Early last year we reviewed the Jabra JX10, a stylish, compact and functional Bluetooth headset. The JX10 makes a return, as the JX10 Cara; in essence the same headset, albeit with a stylish new range of finishes.

The JX10 Cara is simply a re-release of the original unit. Jabra's thoughts here were obviously "if it ain't broke, why fix it?" and considering the original JX10's design, features and performance, we understand why.

"Cara" is a Spanish word meaning expensive, a term which can unfortunately be applied to both the feel of the JX10's design, and its exuberant price tag. If you've ever been worried about looking a little silly with a Bluetooth headset stuck onto your ear, the Cara is an ideal solution. It's as much a fashion statement as a Bluetooth headset, with sleek, contoured edges and a stainless steel finish oozing class. The Cara comes in two variations - stainless steel, and 24-carat gold - and was created by Danish designer Jacob Jenson. The 24-carat gold Cara retails at $429AUD.

The best feature of the JX10 Cara is its design; it's comfortable to wear for long periods, compact and lightweight. The stainless steel finish looks professional, and it definitely adds a touch of class. The whole unit weighs less than 14g, can be worn on either ear, and can be used with or without the included ear hook. We wouldn't recommend the latter though, as it doesn't fit as snugly into the ear as we would like.

Pairing with a mobile phone is simple and effortless. Dubbed "one-touch pairing", synchronising the JX10 Cara to your phone is as easy as holding down the small pairing button. Although the pairing button is small, it's not one you'll use often, nor do you want to be pressing it inadvertently, so we had no issues with its size.

The JX10 Cara's controls are simple as well. The accept/end button is conveniently placed on the top of the unit, and two volume buttons are within easy reach on the back. Using the headset is merely a matter of pressing and holding these buttons. You can answer, end or reject calls, use voice dialling, dial the last number and activate call waiting. We were impressed with the call clarity, although the range is a little less than the 10m specified, and call quality deteriorates rapidly at this point. The Cara also utilises noise cancellation technology, as well as automatic volume control; the latter adjusting sound levels to match the environment you're calling from.

The futuristic looking charging cradle seen on the first release remains, so you can charge the unit from your PC. Alternatively, you can use the included AC adapter to charge it directly from a wall outlet. The Cara also comes with a leather pouch, a black leather lanyard and a convenient car charger. Battery life is rated at up to six hours talk time; a little less than average.