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Tag Archives: Plantronics

Product Review: Plantronics Voyager 8200 UC

20 Saturday Jan 2018

Posted by Paul Bloem in Product Review, Skype for Business, Teams

≈ 13 Comments

Tags

8200 UC, Headset Review, Microsoft Teams, Plantronics, Skype for Business

Firstly, I’d like to mention that I have had this device for just over 4 months. Usually I would have written a review long before now, but I have learnt that very often the first few months of any new product are prone to hiccups.

I am glad I waited, the latest (as of writing) firmware version 218 has resolved an issue that is related to Skype for Business. I will mention the issues I had at the end of this post.

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First impression was that it looks very elegant. Comes in either a white or Grey finish. The Over-the-head band is substantially more robust in look and feel. Its well padded Over-the-head with a breathable type of material finish resting on your head. The ear cup cushioning is soft and comfortable.

Highlights

  • I really liked that there are 2 levels of ANC, 1 for Office and another for noisy environments
  • Smart sensors allow you to answer calls by simply putting on the headset and automatically mute your calls or pause your music by taking it off

  • The controls have been well thought out and repeat the layout of the Voyager Focus UC.
  • A 3.5mm jack! So stoked that this has been included as it extends the usability massively
  • Open Mic to amplify background noise, I don’t use this too much but it is a nice feature I have played with from time to time. I feel like it amplifies my hearing
  • No boom microphone! This is only the second headset I have reviewed without a boom. Last time around I was just a little disappointed BUT Plantronics have done a great job with the 8200 UC. Its really set a new benchmark and in my opinion leads the market in this specific respect. A pair of dual Omni-direction microphones make this possible
  • Dynamic mute alert detects and notifies you when you talk while on mute
  • Doubles as a business headset and a music headset, don’t discount this fact!
  • The battery just goes on and on! I have had 2 days of good use (about 5-6 hours each) and 26 days on standby on my current charge..its still going!
  • The soft case is classy and I do like the additional pocket that stows away cabling. Which by the way , comes with a USB cable, 3.5mm cable, USB dongle and a flight adaptor

Testing included hundreds of Skype for Business and Microsoft Teams calls as well as at least 250 hours of listening to music on Spotify (via a combination of PC and iPhone)

I found that the call quality was really good. When in the office I didn’t really need ANC enabled but it certainly reduced the office noise callers were usually hearing when calling me. Working from the local Coffee Brewers I cranked up the ANC (very noisy environment) and although the audio experience was slightly less natural, the ANC took care of the noise so well that I could continue my conversation.

I also noticed that the inside surface of the ear cup is smooth and covered in a slightly padded material. So when your ear makes contact with the inner surface its not irritating.

Specifications

Talk Time Up to 20 hours
Standby Time Up to 1 month
Range Up to 30 Meters\98 Feet
Frequency Bluetooth v4.1
Audio Performance Active Noise Canceling
Call Answer/End Yes
Volume +/- Yes
Earpiece/Headset Weight 289 grams\10 oz
Wireless Technology Bluetooth
Connectivity Bluetooth/3.5mm
Connects To PC, Tablet and Mobile
Skype for Business Certified Yes
Lync/Skype for Business Yes
Device Type Bluetooth
Speaker Style Binaural
Wearing Style Over-the-head
Microphone Noise-canceling
Headset Family Plantronics Bluetooth
High Density Environments Yes
Integrated Busylight No
Digital Encryption 128-Bit
Limited Warranty 1 year
USB Port Yes
Mute Yes
Digital Signal Processing Yes
PC Wideband Audio Yes

Suggestions for improvement

  1. I would like to see an option for a hard case like the BackBeat PRO 2 SE has. I am even prepared to pay extra for that. It’s probably not necessary but would certainly give me peace of mind when I am out and about.
  2. I think it may be worth providing a larger ear cup option to avoid any wear fatigue with persons having a slightly larger ear. The inside of the cups measures 60mm\2.36in, this is the same size as other units I have tested so this seems to be a norm across most brands.

The only negative I can really mention is that this is not an entry level unit and so comes at a price and its not cheap. However, in this category its still one of the more affordable headsets.

NOTE

Do update the firmware when you receive your Plantronics Voyager 8200 UC. I got mine on the initial release firmware 115. After a lot of testing I was stumped by a clicking noise on Skype for Business calls. The good folks at Plantronics replaced the unit promptly but the issue continued. Once I updated to firmware version 218 the 8200 UC was brilliant!

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Introducing the Plantronics Voyager Focus UC

15 Tuesday Sep 2015

Posted by Paul Bloem in Product Review, Product Review

≈ 1 Comment

Tags

Plantronics, Product Review

Voyager Focus UCPlantronics have done a great job in creating anticipation for the Voyager Focus UC. I have been waiting to get my hands on this little beauty for almost 3 months.

First impression is that its Voyager Legend UC meets Blackwire 720.

Handling the unit I niticed how it looks and feels like a quality product. No cutting corners to save a few dollars on inferior plastic etc. On closer investigation I was very pleasantly surprised by all the additional innovations that have been included.

My Favourite Features include:-

  1. Left and Right sensed based on direction of the boomSkype for Business Bluetooth headset
  2. Active Noise Cancelling (ANC)
  3. Incredible battery life, I had almost 2 full days – and I listen to music 95% of the day
  4. USB Pairing to my mobile phone, PC and tablet simultaneously without any issues.
  5. Presence updated to In a Call when I am on a mobile call (Yaya!) – not new but very useful
  6. Love the music control buttons (Track Backward\Track Forward\Play\Pause)
  7. Rotating Wheel for volume control
  8. Great sound quality
  9. Mute On\Off when you take off\put on the headset (thank you active sensors), and a notification toast (mute on reminder) to tell you that its happened
  10. Also, a screen toast that tells you that you are on mute if you forget and start talking while on mute
  11. OpenMic – When not in a call, mute (Red so you cant miss it) button becomes OpenMic on\off. You can adjust the amount of ambient noise to allow with the volume wheel
  12. Familiarity – since the buttons\controls are in exactly the same place as my Voyager Legend, operating this beauty is already second nature.
  13. Bluetooth range beyond any of the devices I have tested before
  14. The pouch has a separate compartment for charging cable and USB adapter, I have lost a few of these little adapters so am rather happy with this little inclusion.

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Comfort

Once I found the proper adjustments for my melon it was great. Managed to wear it for a full day without any discomfort. Its rather light and the ANC works fairly well for a headset that doesn’t totally encapsulate your ears.

Headsets often start to agitate me if they are too tight, partly because my radars get squashed. But wearing spectacles is also a discomfort when the headset is competing for the same real estate (over the ear).  No such contention between my spectacles and my Voyager Focus UC.

Suggestions

  1. I wish the Charge stand was also a Bluetooth receiver, I am often handicapped with only one USB socket
  2. Using the Plantronics Hub Software, I can set the Media Player Action on incoming calls. I would love see Spotify on the list
  3. Also the music control buttons don’t work with Spotify
  4. Taking the headset off while music is playing pauses the music, cool BUT (see a theme developing here?) not working with Spotify
  5. The USB receiver is very active, flashing bright blue all day long. Its a bit distracting and I would love to see an option to disable this altogether.

Overall I think this is a fantastic headset. Dare I say, its the best headset I have had the pleasure to use.

NOTE If you somehow missed it, this is a Bluetooth headset, not DECT

User Guide

-36.606806 174.788803

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