June 24, 2012

Over the years, I’ve tried numerous Bluetooth headsets for making phone calls and listening to music. Of all those that I’ve tried, Plantronics devices have often made the list of my favorites.

I first saw the BackBeat Go headset at CTIA, and was immediately interested in trying them. I’ve used other stereo Bluetooth headsets that had rigid plastic that went around the back of the neck.  I have a small head, though, so these always stuck out and ended up being annoying and uncomfortable, because I couldn’t lean my head back. Instead of being rigid, the BackBeat Go is made of a flexible, silicone material. They are long enough to drape comfortably around your neck when not in use.

Unlike other headsets where you have to fumble around trying to find the buttons – and then remember which one is which, the power, call and volume buttons on the BackBeat Go are conveniently located a few inches down from the right ear-bud. The headset supports AVRCP, so you can also control your music directly from them. One of the things I like most about these is that there is almost no delay in the audio output, so if you are watching video, you don’t have a mismatch between the picture and the sound.

The headsets come with 3 different size silicone ear-buds, allowing for a comfortable, in-ear fit. They also have an additional (optional) piece that fits behind the ear-buds, giving them even more in-ear stability.

The headset charges via micro-USB. The charge time is reasonable, but I’ve been a little disappointed in the battery life. The headset pairs easily, and connects consistently. I do like that there is no obtrusive, bright blue flashing light on this headset.

The BackBeat Go is available from Plantronics for $99.99, but as usual, you can find it for less on Amazon.

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