Plantronics Voyager 510 Bluetooth Headset [Retail Packaging]

Product Details

• Product Dimensions: 4 x 2.5 x 0.8 inches ; 6.2 ounces
• Shipping Weight: 6.4 ounces
• Shipping: This item is also available for shipping to select countries outside the U.S.
• ASIN: B0009B0IX4
• Item model number: VOYAGER 510
  

Product Description

Amazon.com Product Description
For the ultimate in wireless freedom, look no further than the Plantronics Voyager 510 Bluetooth headset, which represents a generational leap in Bluetooth headset technology. It's comfortable and light enough for all day wear, and it offers unprecedented clarity and sound quality. These are great features, but the real revolution involves Plantronics' exclusive Multipoint technology, which allows the headset to function as a powerful communication solution for up to two Bluetooth devices.
With Multipoint technology you can switch between your voice-enabled Bluetooth mobile phone, PDA or laptop. The headset's "smart" technology knows which device you are using and allows you to take calls from any device at the touch of a button. With the optional Plantronics Bluetooth Deskphone Adapter you can even switch between your office phone and your Bluetooth mobile phone. You'll never need to use a dedicated "landline" phone headset again.
The 510 features WindSmart technology, which enhances call clarity in windy environments (i.e., car with window/roof open, air conditioning on, outside with breeze), and it folds for easy storage. The boom also swivels for perfect positioning on either ear. One-touch call control buttons are placed for easy access, and you can easily redial the last number dialed and initiate voice-activated calls from the headset. Because the 510 is Bluetooth-enabled (it supports the Bluetooth 1.2 specification) you can roam up to 33 feet from your Bluetooth device. Meanwhile, the 510 supports adaptive frequency hopping (AFH) which helps avoid interference from Wi-Fi networks. Ample talk time is provided by the built-in rechargeable battery; you'll get up to 6 hours talk time and up to 100 hours of standby time.


Specifications

• Talk time: Up to 6 hours
• Standby time: Up to 100 hours
• Bluetooth version: 1.2 (supports headset and hands-free profiles)
• Wearing style: Over-the-ear; boom swivels for wearing on either ear
• Headset controls: Volume, mute, call answer/end, voice-activated dialing (must be supported by your phone)
• Adaptive Frequency Hopping: Yes (helps to avoid interference for co-existence with Wi-Fi/WLAN)
• Supports analog and digital office phones: Yes

Simplify your communications! The lightweight and versatile Plantronics Voyager 510 Bluetooth Headset delivers all-day wearing comfort, clearer voice transmission and superior sound quality. With exclusive Multipoint Technology, your headset seamlessly transforms into a powerful communication solution for up to two Bluetooth devices. It's right here- Wherever, Whenever, Wireless.

 

Plantronics Voyager 510 Bluetooth Headset [Retail Packaging]

 

Technical Details

• Windsmart Technology allows you to seamlessly switch between two Bluetooth® devices
• Noise-canceling microphone for superior sound quality
• Up to 6 hours talk time and up to 100 hours standby time
• One-touch call answer/end, last number redial and voice activated dialing
• Compatible with Bluetooth devices supporting the headset or hands-free profile

Customer Reviews

What a sigh of relief. After purchasing the Motorola HS850 and having a horrible experience (see my review), I thought Bluetooth technology was a lost cause. However, based on many reviews I saw right here about the Voyager 510, I decided to try it one more time and bingo, just what I was looking for. So first the negatives for the skeptics like myself:
1. The 510 is bulkier than the Motorola HS850 and does not fold up to easily fit in your pocket. I am afraid that I will brake it at times, but it has held up to mild abuse in my pocket.
2. It is difficult at times to get on your ear. It is very flexible, which makes for added comfort, but makes it difficult to position on your ear initially.
3. The power button is very difficult to use when the headset is on your ear. This is a huge drawback, especially since it is difficult to get on your ear. This is such a pain that I dropped my rating from a 5 star to 4 star. There has been a few times that I forgot to turn the device on before placing it on my ear and I have to take it off to turn it on because the power button is difficult to find and push.
4. The device is not too sexy, but I could care less because I was looking for utility not a piece of jewelry. For those of you who do care, it doesn't look as good as the HS850. However, a piece of advice, you don't need to put the sponge over the mic. It looks much better if you just install the ear piece but keep the mic bare.
As you can tell by my 4 stars, the positives far outweigh the negatives:
1. It works! I can hear everyone clearly and they can hear me, even if I am driving. I haven't tried it in the airport yet, but it has worked superbly in all the other environments in which I daily encounter noise including walking around in the city. This is totally opposite my experience with the HS850.
2. It was relatively easy to program to my phone.
3. Although heavier and bulkier than the HS850, it is much more comfortable on my ear and stays in place as I walk. The HS850 tended to dangle and not stay in place.
4. It is easy to answer and hang-up a call with just a press of the button on the side of the headset.
5. Great battery life that last longer than the talk time on my phone.
6. 3 different ear pieces that are each shaped differently are included, so you can get the right fit for you. I found one that fit my ear great and I can hear crystal clear with it.
7. And let me stress again that I have not had anyone complain that they could not hear me and I can hear others as if I have a wired headset. This headset is truly great if you are looking for a device that works with a Blackberry.
And that is the word of D Critique!

Use Update:
I had the mic on the Voyager 510 crap out on me in November. I used Plantronic's website to e-mail the problem and the service tech gave some ideas for fixes. After none of the fixes worked, I returned the product and they replaced it with a brand new one for free. I beat this thing up for several hours a day, so while I wasn't pleased about the mic dying, I was very pleased with the Plantronics service. After sending my old headset in, I had a new one within a week.
Original Review
This is a review of the Plantronics Voyager 510 based on my comparative experience with this headset against a Motorola H500 - possibly the most popular headset out there. It was/is being used with a Motorola E815 cell phone on the Verizon Wireless network. I am on the cell phone for business over 1000 minutes per month.
Comfort:
I've seen a few reviews where this headset is less comfortable. Compared to the Motorola H500, I think it's much more comfortable as it's more flexible (doesn't look like it in the pictures though). The grasp of the ear clip is not as strong, and that means it might feel a bit less secure on your ear, but it's also wearable for long periods of time. The Motorola H500 was tight enough on my ear that after 30 minutes, the pressure on the back of my ear was painful - not good when conference calls are usually over 30 minutes long. Additionally, with 3 sizes for the ear-piece, once I got the correct size attached to the Voyager 510, it helped make the whole set fit more snugly and securely.
Listening Quality:
With the Motorola H500, major static was present even with the phone held right next to the headset. None of that is present with the Plantronics Voyager 510. I should note that in terms of volume, the Voyager was significantly less loud until I got the right ear piece in. Not that the ear piece is snug (and not a few millimeters away from my ear) I can hear just fine. As the Motorola comes with a single ear piece, I never got it quite so dialed in.
Transmission Quality:
Often people who I called complained about the incredibly bad quality of my signal with the Motorola H500. When I was in a perfectly silent room, the H500 was ok. When in the car, it was almost totally unsuable if I had to speak. I'm not sure if the Plantronics noise reduction really works, but people don't complain about my voice quality, and I certainly don't have to yell to be heard.
People noted that they received me louder with the Motorola, but were happier with the Plantronics as I didn't cut in and out.
Range:
Range was poor on the Motorola. If I had the phone clipped to the belt and the H500 on the opposite ear (so my body was between the phone and headset), the reception would cut in and out. If I walked more than 10 feet away from the phone, the H500 would cut in and out. With the Plantronics, I can walk up to 20 feet away without problems. The only issue is if there is a wall between the phone and the Plantronics. Otherwise reception and range are much better than the H500.
Controls:
Yes - everyone is right about the on/off button being poorly placed and not user friendly on the Plantronics Voyager 510. That said, I don't use it anyway in favor of just controlling functions from the phone. The only headset functions I use on the headset are increasing the volume control which works well and easily. One nice feature of the Plantronics is the ability to switch a call back to the phone. This was not available on the Motorola. User friendly controls go to the Motorola in this case, but just barely because of the way I personally use the headset.
Overall I obviously am keeping the Plantronics. It's larger than the Motorola by far and less stable on the ear. However, it's more comfortable, has much better reception and transmission quality. 2 thumbs up