): RED flashes, last 30 minutes;
• Turning off: 5 RED flashes, high-to-low tone;
• Charging: Continuous ORANGE.

Worried? Fear not. It'll stick like glue in a few days, and freakish as I am, I can now recall most of the above combinations in the blink of an eye. ;)


Figure 4: Dell Axim X50v and Logitech Mobile Freedom headset. Licensed to Skype!

Conclusions
The Logitech Mobile Freedom headset is a highly recommended solution if you're after something that offers plenty of value for your money. Not too long ago, the company released two additional Bluetooth headsets. I can't comment on how well they perform, but if they're anything like the Mobile Freedom, they're probably worth a look.

Darius Wey loves technology! When he's not working at this web site, he's busy working for his medical degree (MBBS) and dabbling in audio and video editing, web and graphic design, photography and the odd bit of programming. He lives in Perth, Western Australia.