Introduction
The Plantronics Explorer 500 is a wireless Bluetooth headset designed for convenience and clarity. In this comprehensive review, we’ll delve into its design, performance, features, and overall user experience.
Headset Design and Comfort
- Compact and Lightweight: The Explorer 500’s sleek design ensures portability and comfort.
- Ergonomic Earpiece: The earpiece fits snugly, minimizing discomfort during prolonged use.
- Easy-to-Use Controls: Intuitive buttons for effortless operation.
Connectivity
- Seamless Bluetooth Pairing: Quick and hassle-free connection to devices.
- Multipoint Technology: Connects to two devices simultaneously for enhanced convenience.
Audio Quality
- Clear Call Quality: Crisp and clear sound during phone calls.
- Noise Reduction: Effective background noise reduction for better communication.
- HD Voice: Enhances the audio experience with high-definition voice quality.
Battery Life
- Long-lasting Battery: Extended usage time on a single charge.
- Rapid Charge Feature: Swift charging for on-the-go users.
Smart Features
- Voice Commands: Convenient hands-free control with voice commands.
- Find MyHeadset App: Locate your headset with ease using the dedicated app.
Headset Pros
- Portable and Comfortable Design
- Seamless Bluetooth Connectivity
- Clear Call Quality and Noise Reduction
- Extended Battery Life with Rapid Charging
- Smart Features for Enhanced User Experience
Headset Cons
- Limited Earpiece Size Options
- Voice Commands May Require Practice
Conclusion
To sum it up, the Plantronics Explorer 500 is a great Bluetooth headset. It looks nice, sounds good, and has some cool features. Although it has a couple of downsides, like not having many choices for earpiece sizes, it’s still a good choice for anyone who wants a reliable hands-free communication device.
Frank O –
The first unit I got broke in two weeks of use. Getting warranty service was very simple. I needed to get order record from Amazon web, upload on the Plantronics, provide a mailing address, and the replacement arrived in a couple of days. I was asked to send the broken unit back, but they did not wait in sending the replacement.
I mainly use the earbud to listen to audiobooks and for occasional phone calls. I use “LIsten to Audiobook” app for audiobooks. The playback starts and pauses when I turn the earbud on and off. I can back off and skip ahead by holding down the volume down and volume up button. However, unlike the other earbud that I use, there is no control to pause the playback while keeping the power on.
The Bluetooth link is robust within about 10 ft. It becomes unstable near an operating microwave oven and some other appliances. This is not worse than any other products; it is a pain nonetheless.
The sound quality is OK for my purpose, and it is loud enough for driving and outdoor walking environments.
Overall, I’d say it is a good product. However, I do not see why it is worth about $60, while other $20 alternatives seem to work just as well.
Makeyta –
I had a similar version for many years, but it died due to water damage. I guess the rice trick doesn’t work for Bluetooth devices. Ordered this one reluctantly due to the price tag, but glad I did. If it last as long as the other one then definitely worth the price. I’m back hands free and it fits my ear perfectly. Cute upgrade on the charging device too. Just hope I don’t lose it when I travel. Great buy!!!
GJ3495 –
I have owned several Plantronics headsets over the years (Explorer 50, M55, M165) and they were all good but I replaced them with this one for Bluetooth version 4.1 support. All the previous versions supported Bluetooth 3.0 only. Each newer Bluetooth version will have small improvements in speed and reliability, so I believe it’s best to buy the latest version possible. In my opinion the Explorer 500 with 4.1 has slightly less delay when speaking on a call, and when having an important professional or personal phone conversation I want the best possible speed.
In terms of usage the Explorer 500 is equivalent to the other Plantronics headsets that I have owned. The controls are in the same place, the talk-time is the same overall, and the voice prompts for things like pairing and remaining battery life (expressed as talk time) are still there. Sound quality is decent and I think consistent with other headsets in this price range. One feature that I like is being able to connect to two devices simultaneously: I can pair my phone and laptop at the same time in order to receive calls on both.
I recommend avoiding the refurbished offers and just paying the full price for a new device (currently around $50). I tried twice to buy a used 500 to save money and both times they were duds. The first time it had a fuzzing noise in the background and on the second occasion there was a problem with the microphone. I had to return both devices which was a hassle. Even though there are cheaper products on Amazon, I think that $50 is reasonable for this device and if you buy a new one you will get the magnetic charging cable and also a car charger. When I bought the refurbished ones, neither time did I get the car charger and on one occasion I only got a regular charging cable instead of the fancy magnetic one.
My main concern with this device is reliability. I have only been using this device for about a month so I don’t know if it will last as long as my other Plantronics headsets. There seem to be a lot of refurbished ones on the market but I don’t know if that is due to product quality or just the fact that it’s been out for a few years and there are a lot of them floating around. Overall, I was comfortable paying this price for a basic device with good features from a solid brand in Plantronics.
W. Frohlich –
Great quality
Daniel Bradley –
Refurbished. Disappointed because no where on the product information page did it say it was refurbished. On other pages where a refurbished ear piece was offered it was plain. I looked on this page three times, scoured every word to make sure it was new. No where did it say refurbished. Lo and behold, it arrived with none of the original packaging and was noted to be… REFURBISHED. The product was misrepresented. It is my own fault that I waited too long to return the product. So I will make the best with this less than adequate bluetooth earpiece. Buyer beware. The accurate description does not always seem to be in the fine or bold print. Doesn’t hold the full six hour charge.
Makeyta –
Solo trae una almohadilla, muy miserable por parte de la marca no poner almohadillas adicionales. Anteriormente ya había comprado Manoslibres Plantronics y si traían un kit de 3 tamaños y con repuesto. Y ahora no, solo una si te quedó bueno y si no tienes gastar en comprar un kit nuevamente y que suelen ser de mala calidad ya que son genéricos. Una X para PLANTRONICS
jagdeep singh –
Cette Explorer 500 a succédé à une Marque 2 M165 dont la batterie a rendu l’âme au bout de deux ans. Avant la M165, j’ai possédé une ML20 et une Voyager 520. J’ai un recul de deux mois sur l’usage de cette oreillette. Avec les smartphones haut de gamme de plus en plus lourds et encombrants, cet accessoire m’est devenu indispensable quand je téléphone. Ce n’est plus seulement un outil qu’on utilise quand on a besoin de ses deux mains ou de faire autre chose avec son mobile pendant la conversation.
Par rapport à la M165, elle a trois gros avantages de mon point de vue :
1. Le réglage du volume se fait avec deux boutons (up and down) et non plus avec un seul bouton qui fonctionne en boucle du plus bas vers le plus haut. Cela évite de se péter le tympan quand on veut baisser le son.
2. La plage de volume est beaucoup plus étendue. Avec la M165, le volume minimum était beaucoup trop élevé pour l’écoute des serveurs vocaux ou des musiques d’attente des hotlines, c’était pénible, presque douloureux. Désormais, en baissant le volume à environ 20%, je peux attendre confortablement. En conversation normale en environnement calme, je règle à 50%. Et, en environnement bruyant, il suffit de monter à 80% ou plus.
3. Lorsqu’on allume l’oreillette pendant une sonnerie d’appel, elle décroche automatiquement l’appel. Cela fait gagner environ deux secondes, mais c’est très important quand on n’a que 20 secondes pour décrocher avant la boite vocale, et même moins si on active le filtrage d’appels dans Android ce qui a pour effet de supprimer le premier train de sonnerie. Cela permet de laisser l’oreillette éteinte pour économiser sa batterie.
En ce qui concerne la qualité sonore, j’ai pu vérifier avec mon enregistreur de conversations téléphoniques que les bruits ambiants sont mieux filtrés qu’avec la M165. Pour le reste, la qualité sonore est du même niveau, excellente en conversation HD quand l’équipement de mon interlocuteur est compatible, et très bonne pour écouter la radio, la TV ou une vidéo.
Pour ceux qui hésiteraient entre un milieu de gamme à 50€ et un bas de gamme à 25€, je dirais qu’il y a un gap énorme à la fois en termes de qualité sonore et de fonctionnalités (multipoint, écoute multimédia…). En revanche, entre un milieu de gamme à 50€ et un haut de gamme à 100€, l’écart est uniquement dans le confort (étui de recharge, capteurs de proximité…) et l’esthétique.
Patty Vasquez –
By far the best device that I have ever had have all been Motorola. Unfortunately I thought I would try a different brand and the quality was quite noticeable. The item itself is well-made sleet and greet in design, but the noise cancellation is nonexistent. Everyone called me while I was using it could tell the difference between this . device and my old Motorola H17. Sadly I will be returning this item. I think for those of us that use headsets on a regular basis to and from work or during meetings with other people in teleconference calls, noise cancellation is of most importance this device fails in that particular area. :/
El Gran Mike –
Great sound and fit…
Christophe –
Estupendo auricular. Lo uso a diario varias horas en las que la batería aguanta sin problemas (hasta 7 horas de uso intensivo diarias con una carga) y es muy cómodo de llevar aunque no tenga diadema. Se maneja a través de unas locuciones que tiene incorporadas, que por desgracia no están en español. La opción por defecto (en inglés) hace su función.
DavidF –
This is the best BT headset out there. This comes with a plastic loop to go over your ear. If you are riding a bike, even on road, that loop is needed. If you are MTBing, you def need that over the ear loop. Ear buds do not cut it. I’ve tried multiple earbuds and they ALL fall out, just turning your head. This one doesn’t. Nor does this seal to your ear canal so you sound normal when you talk. The others, even with transparancy or ANC, sound terrible when you talk. From what I can tell, this is not being made and I can’t find it in stock or what the replacement model is. If anyone knows what the replacement is, please let me know. On top of that, the BT, and all the connectivity and sounds are top. My wife never once complained about wind or an echo, meaning this is the one. Unfortunately, they don’t last terribly long. That’s the one thing. I’ve bought then at 99 all teh way down to about 20, at $20, I’d buy them all day long. Right now, they are listed at $99, that’s a bit steep for something that might only last a year.