Motorola HF820 Easy-Install Bluetooth Car Kit [Motorola Retail Packaging]

by Motorola

Product Details

• Product Dimensions: 7.6 x 3 x 7.3 inches ; 2.1 ounces
• Shipping Weight: 5.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Shipping: Currently, item can be shipped only within the U.S. and to APO/FPO addresses. For APO/FPO shipments, please check with the manufacturer regarding warranty and support issues.
• ASIN: B0008JISMU
• Item model number: HF820
• Average Customer Review: 3.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (77 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #70,457 in Cell Phones & Accessories (See Top 100 in Cell Phones & Accessories)
• Discontinued by manufacturer: Yes

Product Description

Amazon.com Product Description

While the HF820 is billed as an easy-to-install Bluetooth car kit, it's actually a versatile, portable speakerphone that works in every environment. Clip it to your car's sun visor for easy, hands-free communication while you're driving, wear it around your neck with the supplied lanyard so you can talk while you're out for a walk, or place it on your desk and you've got an instant conference call speakerphone!

The HF820 is designed to be simple to use with a minimum of fuss. A single multifunction button with a lighted call indicator controls all major call functions. Simply push the button to answer, end, and initiate calls and perform three-way calling and call hold functions. Meanwhile, the volume and on/off button controls speaker volume and gives you access to advanced call options. There's even a headset port so you can enjoy private conversations without the speakerphone.

Because the HF820 is Bluetooth enabled, it can connect wireless to any Bluetooth phone that supports the Hands-free Profile. In fact, the unit is built with the 1.2 implementation of Bluetooth, meaning it supports longer range, better connection times, and higher voice quality than the predecessor model, the HF800. The HF820 is also backwards compatible with phones that support the Bluetooth 1.1 implementation. With the HF820, you can be up to 10 meters away from your phone and enjoy crystal-clear conversations. Up to five hours of talk time and up to 100 hours of standby time on the unit's rechargeable battery mean you can talk all day. Additionally, charging is simple, as the unit uses the same travel and car chargers as most Motorola phones. And at only 60g, it's light enough to take along on any adventure.

What's in the Box
HF820 speakerphone unit, in-car charger, visor clip, lanyard, user's manual.

Product Description

Hands-free calling is easy and convenient with this portable car kit, the perfect accessory for the frequent traveler. Vehicle Power Adapter Included.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

32 of 32 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars works well, sound is a bit tinny (see update below), November 15, 2005

By 

CS (Acton, MA, USA) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Motorola HF820 Easy-Install Bluetooth Car Kit [Motorola Retail Packaging] (Wireless Phone Accessory)

Works very well, I haven't had any problems with connectivity, voice dialing, volume, sensitivity, etc. I've used it in rush-hour driving, and it's quite usable despite the background noise. (Quite useful if you need to have a conference call from your car!) Battery life is fine as well.

On the downside, the sound is a bit tinny (metallic, thin, and harsh). But perhaps that's what you get for the price. And I do find it annoying that it takes a different kind of charger tip from my Razr, and Moto includes only the car charger with this package.

(Perhaps some day the manufacturers will figure out that they don't really gain anything by having all these variant charger interfaces, and will standardize on one? Nah.)

Update Sep18, 2007:
I've occasionally experienced some problems with this item in the time I've had it, thought this info might be useful if you're considering buying this.

One problem is an occasional "hang" when dialing -- you make a voice dial call, the phone says the name so you know it got the right number, but then nothing happens. Usually you give it a puzzled look after a few seconds, disconnect and try again, and everything works fine.

Sometimes however it's a real hang -- the phone's waiting for the device, the device is waiting for the phone (probably some piece of the bluetooth protocol got dropped on the floor), and you can't disconnect, you can't power the device down, nothing. You have to get your phone out and disconnect the device from the bluetooth menu, then recycle the power on the device, then you can proceed again. I haven't figured out why this happens, or a surefire way to prevent it. Doesn't happen a lot, but it shouldn't happen at all, right?

21 of 21 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Works well, if placed right, January 31, 2006

By 

Calvinbob "Kevin" (Rexburg, ID USA) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Motorola HF820 Easy-Install Bluetooth Car Kit [Motorola Retail Packaging] (Wireless Phone Accessory)

It works well, I can hear people really well, and that they seem to not have a problem either, as along as the HF820 is on my visor and not too far away. Before I has it on my console between the two seats, but that wasn't working. But when I put it on the Visor (the side away from the side window to avoid car noise) it was easier for me and for others to communicate. The battery life is great, and it linked to my V555 Motorola phone with no problems. Before, I had a full hands free kit that had to be installed in my other car. but after having to pay $140 for the kit, $100 to install it, and $100 to get it taken out of the car. I figured it would be better to try another Hands free alterative. I hate ear pieces mainly because I just don't get enough calls to justify having a thing strapped around my ear for hours on end, but this was a good median between the two. It's also nice because I can use it in any car, without a hefty $100 installation fee.

30 of 32 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Nice piece, much better than the cheaper ones, January 31, 2006

By 

Paul A. Bell "Books Make You Strong" (Miami, FL USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Motorola HF820 Easy-Install Bluetooth Car Kit [Motorola Retail Packaging] (Wireless Phone Accessory)

I had a Jabra SP100 and it was so bad I almost gave up on this type of device. This Motorola is SO MUCH BETTER it's amazing. The performance is adequate; that in itself is a real breakthrough for these things. Don't expect miracles; if you're at highway speed in something other than a Rolls or Lexus you're going to have to speak up, but it works OK. It's smaller and more versatile than the Jabra, too, which is nice, and its little clip dealie can double as a stand for desktop use.

Folks, if you're in the market for a bluetooth speaker, don't cheap out because if you think about what you're asking a bluetooth speakerphone thing to do it's amazing they work at all for this kind of money. You can probably do better if you spend a lot more, but this is a good value and really is the cheapest you're going to find that will actually work. In fact, this one is probably the best you're going to get without having to really shell out for one that will need to be professionally installed in the car.

My only gripe is, that as much as I was disappointed by the little Jabra, it at least came with an A/C wall charger, which this does not...and with its prorietary tip I'm prepared for having to shell out another 20 bucks for a wall charger. Motorola, if you're not going to include a wall charger at least give it a generic tip (I LOVE NOKIA FOR THIS, BTW) so it isn't a double-whammy expense.

Good piece. I recommend it.