Customer Reviews

Motorola HX1 Bluetooth Headset Crystal Talk noise cancelation

5 star:		(6)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(4)
1 star:		(6)

 

 

As a cyclist, I've been eager for *serious* development in Bluetooth headsets, but frustrated by just about everything I've tried. Either the headset was unstable in its ear-placement (always threatening to fall out in anything other than a vertical, semi-sedentary position) highly susceptible to external noises, or (usually) both at once. In addition, SO many headsets don't allow voice-dialing, which is rather weird given all the other touted benefits of wearing the things. Up to now, Motorola was hardly better at this than the other usual suspects, but with the HX-1, in my opinion, they've shot to the head of the class.

There are the practical-but-nice touches, starting with an on/off switch that's a *real* switch, and totally unambiguous in its operation and status. Volume control is via a rocker switch with up/down actuation easily discernible by touch. The Send/End and stealth buttons are both easy to actuate, but (at least as far as I'm concerned) offer just enough physical resistance to not be activated by accident.

In-ear fit is super-secure (finally!). Motorola offers four interchangeable earpieces, two each of two designs, which will likely cover most users' fitting issues; I've found that the "earspring" for the right ear works best for me. Comfort is very good, but (as I've stressed in other reviews regarding headphones and earbuds) the care with which you adjust the fit of the device will figure largely in how comfortable-or not-the headset will feel, both short- and long-term. (I read a short user-review of the HX-1 claiming the unit was all but unwearable in terms of comfort...after trying it on for a whole ten minutes. Not quite what I'd term "in-depth.")

Now, for the juicy bits: Cutting to the chase, the stealth (bone-conduction) mode absolutely, positively works. Cycling along at a decent clip, I've had headsets become totally useless without having to slow to a crawl and head for the curb, my words, even at a near-shout, being totally unintelligible to the other party. With the HX-1, I simply hit the stealth button, wait for the voice confirmation ("Stealth mode on"...wow, now all that's missing is a rocket-assist and retractable machine-guns;-), and the *only* sound heard on the other end is that of my voice, thanks to bone-conduction technology. True, my voice isn't as natural-sounding as through the normal CrystalTalk microphone, but highly intelligible. (One person commented that I sounded a bit like Stephen Hawking; although I'm not much of a gamer anymore, if you've ever played Counterstrike, you'll get an idea of the sound, but it's a bit better than that.)

Speaking of CrystalTalk: The default mode on the HX-1 is with the CrystalTalk mic activated. The reason is simple: under most circumstances, CT works just fine, even in relatively noisy environments. (On the bike, I've tested the headset in CT mode up to 15mph with no problems.) Stealth mode, then, is for those times when noise conditions get particularly hairy. You may end up not using stealth mode all that much, but when you need it, it's just a click away.

Other details: Battery life appears to be as advertised. The packaging of the headset is a bit of overkill (really, a cast-aluminum case? I think they need to learn a bit from Apple on this...it's about the candy inside, guys, NOT the wrapper!); Bluetooth Bonus: since the HX-1 can be paired with up to two devices at once, I also paired it with my BT-equipped PowerBook G4, which now allows me to use Skype both hands-free and untethered (as well as with a degree or privacy).

Conclusion: I think this is the best BT headset around at the moment. Yes, at its current selling price, it ought to be. Casual users of headsets probably won't be too interested in popping for this, but for those who spend a lot of time wearing a headset, *especially* while operating a vehicle, do yourself a big favor and check the HX-1 out. From a safety standpoint alone, it's absolutely worth it.

Pros: great controls and feedback; good build quality; clear noise-cancellation; decent bone-conduction, good battery life

Cons: stealth mode could work better; awkward to put on or wear for extended periods

Summary: The military applications of bone conduction mics has been proven in the spec-ops community for years, providing clear, intelligible communications even under very demanding circumstances. Motorola's version of Invisio's Q7 has been eagerly awaited and feared as vaporwear. But the wait appears to be worth it. The HX1 is a very credible (albeit imperfect) version of true bone-conduction technology for wireless BT.

Motorola got it right to boot the HX1 into CrystalTalk, its version of noise-cancelling mic. It is clear and loud, and perfectly fine for most applications. As the default mode, this works. But for noisy or windy environments, Stealth mode, using bone-conduction, is a revelation. Standing near loudspeakers with both music and voices at high levels, callers just couldn't hear it. I could hear them perfectly (the earpiece sits in the ear canal, shutting out lots of ambient noise) and they could hear me fairly clearly as I spoke in a normal voice (though not as well as through CrystalTalk).

The trick is in the fit. I found the HX1 did not stay tightly in my ear canal. It has a tendency to work its way out to sit more loosely in my ear than is optimal for Stealth. Switching to Stealth would be frustrating for callers because I had little volume and sounded very muffled. But if I repositioned the earpiece, callers reported 50-60% for volume and intelligibility. However, if I held the earpiece (finding the sweet spot took a little time at first), callers reported 80-90% volume and clarity. That's pretty good. Of course, nobody really wants to be holding the earpiece for optimal sound, but it sure beats pushing my old BT to my ear, a finger in my other ear, and shouting as loud as I could to be heard. I'm more than happy to use a headset that actually WORKS in noisy environments. This is the best BT I've tried in this regard, bar none (and I've tried plenty). And if the earpiece fits snugly into your ear canal, you might not even need to hold the earpiece in place.

The controls are very clearly laid out and easy to find and activate without inadvertently pushing something else. The audio chimes and feedback are very nice (it even gives you the battery level upon startup), and pairing is simple for up to two phones. The on/off switch actually toggles, which I find much less prone to accidental power-ups or shutdowns in my pocket. And it's easy to locate and turn on unless you have very large fingers. Talk and stand-by times are pretty good, and the earpiece, while not as sleek as some, is not heavy.

Putting the headset on was a challenge at first. The earhook, necessary to keep the unit in place, was awkward to put on. I finally found that if I keep the earhook tip vertical to the speaker, and pushed the earpiece into my ear, I could take a finger and lift the earhook up and over my ear, and push it into place. With a little practice, it wasn't too hard to put on, but certainly not as easy as other headsets I've use.

The earpiece is not the most comfortable to wear for long periods, although it seems to be less of an irritant now than when I first started using it. YMMV depending on how well the earpiece fits you.

This is an excellent first try for Motorola. If I had to rate it only for its Stealth ability, I'd give it 5 stars in that it actually works. There's room for improvement, and I'm excited to see where Motorola takes this in the future. At this point, I'm done looking for my ideal bluetooth, at least until the next bone conduction headset comes along.

My wife's Motorola H700 headset was going south after 2 1/2 years, so we were looking for a new model. We looked at several different models in stores and on the internet. Of course, Amazon had several choices and we settled on the Motorola HX1, found a great price and ordered the item. When it arrived (after only 3 days) it was charged and tried out. This headset is a considerable advancement from the H700, it talks to you! It gives vocal battery condition info, helps you pair to the phone, tells when you engage the bone conduction feature etc. This is quite an electronic marvel, it's been around for a little while but this headset still has advanced features.

We've tried this unit out for about a week now and I believe it's a keeper. The bone conduction technology does work, and quite well, so you can talk and hear in a noisy environment. If the noise level becomes too high when in regular mode (Crystal Talk) then all you do is push the lower switch on the unit and when you speak, the sensor in your ear picks up the vibrations passing through the bones in your head (yes, everyone is a bone head) and uses this to transmit your conversation.

I'm impressed with this headset, it's light, has advanced features, is comfortable to wear (according to my wife), is reasonably priced and the battery capacity appears to be much better than the H700. I would recommend this headset to anyone who would be looking for these attributes in a headset.

Finally I have a headset with which I can hear others and they can hear me. So clearly! I've spent a lot of dollars in search of a headset that really worked well for me. Several Jabra's, LG, Plantronics, Samsung... and all were the top of the vendor's line. Even a Sennheiser bw900. The Sennheiser gave me the clearest, most understandable reception of all the previous headsets, and seemed to be clear to the listeners. But it also gave me a lot of battery problems.

Then I tried the HX1. It was such a major improvement over All the other headsets I've tried! Far and away better! It was an experience of finding that headset I felt sure could be made, but somehow none of the previous ones came close to my expectations.

Why do I like the HX1 so much?
- I can hear callers so very clearly!
- Instead of turning my volume up to the maximum of seven, I use it on one! Yes, one! A few times when the environment was noisy I went as high as three. When I first used it, I was surprised at how loud it was, so I went to turn it down. Expecting the setting to be at seven I was shocked that it was only at three, and I had to turn it all the way down to one.
- It has a 'Real' power switch. Easy to turn on, but it won't ever turn on accidentally while in your pocket or pouch.
- Voice prompts tell you that you are connected and the battery status.
- It fits comfortably and stays comfortable for extended (hours) wear. I have not needed to use the earhook and yet it is Very stable in my ear.
- The button architecture is well thought out. Great, easy to use, hard to misuse design.
- This is really reason number one repeated, but instead of constantly saying "what?, what was that?" or just trying to figure out a correct response from context, because you are embarrassed about how many times you've asked the caller to repeat themselves... I can respond confidently, because I can clearly hear all the caller is saying.
- The battery life seems to be longer than any other headset I've used.
- I have always gone for functionality, well... gone for being able to hear and be heard... as opposed to 'Style'. But this actually looks pretty good as well as being so dang hearable and heardable.
- Here is a device that works so well and I am so happy with. And yet it has more features I haven't even used yet. I haven't even used the Stealth Mode.
- I was going to send my daughter one of my old headsets, since she doesn't have any bluetooth headsets. But this one is so much better then all the others, even the Sennheiser, that I can't bring myself to send her one of those others. I am going to go buy another one of the HX1's, so she doesn't have to experience all the 'blues' that most bluetooth headsets engender.

The reviewers that found it uncomfortable... well I can only imagine they have not tried the other fittings? This is very comfortable for me. And very stable even though I don't use the earhook. I have worn it for hours with no discomfort.

I hadn't really assessed how much I've spent in seeking a headset that worked for me until writing this review. I now know with just a quick count that it is at least $600 or $ 700 dollars (shocking now that I realize it). Some of those top of the line headsets were okay. And understand that I am somewhat hearing impared at the moment, so maybe they are fine for most people. But the HX1, for me, was analogous to not knowing you need glasses, and then putting a pair on.

I love this headset. And like I said, they are So much better than other top of the line headsets I've tried, that I can't bring myself to send anything less to my daughter. I like them enough that I would rather have "top line" headsets sit around on my shelf, then give them away. Knowing now that there is something so much better.

- A comfortable wear for hours fit.

I've had this headset for about one month and am finding it does not work reliably in either normal or 'stealth' mode. People that I'm talking to either can't here me because there is too much background noise or I sound like I'm far away. Both modes are like this however, 'stealth' mode is 'muffled'. The HX1 seems to be clear to people only about 10% of the time, NOT good enough for me. The sound quality on my end is very good, with plenty of volume. I like the size, ease of use and voice prompting. The battery holds up for a long time between chargings. Perhaps if Motorola could get together with Blue Ant (their microphone is outstanding but their earbuds stink- HX1's is much better) this could be an excellent product. Additionally I found Motorola's website of no help, it was more of an advertisement than any help. If these problems could be fixed with a software/firmware upgrade I'm all for it!

I am a very large man with big ears and this thing is still too big for my ears. I needed the bone conduction technology due to I work in a lot loud areas, but this thing hurts my ear after about an hour. I tried switching ears but after a couple of hours, I couldn't wear it any longer. I like the idea behind it but the part inserts into your ear canal is very large. Additionally, when I tried to use the stealth mode (jawbone) it needs to pushed very deeply into your ear to make contact to transmit. I would not recommend this product to any woman or any man who's ear canal isn't very large!

The original shipment didn't work. The company "Embrace Green Living" contacted me I returned the unit and they immediately shipped a new headset and it working great. Thank you Embrace Green Living and Amazon Great job and I WILL use this seller again.

My HX1 started out pretty good at first or so I thought. I needed something that would take down the noise from driving in my Jeep. The complaints that the person on the other side couldn't hear me clearly continued to grow. I would have to adjust the ear piece until it wasn't comfortable to wear so the other person could hear me. On long drives I think this is a bad investment... If you put your bluetooth ear piece on just for the call this might be the ear piece for you. It is very easy to operate and you can have it work with 2 devices at the same time.

Just be cautious and read more reviews. This was one of the best on the market for my need in my Jeep but now that I am driving a larger truck this is just not the ear piece for me.

Purchased one for myself and one for my wife. Mine malfunctioned completely and had to throw away because the warranty expired. My wife gave me hers because her $3 wired mic to phone was superior in all categories, which is sad. Within three weeks of regular use, the metal exterior panels peeled back and exposed sharp edges. Also, the plastic over-the-ear band broke at the pivot point. My next bluetooth purchase will be the Voyager Pro based on avg reviews.

Excellent device, I use it on my iPhone and it works great! Great signal, great sound, no dropped calls, good battery life..