Bluetooth Spec

Discussion of Plantronics Explorer 340 Bluetooth Headset

Posted Mar 17, 2007 - I've read all the reviews and it appears that people are not aware that the Bluetooth specification for class 2 radios is 30 foot (10 meters). However, this is in ideal (i.e. perfect) conditions in which the transmitter and receiver are in direct line of site with no obstructions. This is why its best to have the phone on the same side as the bluetooth headset. In addition the bluetooth operates in the 2.4 Ghz range (like Wifi 802.11b & g) and thus, since it is such a high frequency it is considered a "line-of-sight" system. This means that the transmitter and receiver needs direct view with no obstructions between the two (i.e. walls, body, doors, etc.). Now, you may say that "I put it behind a book and it still works!", well, the 2.4 Ghz signal will "bounce" off objects like the floor, walls, etc., so that the bounced signal will still get to the devices, however, the specification is for 30 foot direct range (no bounce) for class 2 radios (the signal may "punch" through some objects, however don't bet on it). Please note that Wifi is not bluetooth and thus does not have the bluetooth radio class specification for distance and bandwidth. The two specifications just share the same frequency range. Wifi uses much more powerful radios and higher bandwidth.

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