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This generation of consoles finally saw controller leads relegated to the realm of recharging, and two of the three boxes have wireless internet receivers included free of charge. So why, when using a headset for Xbox Live, should you settle for the tethered torment of the pack-in microphone? Well, there's a couple of reasons to stick with the original equipment over this executive earpiece.
Microsoft's wireless headset sports a stubby microphone reminiscent of most Bluetooth accessories. The form factor is great, with the item comfortable to wear and easy to store (it really is small!), but this design does mean that there's a fair bit of space between mouth and mouthpiece. If your gaming room is sharing a small space or thin walls with others, late-night sessions (or middle-of-the-day-but-cursing-like-a-sailor sessions) lead to bargaining between your own audibility and the peace and quiet of your housemates.
Another worry is the battery time. While each charge does seem to last about the same as a wireless controller, the headset is not usable when charging, which seems a baffling decision, especially when dealing with a proprietary energy source rather than some trusty swappable AAs.
Of course, the benefits are clear. Hauling on the original headset can be a bit of a chore, especially if you also use headphones when gaming. This obviously discourages you from chatting in-game, which may not matter in some genres but, when playing online as part of a team, it's frustrating for all parties. It's also a lot more comfortable when it's on, and...well, it's just so much cooler being wireless, isn't it?
So, ultimately, it's not the perfect piece of kit and isn't recommendable to everyone. If the drawbacks don't put you off, then the price still might, but if you do dive in and get one, you'll be determined to use it every time you switch on your console, and that can only be a good thing.
3/5
===
edited for formatting
Microsoft's wireless headset sports a stubby microphone reminiscent of most Bluetooth accessories. The form factor is great, with the item comfortable to wear and easy to store (it really is small!), but this design does mean that there's a fair bit of space between mouth and mouthpiece. If your gaming room is sharing a small space or thin walls with others, late-night sessions (or middle-of-the-day-but-cursing-like-a-sailor sessions) lead to bargaining between your own audibility and the peace and quiet of your housemates.
Another worry is the battery time. While each charge does seem to last about the same as a wireless controller, the headset is not usable when charging, which seems a baffling decision, especially when dealing with a proprietary energy source rather than some trusty swappable AAs.
Of course, the benefits are clear. Hauling on the original headset can be a bit of a chore, especially if you also use headphones when gaming. This obviously discourages you from chatting in-game, which may not matter in some genres but, when playing online as part of a team, it's frustrating for all parties. It's also a lot more comfortable when it's on, and...well, it's just so much cooler being wireless, isn't it?
So, ultimately, it's not the perfect piece of kit and isn't recommendable to everyone. If the drawbacks don't put you off, then the price still might, but if you do dive in and get one, you'll be determined to use it every time you switch on your console, and that can only be a good thing.
3/5
===
edited for formatting
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This generation of consoles finally saw controller leads relegated to the realm of recharging, and two of the three boxes have wireless internet receivers included free of charge. So why, when using a headset for Xbox Live, should you settle for the tethered torment of the pack-in microphone? Well, there's a couple of reasons to stick with the original equipment over this executive earpiece.
Microsoft's wireless headset sports a stubby microphone reminiscent of most Bluetooth accessories. The form factor is great, with the item comfortable to wear and easy to store (it really is small!), but this design does mean that there's a fair bit of space between mouth and mouthpiece. If your gaming room is sharing a small space or thin walls with others, late-night sessions (or middle-of-the-day-but-cursing-like-a-sailor sessions) lead to bargaining between your own audibility and the peace and quiet of your housemates.
Another worry is the battery time. While each charge does seem to last about the same as a wireless controller, the headset is not usable when charging, which seems a baffling decision, especially when dealing with a proprietary energy source rather than some trusty swappable AAs.
Of course, the benefits are clear. Hauling on the original headset can be a bit of a chore, especially if you also use headphones when gaming. This obviously discourages you from chatting in-game, which may not matter in some genres but, when playing online as part of a team, it's frustrating for all parties. It's also a lot more comfortable when it's on, and...well, it's just so much cooler being wireless, isn't it?
So, ultimately, it's not the perfect piece of kit and isn't recommendable to everyone. If the drawbacks don't put you off, then the price still might, but if you do dive in and get one, you'll be determined to use it every time you switch on your console, and that can only be a good thing.
3/5
===
edited for formatting
Microsoft's wireless headset sports a stubby microphone reminiscent of most Bluetooth accessories. The form factor is great, with the item comfortable to wear and easy to store (it really is small!), but this design does mean that there's a fair bit of space between mouth and mouthpiece. If your gaming room is sharing a small space or thin walls with others, late-night sessions (or middle-of-the-day-but-cursing-like-a-sailor sessions) lead to bargaining between your own audibility and the peace and quiet of your housemates.
Another worry is the battery time. While each charge does seem to last about the same as a wireless controller, the headset is not usable when charging, which seems a baffling decision, especially when dealing with a proprietary energy source rather than some trusty swappable AAs.
Of course, the benefits are clear. Hauling on the original headset can be a bit of a chore, especially if you also use headphones when gaming. This obviously discourages you from chatting in-game, which may not matter in some genres but, when playing online as part of a team, it's frustrating for all parties. It's also a lot more comfortable when it's on, and...well, it's just so much cooler being wireless, isn't it?
So, ultimately, it's not the perfect piece of kit and isn't recommendable to everyone. If the drawbacks don't put you off, then the price still might, but if you do dive in and get one, you'll be determined to use it every time you switch on your console, and that can only be a good thing.
3/5
===
edited for formatting