Plantronics Voyager 510 Bluetooth Headset with Multipoint Technology [Retail Packaged] Reviews

• WORKS GREAT!!!

  
  By A3RRY485FDAS31 on 2005-11-05
  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!
  
  
  

• Still 2nd Best Bluetooth Headset on the Market Right Now

  
  By A1LEG7H24BIFP on 2006-07-12
  I have tried oh so many bluetooth headsets (various ones by Motorola, Sony, Plantronics, the nXZEN 5500, and the Jawbone). All have had significant usability issues. Most were completely unusable in moderate wind and most were not loud enough to properly receive calls on the streets of Manhattan. Only the nXZEN and Jawbone had DSP processing sufficient to block out most street noise, but the DSP wasn't so effective in moderate to strong wind. Plus the nXZEN had relatively lousy audio quality on the receiving end of things, so it was often difficult to understand callers.
  
  At last I have found a usable headset, the Voyager 510. The audio quality of this headset on the user end of things is absolutely phenomenal. It is several magnitudes louder than any other bluetooth headset I have tried. I have good hearing so I don't expect a headset to be super loud, but most bluetooth headsets are so low that conversation from a caller can almost be unintelligible. This Plantronics headset produces clear, loud, largely static free sound.
  
  The headset also transmits audio extremely well. I spoke to several people on the streets of Manhattan and they couldn't tell I was even on a headset. I also left several voicemails for myself and the audio quality was quite good. Moderate wind is not a problem for this headset at all. However, I don't believe that this headset employs the same type of DSP as the the nXZEN or Jawbone, so if you are on a noisy street the person you are talking to may hear the background noise. However, even with back ground noise you will be reasonably easy to understand---the headset just doesn't actually block the noise as much as one that uses DSP as much as the nXZEN or Jawbone does.
  
  There are a few small drawbacks. As others have noted, the headset is larger than many out there. But it is EXTREMELY light and VERY easy/comfortable to wear. It easily fits in my pocket. I certainly prefer a headset that works well to one that doesn't work but is smaller. One other minor drawback that not too many people have noted is that the headset does not support call waiting. I find that to be a strange omission from an otherwise excellent headset. You can still use call waiting while on the headset. But you must switch between calls by using the phone, not by using a button on the headset. The headset may not be so reliable either. My first one simply stopped working after a year and I had to purchase a second one.
  
  The bottom line is that this is the best bluetooth headset I have ever used. It really works as advertised and provides a user with an easy way to make handsfree calls. Plantronics likes to advertise its long heritage of making quality headsets and frankly I am often put off by such marketing hype--but in this case, Plantronics wisely chose to release a headset that lives up to its history/marketing. I hope its next model is even better, but thank goodness Plantronics released a product that works in a crowded field full of largely half-baked products.
  
  Update As of December 19, 2007
  
  Since I originally wrote the review above, I have also tried the Jawbone headset that many people rave about. The Jawbone is quite effective at blocking ambient noise. If you regularly use your headset in a really noisy office or restaurant or with the radio on in your car, then the Jawbone may be a better choice than this one. But the Jawbone is largely ineffective at blocking out wind noise whereas the Voyager 510 is still the champ in that regard. The Voyager 510 is still the choice for me due to its ability to largely block wind noise since I make most of my calls walking along the streets of Manhattan. Also, the Jawbone is not very comfortable at all and it is very hard to get it to fit well in my ear and on my face.
  
  I should note that I had to purchase a new Voyager 510 after about a year since the first one just stopped working for no apparent reason. The new one works just as well as the old one, but the Voyager 510 may not have the best long term reliability.
  
  Update as of May 21, 2008
  
  In my opinion, the Voyager 510 has finally been dethroned as the king of bluetooth headsets by the New Jawbone. I just pourchased the New Jawbone and I have tested it in extremely windy conditions near the water on the the streets of Manhattan. I made several test calls to friends and to voicemail. The New Jawbone seems to block wind noise approximately as well as the Voyager 510 and beats it in terms of blocking out other sound. The New Jawbone is also 1/3 the size of the Voyager 510 and much lighter. Of course the New Jawbone also costs 3 times as much as the Voyager 510. Audio quality on the user end is still slightly better with the Voyager 510, but only very slightly.
  
  Please note that I am referring to the New Jawbone (which was released less than a week ago). The old Jawbone had fit, wind noise, and audio quality issues that made it inferior, in my opinion, to the Voyager 510.
  
  

• Great fit, Great Sound, Mediocre Battery, Disconnects

  
  By A1US87X5YUEQ7A on 2006-02-10
  I've been using this headset for about two weeks with a Blackberry 8700C. The headset has a very comfortable fit and the volume is nice and loud. The downside is that the battery life seems a bit sub-standard. I have been caught several times using it and running out of batteries. I also have some random disconnects with my Blackberry. Tough to say whether these disconnects are phone or headset related. I think this is a great value for the money though and prefer it over the Motorola's and Jabra's (better fit, louder sound). There is some difficulty pressing the buttons on this headset too - nothing that I could not work around though.
  
  

• Downfall

  
  By A38M4G2R8N6YA7 on 2007-08-14
  I bought this exact model of Bluetooth headset a couple of years ago, and it was excellent. When it died on me, I ordered another one, but to my great disappointment, Plantronics changed the design of the microphone. The result is that your voice is muffled to the point where people have trouble understanding what you're saying, especially if you're driving a car, since the noise reduction has suffered as well. Plantronics effectively broke this device when they changed the design.
  
  I can no longer recommend this headset.
  
  UPDATE:
  
  Since writing the above, I have come into possession of another, identical headset, which actually works well. After examining other reviews, it seems that the problem is rather a number of 'lemons' floating around in the supply chain, which are not extracted from the batch offered to consumers in a timely manner. Be aware of this, and be prepared to return your purchase as defective if you are not satisfied with its performance.
  
  

• Functional for the Right User, but Far From Perfect for All

  
  By AHNHLGKIZ2N3B on 2006-09-12
  The Plantronics Voyager 510 is a good bluetooth headset for its current price. However, depending on how you plan to use it, it could either become a great headset or a nightmare.
  
  The first thing you notice out of the box is that it's quite large, both in the size of the battery pack that hangs over your ear and especially the depth of the microphone. Put another way, it sticks out quite a bit from your cheek rather than laying flat against your face. This not only can cause some sound quality issues, but also makes it very conspicuous. So, if you prefer to keep a low profile while working hands-free, this may not be the best one for you. The size of the piece that hangs over your ear also makes wearing glasses or even a hat an issue. All that said, the unit is very comfortable provided you don't have anything else hooked over your ear. It's also easily configured for either ear.
  
  Sound quality can be very good, but only in quiet environments. Even small amounts of wind noise will render the microphone useless. I've been surprised to have people complain to me that voicemails that I've left have been all broken up, even when I was in what I thought was a quiet place.
  
  I've also found that reception will be spotty unless the phone is placed closer than normal to the headset. For instance, in order to maintain good signal, I typically have to have my phone in my shirt pocket. But on the plus side, the unit is very easy to set up, with a variety of phones and PDAs immediately connecting to it with no effort.
  
  This headset would be ideal for someone who is looking to use it exclusively in an indoor office while working hands-free. You'd get optimal sound and would be able to connect to all of your devices quickly and easily. You wouldn't even feel self-conscious about the unit's size. But for those on the go, its reception and microphone quality are too poor to recommend.
  
  PROS
  * Excellent battery life means very little downtime for charging
  * Simple to set up - instantly compatible with numerous devices
  
  CONS
  * Sound quality from the microphone, especially in places with even minimal background noise
  * Big, bulky design makes fit difficult, especially with glasses or a hat
  
  
• Comparative Review
  By A3D9WNY56TZP96 on 2006-05-12
  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!!
  
  
• Plantronics Voyager 510 Review
  By A2G8XI4QYA3NN1 on 2005-07-16
  I have 6 headsets and all are OK. I just received the Plantronics unit, just out, and it is simply the best sounding, most comfortable and best value available. I have a Jobra, 2 Logitechs, Body Glove and 2 older Plantronics units. The 510 is THE ONE. I wear it all day and I forget it's on my head until it rings. It works in the wind and in my office. It's a 10!
  
  
• Excellent Headset for MEN!!
  By A2B4ISA2QE3MEM on 2005-11-18
  That's correct, for men! This headset is heavier then most but the sounds quality is excellent and most importantly it can be VERY LOUD! Most other Bluetooth headsets that I've tried have issues with volume level. They are not loud enough (Motorola, Logitech and Jabra) especially in a car drive fast. But be aware, it's on the heavy side for many. It's perfect for me but I am almost 6 feet tall and weight close to 230 lbs. I would not recommend it for most ladies.
  
  Also, the noise cancellation is good; people on the other side can hear me very well.
  
  Battery life is excellent; I estimate about 5 hours maybe 6.
  
  Drawbacks are:
  * It does not have a USB re-charger like some
  * The mute and off/on button is too small. Basically so small that it's useless. But then my phone has a mute button
  * It's heavier then most (not as heavy as Jabra though)
  
  
• Awesome device - not only good volume, but superb clarity
  By A33CLVW2K7SL1P on 2007-10-10
  This is my second Bluetooth device. The first was also a Plantronics, from Verizon, and while I was happy with the volume, with increased volume did not come increased clarity. I'm hearing impaired, so clarity is something that I'm very concerned about with any hearing device, be it phone, hearing aid, stereo headphones, and especially TV EARS!
  
  Anyway, turning up the volume means I'll hear the sounds, but it doesn't always mean that I'll be able to discern them. "Hi, this is J.K. Rowling calling, and I'd like to invite you to tea," could turn into, "Your bowling league called, and said they want some bees." If I'm lucky. I returned the unit I received with my phone (as a matter of fact, I returned all of the accessories Verizon packaged with my Motorola Q - they were all junk) and bought this headset based on the strength of all the positive reviews. After testing it out, I couldn't be happier, and have to add my voice to the chorus of approval. Not only is this headset capable of great volume, it also is extremely clear.
  
  To put this in perspective, I have less than 50% hearing in my left ear, and none in my right. I *need* these devices to work, and work well. Using the headset in my left ear (of course), I called my roommate, who is very soft spoken. He came in loud and clear. I not only heard what he said, I understood what he said.
  
  I tested this again when I had to call Dell for technical support. The person had a very heavy accent, and while talking to him on my Motorola Q, I had a very, very difficult time understanding him. When I switched from the phone to the headset, I was able to (mostly) understand him. To me, that was the real litmus test, because for people like me with nerve damage, clarity is key, and accents are h - e - double toothpicks.
  
  Buy this with confidence.
  
  
• REVIEW FOR TREO OWNERS
  By A9FX8D6G47719 on 2005-12-04
  Well, after reading tons of reviews on blue tooth headsets that work with the Palm Treo 650, I decided on the Plantronics over the Jabra. I've been using it extensively for 1-week now so here's the scoop in a nutshell...
  
  1) My Treo immediately recognized the headset and installation was a breeze.
  
  2) The sound clarity is crystal-clear and loud! Whoever you are talking to will hear you loud and clear and won't believe your on a wireless headset.
  
  3) It is very comfortable behind your ear and you won't feel like it is going to fall off, like other blue tooth headsets. I have a small ear canal however and the bud can be a little uncomfortable. I noticed that if I position it just right, it doesn't bother me at all however.
  
  4) The mute/on & off button is TERRIBLE. You need needle-fingers to use it. But then again, you only use the button to turn it on and off so what's the big deal, right?
  
  5) If you get more than 8 feet away from your cell phone you'll hear some crackling in the line.
  
  Overall, I highly recommend this item to you. It's certainly worth the $52 I paid on Amazon for it!
  
  
  
  
• Best that I've used so far
  By ACHZTNTABNN58 on 2005-08-18
  This is my 3rd BT Headset. Out of all of them I like the Voyager the best....the reason is the Voyager has the best voice quality....very clear and loud enough for anyone. That and it fits either ear really makes it for me great. I also have a Motorola HS820, it's pretty good, but lacks some things that the Voyager seems to have down better.
  
  What I like about the Voyager compared to the 820, fits either ear...820 only fits the right ear only, sound is better, ear bud fits in the ear making it a lot easier to hear in loud environments.
  
  Things I wish the Voyager had that the 820 has......it's lighter, the command button is better, it's not as big over the ear, I just seem to forget that I'm wearing the 820. The Voyager I tend to know I'm wearing it, where as the 820 I forget it's on me.
  
  One thing about the Voyager with the command button is that I don't hear the whole menu when it starts. I don't know if it's the transmitter link just being awaken from sleep or what....but I only hear the tail end of the prompt .....the 820 you hear the whole thing from the press of the button. Not really a big deal....but I do notice it from the 820.
  
  Overall I use the Voyager the most.....but still use my 820 also.....but the voice quality blows the 820 out of the water......it's that much better. If you have any questions feel free sir_onion@yahoo
  
  phone used with vx8100
  
  
• If you want quality sound incoming and outgoing this is it!
  By A2UJ848434CI3I on 2006-08-19
  After trying a Motorola and the Treo Bluetooth (made by Jabra) headset for my Treo 650, I thought I'd never get the same quality I could achieve with a wired headset. After much use of my wired headset, the socket for inseting the wired headset into gave out, and I had to have the entire phone replaced (under warranty). So I figured wireless was the way to go, as well as it seemed much more convienient than having a that cord draped across my chest while driving.
  I researched all the Blutooth headsets on Amazon, looking at everyone's descriptions, and that's hard! It seems like so many of the headsets have equal fans and detractors. However, the Plantronics 510 seemed to have very consistent reviews, as well as my awareness of their legacy as a high quality headset manufacturer going back to the Space Program of the Sixties.
  Well, it's nothing short of perfect! It has volume to spare! I could never get the Motorola or Jabra to be loud enough in areas where there might be competing sounds. The noise cancellation feature is spectacular!
  I've asked people I'm speaking to, and they havve no idea I'm on a headset. Crystal clear sound both ways.
  This is an amazing headset, at an amazing price. Maybe not as teeny as some bluetooth headsets, but this works and is frustration free. It synced up with my Treo in a heartbeat.
  
  
• Extremely comfortable/clear Bluetooth headset
  By A27DS7YU20QSC4 on 2005-12-01
  I ordered this headset from Amazon after alot of research into available headsets. One plus was the repeated comment that it is really comfortable, and another, purely for geek value, is the Multipoint capability.
  
  I can now attest to the first comment. I can wear the headset for hours with no irritation. In fact, sometimes I forget that it is on my ear until it rings. I had purchased the Plantronics M2500 after this headset to see the difference and the M2500 went right back to the store as it was literally a pain to wear.
  
  I have a LG PM325 phone and I can get crystal clear sound even when the phone is in the trunk (I do have a small car though ;-). I routinely wander more than 15ft from the phone and the sound quality is excellent. I have the sound set a couple of clicks less than maximum because of the clarity ... something that can't be said of other headsets.
  
  One suggestion: keep the wind sock on the headset fulltime. It looks a bit "dorky" but you'll have no problem talking when you walk outside.
  
  The only minor downside is that when the tone sounds to signal a low battery, there isn't much talk time left at all. I charge it every few days with moderate usage.
  
  
• Fantastic Headset
  By A3NHSUES2WSQIN on 2005-08-10
  I have used the Jabra BT250, the motorola HS850 and now the plantronics voyager 510 and this is hands down the best that i have had the opportunity to use. The sound is loud and crisp with very little distortion. the audio is fantastic and all my callers have been able to hear me with clarity. The ability to switch between multiple bluetooth devices is fantastic especially if you use a Voice over IP and a blue tooth cellphone. And last but not least it sits very securely on the ear with no discomfort. I highly recommend this product.
  
  
• Better than Motorola HS820
  By A2IBO8OM9CGHNG on 2005-10-22
  Prior to purchasing this headset I owned 2 Motorola HS820 Bluetooth headsets. The HS 820 was decent, however I had the following problems with them;
  1. Battery charging port would not secure well with charger cord after a few weeks.
  2. The earpiece isn't really adjustable and after and hour or so I would feel discomfort.
  3. It doesn't rest securely on the ear and sometimes flaps around.
  
  The Plantronics Voyager 510
  Positives;
  1. Great fit, it comes with 3 foam ear buds that go in the outside of the ear canal.
  2. Long battery life, (battery unit is large).
  3. Works well with my Motorola E815. Loud and clear.
  4. Doesn't jingle on my ear.
  
  Negatives
  1. It is much larger than the HS820 and is not pretty.
  2. In order to use the main button you have to secure the headset between your thumb and middle finger and press with your pointer. If you just use your pointer finger (like on the HS 820) you will push the uit further into your ear, not comfortable.
  
  Overall I am happy with the unit. I have worn it for over 10 hours on several days and haven't had a problem.
  [...]
  
  
• Not perfect but better than the rest
  By A15APCBKIAA04B on 2005-12-30
  I spend a lot of time travelling on my job and have a need for a good headset. I found wired sets to confining and was forever shifting wires. I decided to go Bluetooth. First I tried a cheap knockoff that half worked. I tried a couple of Motorolas that looked great but had the back of my my ear on fire after 30 minutes. Next was a Sony that looked great and felt comfortable but everyone complained about how I sounded. I finally decided to give the Plantronics a try. I got a 320 to start and loved it but saw that the 510 had more features so I traded up.
  
  This thing is awesome. It isn't as "showy" as some of the others which I like since I'm not trying to make a fashion statement but it feels good, works like a charm and most people I talk to can't tell I'm on a headset. Talk time is excellent and the mute and last number redial are just what I needed. The only thing that keeps this headset from being perfect is the atrocious power/mute button. It requires too much effort to press and is really small resulting in having to sometimes take the set off the ear to operate. Not an issue if you're just turning on and off but a real hassle when using the mute (as I do when on meetings). Overall a strong recommend.
  
  
• Good, but not great
  By A28MXAQJXA4IYW on 2006-05-26
  I use this headset with a Blackberry 7100. Overall it is a good headset. Although not louder than other headsets, having earpieces that partially insert in the ear canal makes the volume more effective. The mic picks up your voice well while screening background noise pretty effectively. However, the mic is very sensitive to wind noise...we're talking slight breeze here. The foam cover helps a little bit, but not enough. This makes it difficult to use outside. I typically have to duck into the nearest building when I'm trying to talk on the sidewalk.
  
  The fit is good, although it is a two handed task getting it on correctly. Glasses interfere with the fit due to the over-the-ear design, so it takes a little work to get the two to cooperate...usually moving the temple arm of your glasses up out of the way, seating the headset and then putting the temple arm back on your ear in a not-so-comfortable position.
  It has a descent set of controls, but unfortunately they're not always user friendly.
  
  As other reviewers point out, the connect/disconnect button is at the center of the ear piece at the base of the mic arm. Having it up against something solid makes it easy to push with one finger...no fumbling with the mic arm trying to squeeze a button. Down side is if the headset doesn't fit snugly in your ear, you have a tendancy to push it in and sometimes hit the disconnect button. The solution is to use an ear piece that fits snug or grab the mic arm to push in on it.
  
  On big weakness of this headset design is the multi-function power switch. As one other reviewer pointed out, you really have to remove the headset to use it. This isn't a big deal when turning the headset on or off due to its auto-standy feature (which is nice), but this switch also controls the volume and mute. Attempting to use these features when wearing the headset is usually unsuccessful because the switch is so small it's hard to find and there's little or no tactile feedback. If you do manage to find and manipulate it, the headset usually becomes dislodged from your ear and you have to refit it. I've just resorted to using the volume and mute control on my phone.
  
  The auto-standby feature automatically puts the headset in standby mode to preserve the battery when not in use for ? minutes. When a call comes in, it activates by sounding a tone to alert you to the call which you can answer by pushing the connect button. This feature is not unique to this headset.
  
  Last negative is I sometimes get clicking noises in the headset. I don't know if this is the phone or the headset, but it can be very irritating especially if you need the volume up loud to overcome background noise. However, I have experienced the same thing, but worse, with other BT headsets, e.g. Motorola.
  
  Having pointed out all the negatives, I've tried both the Motorola 850 and 500 and this Plantronics peforms better for less money.
  
  
• Best Bluetooth headset I've used
  By A1AKKYXG0Y0ULL on 2006-09-18
  I previously used both the Motorola HS850 and the HS820 and had the same two problems with each. Insuffcient volume and insecure attachment to my ear. Whenever I moved, the motorola headsets wiggled and made me feel as if they were about to fall off. They never did but it was still annoying. The volume problem was in part related to this. The contact with my ear wasn't very firm and the ambient noise that the headsets let in coupled with a relatively low volume meant that I had to press the headset to my ear to hear clearly.
  
  I have been satisfied with my Plantronics 510. The choice of 3 interchangable ear cushions, great volume, crisp output and decent range make it unbeatable. The battery life is somewhat less that the motorola headsets, but I purchased an extra charger for home. The power button is small, but using it is a minor problem that resolves with a little practice. The sound is crisp and clear. The range is as good or better than the motorola sets.
  
  
• top notch headset
  By A3JZ39Z9K887TD on 2005-09-29
  I wanted a headset to use with my new Samsun i730 Pocket PC phone (way cool), as well as, use with my 5.8GHz cordless home phone via a Jabra A210 bluetooth adapter, and this hit the mark.
  This was the only headset I found to synchronize with TWO devices, so I paired it easily with the i730, then the Jabra A210 adapter, and whola, whichever rings if I am close to both, I can answer either line with just one headset.
  I bought and test the Jabra BT250V and BT800, the 250V sounded good and was pretty comfortable, but could NOT sync with TWO devices at the same time, and the BT800 was cool, but it was not secure on my ear and let in too much outside noise.
  The Plantronics 510 sounds the best of them all, and it is extremely comfortable, I had it on for 3 hours one day and it was still fine. I love the configuration of the small boom with the behind the ear battery, great design. The battery life has been great as well, I have been getting 4+ hours of straight talk time and several days of standby. The AC charger is pretty small as well, nice for travel. Also, this headset had the least amount of static from what I would assume to be the bluetooth connection (actually, there is NO static most of the time), while both the Jabra ones had a bit of static, the BT800 being the better of the two Jabra headsets for me. Oh, and I got this thing for $50 on amazon... what a deal, I cannot believe what terrific sounds and functionality at this price!
  
  Gripes: I hate to say there are any gripes because I really like this headset, but we are hear for full disclosure and helping eachother with thorough reviews, so here they are... I did like the vibrate option of the Jabra devices, which this does not have. Also, not sure if it is just my device, but the power button is not very tactile, which means, when I press it, it does not feel like it moves and I cannot feel any detent, but I have been able to use the button without much issue.
  
  Needless to say I love this headset and put this as my first choice if anyone asks for my recommendation.
  
  Cheers!!!!
  
  
  
• Works awesome w/ Treo 650
  By A21Q27AIA4FJVH on 2005-10-26
  Prior to ordering the Plantronics, I went through 2 Motorola HS850's and was pretty disappointed. Looked on the Palm site (...) to see that the the Moto, Jabra are not fully compatible w/ the Treo, but Plantronics is.
  
  The Voyager 510 works just as I expected it to. Long battery life, directs all calls (incoming and outgoing) to the headset automatically with out having to press the MF button multiple times (like you have to w/ HS850). It's comfortable and sounds awesome; clear and much louder than the Moto 850 - in fact the volume is so good I frequently have to turn it down. The range is great as I've never run into problems where it's cut out or sounded bad.
  
  In short, not the "coolest" looking BT headset on the market but the functionality is very impressive. If you're looking for a great sounding headset that works, this one is a great choice (ESPECIALLY if you're a Treo owner!)
  
  
  
• Take a Voyage with Voyager
  By AZKSQWF1UQT3V on 2006-02-06
  I have had the phone for one week now, and here are my observations.
  The good:
  The sound quality of the incoming caller's voice is very loud and clear. In fact, I had to learn to speak softer than with other headsets as callers said it sounded as if I were shouting when I spoke at the same volume that I was used to using.
  It interfaced with the voice dialing capabilities of my Motorola E815 with zero effort.
  Battery charge is excellent.
  The Bad:
  This is the only reason why I did not rate it 5 stars.
  When I first got the headset and made calls from home, callers could hear me fine, but they broke up (picket fencing). I finally tracked it down to my wireless router running at 2.4 GHz using 802.11b protocol.
  It turns out that the router runs in the same frequency range as Bluetooth headsets. The router stays on a set frequency while the headset jumps frequencies in the range. It appears as it hops to the router's frequency it causes interference with the call. To resolve this, I simply disabled the wireless setting until I actually need to utilize it. Problem solved.
  Because other devices operate at 2.4GH, the same issue of the caller's voice breaking up could occur with Microwave ovens running and some cordless phones that operate at 2.4 GHz.
  
  
• Good Sound, but Shoddy Construction
  By A3FZKFVYSI33K2 on 2007-06-06
  I got good use out of mine for the six months it lasted. The way this thing is built, to switch it from left ear to right ear, there are two swiveling joints which each turn 180 degrees. I never switch from ear to ear, but if you put it in your pocket, they can easily swivel around. Now, when you swivel them back, you had better make sure you swivel them in the right direction. There are internal plastic stops to stop you from turning it the wrong way, but they wear out, and once that happens, if you turn it the wrong way, you end up twisting and severing the internal wiring to the mic.
  
  
• Good while it lasted
  By AD7CCZ54EW4TR on 2005-08-04
  I purchased the Platronics 510 after I lost a Jabra Bluetooth unit earlier this year. After charging it up it worked well for about a week and then it failed to hold a charge for any length of time, if at all. I was also disappointed with the earpiece. The Jabra was almost twice the price but it worked very well, had great distance and multiple soft rubber earpieces. When I tried to exchange the Platronics for a new unit their customer service claimed they had not yet released the model and implied that I had obtained it "inappropriately". After 30 minutes and a discussion with her supervisor it was determined that it had been released and Amazon was indeed a legitimate source. They had a rather complicated return process so I gave up on Plantronics and returned the earpiece to Amazon for a refund.
  
  
• Alas it had to be returned
  By A2637J7ECVC85 on 2005-09-11
  I had high hopes for this product. I have had a lot of success with Plantronics headsets in the past. However, this headset would connect to a Jabra BT adapter, a LG PM-325 phone, and a Kennsington BT USB adapter. The received voice quality was good. However, the transmitted voice quality would go very poor and break up. My friends reported that they were only getting portions of my transmitted voice the rest being a metallic sounding robot voice. I experiemented a lot with some other BT devices - and I have now returned this product. This could have been the made-on-Friday product (i.e. the one bad one). So - in the end - disappointed :-(
  
  
  
• Best yet!!
  By A1JNUH09ONA7FQ on 2005-11-13
  I've had a few BT headsets, and this one is better than all of them.
  
  The main feature for me that sold me is the fact that the ear piece is snug up against the ear canal, allowing you to hear conversation in the most extreme conditions (wind, car, restaurant, etc). In addition there are a total of 3 ear pieces that you can interchange with the unit to find the one that is most copmfortable for you.
  
  Also included are foam protectors for the mic, greatly reducing wind noise.
  
  I have tested this unit with some of the most discerning people and they all report that they can hear me fine, under a variety of conditions.
  
  The functions of the headest (mute, volume, transfer call, flash call, etc) all work beautifully.
  
  The ONLY complaint I have is the same as everyone with this headset, the POWER/MUTE button is really small and it takes a bit of feeling around until you find it, which makes the MUTE function less accessible, but it does not bother me for the power button because I leave the unit on ALL the time (just keep it plugged in when not using).
  
  The battery is good and I have yet to run out. Also,m the unit charges in about 2 hours, so it's not hard to keep a charge in it.
  
  I have a TREO 650 and this headset works beautifully with it.
  
  
• Great headset - though not quite perfect
  By ADJIII112ZZFX on 2006-03-26
  This is my second BlueTooth headset, after a Jabra, and is a definite improvement. Crystal clear sound, good range and is very comfortable to wear. Has quite stellar sound cancellation too.
  
  I am not a big fan of devices which stick in your ear canal and the Voyager uses a different approach with various size foam pads that rest against the opening in your ear, but not in it.
  
  Other reviewers have made comment about the size of the power button. Yes, it is small and odd-shaped, but who cares? It's easy enough to use unless you have very odd shaped hands and no thumb.
  
  Now to the issue of battery life. Plantronics claim days, other users have reported hours of life. I believe I have figured out why this occurs. I use this headset with a Nokia 6600 and found that if you terminate the call with the phone instead of the headset, the headset remains connected to the phone via BlueTooth, draining the battery even when not on a call. If you terminate a call with the button on the headset, it will break the BlueTooth connection with the phone (after a couple of minutes) and you will get the days of battery life Plantronics claim. To remake the connection, you have to press the button on the side of the headset - the connection may take several seconds to hook up. Not sure if this is a bug with the BlueTooth protocol, the phone, or the headset. Personally, I have found that BlueTooth is not a very well implemented protocol by most manufacturers.
  
  In summary, well worth buying, especially at the bargain prices it is currently being offered at.
  
  
• Like a device from "Harrison Bergeron"...
  By A3PKKHND98ST7H on 2005-10-21
  The prior reviews for this device were more lopsidedly positive than any other I saw, including much more expensive units, so I went for it. At first, I was moderately pleased. I had bought the G2 headset before (can't remember mfr.), but it was so delicate that, dropped three times, it just broke. This one seems sturdier. I liked that it includes three optional ear-pieces, so you can find the one that works for your ear. And the swivel mic piece, which allows it work on either ear, is nice. Also the sound on my end is quite good, and I have not gotten any complaints from those on the other end; it seems to be better. Battery life is pretty good; volume switching is good.
  
  So that's the good stuff. But...
  
  Now having used it for six weeks, it drives me freakin' nuts. It is heavy on the ear, and the power unit that goes behind the ear is so large as to push out your ear, and it's consequently uncomfortable. None of the earpieces is really good, but that's because they're all dragged down to weigh on your ear by the weight of the unit. If not for that, I'd be able to use either of two of the included three. But the weight IS there; and it's worse yet if you try to wear it with glasses/sunglasses.
  
  But what really drives me around the bend is this: It beeps and beeps and beeps for no purpose. I believe that what is happening is that it is disconnecting from my phone (Siemens S56) then discovering the phone again. So it beeps low, then a minute later, beeps high. Four or ten minutes later, it beeps low, then beeps high. It does this ALL THE TIME. (It's like the devices in Vonnegut's "Harrison Bergeron" that periodically emit a noise to disrupt whatever train of thought you were on, so that we'd all be equal because no one could think anything that would allow him to rise above mediocrity through his own mind. Maybe it's a plot!) All that varies is the interval, and I have no idea why. The phone is on my belt; you know where the headset is. I mean, it's never more than 30 inches distance. So why is it constantly having to refresh its pairing with the phone?
  
  I wouldn't buy it again. I will probably buy something else, if this doesn't drive me insane first.
  
  
• As good as it gets
  By A2TCGQFM4M79X8 on 2005-12-07
  I had the motorola headset and returned it. The audio quality was pretty bad, and it didn't seem to stay on my ear. The plantronics, is by no means perfect, but is great for someone with small ears, stays in place, has very good noise canceling technology (still not as good as the phone itself), and is very easy to use. I'm now pretty used to voice dialing, and very comfortable with the headset (I've had it for about a month). Hang on to the over the mouth piece "sponges", they really help on windy days. I've been through quite a few headsets, and this one is by far the best!!
  
  
• Wonderful headset
  By A7E10O2M000DN on 2006-01-10
  I bought two of these (One for the wife and one for me) and have been nothing but happy with them ever since. The sound quality for me is great paired with my Motorola V551 and my IBM Thinkpad with a generic BT USB dongle using Skype and the X-Ten Eyebeam SIP softphone.
  
  Callers tell me that I sound better using this headset than when I'm using the motorola handset. It took some getting used to but I can now wear it for hours and forget that I've got it on and it holds a charge all day.
  
  I've since recommended this model to two of my co-workers who are also very happy with it's performance. All in All, a great find.
  
  
• Last headset, last headset review - Finally!
  By ANDBFTH0WTURV on 2006-06-17
  Reader,
  
  I've had Sony Ericsson, Logitech Mobile Freedom, Cario Scala 500, Plantronics Discovery 640, and finally this Voyager 510. Let me just say that my prior favorite was the Logitech but it was a little bulky and it disconnected from my phone after most calls (annoying).
  
  Having said that I now enjoy Plantronics Voyager 510. The higher model, Discovery 640 doesn't stand a chance. Yes the 640 is smaller, cooler-looking, but the features are not good. The 640 has no windguard, no noice-cancelling tech, and the talk time is short. The extra battery charger they give you and try to say that it boosts talk time does not. You can't talk and charge at the same time. Sheesh.
  
  OKay, so now with the Voyager 510, I love it. Great fit. It seems Plantronics has come out with a new version of the 510. The foam mic boom is not removeable but is built in much like the logitech is. The voice and sound quality are top notch. I've recorded myself and it sounds clear. I can even notice a difference with the noise-cancelling technology as the tv was on in the background, but my voice was still clear. Noice-cancelling is important.
  
  Pros:
  Clear, audible sound
  Mic is sensitive and my voice for callers are clear
  Wind-Guard
  Noise-Cancelling technology (must have!)
  Fit - stays on confortably and they give 3 earphone-like inserts (perfect)
  
  Cons:
  the only thing is that the mic boom seems to rub up on my cheek or is very close so sometimes it will make a scratching sound for the caller (since it's rubbing against my cheek). I haven't heard that complaint from other reviewers here so maybe it's unique to me. I don't have big cheeks so I don't get it.
  
  
  
  

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