Design
The H710 is one of the best looking hands-free headsets we've seen recently. In previous reviews we've suggested that the most attractive hands-free headset is the one you can't see, and the H710's miniature dimensions makes this almost the case here. However, with the H710 sitting on our desks it's been hard to look away from what is a very interesting looking device.
Made from a combination of black and silver plastics, the H710 is as lightweight as it's easy on the eye. The headset uses a hinged ear hook, similar to many similar products, but the flip-phone styled microphone is definitely a unique and interesting inclusion. Flipping the boom open activates the headset and reconnects it to your phone for use. Closing the mic not only makes the headset smaller and more streamlined for transporting, but powers down the H710, prolonging the standby battery life.
In total the H710 makes use of only three buttons, a volume key on each side of the headset, and a large button on top. Under the larger button the H710 has a multicoloured LED backlight to communicate the differing states of use; blue for Bluetooth connections, green to tell you the battery is fully charged, red to warn that the battery is about to run out and pink to tell you the H710 is happy.
Charging the H710 is via an unconventionally shaped USB port so you'll have to be sure not to lose the Motorola charger that comes bundled with the headset.
Performance
They say all that glitters is gold; this is not our experience with Motorola's H710 headset. While the H710 is an excellently designed and aesthetically pleasing gadget, using the headset has been harder than seems necessary, and the overall performance has been mediocre at best.
Pairing a Bluetooth headset to a phone should be an almost one-touch process, however, our experience of pairing the H710 to phones has required more concentration than we think the process deserves. After flipping the boom mic open the LED backlight flashes blue several times and then goes blank. At this point you should hold down the main button and wait for the LED to turn solid blue to indicate the H710 is in pairing mode. This describes the process when it works. Often we saw no LED light when we flipped the boom open, and still nothing after we held the button in for several seconds. We'd repeat the process, closing and reopening the microphone, waiting for the blue lights, holding down buttons and swearing loudly.
We attempted to pair the headset with several brands of phones including two Nokias, an iPhone and two Sony Ericssons. The Nokias and the iPhone paired as expected, but the Sony Ericsson handsets couldn't discover the H710 to pair with it.
We had been looking forward to testing the Multipoint feature, the ability to pair to two phones simultaneously, but the difficulties we had pairing were simply multiplied. To activate Multipoint you first shut down the first handset you've paired, then repeat the original pairing process with the second handset. Again we were left flipping the boom mic open and shut, looking for lights and cursing Motorola.
Once paired, our experience making calls varied. Using the Nokia handsets, we experienced considerable distortion with loud crackling and audio drop-outs. During one call the distortion was so bad we had to disconnect the headset to finish the conversation. With the iPhone the performance was much better with clear audio during our calls.
Overall
Our excitement at discovering the attractive H710 on our desks quickly turned to frustration and disappointment when trying to pair the headset and when making calls. Using the H710 with an iPhone gave us some hope that the experience could improve from device to device. If you're interested in this headset we strongly suggest testing it with your handset in the store before you hand over the cash.
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UncleBob
30/08/2008, 01:57 PM
rating
6/10
Excellent headset, similar to the H700 with more features.
Pros: Good volume, light weight, easy to turn on and use without searching for buttons.
Cons: Motorola used a proprietary connector for the charger, rather than a 5 pin USB Mini adapter, so all other chargers will NO LONGER WORK. This is a MAJOR disadvantage to this headset for travel
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Bowri
21/06/2008, 02:05 PM
rating
10/10
I think the editor needs to learn how to read before writing reviews on the H710. The main button needs to be held down before flipping the boom then the light will become solid. When solid it is ready for pairing. The Phone wont pair when the light is flashing.
Pros: Dont have to press any uttons to answer a call, just flip the boom and place on ear.
Pleanty of Talk time and standy by time.
Fantastic battery life.
Crystal clear audio communication.
Cons: Getting bad reviews from misguided individuals.
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anonymous coward
13/06/2008, 02:33 PM
rating
2/10
I totally agree with this comments made on this review. The lights were solid blue when I tried to pair it the first 30minutes. Flipping and closing the mic boom. Then I remembered that for the Moto h9 to pair, the lights were blinking blue so I tried for another hour trying to get it blink blue. Still no go. Tested with my sibling's Moto slvr, it paired discovered within seconds.
Pros: NA
Cons: Couldnt pair with my HTC Tytn, so it might not be discoverable with other phones like the review suggested.
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nwsportsguy
12/06/2008, 06:35 AM
rating
9/10
I have to completely disagree with this review (and it's a good thing I read others comments as I almost decided against buying this headset based on the review). The H710 paired with my Motorola Nextel i580 on the first try with no problems. The earpiece is quite comfortable and unobtrusive. Most importantly, the call clarity (both on my end on the headset and - according to my Mom - on the other end as well) was far better than I imagined. Based on my experience to date, this is a FINE, FINE product.
Pros: Design, comfort, ease of pairing, call clarity, on/off design with boom, multi-colored indicator for remaining charge
Cons: Only minor gripe is that the volume buttons can be a little hard to find when the headset is on your ear.
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kelzipan_au
06/06/2008, 07:09 AM
rating
9/10
I thought the pairing was a little strenuous at first. I was pairing with a Motorola Razr and a Blackberry Curve. I followed the instructions twice and it didn't work. Then I looked online at Motorola support for the H710 and it added that after you pair the second phone, you have to go to the first phone and "reconnect" (not pair) the headset again. Once I did this, all worked perfectly and I'm in love with this headset. I was an owner of the Motorola HS850 and loved it. It went through the washer and dryer and still worked, though not as great as before. :P
Here's the support site link that was useful:
(it's atrociously long - hope it comes through. Otherwise Support > Enter headset and model number > FAQ > Using your headset with a second phone)
http://motorola-global-eng.custhelp.com/cgi-bin/motorola_global_eng.cfg/php/enduser/std_adp.php?p_faqid=12446&p_created=1200495172&p_sid=rpzojy5j&p_accessibility=&p_redirect=&p_lva=&p_sp=cF9zcmNoPTEmcF9zb3J0X2J5PSZwX2dyaWRzb3J0PSZwX3Jvd19jbnQ9MTEsMTEmcF9wcm9kcz0mcF9jYXRzPSZwX3B2PTQuNDMyOSZwX2N2PSZwX3BhZ2U9MSZwX3NlYXJjaF90ZXh0PXBhaXJpbmc*&p_li=&p_topview=1
Pros: Use with two phones
Multi colored indicators
Open/close boom for on/off
Pairing one phone is incredibly easy
Cons: Pairing two phones is a bit cumbersome from initial boxed product directions (support site is more helpful)
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JRE
24/05/2008, 06:33 AM
rating
8/10
I don't know about use and sound quality yet, but I paired with my Balckberry in under 1 min.
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kingbaida
10/05/2008, 01:27 AM
rating
9/10
The comments from the editor are erroneous. The H710 perfomed flawlessly, and probably the best headset I have had so far. Light, crystal clear sound (both ends), very confortable. It took me litteraly 10 seconds to sync to my phone. Great great product !
Pros: Great sound, light, very easy to operate, and very confortable...
Cons: None so far....
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jj
30/04/2008, 12:02 PM
rating
10/10
Really sounds like the author of the review didn't read the manual on pairing. The process he describes does not match the manual at all. You have to push the main button *before* you flip the boom open.
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