Review: Plantronics Voyager Legend

For those familiar with Plantronics bluetooth, the Voyager series are known for the best of performance yet kinda less preferable design-wise.

As, you can see, it is big and intrussive.

So why Plantronics Voyagers are successful? The simplest answer is because almost no other bluetooth headpiece can compete with its performance.

Voyager Legend is the latest addition to Voyagers series and Plantronics most advance bluetooth to date this January 2013. Compared to the older design, Plantronics has made some major changes:
- longer and more stylistic boom
- easy access switches on the back
- surprisingly very accessible talk and smart buttons on the side
- new charger magnetic connector

Let's go into the details:

Built

Sturdy with rubber-like finish on most of its main body to prevent it from slipping. Metal-mesh covered boom is easy on the eye and the design minimize facial hair being caught up in mesh.

As usual, Voyagers series are known for big capacity battery for a bluetooth but Plantronics successfully balance the weight.

Please beware, the rotating mid connector between the boom section andbthebearloop section is the usually the first area to get damaged over time, so handle with care.

The buttons are well located throughout the body to make it easy to access and press without taking the unit off. I believe this is the best designed buttons location for a bluetooth. Even much better than all the previous Voyager units.

Comfort

For those familiar in wearing Voyager series (original, Pro and HD) will notice immediately the boom is heavier due to the amount of metal used. Yet, it is still within very comfortable level.

The earloop is slightly smaller compared to the previous versions, so you might need a little adjustment, especially if you are wearing glasses like me.

Also, if you wear glasses, most likely the tip of the curved boom could touch your cheek. Adjust it by swivelling the boom upward a bit. The friction between your cheek andbthe boom might caused some unwanted noise.

Although I have not wear Voyager Legend for long hours, just like the previous version, this bluetooth can be worn all day without any discomfort. Just remember to take it off before you go to bath or sleep

Battery

Being in a bigger size, Voyager Legend has a non-replaceable big capacity battery, lasting 7 hours of talk time and 11 days of standby. On reality, the talk time is about 6:50 on full charge. Still a major power house. Just donot forget to charge it every 7-10 days depending on your daily usage.

Legend is the first line of bluetooth to use magnetic charging connector. All you have to do is stick it to the magnet and the two will find the best connection to charge the earpiece. Though non standard (the rest are using microUSB), I found this is the most useful charging connector when driving since you will not be able to concentrate if you need to find the microUSB by tracing it with your finger tips and trying to connect them while driving. Brilliant decision from Plantronics.

Also, unfortunately not available every country yet, Legend has a charging box that you can bring around. It will add more power to the unit when you are travelling to remote areas without electricity connection.

Sound Quality

Exceptionalky clear both for listening for both side. The WindShield feature eliminates a lot of noise caused by the wind. In combination with the AudioIQ3 Voyager Legend employ, using 3 microphones to eliminate the rest of the audio noise from your surrounding, makes Voyager Legend the most recommended bluetooth on the field.

However, there is a little bit of tricky tweak to enhance the sound. If the ear canal silicon does not fit, ambience noise will leak through and hearing the other side can be difficult in busy area. To tackle this set back, Plantronics employed 3 silicon sizes with 3 foam blanket for the silicon. Find your best fit and get the enhanced sound Plantronics presents you. Plantronics truly successful in injecting Altec Lansing sound quality to this itsy bitsy speaker.

Summary

Although Plantronics Voyager Legend larger body size is not for everyone, itbisbthe moat comfortable bluetooth earpiece available in the market, next to Jabra Wave. The performance truly impressive and w9rth mentioning as the best bluetooth earpiece in the market to date. I won't be surprised if a tech portal or two awarded Legend with the best performance bluetooth of 2012 or 2013.

Pros:
- 7 hours of talk time
- Easy to connect magnetic charging tip
- Long hours wearing comfort
- Non intrusive for those with glasses
- Non intrusive for those with facial hair, beard

Cons:
- The boom is not for everyone though stylistic
- Difficult to store unless you have the charging box, do not put it in your pocket aince it wilk break