Most Helpful Customer Reviews
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297 of 300 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Fantastic bluetooth headset!, October 6, 2007
In my search for the perfect bluetooth headset, they ALL require compromises... it sounds great, but it's uncomfortable to wear for extended periods... it's lightweight, but the person on the other end can't always hear me... works great, but the batteries die in the middle of an average day or the volume can't be raised loud enough... you get the idea.
Well, Plantronics has come out with the Voyager 520, and it requires, for me, the minimum amount of compromise of any headset I've tried, and I've tried a LOT!
First, it utilizes a soft rubber ear bud which is cone shaped to fit in your ear canal, but is soft enough to not irritate your ears. The hook is made of firm plastic near the head set, then transitions into a soft, clear rubber for the portion of the hook that rests on your ear, so that the hook conforms to your ear, rather then forcing your ear to conform to it! The ear bud directs the sound of the person you're speaking with into your ear, providing sufficiently loud volume while blocking out external noise! You'll actually need to lower the volume on this headset, if you're using it in a quiet environment! Now that's a nice change.
First compromise... (yeah, there are still compromises, even on this head set!), it's larger then many other bt head sets. BUT... it's lightweight, and it's size allows for battery life that goes on and on and on. While I'd prefer a smaller size (think Samsung WEP 200, Nokia BH 800), I'll take the moderately larger form factor, if it delivers better sound quality in both directions, and longer battery life, and the 520 delivers on both counts (again, compromise...)
Second compromise... noise cancellation. Yes, the Voyager 520 DOES have noise cancellation, but frankly, it's not as strong as, or as good as the Aliph Jawbone, or the BlueAnt Z9, but it does work. Will it eliminate the thunder of a roaring 747, while you're standing on the runway at LAX? No. Will you look like you have a cheese grater stuck to the side of your face while using it? Again, NO!
Compromise.
The 520 also brings with it a desk charging cradle (cheap plastic), offers the user to connect to two bt devices, displays battery level each time you turn it on, etc. etc. Go to Plantronics site, if you really need/want all of the minutia.
Bottom line... If you don't mind it's conservative looks and slightly larger size, and you want EXCELLENT sound quality, great comfort and long battery life from your Bluetooth head set, check this one out.
You just may find it's worth the compromise!
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101 of 104 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
Pretty Good, almost as good as the 510 (but not quite), December 5, 2007
I've tried them all: Moto, Jabra, Cardio, Plantronics 320 (junk), Jawbone (2 stars), and nothing came close to outperforming my trusty old Plantronics 510. Funky form factor, but great battery life and excellent sound quality. The new Plantronics 520 comes close in sound quality, but is more comfortable and looks better. Overall, a solid performer and recommended.
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101 of 108 people found the following review helpful:
2.0 out of 5 stars
Plantronics 520 vs. Jawbone, vs. Plantronic Discovery 925 vs. Plantronic Voyager 510 - A Honest Review, February 19, 2009
Hello People. Here is an honest review for those who are looking for a good headset. I purchased the Voyager 510 over two years ago to go with my Katana phone. The problem I was having with the 510 was that the signal would drop a lot, so much that I called Plantronic and they told me that the Katana was not compatible with the 510. However, they're customer service was excellent. They told me that cell phones control headset, headsets don't control phones. Cell phones send out signals and headsets pick up the signal. But to make sure I didn't have a defected headset, they sent me a new 510 hoping that will solve the problem. However it didn't. So I was convinced that it was the headset, not my Katana.
My wife and I decided to upgrade our phones, so I purchased the Samsung Instinct and I wanted a Bluetooth headset that would work with my new phone, since I was convinced that the 510 was not a good headset. So I purchased the Plantronic Discovery 925. I really was excited when I received the 925.
However, here are my Pros and Cons of the 925:
Pros:
1. It looked great and its small size was great compared to my 510.
2. The recharging case was a neat feature.
3. One button controlled everything.
Cons:
1. It was the most uncomfortable headset I ever wore; so much that it hurt my ear.
2. The sound was not very loud compared to my 510.
3. The recharging case was very difficult to place the headset in.
Summary: I returned the 925. It just caused too much pain to my ear. In the meantime I continued to use my 510, which I notice was working pretty well, no drop calls with my new Instinct. Still not too sure about the 510, I purchased the Jawbone. Once again, I was really excited when I received the Jawbone.
However, here are my Pros and Cons of the Jawbone:
Pros:
1. It looked great and its small size was great compared to my 510.
Cons:
1. It wasn't comfortable to wear.
2. The sound wasn't very loud.
3. The buttons are hard to find and the fit was very hard to achieve.
Summary: I read several reviews and a lot of people recommended getting Jabra mini eargels and it would fit perfect. So I order the eargels. However, I said to myself, "why should I pay an extra $10 to get a headset to work correctly. I already spent $90 on the headset. The eargels should have come with the headset." So after I gave it some though, I returned the Jawbone. I wasn't impressed with the Jawbone at all. My 510 worked better than the Jawbone. At this point, I started to believe that it wasn't my 510 at all; it was the Katana, just like Plantronic customer service said, because my 510 is working great. However, since my 510 is over 2 years old, I'll try one last headset and use the 510 as a backup headset. So I purchased the Voyager 520, which was supposed to be an upgrade to the 510.
However, here are my Pros and Cons of the 520:
Pro:
1. The 520 is the most comfortable headset I ever wore.
2. One button controls everything
Cons:
1. You must keep the headset close to the phone. It says you can go 33 feet away from your phone using this headset, but that's not true. It's more like 9 feet and I'm being generous with the 9 feet. With my 510, I can go a long distance and the signal is still strong.
2. Not very loud compared to my 510.
3. There is a lot of static compare to my 510.
Summary: Needless to say, I was very disappointed with the 520 and returned it.
Conclusion: I must say out of all these headsets, my Plantronic Voyager 510 worked best and out performed all of these for my needs. I'm not saying the rest of these headset are not good headsets. However, for my needs, none of these headset are better than my 510. The 510 has to be one of the best headsets ever made and I would recommend it to anyone. Just make sure your phone is compatible with it. And yes, the 925, Jawbone and 520 all are compatible with my phone, but the 510 still out perform them all.
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