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ElizabethS
RIM was kind enough to send out the BlackBerry HS500 Bluetooth Headset a while back for me to play around with, so now that I’ve had a chance to use it on and off for the past four months, here are my impressions.
Features: As part of the simple design, there is a power switch on the side and a single multifunction button that is used to answer calls, make calls, etc. There is no volume control and instead it uses automatic volume control. This headset will also stream music, movie audio, and give turn by turn directions from 3rd party GPS applications, etc.
Comfort: I originally tried using the headset with the basic earpiece and an ear hook and had a lot of problems. It just wouldn’t fit right, especially because I have small ears. So I then tried one of the earpieces with the stabilization loop. Because of the size of the earpiece, I’m still unable to use it in one ear (ear is too small), but it fits perfectly in the other ear. It doesn’t move, sits up against my cheek and unlike most other Bluetooth headsets I’ve tried, I’m no longer constantly trying to reposition it. For the first time in a long time, I no longer feel like my headset is about to fall off when I turn my head to shoulder check or when I'm just walking down the street. With the various earpiece options, nearly everyone should be able to find a combination that works for them.
Audio Quality: I have had no problem hearing people on the other end, however, I do notice some relatively minor disturbances in the Bluetooth connection from time to time. This is more an issue when I’m walking and listening to music through the headset. The audio quality when listening to music isn’t the same as using the BlackBerry Multimedia headset (obviously, being Bluetooth), but it’s acceptable. One problem I have had though is that if I’m in a windy location, the person on the other end can have problems hearing me. However, so long as I'm in a protected area or there is no wind, my voice usually comes through better than with the speakerphone.
Overall Impressions: After trying out the various earpieces and finding the right one, I can confidently say that this is the most comfortable Bluetooth device I’ve used yet, and it’s the first one that doesn’t feel like it’s going to fall off when I turn my head (if you’ve got small ears like me though, you may find some difficulties using this headset – the HS-655+ was better for very small ears). The multifunction button takes a bit to get used to and you’ll want to spend a few minutes reading the user guide. This will help you make the most out of the headset functions. Audio quality was fairly good, but I’d avoid using this headset in windy locations or protect it from the wind if others are having trouble hearing you. The automatic volume control is a nice feature, and it usually worked well. If needed though, you can adjust the volume manually using the phone volume controls. The only real problem I’ve had is that the power switch is sensitive and the headset does turn on by itself in my purse or backpack as it bumps against things (a pain when you go to use the phone and you can't figure out why you can't hear the person on the other end). A protective case or a stiffer power switch would have prevented this.
Overall, I think RIM got a lot of things right with this headset. There are a couple of things that could be improved upon (e.g. smaller earpiece options for smaller ears), stiffer power switch (or protective case), and better wind management, but generally speaking, I found this to be one of the better Bluetooth headsets I’ve tried and used (this being the 6th over the past few years). My older HS-655+ has now gone to my sister, while my Motorola headset has been passed on to my boyfriend.
If you're in the market for a new bluetooth headset, I'd suggest checking out the BlackBerry HS500 Bluetooth Headset. 
