Windows Phone Thoughts: A Fresh Catch: Bluetake's BT400 G5 Bluetooth Headset on the Platter

Coupling the BT400 G5 with the BT007Si Bluetooth USB Adapter
I also had the opportunity to give Bluetake's BT007Si Bluetooth USB Adapter (sold separately) a spin. This is a stunning module that can add Bluetooth functionality to any desktop or laptop via USB. What's special about this one is its Class 1 rating, effectively offering a theoretical 100 metre operating range. It is only a Bluetooth 1.2 adapter, but if by the end of this section, you feel the BT007Si is a worthy purchase, but would prefer the power of Bluetooth 2.0 and EDR, look no further than Bluetake's BT007Ex.


Figure 11: The BT007Si Bluetooth USB Adapter - (1) body; (2) indicator light.

The BT700Si is tiny, measuring in at just 47mm x 19mm x 10mm, and weighing a mere 10g. It is built using durable, white plastic with a translucent blue window serving as the indicator light of the adapter. Annoyingly, the adapter lacks a cover for the USB plug, so if you plan on taking the adapter with you when you travel, you will have to ensure that it's kept in a safe and secure storage compartment.


Figure 12: IVT Corporation's BlueSoleil Bluetooth console makes management easy.

The adapter includes a utility CD containing an electronic user manual and the BlueSoleil software by IVT Corporation. The latter offers a plethora of profiles configurable via a powerful, yet easy-to-use manager supporting system tray notifications (Figure 12). Clicking on the orange orb in the middle forces a device search, and from there, you can pair and connect devices, and utilise services as you see fit. I connected the BT400 G5 to the BT007Si and it worked stunningly in Skype. I also connected the Bluetake i-PHONO mini headphones (using A2DP for high-quality stereo audio), the Logitech Mobile Freedom headset (again, testing its performance in Skype), and my E-TEN M600 (for Bluetooth ActiveSync and file transfers). They all worked without a hitch!

Conclusions
I don't see Bluetake's BT400 G5 as the headset to end all headsets. While it doesn't really offer anything innovative, it still is a solid, all-round performer and at the end of the day, that's all that really matters. With good audio quality and excellent range, it is definitely a headset that's worthy of consideration. Couple it with Bluetake's BT700Si and you can extend that headset experience to your desktop or laptop.

Darius Wey loves technology! When he is not working at this web site, or busy completing his medical degree (MBBS), he can usually be found exploring the world of digital photography, and fragging other players on his Xbox 360. He lives in Perth, Western Australia.