Android bricks Bluetooth headsets?

**foxeye** · 09-25-2010, 04:39 PM

I originally started this thread to see if anyone else experience problems with bluetooth headsets, as I had (see original post below)

The problem:
After about 4 uses of the BT headset (a Plantronics Explorer 210) the headset turned off and refused to turn on again. The specific condition was that a call was incoming, the headset was not paired, so I pressed the button on the headset to pair it. The pairing happened for a moment, then the headset turned off and would not turn on again.
The headset was full charged, and after refusing to turn on again got back top full charge within 5 minutes (not a battery problem)
I returned the device and got it replaced with the same model. After a few calls the same problem occurred.
I returned the second one and got a Plantronics Explorer 230 instead. Same problem after a few uses.

After much research, no response from Plantronics, and posts from forum members I have to draw the conclusion:
In general BT headsets work fine with Android based systems, be there some limitations.
The problem is related specifically to the Plantronics 2XX range, though I must note that the same device range works flawelessly with Nokia and Sony Ericsson handsets.

Here is a summary of BT Headsets as posted by the community.

Listing of working vs brickable headsets

WORKING

Jabra
Motorola S9
Sony Ericsson HBH-DS970
Motorola H375 (my latest one)
Logitech Cordless Vantage
Parrot Ck3100 (Car Kit)
Nokia BH-105 (and other unspecified models)

BRICKABLE(in my experience)

Plantronics Explorer 210
Plantronics Explorer 230

Thanks everyone for submitting. Please keep them coming

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Original Post
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I recently got it in my head to try a bluetooth headset with my Spica. I got my hands on a Plantronics Explorer 210 and was happy with it... for at least 4 calls, then it stopped turning on.
I returned it and got a replacement. Again a few calls in it just stops turning on.
Returned the second one and got a Plantronics Explorer 230 and tried it... again, by the 4th or 5th call it just stops functioning completely.

Now every time it seems I had an incoming call with the headset not paired. I press the button on the headset to pair it which it does, for just a moment, and then boom, headset is brinked...

I came across this regarding someone else having similar issues. Anyone else here experience the same?

Any suggestions on a BT headset that does not Die when used with Android?

**K4L** · 09-25-2010, 07:02 PM

Originally Posted by foxeye

Any suggestions on a BT headset that does not Die when used with Android?

Does the Bluetooth turn off automatically for you or something?

Btw, doesn't Sony Ericsson ship their X10 with some sort of a bluetooth headset? That one should probably work well on Android.

**Yuna** · 09-25-2010, 07:29 PM

foxeye , man did you tried charging those headesets?

**foxeye** · 09-25-2010, 08:32 PM

Originally Posted by Yuna

foxeye , man did you tried charging those headesets?

lol, you must deal with many idiots in your daily life.

Yes, All 3 (yes three devices died the same horrible death) were fully charged, which takes about 2 hours. The 210 has a talk time of about 8 hours and a standby of 7 days. The 230 has a talk time of about 9 hours and 9 days standby. All three devices stopped turning on withing in less than 2 days, and in the ones case withing 10 minutes of initail use.
I even tried recharging them, but as they are charged the charge light turns off after about 5 minutes, and yet the device will still not even turn on.

It is not a connection problem. While the devices worked they worked well. Syncing to them happened fast, audio was clear, both on mic and speaker.
After death they just won't switch on

**Jay** · 09-25-2010, 08:44 PM

I use a cheap,, non-branded bt_headset and it works fine....

**jimmy22** · 09-25-2010, 08:56 PM

Bt headsets works fine for me too.. i use Jabra..

**foxeye** · 09-26-2010, 12:51 AM

I'm guessing the problem is with the Plantronics devices, perhaps all in teh 2xx range, since I had the same issue with a 210 and a 230.
I'll try a cheap nokia one and see if I get the same.

Please continue to post any working BT headsets in this thread.

**nornberg** · 09-26-2010, 05:49 AM

I've been using a Motorola S9 without a problem for a year now (the headset itself has +3 years). Tested with many firmwares, currently with something cocked by Kitchen v2.