Product Requirements:
Device:
Most mobile phones with a headset jack

Driving while talking on a cell phone is a bad thing. We all know it is dangerous, but we still do it. I'm even guilty of this practice. So, in order to make things somewhat safer, you might want to consider a hands free headset for your phone. Headsets with built in microphones allow you to talk on the phone while still keeping both hands on the steering wheel.

One of the more popular manufacturers of headsets is Jabra. Today I'm going to take a look at 3 of their offerings which are available from Executive PDA and other fine retailers.

This review will take a look at the EarSet, EarBoom Winder and Bluetooth FreeSpeak headset products.

EarSet

This headset is about as compact as possible while still being wired. What you get is an earplug that has both a speaker and microphone built into it. It is very light weight at under 1/4 of an ounce.

The ear pieces are called EarGels. They are flexible and soft. 6 different EarGels are included so that you can customize the fit as needed. Both left and right EarGels are included in Small, Medium and Large sizes. I had to use the small size for the review.

It takes a little practice to get proficient with putting the plug in your ear. It is molded so that it fits in comfortably in the outer ear. Once inserted, it pretty much stays put and will not fall out on its own. I found that it feels comfortable for long periods of time. Sound thru the EarSet is great. Much better than pressing the phone against the side of your face.

At first glance, you might think that the EarSet does not have a microphone. In fact, it does. It is located on the top of the earpiece. I was convinced that the mic wouldn't be that great since it points away from your month and towards the back of your head. Surprisingly, it picks up really well though.

Extending from the earphone is a 4ft cord that has a 2.5mm headset plug at the end for the cell phone. A small black plastic clip is attached to the cord so that you can clip the cord to your shirt. I never used the clip...

Price: $34.95

Pros:
Compact
Comfortable

Cons:
None

EarBoom Winder

This is another hands-free kit that will allow you to listen and talk thru your cell phone without the use of your hands.  The EarBoom Winder, employs the same EarGel earplugs as the product above, but it includes a small boom microphone and a retractable cord. This is great for those of you out there that get their cords in a knot without even trying (you know who you are... Christmas lights fear you!).

When retracted, the EarBoom Winder is a nice compact kit. To use it, you just pull out the earphone/mic as far as you need it (it has a 3ft length), plug the 2.5mm end into your cell phone, and you're good to go.

When you're finished with the kit, you press the small silver button on the side and the cord is pulled back inside. No knots, no kinks, neat as could be.

The back of the holder has a clip so that you can attach it to your pocket or lapel while in use.

Audio quality from the earphone is great and clarity from the microphone is very good as well. The microphone is adjustable, so it can be bent to the angle you desire.

After using this product, I find that I prefer the one above better. The boom on this version was distracting as I could see it in my peripheral vision. It also seemed harder to get in my ear, and a little less comfortable. I would like to see the EarSet version in retractable form.

Price: $29.95

Pros:
Compact
Keeps cord from tangling

Cons:
Not quite as comfortable as the EarSet model

FreeSpeak Bluetooth Headset

The ultimate handsfree headset is the FreeSpeak. This is a Bluetooth headset that performs wonderfully while looking great too.

This product was my very first exposure to a Bluetooth device. As such, it required me to read the manual in order to figure out how to pair the headset to the phone I was going to use it with (Sony Ericsson T68i). This is a simple task and only takes a couple minutes once you actually know how to do it for the first time. After the pairing was complete, the use of the phone is self explanatory.

The headset has two buttons. A rocker up/down volume control, and an on/off button. There is also a blue status LED. It glows while charging the internal Lithium Polymer battery, and that blinks while in use with the mobile phone.

Of the three headsets reviewed here, I found this one to be the most comfortable of all. That is once you get it in place. I didn't have any luck with quickly putting it in/on my ear though. So, don't expect to be able to put it on while the phone is ringing. It's better to have it already 'installed' before you need it.

It is worn like some of the behind the head style audio headphones. The headset actually rests on top of your ear sort of like a pair of glasses... But don't worry, if you do wear glasses it doesn't get in their way.

The microphone remains out of your way at the side of your jaw bone. In use, the audio quality was great as was the sound quality on the other end of the conversation... or so they told me.

The cool thing about Bluetooth is that you can leave your phone in your bag, and still be able to talk and listen to phone calls. You can even answer calls by pressing one of the buttons on the headset. Personally, this felt awkward to me, so I would just press a key on the phone when calls would come in. Typical range between the headset and the phone is supposed to be about 30ft max. I did a few tests and only got about 12ft away before I lost connection with the phone.

A nice thing about this phone is that the batteries are rechargeable. It comes with a small dock that you slide the headset into to charge.

If I actually used a Bluetooth cell phone, this would be my headset of choice.

Price: $99.95 ($179.95 for non-Bluetooth adapter for use with non-Bluetooth enabled phones)

Pros:
Wireless
Great sound quality
Comfortable

Cons:
Non-Bluetooth version is expensive