ThinkGeek Bluetooth Retro Handset

by ThinkGeek

Product Features

• Battery charges via USB connection
• Make and receive calls
• Approximately 30 ft range
• Comes with: Handset, USB cable, Instructions
• Please note: cell phone not included

Product Description

We have taken the ever-popular Retro Handset and updated it to connect to your cell phone using Bluetooth technology. That's right! No more tangled up phone cord. Now people will think you're really crazy talking into a old-time handset connected to... nothing. Oh, and speaking of nothing, there's nothing out there quite like this handset because this product is a ThinkGeek original design, only available here. How 'bout them blueberries?

Product Details

• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• ASIN: B0016PDO7E
• Average Customer Review: 3.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (19 customer reviews)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

23 of 23 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars Looks so much cooler than it works., March 19, 2010

By 

C. Lucas "The Dr is in." (Washington DC) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: ThinkGeek Bluetooth Retro Handset

Pros:
*This is the first bluetooh anything that has actually been able to answer my phone from 20 feet away.
*Has a incredible standby time for a bluetooth receiver.
*The bright blue indicator lamp on the reciever is a winner and lets people around you know you are not a looney walking around with half a telephone set.
*Has a great wow factor when you pull it out of your bag in public and answer your phone.

Cons:
* Its made of lightweight plastic.
* Its impossible to hold the handset between your shoulder and ear, in hands-free attempt.
* While I was able to hear callers clearly, people on the receiving end complained of echos, poor call quality or low volume or all three at the same time.
* Unreliable pairing with my phones. I have tried this with a lower tech Razr as well as my iPhone and I had the same predictable results with both.

Its a neat concept. But the execution is a joke. I would have paid $50 for this accessory to not be a piece of junk.

18 of 19 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Marketed as a toy, but useful and used daily, July 16, 2008

By 

Anthony Sutton (Round Rock, TX USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: ThinkGeek Bluetooth Retro Handset

I know that this is marketed like a gag gift, and that it looks kind of silly in this day and age, but this is the most useful cellphone accessory that I've purchased since my extended battery for my smart phone. The problem is, while my phone is great for data, emails, and light web browsing, the small candy bar form factor [of the Samsung Blackjack] is just not very ergonomic as a telephone. Enter the ThinkGeek BT "Retro" Handset: there's a reason why this form factor was used for almost 70 years in Bell telephones, it was used because it works, and works well. The plastic of the handset is fairly sturdy, although my one gripe with it is that the top/back is triangular in cross-section rather than rectangular, as it was in the handset that it's imitating. The upshot is that it's a little harder to cradle on your shoulder semi-hands-free than it should be. Otherwise, it's great. Solid, functional, and it paired easily with my phone. Finally, it has a decent microphone and speaker arrangement with nice, clear, loud sound. I will probably use my cell phone as a phone more often in the future with this.

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great Handset, May 1, 2009

By 

K. Brenner (Seattle) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: ThinkGeek Bluetooth Retro Handset

I love my handset. My husband got me this as a gift and unfortunately the first one I got didn't work properly but a quick email to ThinkGeek later and they sent me a brand new one and didn't even require me to send back the defective one. The new one has worked well for me for the last four months or so. I turn it on in the morning and when my phone rings I answer with the handset just by pushing the button. I have it connected to my iPhone and I've had no problems.

The range is probably close to what they say, around 30 feet or so. The sound quality is good, it sounds as good to me through the handset as through my iPhone. I love walking around home with it. It also prevents me from getting my iPhone screen all greasy. I'm not sure the battery lasts as long as they say, I've started turning it off at night and doing that it lasts about a week.

If you want something a little different and fun and something that's sure to start conversation with guests, get this handset.