Review: Plantronics Voyager 510 Bluetooth Headset with Multipoint Technology

Simplify your communications! The lightweight, versatile Plantronics Voyager 510 Bluetooth Headset delivers all-day wearing comfort and provides a WindSmart wind-repelling screen for clear voice transmission. Featuring exclusive Multipoint Technology, the Voyager 510 seamlessly transforms into a powerful communication solution for up to two Bluetooth devices. It’s right here…Wherever, Whenever, Wireless.

Highlights

• Compatible with Bluetooth devices supporting the headset or hands-free profile
• Lightweight design for all-day wearing comfort
• Noise-Canceling microphone for clearer conversations
• WindSmart provides wind-noise reduction technology for optimal sound clarity
• Versatile headset for multiple Bluetooth devices
• Headset folds for easy storage
• One-touch call answer/end, last number redial and voice activated dialing
• Up to 6 hours talk time and up to 100 hours standby time
  

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. The 510 is 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 a noise-canceling microphone for clearer conversations, 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.

Review: Plantronics Discovery 925 Bluetooth Headset

The Plantronics Discovery 925 Bluetooth earpiece is your essential conversation piece, blending an elegantly simple VFrame design with crisp sound quality and lightweight, couture comfort. The effortless set up, AudioIQ noise control technology and carrying case with rechargeable battery let you stay in touch and in style while you’re in motion.

Highlights

• AudioIQ



• Bluetooth-enabled technology



• VFrame design captures your eye as well as your voice



• Rechargeable case keeps you in charge



• AudioIQ noise control technology for clear calls reducing background noise; range of up to 33 feet



• Multipoint technology lets you stay connected with two Bluetooth® mobile phones



• Three sizes of self-stabilizing eartips let you tailor the fit



• Quick and easy set up with Bluetooth phones



• Available in metallic and jewel tone colors



• Enjoy up to 5 hours talk time or 7 days standby from a single charge



• Measures 2.7 x 1.0 x 0.9 inches; weighs 0.3 ounces

The Discovery 925 is designed to follow the contours of your cheek. It features a filtered glass bead that's been blasted and anodized for a ceramic high-gloss elegant finish. The ultra-lightweight design offers a secure comfortable fit so you can stay connected hands-free for hours. And the earpiece includes three uniquely shaped gel eartips--small, medium and large--that are designed to conform snugly to the contours of your ear without the need for an earloop stabilizer, so nothing will interfere with earrings or eyewear.

Once you place the earpiece into your ear, making calls is as simple as it gets. It has a multi-function button on the diamond-shaped face that powers the device, dials or releases calls, triggers voice dialing, or kicks the earpiece into pairing mode. A second button lets you control the volume. For voice clarity, a 1.9-inch boom brings the microphone closer to your mouth to reduce background noise as you talk. The boom mic also houses the earpiece's antenna. And finally, a micro-USB port is located on the side of the earpiece for charging.

AudioIQ Noise Control and On-the-Go ChargingThe Discovery 925 features

AudioIQ technology that blocks out annoying background noise in most situations, giving you clear calls every time. The earpiece lets you roam up to 33 feet from your Bluetooth phone and it supports multipoint technology, which allows two Bluetooth devices to be paired to the earpiece. This means you can receive and make calls from two of your phones without having to switch earpieces.

The Discovery 925 runs on a rechargeable lithium ion battery that gives you up to five hours of talk time and up to seven days of standby time from a single charge. And when the earpiece is not in use, you can store it in its unique color-coordinated case, which performs double duty with its sturdy but stylish construction and its integrated rechargeable battery. Not only will the case protect the earpiece from everyday hazards, but it will also keep your earpiece charged. Simply charge the case directly with the included AC charger or USB cable--with or without the earpiece in place--and when fully charged, it will have enough power provide your earpiece up to five hours of talk time for when you need it.

Of course you can still charge the ear piece directly with the AC charger, but with this convenient recharging case, you don't have to worry about your earpiece running out of power while you're on the go. Just place your earpiece in the case, and safely store it in your handbag or briefcase. When you're ready to use it again, it will be fully charged with enough power for up to five hours of talk time.

AudioIQ Noise Control and On-the-Go ChargingThe Discovery 925 features AudioIQ technology that blocks out annoying background noise in most situations, giving you clear calls every time. The earpiece lets you roam up to 33 feet from your Bluetooth phone and it supports multipoint technology, which allows two Bluetooth devices to be paired to the earpiece. This means you can receive and make calls from two of your phones without having to switch earpieces.

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How to choose a bluetooth headsets?

While Bluetooth itself may be easy to understand, choosing a Bluetooth headset for your phone isn't so simple. The number of Bluetooth headsets continues to grow rapidly. Styles, features, performance and compatibility vary, so it's important to take the time to find a device that's right for you.

Consider comfort

Smaller, lighter headsets are generally more comfortable than bulkier models but might be easily pop out like some of the smallest models insert into your ear canal if it is not perfectly fit. Then you should look for headsets that come with an assortment of ear adapters to improve the chance of getting a good fit.

Seek out high voice quality

Most of the Bluetooth headsets have at least good voice quality, which is adequate for most situations but some situations you may need some more features that is easier to converse in noisy or windy environments.Expect setup time
Bluetooth headsets and phones need to be electronically introduced, a sometimes-tricky procedure known as pairing where two Bluetooth devices are linking together, so that they can communicate and exchange information. Some headsets allow you to initiate the process with the press of a button. Some headsets make pairing much easier via a feature called multipoint pairing which lets you pair the headset with multiple devices, automatically connecting with whichever device is active. You can connect up to seven devices simultaneously at speeds of 500Kbps and up. Bluetooth does have limitations, however.

Consider charging convenience

Bluetooth headsets have batteries that run down, require recharging. Models with ample talk time on a charge minimize the need for recharging. While many headsets let you gab for about 8 hours or more between charges, others run for less than 4 hours. Nearly all come with a wall charger; some include a cable for charging via a computer's USB port. Others also include a car charger. Nearly all headsets indicate when charging is complete. An audible and visual low battery warning is also important.

Look for useful features

All mono headsets are designed to work in either the right or the left ear. Most headsets have a microphone mute control that prevents the caller from hearing what you say but allows you to hear the caller. Call hold mutes the call on both sides and is handy if you want to talk face-to-face with someone else without ending the call. Volume control and last-number redial are also useful. A plus for music lovers: stereo. Be aware that some headsets might not support some phones or some of their features. Check with the headset manufacturer to confirm that it is fully compatible with your phone.

Bluetooth Features and Style

Bluetooth wireless technology is a short-range communications technology intended to replace the cables connecting portable and/or fixed devices while maintaining high levels of security. It is a worldwide specification for a small-form factor, low-cost radio solution that provides links between mobile computers, mobile phones, other portable handheld devices, and connectivity to the Internet.

Features and profiles

Though most Bluetooth headsets are compatible with most Bluetooth-enabled mobile phones, compatibility is not universal. Bluetooth comes in different versions, so make sure that your two chosen devices will work with each other. Most products in use currently work on Bluetooth version 1.1, which offers such basic features as voice dialing, call mute and last-number redial. In 2003, the Bluetooth Special Interest Group (SIG), a body that oversees the technology's development, released version 1.2 and rolled out version 2.0 a year later. The Bluetooth V1.2 has less interference by WI-FI or other Bluetooth device as it supports wider frequency range and has greater security to protect against snooping and tracking. Bluetooth V2.0 is the current version with the EDR (enhanced data rate) technology, which has a data transfer rate that can be up to 3Mbps in V2.0 (verses 1Mbps for V1.2).

Anyway Bluetooth V1.2 is compatible with Bluetooth® Specification V1.1, so you can still use your headset with your Bluetooth V1.1 devices. This is the same for Bluetooth V2.0 which is compatible with Bluetooth V1.2.

Another recent Bluetooth profile to hit the mobile space is A2DP, or the Advanced Audio Distribution Profile. This is also widely known as the stereo Bluetooth headset profile because it allows for a dual-channel audio stream, such as music from an MP3 player to a headset. This is an especially popular concept with MP3 phones, because they can theoretically switch from music to phone calls at the touch of a button. Unfortunately, few phones available in the market are compatible with the A2DP profile yet, although more will be available soon. Similarly, the number of stereo Bluetooth headsets that support the A2DP profile is also very limited.

Bluetooth headset style

• Over-the-ear Bluetooth headsets: They can be worn on either the right or the left ear, and many find them more comfortable than in-ear models.
• In-ear Bluetooth headsets: They fit directly into your ear canal like an earplug
• Specialty Bluetooth headsets: Pull double duty with Bluetooth sunglasses and Bluetooth stereo headphones. You can also find adapters to create Bluetooth-enabled motorcycle helmets.