Specs

Battery Life: 7hrs talk time/ 9 days standby + 14 extra hours with charge case (two full charges) | Charge Time: 90 minutes | Compatibility: Mac, PC, Tablet, Mobile Device | Bluetooth Profiles: Phone Book Access Profile (PBAP), Audio/Video Remote Control Profile (AVRCP), Wideband Hands-free (HFP) Profile 1.6 and Headset (HSP) Profile 1.2 | Wireless Range: Up to 98 feet/ 30 meters | MSRP: $119 for Voyager 5200 and $39.99 for the Voyager 5200 Charge Case

What is it?

The Plantronics Voyager 5200 is the latest Bluetooth offering from the Plantronics Voyager line. This headset comes with a slew of new features that improves both usage and comfort, including Plantronics’ signature wind smart technology plus a nano coating which provides protection against sweat and water splashes. Plantronics also equipped this headset with a multipoint feature which will allow the headset to be connected to two devices at the same time so if you have an office phone with Bluetooth along with your personal cell phone you’ll be covered.

The headset also comes equipped with smart sensor technology which can answer a call once the headset is placed in the ear, which will eliminate the dreaded “missed call while putting on the headset” situation we have all dealt with.

Plantronics has also released a portable charging case (sold separately) which not only protects the headset but also provides two additional charging cycles which give an additional 14 hours of talk time. The case also doubles as a dock for when you are in the office or at home and need the headset within arms reach.

What does it do?

The Voyager 5200 provides crystal clear calls thanks to its adaptive microphones which work to eliminate background noise resulting in clearer calls. There will be fewer instances of “I’ll call you back because it’s too loud in here“. The Voyager 5200 has a small footprint and can be folded and placed in a pocket or bag and can auto answer a call upon placement in the ear.

The Voyager 5200 plays nice with Siri, Google Now and Cortana making it versatile across all your tech toys. I pair mine with my laptop for use with Cortana, Skype and Google Talk. The headset also includes in-ear alerts to update on battery life plus caller ID which announces caller names. The coolest part is you can answer and reject calls with your voice eliminating the need to even look at your phone. The voice-controlled answer and ignore has been a tremendous asset.

If you would like to further customize you experience with this headset, you can use the Plantronics Hub mobile app to personalize settings, alerts, update firmware, change languages and even locate a lost headset. Users can also add a headset battery meter to their device menus for some additional battery tracking.

What’s wrong with it?

While the headset includes three different ear tips the sizing will not be spot-on (as is the case with most interchangeable tips). This is not a huge con but a noteworthy item nonetheless. The ear tips are quite comfortable and the headset remains comfortable to wear for prolonged periods of time. The headset occasionally does disconnect but it is infrequent and honestly, in one week it may have disconnected two times at most. Again, not terrible but noteworthy. Results will vary of course based on hardware and distance.

Why do you/don’t you need it?

While stereo Bluetooth headsets have become the norm there is a still a place for mono headsets, especially when needed in a professional setting. Plantronics has taken their Voyager series to another level with better materials, additional robust features, and solid accessories which make the Voyager 5200 series a headset worth consideration if you are in the market for a mono headset. The $100+ price tag may be a bit off-putting, but in my opinion, the build quality definitely justifies the cost as does the multi-device usage capabilities. This headset is my daily earpiece and pulls double duty in the office and on the road.