When XBOX LIVE beta was launched in the fall of 2002 I was ecstatic. Microsoft promised XBOX LIVE would change the world of online gaming forever. This was a huge statement especially when PC gaming was still very popular and Sony was offering PS2 Broadband for free where LIVE cost 5.99 month or 49.99 a year. I signed up for the XBOX LIVE beta and was accepted. When my beta kit arrived it was a joyous day. I played MotoGP and Whacked till my eyes bleed in the wee hours of the morning. The service was everything Microsoft promised and then some. The service was always on, support a unified global Friends List, Game Invites, Voice Chat and more. Later in 2004 the service grew. Microsoft added clan support, Voice and Text messaging, again raising the BAR.

The only problem I had with using XBOX LIVE was the wire on the headset as it drove me nuts. 2 years later, Logitech launched a wireless headset for XBOX LIVE. The headset was good, not great, but good. It was moderately comfortable and had decent sound quality. Unfortunately it suffered from interference a bit which made the line noisy. I tested the unit in multiple locations with all other wireless devices either turn off or disabled. The noise became an issue at times on the service which was not good but I still love not having any wires attached to my head. For the ability to run to the kitchen real quick or take a leak without removing the headset was very important.

With the launch of XBOX 360 last November, I was forced back to the dreaded wire. And since Microsoft is using its own 2.4 GHZ proprietary technology (which works kick a**), no one else is allowed to make a 3rd party headset this time, which is a good thing as Microsoft’s quality standard is high. This past Friday, November the 3rd, Microsoft launched their 360 Wireless Headset for XBOX LIVE (and games too).

The Headset is packed in the usual stylish white and green packaging. But as usual the packaging is difficult to get open (always need scissors, damn). Upon getting the package open one can expect to find the following: Headset, Charger, Extra Ear Clip and Instruction manual.

The construction and design of the Headset is VERY good if not perfect. The Headset is stylish, lightweight and easy to put on to ones ear. The default Ear Clip was good enough for me but for those with bigger ears, the second Ear Clip is for you.

The top of the Headset features three buttons. The silver button in the middle is the power/mute button. Hold the button to power on the Headset. While Headset is on, press once to mute, press again to unmute. Very straight forward. The only complaint I have is no mute indicate on the headset. It would be nice to know when the headset is muted as you can forget at times if you are muted (especially if you girlfriend is like mine, always bugging in the middle of a game). The other two buttons are for volume up and down, again very straight forward.

The four LED’s serve two purposes, one is to let you know which quadrant or controller the Headset is associated with (such as controller 1 or 2) and the other purpose for charging. During charging the 4 LED’s light up one at a time in consecutive order, 1, 2, 3, 4 (then start again). It repeats this pattern until the Headset is completely charged. Once the Headset is completely charged, the LED’s flash together at the same time.

The connect button works like this or the same as the 360 Wireless Controller I should say. Power on your XBOX 360 and press the connect button the 360 (the circle of light will flash to all quadrants). Now press the connect button (or actually hold the button for a brief second) and the Headset will sync up with the first quadrant/controller on the 360. If you need to sync to let’s say quadrant 2, press both connect buttons again, etc, etc.

Now finally on to real world usage. The Headset has GREAT audio quality and the volume level is good. You can easily hear those you are chatting with, without having to raise the volume to the max (YES) or raising your voice. I played Splinter Cell for many hours with no issue what so ever. You can easily move 20 to 30 feet without any major interference at all. At around 20 to 25 feet it gets a “little” noisy but nothing major. Those I have played with had no complaints of poor audio quality or feedback which is prevalent with some Wireless Headsets.

Unfortunately I have not tested out the battery life. Microsoft claims 8 hours and we will find out as soon as I pickup GEARS OF WAR in about 30 minutes from now. I plan on doing a lot of co-op on LIVE tonight.

Expect more impressions on this “big dog” in the next few days. In the meantime, I suggest heading to a store to get yours for the price of 59.99 (MSRP).

I am now off to pickup GEARS.

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Editor - www.hidef.com

"True adaptability involves changing ones self to meet ones environment, not changing ones environment to meet ones needs" - Species8472

Very nice review. My headset broke the other day (damn draw 4 cards in Uno, making me throw my headset and whatnot) and saw the wirless one. I was going to get it untill i saw the 60 dollar price tag. Im sure that probably a decent price but i dont have that kindof of cash to sell out right now, so I settled for a 15 dollar Gameshark one, which surpisingly, works like a charm. Anyway, test it on Gear baby, test it all night long.

Good review. As many problems as there has been with the wireless headset so far, I still plan on buying one.

It seems whenever I play on occasions it will beep, disconnect, then reconnect. It's extremely annoying when I'm in the middle of talking. I wonder if it's defected but I have friends who have the same problem. I'm considering returning it. Actually species, there is a mute indicator. When the mic is muted it will beep irregularly.

MS is replacing headsets if you contact them.

I know about the mute beep but I was actually looking a visual indicator as the beep as the interval of the beep is not consistent and waiting for the beep to realize you left the mute on is not what I was looking for..

L8

__________________
Editor - www.hidef.com

"True adaptability involves changing ones self to meet ones environment, not changing ones environment to meet ones needs" - Species8472