Strengths: Small, lightweight, easy to set-up and use, good volume, Several advanced features (Volume control, locator, redial, mute, battery status, Indicator on/off...).
Summary: This is my first bluetooth headset. Immediate impression when I received the unit was that it looked like it was made out of cheap plastic, but soon reliezed that this type of plastic was used due to making it light weight. The unit wears exteamly well, once you adjust the ear loop. Audio reception is great, but the output (what others hear) sounds good, but was told it sounded like a train was in the background. The background noise heard did change (for the better) when using it outside. The noise usually generates when using it indoors and the room has an echoing effect. The range was ok, but I believe it was limited due to my phone. Accessories: Unit came with earloop, case, USB and Wall power adapter. It did not come with eyeglass holder, as this was for the model 500. Only disappointment, was not because of the device, but my assumption that I could listen to my Fusic music over the ear piece. I later found out that the profile for this (and every other, one ear, headset does not support A2DP. Only the stero headphones support music transfer over bluetooth.
Reviewed by: sfschwartz on 17-Mar-07Rating:
Strengths: small size, clarity, price
Summary: I have used both the scala 500 and the scala 700, which I am currently reviewing. The Bluetooth setup with my phone was fast and easy, and I have never had a need to pair the headset with my phone a second time, except on the occasion I needed to hard reset my phone. Both the scala 500 and 700 have always picked up and connected my incoming and outgoing calls without fail and very quickly.
The Scala 700 is particularly attractive in design; discrete and small in size. I don't feel like I'm a character from Star Trek with a huge, shiny object protruding from my ear. The Scala 700 has a long lasting charge and a light which indicates the amount of battery power remaining: high, medium, or low. There are two charging cables included; one to plug into an AC outlet and another USB to charge via your computer. The Scala 700 has a feature which allows you to locate it if lost, using your phone's volume control.
The Scala 700 comes with a moldable ear loop, which I have found to be comfortable and easily made to fit comfortably in my ear.
People on the receiving end of my calls have always said that I sounded clear and where often surprised to hear I was speaking on a headset. I have even used the headset driving in my car with the top down and have been able to effectively hear and be heard.
Reviewed by: tengst on 14-Dec-06Rating:
Strengths: Small, decent price, good reception, can easily pair and switch between 2 devices
Summary: I primarily purchased this because it's the only headset I can find that would pair with 2 devices and switch between them with a push of a button (a double push in this case). It has much better range than the Motorola (H700 and 810) headsets I've used for a couple of years now. I can actually go into the next room and probably get up to a solid 15 feet from my phone before I notice the connection going bad. The Motorola's would barely work if the phone was on the other side of my body (same phone).
I got very excited when I read a review that stated it could be used in a convertible. It is actually loud enough (unlike the Motorola's) but my problem has always been more of a mic-pickup issue than volume and it doesn't do any better than other headsets I've used.
I have noticed that it seems to have some problems in noisy little cars with the full-duplex feature. It acts like it's not full-duplex sometimes and cuts out when one side or the other speaks (one side in noisy car, the other side in quiet room).
Finally, my Motorola pairs with my computer for use w/Skype without problems. However, I get an error when I attempt to do it with the Scala-700. When I emailed support with very specific information as to what was happening (exact steps taken, error message received, etc.) they responded with a canned how-to for pairing with a computer. When I wrote back that I obviously knew how to pair and was doing it correctly based on my previous email, they responded that I should call them (the first response was about a day, the second was about 3 days). So, I'm not overly ecstatic about their support so far, not great, but not horrendous, yet. I haven't had a chance to call them yet...
All-in-all it's a solid headset but it's not the cure-all I was hoping for.