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I have the fortune of having three examples of counterfeit H700 headsets in my possession. Below are some detailed pictures comparing the real Motorola H700 headset versus the fake.
The first one is the original Motorola bluetooth headset:
Picture in larger size can be viewed here: http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b373/katinchicago/h700/oem.jpg
The OEM headset will have harder rubber. There also is the blue marking for the bluetooth logo, and it says "motorola" above this. On the other side, the little circular M logo is firmly attached and will not slide as you nudge it with a fingernail.
Here's our first fake:
Looks just like the original but does not say "Motorola" above the bluetooth logo. Rubber for the earpiece will be softer. Closeup is here: http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b373/katinchicago/h700/fake1.jpg
Second fake:
Looks exactly like the original. M logo on the other side will slide, and again the rubber is softer. Close up: http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b373/katinchicago/h700/fake2.jpg
This one is very easy to tell. Does not say Motorola on the headset, and no bluetooth logo. Close up: http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b373/katinchicago/h700/fake3.jpg
The biggest indicator of a counterfeit headset will be performance. You'll hear static, echos and have bad microphones. Some of these issues also exist in the OEM headset, but for the most part they are extremely rare. If you truly are not sure, you can take it to a direct dealer for one of the major cellular carriers and they might be able to give you some good information.
Counterfeit products will still come in "original" packaging so if an auction tells you this is included, that isn't a sure way to know you are getting a quality product. Make sure you have an iron clad return policy before you buy. There are some fakes that are so close to the original it almost doesn't make a difference, but bluetooth technology in general is not easy to copy and unless it passes certain quality control you will not be happy with its performance.
The first one is the original Motorola bluetooth headset:
Picture in larger size can be viewed here: http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b373/katinchicago/h700/oem.jpg
The OEM headset will have harder rubber. There also is the blue marking for the bluetooth logo, and it says "motorola" above this. On the other side, the little circular M logo is firmly attached and will not slide as you nudge it with a fingernail.
Here's our first fake:
Looks just like the original but does not say "Motorola" above the bluetooth logo. Rubber for the earpiece will be softer. Closeup is here: http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b373/katinchicago/h700/fake1.jpg
Second fake:
Looks exactly like the original. M logo on the other side will slide, and again the rubber is softer. Close up: http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b373/katinchicago/h700/fake2.jpg
This one is very easy to tell. Does not say Motorola on the headset, and no bluetooth logo. Close up: http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b373/katinchicago/h700/fake3.jpg
The biggest indicator of a counterfeit headset will be performance. You'll hear static, echos and have bad microphones. Some of these issues also exist in the OEM headset, but for the most part they are extremely rare. If you truly are not sure, you can take it to a direct dealer for one of the major cellular carriers and they might be able to give you some good information.
Counterfeit products will still come in "original" packaging so if an auction tells you this is included, that isn't a sure way to know you are getting a quality product. Make sure you have an iron clad return policy before you buy. There are some fakes that are so close to the original it almost doesn't make a difference, but bluetooth technology in general is not easy to copy and unless it passes certain quality control you will not be happy with its performance.
Guide created: 10/13/06 (updated 08/27/08)
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