Bluetooth headsets are no longer about taking calls without directly involving one’s phone. They are smarter and can help professionals enhance productivity in many ways. Plantronics’s new Voyager 5200, priced at Rs.7,990, is the latest in their line-up of Bluetooth headsets designed to entice professionals looking for something that is neither too big nor too small that one can misplace it easily.
Compact and comfortable to use
The Voyager 5200 sits right between those big and bulky headsets that deliver top-notch sound and the really compact ones which are good and can be used with specs as well. It doesn’t feel heavy and one can wear it for hours without sweating or feeling uncomfortable.
It is also sweat-proof which makes it ideal for Indian conditions. The Voyager 5200 has three components. The first component is the thickest and is where the power button, volume controller and micro USB for charging the headset are placed. The second component is the soft but circular ear tips that are removable. The third component is the rotatable microphone boom which has a button for answering calls. Using any of these while wearing the headset is not going to be easy, though. The microphone boom can be rotated which makes it easier for one to switch the headset form one ear to another.
Easy to set up and use
The Voyager 5200 works with any Android and iOS-based smartphones which support Bluetooth connectivity and is in the radius of 30 metres after pairing. The pairing part is easy and works just like a regular pairing between two Bluetooth devices. Once the pairing is complete and the headset is connected, one can use it to make and receive calls through voice commands. So if you say call this person, the headset will prompt the smartphone to make a call to that person. Similarly, when you are getting a call, you can answer it by simply saying “answer it” into the microphone boom.
The headset’s smart sensor technology tells the name of the person when the user gets a call. The headset also allows users to interact with all major voice-based personal assistants such as Apple’s Siri, Google Now and Microsoft’s Cortana. This means you can get your weather update or other information that these tools can provide on your headset, without having to take out the phone.
Works even in noisy areas
The Voyager 5200 delivers pure and clear audio even in a crowded place or a noisy room. The built-in noise cancellation tool blocks noise from outside quite effectively.
The audio quality is not loud though, which makes it a poor choice for listening to songs.
The headset comes with built-in battery which can last up to 6 to 7 hours of non-stop use. You can customize the headset and how it handles tasks on the Plantronics Hub app. It is free and available on both Google Play Store and the App Store. With this app, one can check the battery status on the headset, change language, update firmware on the headset along with multiple other generic functionalities such as switching off HD audio, mute alerts, or auto-answer.
Verdict
The Voyager 5200 is a solid Bluetooth headset that delivers on most of its promises. At Rs.7,990, it is far from affordable, but if you are looking for a reliable Bluetooth headset for making and taking calls at the workplace or while driving, this is a good buy.
