MISSING SOMETHING…
One of the most interesting features of the Bluetrek X2 is the fact that it comes with three ways to attach the unit to ones ear (Figure 1): Two ear loops (one large, and one small), and an adjustable ear hook. The loops are intended for a more active environment, but I found the hook to be the most comfortable in all situations. I did happen to point out the ear loops to one of my friends, explaining that they could be used, say, when one was exercising, and their comment was "that’s the last thing I want to be doing when running…" – touché.
(all images link to higher resolution)
Figure 1: The X2 ear loops and hook.
Also in the box is a lanyard clip (which strangely attaches to the power plug port), the user manual, and three speaker covers (Figure 2). You don’t have to use the speaker covers (once again, they are intended for a more active environment), but I personally found that they made the headset all the more comfortable to wear.
Figure 2: The lanyard, user manual, and speaker cover (3 of these are included)
Power is provided with the included AC adapter (Figure 3) which has an end that somewhat resembles a headphone jack. The battery on the unit is not removable.
Figure 3: The AC power adapter
So what’s missing? Well, not included is any sort of car adapter. There is an optional car/USB power kit which goes for $79.99 MSRP, but what you are getting is a USB car adapter, and a USB-Bluetrek power cable (Figure 4). Hopefully, one will be able to acquire generic versions in the future (or perhaps the price will go down).
Figure 4: The optional car adapter.
TOUGH AS, WELL, RUBBER
Just because something is ruggedized, doesn’t mean it can’t look good too, and the X2 is no exception. Blue, silver, and wrapped in black rubber, the headset looks quite stylish (Figure 5). The main Talk button blinks blue when connected, and red when disconnecting or charging. Button usage was as expected, with the ability to trigger voice dialing, start and stop calls, and mute.
Figure 5: The top of the X2, minus any ear loops or hooks.
By surrounding the unit with rubber, it’s a whole lot less susceptible to drops, kicks, or moisture. Plus, with the slightly raised areas (Figure 6), you’ve got a lot more to hold on to when attaching it to ones ear. The volume up/down controls are also set into the side of the unit (up near the back on the top, down near the front on the bottom), and produce an audible tone when pressed. Both volume buttons are marked clearly with a +/- respectively.
On the backside of the X2, we find the speaker (which is also rubberized and quite flexible), the earpiece attachment post, and microphone hole.
Figure 6: The ear hook attached to the X2.
The power port is also covered with a small rubber bung, which thankfully is attached to the headset itself (Figure 8).
Figure 7: The power port.
Compared to the Bluespoon AX2 (Figure 9), the Bluetrek X2 is about twice as long. Personally, I found the X2 to be far more resilient to drops than the AX2, and a lot more comfortable to wear over long periods of time. The Bluetooth range was more than acceptable.
Figure 8: The X2 vs Bluespoon AX2
HOOKED UP
Pop on your favorite ear hook (Figure 10), pair up the headset with your device, and you are ready to roll (Figure 11). Did I mention that the ear hook was adjustable? Talk about a perfect fit – the X2, when secured this way, stayed snug no matter what I was doing. The metal inside the rubber hook stayed where you put it, but was flexible enough to be easily manipulated if necessary. Even with sunglasses on, the headset still felt like it belonged on my ear.
Battery life was outstanding, and the sound levels were great – sometimes far too loud for my ear. I had no issues pairing this unit with my XV6700, and it worked great with Voice Command (and the necessary registry hack). While there was no way I was going to dunk this headset in water (as it’s only water resistant, not waterproof), I did feel a lot more comfortable wearing the headset in any situation, knowing that it was protected better than any other Bluetooth headset I had owned.
Figure 9: The X2 attached to my ear.
Figure 10: Another in-ear headset shot.
PURCHASING
You can purchase Bluetrek’s X2 headset from a variety of locations, the lowest price I could find being just over $50. The optional car adapter, however, I couldn’t find anywhere other than through Bluetrek, and it is currently $79.99 MSRP.
PROS
- Very comfortable
- Adjustable and changeable ear clips
- Long battery life
CONS
- Car adapter is optional
OVERALL
IMPRESSION
The X2 really has made quite an impression on me. Not only is it very comfortable to wear, but the sound levels were good, I had only small complaints about background noise (outside, on a windy day), and the battery life is fantastic. But the fact that it is missing a very accessory is a fairly big deal. Thankfully, you can purchase the headset for much cheaper than MSRP, so the optional car adapter tends to even the keel on the price. In any case, the X2 should certainly be a top bluetooth headset to consider if you are looking to go hands-free. That said, we give Bluetrek’s X2 Bluetooth Headset the following score:
Figure 3: The AC power adapter
So what’s missing? Well, not included is any sort of car adapter. There is an optional car/USB power kit which goes for $79.99 MSRP, but what you are getting is a USB car adapter, and a USB-Bluetrek power cable (Figure 4). Hopefully, one will be able to acquire generic versions in the future (or perhaps the price will go down).
Figure 4: The optional car adapter.
TOUGH AS, WELL, RUBBER
Just because something is ruggedized, doesn’t mean it can’t look good too, and the X2 is no exception. Blue, silver, and wrapped in black rubber, the headset looks quite stylish (Figure 5). The main Talk button blinks blue when connected, and red when disconnecting or charging. Button usage was as expected, with the ability to trigger voice dialing, start and stop calls, and mute.
Figure 5: The top of the X2, minus any ear loops or hooks.
By surrounding the unit with rubber, it’s a whole lot less susceptible to drops, kicks, or moisture. Plus, with the slightly raised areas (Figure 6), you’ve got a lot more to hold on to when attaching it to ones ear. The volume up/down controls are also set into the side of the unit (up near the back on the top, down near the front on the bottom), and produce an audible tone when pressed. Both volume buttons are marked clearly with a +/- respectively.
On the backside of the X2, we find the speaker (which is also rubberized and quite flexible), the earpiece attachment post, and microphone hole.
Figure 6: The ear hook attached to the X2.
The power port is also covered with a small rubber bung, which thankfully is attached to the headset itself (Figure 8).
Figure 7: The power port.
Compared to the Bluespoon AX2 (Figure 9), the Bluetrek X2 is about twice as long. Personally, I found the X2 to be far more resilient to drops than the AX2, and a lot more comfortable to wear over long periods of time. The Bluetooth range was more than acceptable.
Figure 8: The X2 vs Bluespoon AX2
HOOKED UP
Pop on your favorite ear hook (Figure 10), pair up the headset with your device, and you are ready to roll (Figure 11). Did I mention that the ear hook was adjustable? Talk about a perfect fit – the X2, when secured this way, stayed snug no matter what I was doing. The metal inside the rubber hook stayed where you put it, but was flexible enough to be easily manipulated if necessary. Even with sunglasses on, the headset still felt like it belonged on my ear.
Battery life was outstanding, and the sound levels were great – sometimes far too loud for my ear. I had no issues pairing this unit with my XV6700, and it worked great with Voice Command (and the necessary registry hack). While there was no way I was going to dunk this headset in water (as it’s only water resistant, not waterproof), I did feel a lot more comfortable wearing the headset in any situation, knowing that it was protected better than any other Bluetooth headset I had owned.
Figure 9: The X2 attached to my ear.
Figure 10: Another in-ear headset shot.
PURCHASING
You can purchase Bluetrek’s X2 headset from a variety of locations, the lowest price I could find being just over $50. The optional car adapter, however, I couldn’t find anywhere other than through Bluetrek, and it is currently $79.99 MSRP.
PROS
- Very comfortable
- Adjustable and changeable ear clips
- Long battery life
CONS
- Car adapter is optional
OVERALL
IMPRESSION
The X2 really has made quite an impression on me. Not only is it very comfortable to wear, but the sound levels were good, I had only small complaints about background noise (outside, on a windy day), and the battery life is fantastic. But the fact that it is missing a very accessory is a fairly big deal. Thankfully, you can purchase the headset for much cheaper than MSRP, so the optional car adapter tends to even the keel on the price. In any case, the X2 should certainly be a top bluetooth headset to consider if you are looking to go hands-free. That said, we give Bluetrek’s X2 Bluetooth Headset the following score:
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