Years ago when Bluetooth headsets became a little more affordable I decided to buy myself one as I am a gadget freak and I wanted one - what other reasons did I need? However after using it on about two occasions, I really wished I hadn’t bothered and it was banished to my cupboard, never to see the light of day again. I think its still there somewhere. Back then Bluetooth headsets were bulky, uncomfortable, their battery life was poor and they had a tendency to drop their connection to your phone. Not to mention that I felt a prize idiot walking down the street apparently talking to myself!

But I had not closed my mind to their concept completely and I’m always willing to give things a second chance especially if they are improved so when Alex gave me the opportunity to review one I thought “Yeah why not”.

First thing that impressed me about the Jabra Extreme was the way it was packaged. In its solid plastic casing, viewable from both sides, the small black Bluetooth headset was almost willing me to open up the box and release it. As soon as I got home I succumbed to its pleadings and it was freed!

This thing really was small compared to my past encounter measuring around 4.5cm long, 1.5cm wide and less than 1cm thick. I usually find that some in-ear headphones can hurt my ears after a while but the Jabra Extreme was quite comfortable and felt secure with the hook around my ear.

One of the features of this little marvel is that you can have it connected to two devices at the same time so I was keen to put this to the test. First I connected to my mobile phone which was a very easy process, next I connected it to my iPhone, again very easy and both handsets maintained their connection. Before you ask, yes I have more than one mobile phone contract at the moment, I’m a gadget freak remember!

I started listening to some music on my iPhone and despite only listening through one ear the sound quality was clear and very good. Then I made a call from my landline to my other mobile phone. Sure enough the music immediately stopped and I could hear a ringing tone through the headset. Proof indeed that you can connect two devices at the same time.

I wanted to then try out making a call so I phoned my Mum….. “Hi Mum”.
“Hello, how are you” she said. “Yeah I’m ok, can you hear me alright”? I replied. “Yes fine, why are you asking”? So I said “Cos I’m trialling a Bluetooth headset for TakTIk and I wanted to make sure I sounded clear to you”. “Oooo” she said “Yes I can hear you perfectly well I would never have guessed, its very clear compared to how they used to be”. What more testimony could I give this device than approval from my own mother!

Ok let’s get a little technical for a moment….. The Jabra Extreme features Noise Blackout Extreme with dual microphones, which reduces twice as much background noise as the original Noise Blackout. I tried this out by making a phone call whilst walking down a busy London street and had no problems hearing or being heard during the conversation, I’ve yet to try it out in a noisier environment, though some would argue there can’t be many of those compared to London’s streets! But I have no doubts that the Jabra Extreme would cope admirably.

It comes complete with an AC charger, a car charger, a tiny usb charger, two ear hooks, two spare ear gels and all at a price that I would call reasonable. Battery life is very good with up to 5.5hrs talk time and standby time of up to 10.5 days!

What more can I say other than well done Jabra and would you like my old Bluetooth headset in exchange!

RRP: £59.99 and available from the usual resellers. For more infomation see www.jabra.com.