INTRODUCTION
I got my first Bluetooth wireless headset back in early 2003 and it was the none other than NOKIAs first real attempt in the Bluetooth wireless headset market, the HDW-2 (i still have it in working condition) which i paired back then with my brand new NOKIA 6600 smartphone. Of course 10 years later things have changed a lot both when it comes to Bluetooth wireless headsets and smartphones and by a lot i mean in ways we couldn't had predicted back then. Sure the concept has remained the same just like with most things that have evolved (take cars or PCs for example) but we now have wireless headsets that look better, weigh a lot less, have far superior audio quality for both ends, feature impressive noise-cancelling technologies, can be voice controlled, have longer battery lives, feature motion sensors, can stream media from your Bluetooth enabled device and much more. A while ago we reviewed the Voyager Legend Bluetooth wireless headset which is pretty much the best one currently available in the market both in terms of audio quality and features. Well it seems that Plantronics thinks so too and so recently they unveiled the more "complete" UC version which we have here with us today.
From the day two airline pilots working in a garage set out to invent a new kind of aviation headset until today, we have considered breakthroughs in audio technology as our daily business. We pioneered the lightweight headset, the mobile headset, noise-canceling technology and the personal speakerphone, always driven by a single obsession: remove the barriers to simply smarter communications. The result? Our products are used by everyone from pilots, astronauts, and 911 emergency workers to 100% of the Fortune 100. From friends conversing across the globe, to mobile professionals doing business on the road, to contact centers and executive offices, Plantronics is the choice for everyone united by digital technology and the human need to communicate. Plantronics is a publicly held company (NYSE: PLT) headquartered in Santa Cruz, California with offices in 20 countries, including major facilities in China, England, Mexico, and the Netherlands. Our products are sold and supported through a worldwide network of Plantronics partners, including resellers, systems integrators, retailers and mobile carriers. And a half a century later, we are striving every day to deliver simply smarter communications with innovative design and technology.
Aside the usual Bluetooth connectivity the Plantronics Voyager Legend UC (Unified Communications) comes ready with a very small USB Bluetooth receiver which makes it possible for the headset to connect with a PC or Mac for use with Skype, Avaya, IBM, and several other UC compatible VoIP software suites. In the bundle Plantronics has also placed an very convenient portable charging case adding a total of up to 14 hours of additional talk time and a very elegant desktop charging stand for the headset to use when you are at home or at the office. With this bundle Plantronics has launched what we believe is the most complete Bluetooth wireless headset in the market currently but don't take our word for it, at the end of this review you decide.
SPECIFICATIONS AND FEATURES
PACKAGING AND CONTENTS
The Voyager Legend UC arrived inside a large white box which is not anything like we've ever seen from Plantronics in the past.
This was explained however when we saw a small sticker at the right side indicating that this is the launch version and not the retail one (bottom line the one found in stores should be in a different package).
For a launch package the bundle is surprisingly well protected.
Inside the launch package we found the AC power charger, 2 different power tips (EU/UK), USB to micro-USB cable, desktop charging stand, charging case with the Voyager Legend UC and the UC adapter inside, quickstart guide in 4 languages, warranty paper, product brochure and 2 replacement eartips.
THE VOYAGER LEGEND UC
Plantronics bundles 2 different sized eartips along with two foam covers.
The portable charging case may not be as elegant as the leather one shipped with the Discovery 975 but there aren't that many headsets in the market with this feature.
There are two LEDs on the left side indicating the current charge level of both the case and the headset.
In front of the two LEDs are the micro-USB port and a button which when pressed reveals the current battery level of both the case and the headset.
To charge the headset you just need to place it in the formed space of the case.
The Bluetooth receiver is tiny and has a blue LED at the front.
The piano black finish charging base is quite elegant and should come quite handy for people who use VoIP applications a lot.
Moving back to the Voyager Legend just like the standalone version it features precision tuned triple-Mics with enhanced DSP for extreme noise cancellation and advanced Windsmart technology which provides three layers of wind protection.
The mute/voice command activation button is placed beneath the microphone while the answer/end call button is placed right above it.
Moving at the rear we have the charging port, power on/off switch and the volume control toggle.
You can configure to use the Voyager Legend either with your left or right ear just by swinging the microphone.
USING THE VOYAGER LEGEND UC
Once you plug the Bluetooth adapter into your PC the OS will automatically detect it and use it as the default communications device (at least that's what happened in Windows 7/8).
Skype also detects it automatically and sets it as the default device for incoming/outgoing calls.
Unfortunately the headset updater is not compatible at this time with the Legend UC version, however because of that we started playing around with the Find MyHeadset android app which can actually save you from quite a bit of trouble if you ever misplace the headset.
CONCLUSION
Since the Voyager Legend UC edition is basically an excellent Voyager Legend bluetooth headset paired with a charging case, VoIP support and an charging base the results where not unexpected. So you are getting the same impressive audio quality for both ends with the same battery life (around 6 hours per charge) but only this time over thanks to the charging case you can use the headset for a total of 18-19 hours while the VoIP support allows you to use popular call suites like Skype. Personally i find that the charging base is not really a must since i think that the charging case is more than enough for people to store the headset in, however i don't do many Skype calls so perhaps that's why i don't need the easiest access to it. One more thing that i liked is that although the headset itself needs the same magnetic charging cable as the standalone version the charging case uses the typical micro-USB cable as most smartphones so even if you lose the magnetic cable you should have no problem charging the unit. VoIP compatibility is also excellent although after having used to using Skype and other programs with regular stereo headsets using an mono headset like the Voyager Legend UC is weird at first but after a while due to the size/weight ratio it actually feels much better.
The Plantronics Voyager Legend UC is by far the most complete wireless headset package to reach our hands to date and naturally for the best consumers always have to pay a premium and so currently it retails for USD137 inside the USA (Purchase Directly from Amazon.com) and for 128Euros inside the EU (Purchase Directly from Amazon.co.uk). Now i can see that many people may not like the price of the Voyager Legend UC but if you spend a moment to see what you are getting aside the headset itself and then see how much the extra accessories cost when sold separately you are actually getting a very good deal. Of course if you are not using VoIP programs then you are better off buying the Voyager Legend headset and the charging case if you want the extra juice, however if you do use Skype and other VoIP programs then the Voyager Legend UC is a one way and that's why we are awarding it with our Platinum Award.
PROS
- Build Quality
- Design (Overall)
- Size / Weight (19g With The Eartip)
- Audio Quality (Both Ends)
- Tri-Mics With Wind Canceling Technology
- Caller Announce / Voice Commands
- Battery Life (Up To 6+ Hours Of Continuous Use)
- Bluetooth 3.0 (A2DP/AVRCHP/HFP/HSP)
- Charging Case (Offers Up To 12+ Hours Of Use)
- Elegant Charging Base
- Bluetooth USB Receiver (VoIP Software support)
- Find MyHeadset App
CONS
- Price (For Some)