Jabra Go 6430 Dual Link Headset review: Jabra Go 6430 Dual Link Headset

Most of the Bluetooth headsets we review here at CNET are meant to be paired with cell phones only. Every once in a while, though, we get to review a headset designed to pair with both a mobile phone and a computer for use with business softphone or VoIP applications. The Jabra GO 6430 is one such headset that, according to Jabra, is geared toward the mobile worker. It is optimized for Microsoft Office Communicator 2007 R2, is compatible with a variety of VoIP applications, and has a range of 300 feet. It's not the most stylish headset, by any means, but it's certainly good enough for the office. The Jabra GO 6430 is available for about $110.

The Jabra GO 6430 is no simple consumer headset. It means business, and its design shows it. Measuring 3 inches long by 0.7 inch wide by 0.5 inch thick, the long and slender headset is twice the length of the ordinary consumer headset. It's clad in dark and light gunmetal gray and has a sleek style that would go nicely with a tailored suit.

On the front of the headset is a long, raised touch sensor that you can use to control the volume (by sliding your finger up and down) and place the headset on mute (by double-tapping it during a call). We're not huge fans of touch sensors such as this, since it's much easier to accidentally change the volume with them than with actual buttons, but the sensor is easy enough to find by feel. The multifunction call button is tiny and is placed at the top of the headset.

Flip the headset around and you'll see a small ear piece clad in a rubberized material. We wished Jabra could have made the ear piece size more customizable. As it is, the ear piece was so small that it kept popping out of our ear. Also on the back is the ear hook, which is quite beefy and sturdy, yet flexible. The hook is not optional; you need it to wear the headset securely. The Jabra GO 6430 also has a couple of additional optional wearing styles: as a headband or a neckband.

The Jabra GO 6430 comes with a travel charger that also acts as a charging dock. It has a Mini-USB jack so that you can attach it to a computer, an AC adapter, or a car charger. The headset also comes with the Jabra Link 350 USB stick that acts as a Bluetooth dongle. It's already paired with the headset, so all you have to do is plug it into any computer and you're good to go.

To use the headset with a softphone or VoIP application, you need to install the included Jabra PC Suite (Windows only). After you install it, you can easily select the application you want and configure it appropriately.If you need to install additional drivers, you can download from Jabra's support Web site.

We paired the Jabra GO 6430 with the Apple iPhone 3G and we also installed the Jabra PC Suite to use with the computer. Its call quality was pretty good overall. We could hear our callers loud and clear with hardly any static. Their voices sounded clean and natural.

On the other hand, our callers could hear us clearly; however, they said they heard a bit of background sound. There was some static, as well, at times. Still, the headset did a good job at blocking out the harshest of extraneous noise, perhaps thanks to Jabra's Noise Blackout technology. Jabra also boasts a SafeTone technology that protects our hearing from sudden sound spikes. However, the headset didn't do too well in extremely windy conditions; however, callers had to keep asking us to speak up.

Features of the Jabra GO 6430 include compatibility with a variety of softphone and VoIP applications, as well as the normal capabilities to answer, end, and reject calls. You can also mute calls and redial the last number.

The Jabra GO 6430 has a rated talk time of up to 6 hours.