Manage updates with the Download AppLG HFB-500 Bluetooth Solar Car Kit
Manufacturer: LG Part number: SGBF0000605
- More product information:
- Editors' review
- User reviews
- Specifications
- Manufacturer info
- Bottom Line:
- The LG HFB-500 is a quality Bluetooth speakerphone, and we appreciate that it offers solar power as an alternate energy source.
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CNET editors' review
LG HFB-500 Bluetooth Solar Car Kit price range: $39.99 - $54.99
- Reviewed by: Nicole Lee
- Reviewed on: 01/14/2009
- Released on: 10/01/2008
The good: The LG HFB-500 is a solar-powered Bluetooth speakerphone with a long battery life, decent call quality, and a slim design. It also has the capability to connect to two devices simultaneously.
The bad: The LG HFB-500's plastic holder sometimes obstructs the volume keys, and the value of the solar panels is diminished if you don't live in a sunny area, or if you can't leave it in the sun for long periods of time.
The bottom line: The LG HFB-500 is a quality Bluetooth speakerphone, and we appreciate that it offers solar power as an alternate energy source.
User reviews
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Needs more heat tolerance
by pjhenry1216 on July 18, 2010
Pros: For a third of the year, this thing would be pretty awesome. Fall, Winter, and Spring. Depending on how often you talk in the car, you may never have to take the thing out of the holster to charge it.
Cons: Not too heat tolerant. Left it in the window during summer and it appears the inner bag of coolant expands too much. The buttons get stuck pressed against the board inside, so either you can't hit talk or you can't hit power (or both).
Summary: Pretty cool. Don't leave it in the window on hot summer days or it may never return to normal working condition physically. If buttons get stuck, try throwing it ...
Summary: Pretty cool. Don't leave it in the window on hot summer days or it may never return to normal working condition physically. If buttons get stuck, try throwing it in the freezer before popping it open. That may actually fix the symptom as opposed to opening it to try to unstick the buttons and finding you can't fit it back together again 'cause of the coolant bag (or whatever it is).
1 out of 1 users found this user opinion helpful.
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Pretty good but sunny day fried it
by chanur on July 2, 2010
Pros: Loud
Never once had to take it of window to charge it
Effortless pairingCons: 90 degree sunny day fried unit
Summary: 90 degree sunny weather appears to have fried the unit. The answer button was frozen solid, power button rarely works. When it can be convinced to be turned on, if ...
Summary: 90 degree sunny weather appears to have fried the unit. The answer button was frozen solid, power button rarely works. When it can be convinced to be turned on, if the unit is even moderately hot it will not work. It can be cooled down via AC flow, and fighting with the power button you can eventually get it turn on... but it can take minutes. so, its basically unusable.
Anecdotal: Friend who bought same unit weeks after me had his unit fried same day as mine, with same symptoms. 90 - 95 degrees on hot dry day.
Seems a solar powered device should be more heat tolerant.
YMMV.1 out of 1 users found this user opinion helpful.
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Works Brilliantly!
by rhatchell on November 1, 2010
Pros: This product - no problems. It syncs easily, the sound quality is very good, stays charged, has a long talk time; contrary to the other reviews, it has not fried on me yet. I live in OK and it made it through the very hot summer.
Cons: The only thing that I don't like is that it does not work with my phones voice commands. It would be nice if I culd hit the phone button and state a voice command (I.e. dial mom).
Summary: I purchased this product reluctantly. I don't care for a lot of the bluetooth items out there because there is always something that will not work as well as ...
Summary: I purchased this product reluctantly. I don't care for a lot of the bluetooth items out there because there is always something that will not work as well as stated. This product on the other hand, no problems. It syncs easily, the sound quality is very good, stays charged, has a long talk time; contrary to the other reviews, it has not fried on me yet. I have had it since April 2010 and it has made it through a very hot Oklahoma summer (trust me - OK summers are treacherous!).
IN other words I absolutely love it. -
Solar but not heat tolerant.
by grillsgt47 on July 27, 2010
Pros: In cooler weather this is a great hands free unit, solar power keeps it charged very well, mounts on windshield, tap it to take a call. Received sound is excellent and plenty loud to be heard throughout the car even at highway speeds.
Cons: , but now in the heat of the summer, the plastic swells enough that the controls don't work and I either can't get it to turn on, or conversly, can't get it to turn off.
Summary: The heat insensitvity is a major issue, which has made the unit unusable the past few weeks this summer and we're having a mild summer with mid to high ...
Summary: The heat insensitvity is a major issue, which has made the unit unusable the past few weeks this summer and we're having a mild summer with mid to high nineties so far. I would only recommend it for cooler climates.
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Barely adequate
by fried_calamari on March 24, 2010
Pros: The solar is a great feature;.I live in LA so I stick it and forget it. The physical design is excellent, with easy to see buttons, excellent suction cups, a nice case, and a great look. Easy to pair and operate.
Cons: I can't hear it very well at highway speeds. You have to mount it right in front of you--I tried mounting it behind the mirror so it wouldn't obstruct my view but I had a very hard time hearing anyone. Max volume is tinny sounding and insufficient
Summary: The design is great, it works as intended, but the speaker is just not good up to the task. I have mine at max volume and it sounds like the ...
Summary: The design is great, it works as intended, but the speaker is just not good up to the task. I have mine at max volume and it sounds like the little speaker is clipping. Turn it down a notch and it's too soft to hear. Great idea, needs a little improvement for it to work really well. I love the fact that you charge it once, put it in your window and forget it, but it's difficult to actually hear the person on the other end at higher speeds.
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Good if you like stuff on your window.
by aymanshamma on January 6, 2010
Pros: This is a really great little device. It's small. Light. Charges in the sun. Pairs easily. Gets good talk time. People can hear you clear (a few callers said I was clear if not just a little distant sounding). It's really loud and clear.
Cons: The downside is, if you dont like having things on your window...you are out of luck. Thats the only place you can mount it.
Summary: If you dont mind something on your window, then its a great device. It's tiny so it doesn't take a lot of space, but it kinda bugs me ...
Summary: If you dont mind something on your window, then its a great device. It's tiny so it doesn't take a lot of space, but it kinda bugs me stuck in the corner of my window (actually a glass sunroof is the most ideal place - sadly it wont stick to mine which has a funky coating). So I mounted it behind the mirror. Which is fine, except it makes it hard to turn on/off. More so, the large 'answer call' button will 'redial last caller' if there is no incoming call; makes it all to easy to misdial your last call. I realize this point here is just me not liking stuff on the window - thats what it comes down to.
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Was happy with it when using it with my LG phone.
by apvteye on December 18, 2009
Pros: Clear connection & liked not having to charge it.
Cons: I can't pair up with my new Droid & UK support hours don't work with Pacific time
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Solar a great feature, good call quality
by christopherway on December 7, 2009
Pros: Sun is not a problem here in Las Vegas. So, I've charged the HFB-500 once via the DC adaptor and the sun has kept it going for the past year. People on the other end of the phone say the call sound better via the device as compared to my 3GS iPhone.
Cons: Be careful not to leave the HFB-500 in direct sunlight for too long if you live in a hot climate. The call answer/end button became stuck after a couple of hot days in the car here in Las Vegas (this is common sense mistake on my part of course).
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Got it for Free at CES and am Loving it
by djdewittjr on January 16, 2009
Pros: The solar power is great. I live in Arizona so getting enough juice to charge is not a problem and i love the dual phone pairing
Cons: callers report it sounds like im on a speaker phone but other than that no problems at all
Summary: I really like this Car kit. I won it at CES last week at the LG windmill Charger and was super psyched to try it out. if you are positioning ...
Summary: I really like this Car kit. I won it at CES last week at the LG windmill Charger and was super psyched to try it out. if you are positioning it where it says to in your car window you will have remove it to put it on the car charge sine the cord isnt that long but if you live in a place like i do good old power from the sun will last you a long time. Overall i think this a great car kit and the solar cell just makes it all the better
Specifications
- Manufacturer: LG
- Part number: SGBF0000605
- Description: Forget plug-in chargers - enjoy solar-powered hands-free calling, in the car or on the go, with LG's solar-powered Bluetooth car kit. The LG HFB-500 boasts high-quality sound output, thanks to noise-reduction and echo-cancellation technology. Better still, it's an environmentally friendly choice, recharging your phone with its built-in solar backing.
General
- Product type Bluetooth hands-free car kit
- Features Solar charged,
Built-in rechargeable battery,
Recharging capability
Dimensions & Weight
- Dimensions (WxDxH) 3.7 in x 0.6 in x 2 in
- Weight 2.5 oz
Manufacturer info
- Manufacturer profile
- Browse LG products on Shopper.com
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- Manufacturer:LG
- Address:
1000 Sylvan Avenue, Englewood Cliffs, NJ 07632
