Cobra BT 200 Heavy Duty Handset with Bluetooth Wireless Technology review

Performance
Users have the option to choose between two call modes: PTT and VOX.

In its default PTT mode, the user must depress the PTT button on the left side of the device whenever he or she desires to be heard. This is similar to the user experience with CB radios and walkie-talkies and carries the benefit of completely cutting out background noise.

The second call mode is the VOX mode that, when activated, uses the handset's microphone pickup instead of the PTT button to activate voice transmission, effectively making the BT 200 a hands-free device.

The BT 200 is not a full-duplex unit, so you can't talk and listen at the same time (the unit must switch between the two modes). In noisy environments, using the PTT feature affords the user manual control over the microphone and prevents background sounds from tricking the unit into thinking the user is talking and thereby cutting the speaker.

Call quality was passable, but not what we'd call good. Incoming voices were discernible, but sounded muffled; no doubt a side effect of the BT 200's waterproof construction.

When using the PTT function, callers often thought they'd been hung up on, because of the sudden cutting in and out of background sounds. When using the VOX function, this complaint was alleviated, but in louder environments background noises were then evident.

In sum
We'd advise against using the Cobra BT 200 in your car. Its internal speaker is loud enough for quiet environments, but not loud enough to overcome the road, engine, and wind noise of a louder vehicle. We found that we needed to hold the handset close to our ear during use in our Chevrolet Aveo test vehicle. That drawback, added with the fact that you must manually activate the PTT function for the cleanest sound, essentially takes the Cobra BT 200 out of compliance with driving laws.

However, the Cobra wasn't designed for use in automobiles. The unit's tough construction and dust, vibration, UV, and water resistance makes the BT 200 perfect for use on boats, ATV, and snowmobiles.

The idea is that weekend warriors can keep their precious BlackBerrys and iPhones tucked in a waterproof case or backpack, while the more robust Cobra BT 200 stays out for making and receiving calls, easily dealing with the rigors of an outdoor environment.

The Cobra BT 200 is a simple device with a limited feature set, but its rugged construction makes it a great solution for people who want to tackle the great outdoors without worrying about smashing their smartphones.