Plantronics preps rugged Bluetooth headset

Plantronics set out a new approach for its Explorer Bluetooth headsets today with the unveiling of one of the very few earpieces targeted at owners likely to use their phones in rough conditions. The Explorer 370 is guarded with rubber and sealed to meet military standards; the design is allegedly dust, shock, and water resistant in the same conditions experienced by US soldiers on the field. A virtual wind guard technique also filters out most of the background noise produced by these harsh environments.

While small, the blue earpiece lasts for seven hours on a single charge (recharging through USB) or eight days of standby time. It and a simpler model, the Explorer 360, are both due in March at prices of $80 for the top-end Explorer 370 and $70 for the Explorer 360. A sub-variant, the 360A, comes with a car charger kit for $80.