Plantronics Voyager 510 Bluetooth Headset with Multipoint Technology | 
| Brand: Plantronics
List Price: $99.95
Buy New: $43.90
You Save: $56.05 (56%)
New (36)
Rating:  2418 reviews
Sales Rank: 5
Color: Black&Silver
Media: Wireless Phone Accessory
Autographed: No
Memorabilia: No
Batteries Included: No
Shipping Weight (lbs): 0.4
Dimensions (in): 4 x 2.5 x 0.8
Legal Disclaimer: Warranty does not cover misuse of product.
Warranty: 1 year warranty
MPN: UNHFPV5103
Model: VOYAGER 510
UPC: 646444457132
EAN: 0845102062477
ASIN: B0009B0IX4
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
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| Features:
| • | 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 |
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| Editorial Reviews:
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. 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.
Product Description
Plantronics' mission is to enhance personal communication. Plantronics helps make people more productive, safe, and comfortable improving the clarity of communications. Plantronics is committed to ensuring that its products meet customer requirements and are committed to quality and customer satisfaction.
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| Customer Reviews: Read 2413 more reviews...
WORKS GREAT!!! November 5, 2005
D Critique (Boston, Massachusetts USA)
834 out of 859 found this review helpful
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 July 12, 2006
Brian W. Crist
486 out of 500 found this review helpful
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.
 Downfall August 14, 2007
Torben K. Jensen (Portland, OR)
176 out of 179 found this review helpful
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.
Great fit, Great Sound, Mediocre Battery, Disconnects February 10, 2006
Wayne Schulz (Glastonbury, CT USA)
164 out of 182 found this review helpful
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.
 Functional for the Right User, but Far From Perfect for All September 12, 2006
D. R. Jeanclerc (Brunswick, OH USA)
109 out of 121 found this review helpful
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
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