The fifth generation Plantronics Bluetooth Voyager Legend headset was made to be legendary, but the question remains: Is it? If you're shopping for a hands-free headset device, don't purchase anything before reading this review.
To be fair, I had to experiment for several weeks; from wearing the Voyager Legend around the house to conducting interviews while typing to wearing it while driving. I did not, however, wear it in the store while talking and shopping. (Or if I did happen to wear it into the store, I did not talk on it like some of those people who can't seem to live without it and then look as though they are talking to themselves and you have a tendency to want to jump in on their conversations.) I baked, cleaned, walked from one end of the house to the other (to check distance), watched movies, played music and I played with my granddaughter. I even went outside to water the yard (what a difference to not have to worry about the cell phone) and I even discovered which walls the device would not feed through (funny how other electronics, refrigerators and microwaves can interfere).
What I discovered was not only does the Voyager Legend come with three mics (vs. the usual two) but it also has a variety of ear pieces to choose from – a bonus when you have small ears like me. And, although there is no claim to a design change, the noted size is probably just due to the historical remembrance that most of the competitors were generally just larger and bulkier. Not to mention the Voyager Legend was softer; indeed a bonus. It had give. It was a great start; a compact and lightweight design. Nice.
For me, however, it was more the functionality and sound I was after; so when the sound mimicked Bose – that was huge. I don't know if I actually screamed, but I could have. I was sold, and in heaven.
The Voice Recognition is also a pretty sweet deal – although I’m sure it does a whole lot more than “answer” and “ignore” my incoming calls. I read that it also announces calls by name (as long as your address books houses them, since it connects to your cell phone address book; my advice would be to be careful about nicknames), as well as a number of other awesome tasks. I will have to have my teenager show me how it's all done in one-tenth the time. I also understand there is software available in the event one misplaces the ear piece – that might be something I might eventually need as well since the ear piece is so light and compact. Although I imagine it sitting in the drawer under the socks (as a buffer) next to that key finder whistler device I received as a gift a few years ago that goes off whenever my granddaughter hits that one high note.
With all the bells and whistles one expects of the leading Bluetooth technology, and with extreme comfort and reliability, not to mention the awesome sound coming from both incoming and outgoing calls (so everyone tells me, anyway) – it’s heaven to a woman who dreams of being on the go all the time from going to Disneyland one weekend to hiking Mt. Shasta the following to a trip back east to check out some new art to a quick trip to Paris the following week for a museum opening – through her writing anyway. But it sure does come in handy (not to mention it's ergonomically-correct), that is a major plus for me.
The battery life is awesome by the way, since I don’t use it all day long or get into lengthy conversations every single day it lasts on into the next day sometimes (which is great since I do receive calls in the middle of the night); another added bonus. And, it’s supposed to be an extended talk time with seven hours (vs. the previous six) so perfect for those who talk a lot. I generally type more than I talk during the day and it was pretty much something handed me because I was (ehem) trying to use speaker phone incognito or type with one hand and pretend I could type the same 100wpm. I will just say wow, what took me so long; and kindly say, thank you so much to that adorable person for turning me on to this incredible device; it is without a doubt the most awesome thing on the planet for journalists, mothers – anyone in need of two hands, less stress and a smile.
So whether you’re a traveler, telecommuter, soccer mom, journalist, world-renowned chef or top dog of your own whatever – this hands-free device is worth its salt – and will become legendary if it hasn’t already reached that status. And remember, ergonomics is huge with Plantronics, as it should be with everyone else; the Voyager Legend keeps you in line. Speaking of support, Plantronics offers support with not only the products they sell, but also the Voice Recognition program. The bonuses keep adding up, don't they?
The best part? It’s blonde-proof. I was able to set it up and use with ease and without issue (and without asking my teen).
The negative? I’m not sure there is a negative although there is one thing I do remember not being able to do; I could not get my phone to work in regular mode again. Maybe it is simply Karma’s way of telling me it’s not safe to use a cell phone without some sort of Bluetooth technology. However, coming from someone who does not like to complain (but will if there’s good reason), if that is the only negative – and it's not really a negative since I'm sure it's just my phone (or operator error) and I didn't try very hard. Indeed an easy to live with.
There you have it; the five stars are well-earned for the Plantronics Voyager Legend that not only comes with all of the expected Bluetooth bells and whistles, but with the added bonus of being lightweight, blonde-proof and legendary. The Voyager Legend makes the perfect stocking stuffer – for the whole family, if you ask me.
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Plantronics is located in Santa Cruz. The Bluetooth technologoy is a great technology, with the Plantronics Voyager Legend Bluetooth headset usually available online at the Plantronics site (I saw a 15 percent discount) as well as other sites for a discounted prices. The standard price is about $100, plus accessories.
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