Windows Phone Thoughts: More Than Just Good Looks: Jabra's JX10 and BT500 Bluetooth Headsets

Round Two: BT500
Unsurprisingly, without the Jacob Jensen touch, the BT500's yellow and grey cardboard box is a tad dull next to the JX10's. The box's clear plastic cutout reveals the headset, but nothing more.


Figure 8: It's all about the curves. The multifunction call/power button, charging socket, pairing button, and volume controls can be seen along the outer edge of the headset.

Although the JX10 and BT500 are built by the same company, both are very different. Size-wise, the BT500 is a lot larger - approximately 2.5 times, if you enjoy figures. It's twice the weight at 19g (.67 oz.). However, just like the JX10, the BT500 nails style and professionalism well (though fashion is subjective, so your perception may vary). The symmetrically-shaped headset is bathed in metallic grey, with black coating the earhook, and the boom microphone receiving a chrome finish.


Figure 9: The BT500 from another angle.

The standard controls (multifunction call/power button, pairing button, and the elevated plus- and minus-labelled volume controls) and charging socket can be found on the outer curve of the headset. An indicator light can be found beneath the light grey strip that houses most of these controls. Its position helps tone down the brightness of the blinking light (great for night), but also leaves it very prone to washing out under direct sunlight, or even a bright desk lamp. The light's colour and blinking patterns are the same as that of the JX10's.

With the headset on the ear, operation of the controls can be a little tricky. The multifunction call/power button is easy enough to find, but you may find yourself fumbling around for the volume controls.

Unlike the JX10, the BT500 has a comfortable, soft earpiece, thanks to Jabra's use of its MiniGel technology. The box includes two types - a short version and an extended version (the latter inserting all the way into the ear canal). There are two of each type, bringing the total number of MiniGel earpieces to four. Naturally, they're replaceable, so you can choose which MiniGel to use with the headset. In addition, they can be rotated 180° to enable the headset to be worn on either ear.

The soft nature of the MiniGel earpieces, coupled with the lightweight construct of the headset itself, allow the headset to be worn on the ear for an extended period without any discomfort. In my opinion, this is where the BT500 beats the JX10 hands down.