This is a detailed review. Who does not like reading long texts, can be up to the "TL; DR" scroll down.
The postman brought a package about the size of an egg carton.
Also Plantronics can seemingly the trend towards "noble packaging" with higher-priced products not escape; one in my opinion rather negative consequence of the endless amount of so-called "unboxing" video on the Web, where often the packaging more attention than the actual product. In the end, you pay money for a costly casket made of cardboard, textile and plastic that has no value and can also hardly recycle. After the first unpack it lands in the basement or in the trash. I think: pity for money and bad for the environment.
Given the fact that the Voyager Edge is by far the most expensive the most part anyway not exactly cheap mobile headsets from Plantronics, I miss the noble box then jump a few things:
* No proper instructions
* No power supply
* Only one ear gel in any size
* No contests for the Vocalyst Service
The Voyager Edge is thus at the same time the most expensive and the best of my knowledge only headset from the Voyager series, beiligt which no activation code for the Vocalyst service. You feel as a buyer same time a little verschaukelt.
To the not supplied manual still joins another gaffe: The tiny, enclosed brochure contains a web link, which should lead to download the manual allegedly. But whoever follows him who still finds no manual, because in the download area of Plantronics there currently only a data sheet and a certificate attesting that the Edge complies German radio regulations.
To get the manual, I then separately contacted for support. Result: There is absolutely not (yet) German manual! WTF? Who can speak English, get an English, for all others there is a "interactive product demonstration" on the manufacturer site, which supposedly explains everything. Something I tolerate with a headset 15, but in this price range that is unacceptable.
At some point you have then the packaging orgy finally defoliated behind the good piece. It is actually just as small as the Discovery; only the microphone arm is minimal thicker, which is probably due to the third microphone and a charging contact and the new, practical Mute key (the Discovery 975 has only two microphones and no such button). The moisture-repellent nano-coating is slightly matte and acts the part of a total of close looking at something less elegant and slightly technoid than its predecessor. The Discovery has with its greater curvature and shape of the brilliant metallization, however, almost the character of fashionable accessories.
What Plantronics has packed into this tiny device technology, really is a miracle! A slide switch, a micro-USB connector, four buttons, three microphones and antennas for Bluetooth and NFC, the "Smart Sensors", a LED, a battery, and then the electronic system that controls everything - an almost unbelievable masterpiece of microminiaturization , It is no wonder that the Voyager is then but a little bit heavier than its predecessor failed at the end of Discovery. On my precision balance the scale stops the Discovery 975 includes Ear Gel M at 8.3 grams, while the Voyager Edge carries around 9.5 grams about 13% more weight.
The difference is hardly noticeable in everyday life - both headsets are so light and unobtrusive to wear that they often forget simple after a while. Only in extreme situations such as severe head shaking or jumps sits the Discovery felt a bit more secure in your ear. Maybe it is, but then again less on weight difference as at something solid running "gel" earhook of the old model. The new Voyager is really very thin. The good news: The "thick" gel from Discovery can also be used on the Voyager to improve the grip. They are available separately as a spare part.
While we're in the "gel": this type of mounting a headset in your ear is something special. Depending on the individual ear shape it may take a while until the right size and position you find out through experimentation, anchored in the soft gel without the receiver pressure optimally and securely in the outer ear. It is worth while to experiment with all sizes and also with oblique positions of the gel. In my case, an angle of 45 degrees has been found to down as the best solution and so sits well when Voyager Edge of listeners after twisting slightly when inserting very safe and comfortable in the ear even on Discovery. One has the individual right rotation once out, you learn - especially when wearing glasses - appreciate this hygienic but still nice and discreet method of attachment quickly.
Unfortunately, the cradle of Voyager Edge comes with the gel inclined cope rather poor; it tilts the most pure and take out. With the much dignified despite the significantly lower price of the old leather bag acting Discovery, however is not a problem. Funnily enough, the Edge fits into it even, but is not recognized by the charging electronics. The beautiful, clear LCD display from discovery times has given way to the charging clip of a Edge LED strip lights up briefly when touched. Regrettably, however, no way is this new model still provided to attach a belt clip, although it would be for almost ideal from the construction form. Instead, can be found at the pleasantly stable rubberized part a tiny textile strap, by means of which you should leave it well dangling somewhere. For the average keychain but I think it is clearly a size too big. This has even less thought through than the tiny metal carabiner on charging bag of Discovery.
A slide switch for turning on and off of the Edge is quite classic with color surfaces rather annoying flashing LEDs at any time the operational status. The entire surface of the headset in the ear area is easily controlled answer button. A slight hint it, and you bekommmt an announcement to maturity and paired devices ear. Two tips give a call to the last connected number; A long operation connects the headset to the language assistant (depending on your phone, if available). Overall, the thoughtful and intuitive placement of mechanical switching elements in connection with the good voice control leads to a very harmonious and intuitive user experience.
In contrast to the relatively simple functional knitted Discovery 975, which only compound losses and empty battery announces (in English) in addition to various pagers, the Voyager Edge is a pretty talkative utensil. It goes about a dozen spoken commands - also in German. Starting with the pairing, by querying the battery level, the way to accept and reject calls. The headset uses beyond optional to the phonebook in phone and says the names of all callers directly in plain text. However, unfortunately, the announcement function has an error associated with Android smartphones, which causes the phone book is constantly accessed and thereby the battery consumption of the phone increases dramatically.
The fact that this problem already existed on the Voyager Legend now two year old, there, despite many complaints Plantronics Forum since 2012 (!) Has not been corrected and is now just adopted the new model leaves me with no particularly good impression in terms of product care! You can disable the feature through the app. He who has an Apple smartphone, may like to report in the comments if the problem also occurs there!
In addition to the otherwise really quite well-functioning voice control is another highlight of the so-called "smart sensor". It is an electronic system which will detect whether the headset is in the ear. However, this sensor has to be occasionally recalibrated. On delivery, the Edge delivered me was basically think it would be carried in the ear. It was only after a recalibration (connect to USB cable and 10s with handset upwards on the table), it began to look like to work as expected. The trick told me the way an Android app from Plantronics ("Plantronics Hub"), after I had the manual indeed sought in vain. Whether the receiver in the ear or not, is recognized fairly reliable with about 1-2 seconds delay. A stay of the Edge for example in a shirt pocket does not lead to miscalculation. However, Plantronics has unfortunately forgotten to combine these great sensor with an automatic key lock. So the glorious easily operated call button into the said shirt pocket then also easy times to one of the infamous "trouser pockets-calls". [UPDATE: The latest firmware, automatic keylock been added! So if the "Lock the call button" option does not appear in the app, simply times the Updater Download]
The app is incidentally also otherwise quite useful to make adjustments on the headset clearly. By the way you can also display the battery level on the status bar of your smartphone, if you want. However, the app is for no apparent reason on a working Internet connection; is not it online, they simply refused to start. Very bad karma, Plantronics, very bad! [UPDATE: The latest versions of the app from 07/29/2014 require Internet only at the first start! After that, they still complain, but work anyway. \ O / :-)]
Another feature, which I however could well do without, NFC is. Admittedly, it is beautifully simple and very cool, if you have the Edge only briefly from behind against the phone tapping, then press OK again and you're both connected. But the couple to do with each device only once - and for the saved 30 seconds I'm wearing now probably for years 10% Electronic more than necessary in the ear through the area - not to mention the battery power and charge completely.
Last but not least, a few words to the central quality feature of a headset - the sound quality!
Like all "sibling" of the Voyager series with 3 microphones and WindSmart technology is also the Voyager Edge raised in this respect than almost any doubts. The only situation in which I have been not so good to understand, was outdoors during a strong rainstorm. Loud, omnidirectional noise but traditionally a problem for all NC-Audio Filter. In difficult situations (train station, city traffic) the relationship in this otherwise quite fairly solid Discovery remains 975 headset with its dual microphones compared sometimes more, sometimes less clearly behind the Edge back. But the most expensive headset Voyager series, I expect quite frankly also bests. Nevertheless (eg strong winds) are mE the HD Pro and the Legend still a touch perfect when it comes to outside noise; probably simply because the larger design of the HD models allows an acoustically optimal arrangement of the microphones.
The Edge supports audio streaming via A2DP. It extends the quality of mono headset for occasions where just nothing better available. Bass you need to expect any. For Navi announcements and audio books but it is perfectly adequate. After about 4 hours the battery is empty then, while the maximum talk time of the normal phone considerably more than five hours.
A volume control with a total of 8 levels and a significantly higher maximum volume in combination with an automatic adjustment of the level during the conversation eliminate further criticisms of Discovery (only one button, 3 positions, a bit too low maximum volume).
As the largest competitor of Voyager Edge is generally the Jawbone Era, which price plays in the same league, or is again a blow expensive. It is even smaller and lighter than the Edge and also has an even smaller, keychain suitable charging clip. The Ear Gel of Jawbone's easier and a little harder to fix than the Plantronics, but caused by the deeper fit in the ear in some users feelings of pressure and pain. In my eyes there is no real alternative, because it clearly remains despite a higher price in talk time, ease of use and above all in the voice quality behind the Edge.
TL; DR - Pros and Cons at a glance:
Cons:
* High price
* Caller announcement (via PBAP) sucked empty smartphone battery, although the problem has been known since 2012.
* No printed and no english manual
* Sparse delivery
* Charging clip clamps with angular positioning of the ear gels and can be attached anywhere bad
Pro:
* Technically almost perfect
* Small, light, elegant
* Very good rejection of ambient noise
* Thanks charging cradle with spare battery for days always ready
* Through meaningful placed buttons and switches, and voice control in every situation very simple and intuitive.
Conclusion:
In the technical comparison, the Voyager Edge boasts over his now four-year-old predecessor to correct. And also the most competitive products have to wrap up warm in comparison with this device! But this amount microtechnology has its price: A sum for already obtained all smartphones, is certainly not everyone invest in a headset. Considering that all the functions of the Edge in the Voyager Legend for only slightly more than half the sum can be had (and still a Vocalyst voucher to), then you get something to ponder.
The good old Discovery 975 is still available and remains a solid choice for anyone who would like elegant phone and not have to have the latest and craziest technical frills. For me it's still the best headset I've ever had in the ear and also its charging pocket is more beautiful than that of the Edge. It costs just half, sometimes even less now.
Instead of the great "bling-bling, we would have liked a bit like Apple 'packaging would Plantronics will prefer to invest in a real, german manual, a battery charger and a belt clip. Also at the Voyager units now actually mandatory, but here lack Vocalyst Voucher (value: 25) drops to negative. That the charger clamps with angle used Ear-Gels, would have actually have noticed in product testing and is also incomprehensible to me.
Review:
I'd really like to give 3.5 stars, given the relatively high price. Since we, however, still can not give half a star and the headset performs its basic function almost perfect, I rounded in this case, for once, from on instead.
If the Edge available at a price similar to the Legend, with German instructions, there would me no questions asked full five stars.
![Hawaii Five-0 - Season 2 [OV] (Amazon Instant Video)](https://img.tgreer.com/thumb/85x85/5/d8/5d8689ef3e5fa785ab697eb353c6edad.jpg)
