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Offset your carbon with Iqua Sun

Over the last 3-4 years there has been a sudden emergence about tackling carbon emissions in a bid to save our planet for cataclysmic disaster. That is no thanks to Mr Al Gore who has been profiteering from a carbon trading scheme since his Inconvenient Truth had environmentalists screaming blue murder at anyone not driving a Toyota Prius. Politics aside it does look as though carbon credits will be allocated to every family in Britain and in the overreaching and totalitarian authority that is the EU. Finnish based Iqua may find that they have inadvertently set themselves up for this period of faux planet saving with the Iqua Sun Bluetooth Headset. You may ask then, why we’re reviewing such a product if indeed our theories over global warming and cutting carbon emissions are stanced more towards the climate sceptics and Lord Christopher Monkton. There is a reason. If each indvidual were to be have monthly carbon credits quota, it would mean to avoid getting taxed by our peace loving government then we’ll need to ensure we’re investing in green technologies and that includes electronic devices.

So, let’s talk about this device from Iqua Sun. It’s small, it’s compact and of course it has the benefit of a longer battery time thanks to the sun. The device requires an initial charge but after that you will find that the bluetooth system has the ability to perform consistently given it’s solar panel is put to use. Impressively the headset is extremely light with only 14g sitting on your ear. The device comes with an ear piece attachment that will wrap around your ear, it’ll provide you stability and ensure that the device doesn’t slip from your head with any sudden jolts. So you maybe asking, how long can this headset run for? I know one of the most frustrating parts of bluetooth devices are that so many of them have talk time that is so low that you’ll eventually revert back to a wired based system. Even without the solar energy taken into the equation you get a stonking 9 hours talk time, 200 hours standby time and the device only takes 2 hours to charge approximately. All in all the stats look pretty good and recommendable. Don’t expect to be walking long distances away from your PS3 or mobile phones, you’ll only have 10 metres to play with here and for practical use that should be fine. Whether that 10 metres figure still stands going through walls, I don’t know but you would assume that the signal would be weakened much like a WiFI signal would.

Connecting the Iqua Sun Bluetooth Headset to any device is pretty simple, as long as it’s switched on it will register to pretty much any device that is supported by Bluetooth. We used it on the iPhone 3G and PS3 and it worked like a charm. We’ve used headsets before that have complicated LED systems and found that through our own use with other Bluetooth devices such as the Mad Katz PS3 headset we’d often lose power and charge because the device was left on unknowingly. Thankfully turning the device off is allot easier on the Iqua Sun, a relief then. When you purchase one of these, you get a lanyard style holder to keep your headset attached to you whilst not in use, another nice touch. You can hear people fine when it comes to telephone calls and the audio whilst not superior and amazingly crystal, it’s adequate enough and you won’t decipher incorrect words said by the caller. There are two areas where we feel that the device doesn’t quite hit it for us. Firstly the design, now I understand that you have to include a solar panel into the device somewhere but the attachment which secures the device to your head looks almost medical. It’s a bland grey colour that exuberates connotations of hearing aids. Secondly the microphone could of been a little more sensitive. When you speak on this, you will need to speak loud to ensure the quality of the call is consistent. That in turn may well make you look a bit of a prize prat but to be on the safe side be clear and consise. These two flaws then are worth taking into consideration when you purchase. Is your purchase intent driver built upon superior battery time and comfort or is it about style and audio quality?

In conclusion then, The Iqua Sun Bluetooth Headset has an impressive scientific edge to it which will appeal to the gadget lovers and the ecomentalists, it’s a commendable effort but slightly lacks in the areas which maybe of more importance to others. Whilst the solar powered energy will be appealing to ensure a higher charge times, other competitors offer a similar quality build for a lower price. Iqua Sun’s model runs in between £50-£60 depending on the retailer and can be ordered on various online portals including both the Orange & T-Mobile accessory stores. To learn more about Iqua and there products visit there website at www.iqua.com