Reviews: Bluetooth Headset: Plantronics Voyager 510, Sale: 63% off

Bluetooth Headset: Plantronics Voyager 510, Bluetooth Headset Sale: 63% off


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  • Windsmart Technology allows you to seamlessly switch between two Bluetooth® devices
  • Noise-canceling microphone for superior sound quality
  • Up to 6 hours talk time and up to 100 hours standby time
  • One-touch call answer/end, last number redial and voice activated dialing
  • Compatible with Bluetooth devices supporting the headset or hands-free profile
REVIEWS:

Review By Doug (Salem, OR USA) - I use this headset with a Blackberry 7100. Overall it is a good headset. Although not louder than other headsets, having earpieces that partially insert in the ear canal makes the volume more effective. The mic picks up your voice well while screening background noise pretty effectively. However, the mic is very sensitive to wind noise...we're talking slight breeze here. The foam cover helps a little bit, but not enough. This makes it difficult to use outside. I typically have to duck into the nearest building when I'm trying to talk on the sidewalk.

The fit is good, although it is a two handed task getting it on correctly. Glasses interfere with the fit due to the over-the-ear design, so it takes a little work to get the two to cooperate...usually moving the temple arm of your glasses up out of the way, seating the headset and then putting the temple arm back on your ear in a not-so-comfortable position.
It has a descent set of controls, but unfortunately they're not always user friendly.


As other reviewers point out, the connect/disconnect button is at the center of the ear piece at the base of the mic arm. Having it up against something solid makes it easy to push with one finger...no fumbling with the mic arm trying to squeeze a button. Down side is if the headset doesn't fit snugly in your ear, you have a tendancy to push it in and sometimes hit the disconnect button. The solution is to use an ear piece that fits snug or grab the mic arm to push in on it.

On big weakness of this headset design is the multi-function power switch. As one other reviewer pointed out, you really have to remove the headset to use it. This isn't a big deal when turning the headset on or off due to its auto-standy feature (which is nice), but this switch also controls the volume and mute. Attempting to use these features when wearing the headset is usually unsuccessful because the switch is so small it's hard to find and there's little or no tactile feedback. If you do manage to find and manipulate it, the headset usually becomes dislodged from your ear and you have to refit it. I've just resorted to using the volume and mute control on my phone.

The auto-standby feature automatically puts the headset in standby mode to preserve the battery when not in use for ? minutes. When a call comes in, it activates by sounding a tone to alert you to the call which you can answer by pushing the connect button. This feature is not unique to this headset.

Last negative is I sometimes get clicking noises in the headset. I don't know if this is the phone or the headset, but it can be very irritating especially if you need the volume up loud to overcome background noise. However, I have experienced the same thing, but worse, with other BT headsets, e.g. Motorola.

Having pointed out all the negatives, I've tried both the Motorola 850 and 500 and this Plantronics peforms better for less money.

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By S. B. Gould (Mid West, USA) - This is my second BlueTooth headset, after a Jabra, and is a definite improvement. Crystal clear sound, good range and is very comfortable to wear. Has quite stellar sound cancellation too.

I am not a big fan of devices which stick in your ear canal and the Voyager uses a different approach with various size foam pads that rest against the opening in your ear, but not in it.

Other reviewers have made comment about the size of the power button. Yes, it is small and odd-shaped, but who cares? It's easy enough to use unless you have very odd shaped hands and no thumb.

Now to the issue of battery life. Plantronics claim days, other users have reported hours of life. I believe I have figured out why this occurs. I use this headset with a Nokia 6600 and found that if you terminate the call with the phone instead of the headset, the headset remains connected to the phone via BlueTooth, draining the battery even when not on a call. If you terminate a call with the button on the headset, it will break the BlueTooth connection with the phone (after a couple of minutes) and you will get the days of battery life Plantronics claim. To remake the connection, you have to press the button on the side of the headset - the connection may take several seconds to hook up. Not sure if this is a bug with the BlueTooth protocol, the phone, or the headset. Personally, I have found that BlueTooth is not a very well implemented protocol by most manufacturers.

In summary, well worth buying, especially at the bargain prices it is currently being offered at.

HP KQ 246 AA Reviews, Webcam Sale 51%, HP KQ246AA 8.0MP

HP KQ 246 AA Reviews, Webcam Sale $25.59 (51%), HP KQ246AA 8.0MP


Up to 8-Megapixel still image capture with software interpolation.

1.3-Megapixel sensor with Autofocus in a small form factor webcam.
Certified high-speed USB 2.0: take full advantage of your broadband access and enjoy up to 30 frames per second for smooth and natural body motion.

Integrated wide angle microphone capture your voice from any position.
Tilt and Pan: easily adjust your webcam to let you show what you want while maintaining a stable connection to your monitor.

REVIEWS:

L. Mulkern (Portland, OR United States)
This is a great value if you want to communicate with friends and family, but if you are looking to make videos to post on youtube or something I suggest finding a webcam with better picture quality, because it's no better than the basic built-in webcams that laptops are now coming with.

Picture quality is decent, but it comes out very grainy. Don't be fooled by the "8 megapixels", quality doesn't improve with higher resolution, the pictures are just a bigger size. The video is always VGA quality (460x680), and pictures I've taken with higher resolution are still very grainy.

The software is easy to install, doesn't slow down my computer at all, and has some fun features and add-ons. you can adjust the color balance, saturation, contrast, etc, and also broadcast seasonal frames or put your head on funny characters.


The camera itself kind of balances on the top of my screen. At first I wanted to return it but after learning how to adjust it to fit on my screen I decided it was ok to keep. I wish it clipped on so was more secure, but as long as the laptop is stationary, the camera stays in place. It's trickier to use when I have the computer on my lap and I'm moving it around (so that's a minus on the portability factor). I like that the camera can pan around both up and down and side to side. The built-in mic works well.

I use this with Skype on a 3yr old Toshiba laptop w/ Windows XP daily, and I think it's at an excellent price through Amazon right now. Due to the less than perfect picture quality and the fact that the camera stand doesn't stay secure, I'm rating it four stars
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Mr Mac "Caller" (Virginia USA)
I use this until with my XP Home Edition LT. The camera works as advertised. I haven't had any problems with it. I think the software is awful and really doesn't do anything to control the unit. XP Home will reject it occasionally as an unknown even though it was working fine before the last shut down. I haven't had any mounting problems on my LT although the cord is a little stiff. It works well with Skype. I'm thinking it's more AIM software than this unit for it's really jerky using AIM. The built in Mic works great! If you're using it to talk to friends and family, I don't think you can beat it for the price. I would recommend it for that purpose.
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E. Estrada "Single Dad of 4" (Peoria, AZ)

This is my first webcam for home use. I bought it for 2 reasons. One I have a HP computer, monitor and speakers--so it all matches and it fits perfectly on my monitor. Two it has a built in micro phone. All of it made sweeter because it was the best price of other products in the same catagory.

As for picture quality, we have direct 100 Mbps internet line at work to transmit and the quality of the picture (including choppiness) is the same and work has top of the line vidcams.

Since it was my first webcam I had to figure out how to get link with the internet, but that's common when you get a new piece of hardware. It took me about half an hour to get it to work and then chatted with my friend in another state. Picture quality and sound quality is good.

I have windows Vista, so I get the warning window saying HP application for the webcam is not operating when I log in to my account for the first time after computer is turned on for the day, but that is the only negative I have to say. You can turn on this webcam from the buttons on top of the unit so you don't have to have desktop icons if you don't want them.

The unit has a motion detector. I guess that is for keeping tabs on your children, nanny, house keeper, or cleaning service without them knowing. But as a security cam it would be useless--the thief that broke into your home will steal the recording unit hard drive, your computer! Ha Ha! My home was broken into last year and the computer I am writing this review on is an insurance replacement--having your home broken into sucks..so I can kid and laugh about!

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