Adequate for the price

Author's Rating:

Pros: Inexpensive, fairly reliable, good battery life.

Cons: Not a very comfortable fit in my ear.

The Bottom Line: 
Recommended for anyone who needs an inexpensive bluetooth earpiece, but does not plan on constant wear.

Author's Review
The 200 series was one of two Plantronics Bluetooth headsets offered in the Verizon store for $29.95. Of the two, I chose this one because the controls seemed simpler. There is a call control button and a volume button--nothing that can be confused. You step through five volume settings, then the volume returns to its lowest setting, after you've heard a double-beep telling you it's at its highest. Considering you are using the controls by feel, this seemed simpler than a pair of UP and DOWN buttons side-by-side.

I chose a Plantronics device because the company has been around for some time, and seems to specialize in headsets. I'm not disappointed, but if I used the device more, I'd be looking for an upgrade.

Biggest problem I have found is comfort. The ear tip on this set is a rubber-covered button, with a little tip that fits toward the ear canal. The angle of that opening is not adjustable, so you are stuck with whatever position your particular ear structure permits, regardless whether its the best or most comfortable. The microphone is a contact type, and works only to the extent it makes good contact with your jaw bone. In my case, I sometimes have to hold it against my head, defeating the hands-free aspect of the headset. The ear piece is a bit large for my ear, so it stays in place only if I jam it in place. However it's easy enough to install and remove the whole device, which is held in place with a behind-the-ear wire.

I have not had any dropped connections with this earpiece, but occasionally I hear static, even when I am not talking on the phone. I suspect that the bluetooth connection between phone and earpiece is a little flaky. My Motorola phone has no provision for fine tuning this. It is necessary to have both the phone and earpiece volume at the maximum settings.

Battery life seems adequate for my needs. I use the earpiece no more than an hour a day, and a charge lasts a week or more, even with the piece turned on and not in use during the day. It is a disadvantage that the mini USB connector for this earpiece is different from the one my phone uses. With so many USB powered devices, it would be nice to be able to charge any of them from the same charger.