Plantronics Discovery 640 Bluetooth headset

Though Bluetooth headsets come in a variety of shapes and sizes, the Plantronics Discovery 640 Bluetooth headset stands apart as one of the most unusual models we've seen. The box contains much more than a headset and a charger; you'll also find a series of silver tubes that appear to snap together in some fashion. The purpose of these pieces may be perplexing at first, but rest assured they all serve a very practical and ingenious function. The headset is pricey at $149, but it's well worth that amount.

The cylinder-shaped headset itself is relatively small, measuring just 2 inches long and weighing 0.3 ounce. The compact size and the absence of a boom mic make for a subtle style, and we liked the simple silver-and-black color scheme. Like the Tekkeon EzTalker Mini, the Discovery 640 fits directly in either ear via a rubberized ear gel and can be worn with or without the ear hook. The headset slips on and off with ease, and you get three sizes of ear gels, so you should get a comfortable and secure fit in almost any ear. In fact, the fit was so secure that we preferred not using the stiff, uncomfortable ear hook at all.

Controls on the Discovery 640 consist of a volume rocker/mute button and a call-control button, which you use to place and end calls, power the headset on, and ready it for pairing. Though rather small due to the headset's size, the controls were easy to find and manipulate during a call. The Discovery 640 also has a ring-shaped LED light that flashes during charging and when the headset is in use.

Now on to the 640's main attraction: the collection of mysterious silver tubes. The first tube functions not just as a charging base but also as a carrying case. To power the headset, you slip it inside the base and attach the compact wall charger to the bottom. Though we normally don't like headsets that need a charging base, the whole setup is so small that we didn't mind at all this time. As a carrying case, it also comes with a clip for attaching to a pocket or a belt. Be warned, however, that the headset does not snap in to the case very securely. When turned upside down, it fell out of the case more than once.

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