Hi,

I purchased a plantronics 510 last year. Incoming quality was outstanding. At that time, I tried a few, typical tests like leaving myself voicemail, and determined outgoing call quality was pretty good, if not great. Most people didn't know I was on a cell, too, which was good.

Few months later, people began complaining that they couldn't hear me, and soon as I switched off the headset, replacing it with either a wired earpiece or the cell phone itself, the recipients at the other side of the phone all lauded my efforts.

Lost the bloody thing for several month, recently found it in my office drawer, charged it up, tested it out - incoming continues to be fantastic, but the outgoing is terrible. I tried it on three phones (nokia 6230, mot v3xx, mot q), all outgoing was terrible, you could only pick up ever few words at times. Didn't matter whether I was inside my office, house, or car.

The 510 gets some of the best reviews I've seen - so, I'm sort of considering trying another one. Or should I consider something else?

Thanks for your time.

I just bought a Voyager 520 and am well pleased with it. The audio is smooth and the ear piece is very comfortable in my ear.

Before this I was using a Jabra BT-125 and there is a world of difference between the two.

I replaced my 510 (also degrading) with a 665, and the 665 works great. Honestly, though, I still miss my old 510. If I find one at the right price, I'll likely buy it and start using it, too.

-- Chuck Knight

why do they degrade? Does the mic fill up with gunk or corrode somehow? Battery doesn't supply enough juice? I've noticed this with a couple cell phones as well as wired ear pieces, not limited to bluetooth headsets they start off fantastic, but within six months they begin to sound ruffly, distant, sporadic ?

My guess would be the battery. It is extremely difficult to make a battery (which is affordable) small enough and light enough to power a BT headset. As the battery deteriorates it looses its current delivering capacity.

Since it takes more power to transmit than to receive, the headset sounds fine to the wearer, but the outgoing signal follows the battery downhill.

Reviews at bluetomorrow seem to like the 510 better than the newer 520.
For 520:
http://www.bluetomorrow.com/content/section/435/588/

For 510:
http://www.bluetomorrow.com/content/section/285/404

Then again, bluetomorrow rates the jawbone "almost flawless" and I haven't heard many positive reviews from users on that model.

Found the 510 for as low as $39 but there have also seen posts about older and newer versions. Posts about A and G versions. And, versions with "multipoint technology" and versiona with "windsmart". If anyone KNOWS how to differentiate, please do tell. Priced $39.99 on newegg but I cannot tell which version this is.

I'm still looking for something to replace my aging HBH-300 (best in&out sound quality I have found). At these prices, I will probably try a 510 but I hope to iron out the versions before buying.

Take a look at some of the consumer sites, for more opinions. www.amazon.com and www.cnet.com are both good places to start.

Look up any headsets in which you're interested and see what others have to say about them. The nice thing about these reviews is that they're done by actual everyday users, and not some weird brain dead editorial writer.

-- Chuck Knight

Thanks Chuck,
Did that - amazon is where I saw the "multipoint" and "windsmart" versions. These user reviews are exactly why I am getting ready to purchase the headset. However, these reviews, and others like them, are where I learned of the different versions and I hesitate to buy until I can learn how to differentiate. Posts on pricegrabber storefronts clearly indicate and ask about the A and G versions indicating the newer one is better. One can easily assume G is newer and that one that comes with a windsock is the "windsmart" version. However, I would rather not assume. so, I repeat, if someone knows the exact differentiation, please do tell. T.I.A.

I'd be very surprised if there are any "A" versions still in the channel---but I certainly have nothing to validate my belief.

The differences between the A and G versions (yes, plural) that I have:

A Version
- Body of headset is a metallic blue-ish (light blue) in color
- Tip of the headset has a hole on the side facing the mouth
- Comes with a foam windsock

G Version
- Body of the headset is a metallic gray/silver in color
- Tip of the headset has no hole
- Does not come with a windsock

I personally didn't note any substantive changes in either, beyond those listed. The sound quality seemed the same to me, regardless of environment. I still think it's the best headset I've used.

Joel

Thanks Joel, Do you know about the "multipoint" and/or "windsmart" designations? Amazon shows one as "multipoint for $44.98 and another as "Windsmart" for $54.99. Photos do not seem to tell any story to my eye but might for you as you have had a couple.

http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_ss_g...+510+&x=10&y=12

Obviously would prefer to buy for $39 at newegg but do not know which version that is either. It does look more silver-ish than the other pictures and appears to have foam over the mic. But these could be outdated photos too.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produ...N82E16875978036

Have to admit, would still love to find a good sound quality headset with the ease of the on/off of the moto flip boom! Tried their models and do not find them comfortable, secure feeling and not loving the sound. My old faithful HBH-300 has great sound but the on/off is a bit of a nuisance. May have to milk that one longer if the 510 does not thrill me...

Would still appreciate any more help to better know the different 510 models.
T.I.A.

Going solely off the pictures, the Multipoint looks like the "G" version that I mentioned. The Windsmart version (blue-ish) looks like the "A" version that I mentioned.

Joel

Thanks again, What do you think of the newegg one? These pics show a more silver-ish with what appears to be foam over the mic.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produ...N82E16875978036

That is the G version. It's not foam on the end, however.

Joel

Glad to hear it's the G cause I just ordered one a few hours ago

While I am not disagreeing, the photo mic looks foam covered compared to the photo of the windsmart. You probably did this but, if not, click on the smaller pics and they blow up in a new window. You have them so you would certainly know. Thanks again.

So what is the verdict??? Which version is better, “A” or “G”? I am concerned about sound quality both in and out. How about noise cancelling and in windy environments