Cell phones are practically ubiquotous in today’s modern society. A natural response to new technology are laws to make that technology safer. Most people use their cell phone as an extension of their physical being, and as such talk and text in the car, which have caused many unnecessary accidents. It is not advisable to talk on the phone while driving at all, but if you must then a Bluetooth handsfree device is the way to go.
Behold! The NitroX X835 Bluetooth Handsfree!
Bluetooth handsfree car kits have been around for a while. You would think they would have fairly straightforward features such as a good speakerphone, noise cancellation, caller ID, and overall intelligence, but many of them do not. Thankfully NitroX enters the fray and stands out from the crowd with their X835 handsfree kit.
Specifications
- Standards Bluetooth Specification V 2.1 compliant
- Radio Frequency Range: 2402 – 2480 MHz
- Profiles Supported: Headset, Handsfree
- Transmission Power: 0.24 – 2.5 mW (Bluetooth Power Class 2)
- Receiver Sensitivity: < -80dBm (per 1%)
- Distance: 10m (in open space)
- Battery Life: Standby > 400 hours, Talk time > 15 hours
- Charging Time: < 3 hours
- Charging Voltage: DC +5V (USB)
- Button/Switch: Multi-Function Button, Volume Up/Down, Mute/Hold
- Weight: 63g
- Operating Temp & Humidity: Temperature -10 to +50 degrees C, Humidity 0 – 95%
- Certification: BQB, FCC, CE, MIC
Product Features
- Supports Headset & Handsfree profiles for handsfree function with Bluetooth phones
- Supports Car Handsfree and Speakerphone modes
- High performance built-in speaker and microphone
- OLED for Caller ID id display (automatic invertible display depending on how the device is positioned)
- Senses engine vibration and connects automatically to phone when engine is switched on
- Up to 15 hours of talk time and 400 hours of standby time
On the next page we take a look at the features and call quality…
The unit is made of black plastic with a silver strip following its contour. The product is angled so that the speaker section is much thicker than the control section. On the middle bevel is a bright OLED screen, and the thin section is actually one huge button (used for call accept and hang up). The sides of the device have other buttons, such as power, volume up/down and a lock switch (which disables the other buttons). On the bottom of the unit are small holes for the microphone and a covered mini-USB jack. The USB port is used only to charge the internal battery, and this kit comes with a standard 5v USB car adapter and USB cable.
The large multifunction “button” and microphone/USB port
The kit also comes with a visor clip, which attaches to the underside of the main unit. The side buttons are hard to press while mounted in this way, and the unit must be gripped with your index finger and thumb in order to press them. This isn’t a big deal as the only thing you’ll be doing while driving is pressing the large “call” button.
One of the things that sets this handsfree kit apart is its intelligence. The unit has a sensor which detects if the unit is mounted rightside up or upside down, and apporpriately changes the OLED screen’s orientation automatically. So if you have the unit on your dash and then decide to mount it to your visor, then the screen adjusts so you can still read it.
The large button has three modes, depending on your current call status.
- Phone ringing: Answer Call
- On a call: Hang Up (if another call is coming in then it places caller on hold and answers the new call)
- Not on a call: redial last number
If you want to do anything beyond that (like conference someone in or dial a specific number) then you’ll have to go to your phone. Be sure you are not driving when doing these. Either pull over to the side of the road or have a passenger do it for you.
One of the other neat features its is battery considerations. This unit can last for over 2 weeks (400 hours) on standby, and 15 hours of talk time on a single charge. To further enhance the battery, the unit senses engine vibration and automatically connects to your paired phone. You don’t have to worry about turning this unit on and off like you do with other Bluetooth wireless kits.
The power switch, lock switch, and volume buttons
Pairing the unit with our iPhone was extremely easy. We turned the unit on, went into our Bluetooth settings, and paired within a matter of seconds. The code for this device is “0000”, which appears to be the default for every Bluetooth device… which is also the combination for my luggage.
The call quality was excellent in our testing. I have tried many Bluetooth headsets, speakers, and handsfree devices, and my other parties confirmed that my voice was clear without any of the normal garbles and digital artifacts present when using a typical Bluetooth device.
The OLED screen is very bright, and is quite easy to read, especially when mounted right in front of your head on your car’s visor. The unit has four icons when not on a call that shows its volume, battery, connectivity and lock status. Caller ID information is displayed on an incoming call, and scrolls the caller’s name for easy identification without having to reach for your phone. The device has a high-pitched loud ring, which is very noticable even in noisy driving conditions.
The only real drawback to this device is having to periodically charge it up, but with average use you should only be doing this once every week or two. The features of this Bluetooth handsfree kit are innovative, the voice quality is excellent, and the price is very good too.
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