I have used other Bluetooth headsets such as the Motorola H700(A/B) and found that many sound tinny or canned and can even have an echo-y sound coming from the microphone and/or the earpiece from time to time. I would rather just hold my phone to my ear until my arm got tired then struggle with the hassles of getting a clear sound from my headset.
But after using the Plantronics Voyager PRO I didn’t have any of those experiences and regained my faith in using Bluetooth headsets.
One of the nice thing about the Voyager PRO is Plantronics’ QuickPair Technology which means that the headset automatically pairs itself to your Bluetooth device the first time you turn your headset on. This was one of the easiest setups of a Bluetooth headset I’ve ever had to do.
I’m not a big fan of the boom mics on a headsets but the Voyager PRO wasn’t that intrusive. It kinda stayed low in profile and didn’t make me feel like a Time Life operator.
Speaking of a mic boom, the Voyager’s pivoting mic boom consists of two noise canceling microphones. One microphone is suppose to concentrate on your voice while the other concentrates on eliminating background noise. This is Plantronics’ DSP (Digital Signal Processing) noise reduction system that they call Audio IQ2. This helps cancel out the ambient noise regardless of your surroundings. The adjustable boom mic is shielded by a stainless steel windscreen, and under that is an acoustic fabric and an electronic filter that is suppose to block wind noise.
I actually drove in my car with my windows down and placed a phone call to my wife and I had no problems hearing her with the wind noise and she told me that she could hear me clearly as well. No wind noise on her end. Pretty nice…
I really liked the Quick Pair technology which paired to my Sprint HTC Touch Pro immediately and no Passkey PIN Code needed. My Touch Pro recognized the Voyager PRO and pairing was completed. I love it when products do what they claim.
Plantronics Voyager PRO features MultiPoint technology which allows the headset to be paired to two different Bluetooth devices whether two phones or a phone and Bluetooth enabled laptop that you may make internet calls with. Naturally I paired the Voyager PRO to my Sprint LG Lotus (LX600) as well with no problem.
However, and this is a big however, when I tried using the Voyager with the Lotus it was causing the phone to shut down and restart itself. On Plantronics’ website forum they state that if you have issues such as this, they will replace your headset with another to resolve the problem. I wasn’t sure if it was a Plantronics issue or an LG issue but it’s nice to know that Plantronics will replace it if needed.
The Voyager PRO supports Bluetooth 2.1, Enhanced Data Rate (EDR) and Secure Simple Pairing so it’s pretty much compatible with any Bluetooth device. It has up to a six(6) hour talk time and a five(5) day standby time on a single charge. The range for this headset is 33ft and weighs in at 17.5 grams. Although not very light it was still comfortable to wear for awhile, but I haven’t had a chance to wear it for a long period of time as some people do for hours on end. The weight didn’t seem to bother me at all. It even has voice prompts for Mute and Low Battery warning.
The Voyager comes with a Micro-USB charger that rapidly charges the headset to full in 1.5 hours. It also includes three (3) soft gel eartips, foam eartip covers and the standard users guide.
The way the Plantronics Voyager PRO performed made me not sound like I am speaking into a tin can to a caller and the sound quality was crystal clear. This combination made me enjoy using a handsfree Bluetooth headset again. Plus the ease of pairing my phones without a hitch was nice and effortless.
This was a great headset to review and would like to check out more Plantronics products. I think I may contact Plantronics to see if they can remedy the reset situation with my LG Lotus and get that taken care of. I may even use the Voyager PRO to speak to them with when I call them.
Product Information
| Price: | $99.99 |
| Manufacturer: | Plantronics |
| Pros: |
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Plantronics do make some nice stuff. I’ve had one of their USB foldable headsets for a few years now and it’s still going strong. Excellent build quality and performance.
nice to see another thumbs up. I’m evaluating this vs. the Aliph Jawbone. All Things Digital just did a comparo ‘tween the Aliph Prime & Plantronics 975…I thought that the Voyager Pro was the one closer to the Aliph…any experience w/ the Aliph that you could comment on?
Being an over the road truck driver noise issues with hands free headsets are very important to me. This is the first one my wife did not have a problem hearing me as well as I did not have to constantly struggle to keep the ear piece in place to be able to hear her.
I am not a world traveler, but it was nice to see that you could replace the prongs on the AC adapter thus reducing the adapters you had to carry with you.
I have used the first generation and second generation Jawbone headsets for years (haven’t tried the 3rd generation Prime) and they provided excellent sound quality and noise cancellation. The one issue I have with all Jawbones is the lack of my ability to get a good fit on my ear. No matter which earbud or over-the-ear wire I chose, they always fall off my head. And if you are chewing gum or something when you are talking, forget it. The Jawbone won’t remain in contact with your cheek, which is required to get the good performance.
I hate to leave my Jawbone, but I think I am going to go back to an over-the-ear headset like this Plantronics.
@Don
Since you are a trucker, you must be wearing your earpiece for long periods of time. How long are the intervals that you usually tend to wear it? And did you find it comfortable enough?
@Raul
Thanks for the heads up on these. I have been using one of the over-the-ear Motorolas and am getting annoyed with a few things on it. Tinny sounds, wind noise from an open sunroof or window, and the fact that it is just hanging off my ear and flopping around. These sound like a nice upgrade for what I currently am using.
I’d be curious to see how Plantronics’ new Discovery 975 compares to this one in terms of call quality. I very much like the 975 (except for it having the leather panel).
I should say I like what I’ve seen of the 975–I’m still saving the ol’ pennies to get one.
@Q I’ll be reviewing the 975 soon…
@ Mark
Yeah, the Voyager handles windnoise great.
As I mentioned in ther review I deliberately rolled down my windows while driving on a bridge just to test the windscreen.
My wife on the other end could not hear any windnoise and I could hear her clearly through the earpiece.
Problem with some other headsets is the they get confused with the noise from the wind and it seems like the headsets start to act like an older cell phone with a half duplex speaker. Meaning that one person has to stop talking before the other one starts talking. Kinda like a walkie talkie. So the mic starts breaking up. Plus, when you can’t hear the person on the other line and only windnoise, that gets annoying.
The Voyager PRO handled wind like a champ.
I’m a huge fan of Plantronics and have had all their previous versions. I use the HTC Touch Diamond and can tell you the “natural voice” technology they talk about is for real! You can easily test this by leaving a voicemail to yourself (through the earpiece). When you listen to the vm, you won’t hear the “digital, cracky” sound you normally hear from bluetooth headsets. It actually sounds like a normal voice through a normal phone. The Voyager Pro gets my 2 thumbs up! Oh yeah…also the first headset ever with “ZERO” static!!!
Nice job Plantronics!
@ Chris
I have to agree with Steve. I have heard the same thing about chewing gum or eating or anything that manipulates your jaw. For the best performance Jawbones should make constant contact with your cheek and sometimes chewing kinda distorts your jaw.
Got the 975 directly from Plantronics the day it popped up on the website. Since it’s got the same DSP algorithms as the Pro (AudioIQ2) and I own both, the outgoing quality is pretty much the same.
If you can’t tolerate things jammed in your ear, go with the Pro. If you can’t have things hanging over your ear, the 975 is the way to go.
I just got a blueant V1. I like it, but the buttons lock when connected to my tour so I can not hang up a call from my headset. My jawbone is cool, but the ear piece is fragile and I already broke both of them. I can stick it in my ear, but I move around alot when I talk so the little sensor sometimes doesnt touch my face. This PRO looks good. Is there a way you can post a pic of you or someone wearing it? Just to see how it would look?
I HAVE THE VOYAGER PRO AND LOVE IT BUT AM ON MY THIRD ONE IN JUST LESS THAN 3 MONTHS.AFTER ABOUT 3 WEEKS IT WILL JUST QUIT AND NOT DO ANYTHING.THE LIGHT WANT EVEN COME ON WHEN YOU PUT IT ON THE CHARGER.I BOUGHT IT AT BEST BUY AND THEY GIVE ME ANOTHER ONE WITH NO PROBLEM.ITS ABOUT A THIRTY MILE DRIVE FROM MY HOUSE AND I AM GETTING TIRED OF HAVING TO TAKE THEM BACK.IF THIS ONE QUITS I AM GOING TO HAVE TO GO TO SOMETHING ELSE.IF THERE IS ANYTHING YOU CAN TELL ME TO HELP I WOULD APPRECIATE IT VERY MUCH.BECAUSE I REALLY DO LIKE IT.IT FITS REAL COMFORTABLE AND STAYS ON YOUR EAR GOOD.I CANT EVEN TELL I HAVE A EAR PIECE ON.SO PLEASE LET ME KNOW IF THERE IS SOME PROBLEM WITH THEM.THANKS JERRY
@JERRY SCONCE
Jerry
that is strange for 3 units to be defective. Are you getting all 3 from Best Buy? Maybe their stock is defective? But seems unlikely.
In any case I would contact Plantronics and tell them your situation and let them know how many Voyager’s you went through considering you have record of all your situations. Having three defects is strange and especially within three months. We would have to know more than the light not coming on. Do you mean to tell me that the PRO is not charging or is it dead and not working?
@Jerry Sconce
Jerry – I also got mine at best buy and i have also had THREE different ones – I LOVE the sound quality, the way it fits, volume – etc – and I don’t want another model – but the SAME thing is happening to me – 3-4 weeks, and it quits! Completely! HELP!
I have had the same problem, Bought the first one at best buy and the people I was talking to could not tell I was talking on the PRO.
It has been 2 months and I have gone though 3 now. The 3rd crapped out on me today. Plantronics has been very responsive and has sent out two others but this is driving me crazy. 3 in less than 3 months what is going on? First one just quit. The second one just quit and the 3rd today notified me that I had 30 minutes talk time and then died. Jeez!
I am preparing to send my third pro back to plantronics, because of all the reason mentioned above. This will be my fourth one in two months, and I am just as baffled as everyone else to why these things continue to die for no reason. I live in south florida, and the customer service representative said that it may be sweat that may be getting into the the USB charge port, but that was just a guess on his part. Well they are sending me number for, and it this one doesn’t work, then they will downgrade me to the 510 I think. I might just eat this purchase and go back to jawbone. If there is any resolutions please let me know.
@Gerald
I think I will follow up with Plantronics on this matter.
That is strange.
Will let you know what I find out.
Bought my Plantronics Voyager Pro in late November of 2009, gave out after using it for 4 days, replaced it and came back to me in 10 days. The replacement gave out again in 1 week.. same problems as described, “Suddenly died!”, “No Indicator LED lit” & “Won’t charge”. Looks to me like they had defective batteries installed in their headset.
Exactly same thing happened to me. Was working fine for almost 4 months and the yesterday I put it on charge and red light won’t come on. I still left it on charge over night thinking that it would come on evantually and woke up to find out no charge at all. Glad read this blog as I thought I had done something wrong. Will see what Frys store can do or will call Plantronics directly. 🙁
I have also been through 3 Voyager Pros; Jerry is correct, they just stop working. Powercycling gets the red led/blue led, but nothing pairs with my Blackberry Curve. Rather than drive back to where you purchased, look up Plantronic’s 800#, get to tech support, read them the microscopic serial # on the Pro and they will replace for free.
I have a Voyager Pro that I do not use often. I am interested in using my USB to micro cable to charge it in the truck. I currently have two USB outlets in the power source. I use one to charge my Motorola Droid X. I would like to use the other to charge my Voyager Pro. Can I do that or do I have to purchase a charger made especially for the the Pro?????
I have used the Pro for the past few years. I put it on on my way to work around 5 am and take it off when I go to bed at 9pm. Usually I need to charge it at least once during the day for a half hour at least. I am so used to it I don’t even know it’s hanging on my ear until my wife reminds me. (Why can’t they make flesh tone models?) I have never had one fail until they are about a year old then they seem to quit working part of the time (I think it is when the charge is low, but I am not certain). Far and away the best reception for me, I talk to the same people almost constantly during the day and believe me they let me know when they are having trouble understanding me. I have tried ants and bones and hp’s, but I have heard great things about parrots so I might even try it. Overall I enjoy the Pro and I am ready for the Pro +.
can the Plantronics Voyager Pro pair up with an other plantronics headset and use it as a walkie talkie ?
I am having the same issue others have had here. When I go to charge the device, the red light no longer illuminates, and even after it is plugged into the charger for over 12 hours, it is not accepting a charge. Thank goodness I have my Blue Parrot headset, because the Plantronics is dead.