i.Tech Bluetooth Headsets Not Quite Ready for Primetime
We never tire of Bluetooth gadgets- from wireless speakers aimed at bicyclists to solar speakers and hands-free sets, there seems to be a Bluetooth solution for just about anyone. Today, we’ve got two different models from i.Tech, both of which offer nifty technology at reasonable prices, but neither of which should have you rushing to replace your current Bluetooth set.
We’ll start with the pretty sharp-looking iVoicePRO 901. Yes, it looks pretty similar to another, more famous competitor, but put that aside for a moment and appreciate it’s reasonably light weight at 12 grams. Available in glossy black, titanium, and red, an ear loop is included but might not be necessary for those who can get the headset to fit snugly in-ear. There is built-in noise cancellation, thanks to the dual mics, and it uses Bluetooth v2.1 EDR which doesn’t seem to affect range much, but may help in other ways. Battery life, so key on these devices, was pretty average- 4 hours or so of talk time, 100 hours of standby. Pairing is simple, and you can connect up to two phones simultaneously. Controls were a bit annoying, as they were different and in different spots than most other headsets- for instance, it’s pretty easy to accidentally hit the mute button or to use the wrong combination on the multi-function button. It charges easily via USB and takes only about 3 hours. But there is no killer feature that sets it apart from the many other competitors, and the noise cancellation is not as good as some other in the same price range (nor is it as comfortable). Finally, it doesn’t support older devices (anything before Bluetooth 2.1)- not a big deal for most of us, but something to be aware of. At $60, it fits a decent middle ground, but we’d suggest spending a bit extra for something better, or going cheaper and getting a basic model.
Or, you could trade out the noise cancellation and sleek form factor for something a little more ugly but a lot more green. That’s the promise of the i.Tech Solar Voice 908, which also includes support for A2DP, great for music lovers (who, um, want their music in one ear). Once again, the unit can be worn with the ear loop, but can also be worn without if you can manage a tight enough fit. The included buds aren’t really flexible though, but at least one of our writers managed a stable fit. Again, pairing is pretty simple, and you can pair with up to two devices at the same time. Microphone quality though was pretty poor- we were reduced to asking folks on the other end if they could understand us more than once, and not just in an outdoor environment where noise canceling can make a big difference. Battery life was slightly better, closer to 5 hours, a nice surprise since the 908 weighs about the same as it’s sibling. The key feature here is the solar charging though, with fairly sturdy panels that allow you to simply lay them out in the sun to soak up some rays and juice you up. Unfortunately, similar to many other devices we’ve tested, real-world sunlight in a city leaves something to be desired, and we frequently were unable to get any charge at all in San Francisco, whether lying on our windowsill, dashboard, or out on the porch. You’ll need truly bright sun, and for a reasonable duration, to actually get results. But we do hold out hope that the technology improves, and have to give them credit for making it work at all in such a small package. At $80 or less, it might be worth a try if you live in a sunny spot and forget to charge your headset regularly.
