Plantronics Discovery 655: Worth Discovering

Have you tried it with the Treo 700p? My biggest gripe with almost all of the bluetooth headsets (including the 645 and EXCLUDING (eg, it works!)the Jabra JX-10) was the incompatibility issues with the 700p (probably more the Treo's fault than the headset, but pretty annoying, nonetheless).

Andrew - have you tried the new Sony-Ericsson HBH-GV435? How does it work w the 700p?

Andrew I started out with the 640 lost 2 ear pieces device no longer connects after downloading treo 650 update from sprint which makes me leary of purchasing hi dollar bt devices.......but I hunger for more innovative designs and wonder if the motorola miniblue H5 will ever come to market.

When I bought the original Discovery 640, I remember thinking that this was the best headset ever. It was lightweight, chargeable with a AAA battery, and it plain worked. After a small amount of time I realized that the ingenious gel system wasn't so grand, and like you mentioned I have found that losing a few of those renders the headset useless while travelling unless you want to carry a bunch with you. I was carrying three of them with me at all times.

I've switched though, and believe that I've found my next best headset in the $150 Nokia BH-800. It's small, light, and incredibly convenient. It doesn't have the flexibility charging wise of the Discovery, but it does have a fixed, round earpiece that fits well for me and stays there no matter what.

All in all my new best headset.

Thanks for the review!

however, in comparison to the Jabra JX10, you mentioned that you consider the in-ear / out-of-ear designs to be important.

what do you mean by that ? aren't both the plantronics 655 and jabra Jx10 both fit into the ear canal ?

i am using the SonyEricsson HBH-662 and i find that it doesn't enter the ear canal, and hence VERY soft.

care to elaborate, as i really need a new bluetooth headset, especially one that is easily chargeable, but overall, very loud and clear. thanks!!

david - regarding JX10 vs 655...

Well, they can both be in-ear but because of its earpiece design the JX10 more naturally rests on-ear when using the ear loop.

I hope this helps.

Cheers, A.

How about reviewing STEREO bluetooth headsets?? These normal headsets are old news (my opinion). And so many others have already done reviews on them. So since you guys at Treonauts seem to have money to burn on gadgets, who better to handle the job? Thanks!

Andrew - anything on the GV-435?

Thanks!

I guess so far this is the best Light weight Plantronics headset? Am I right?

I've had the Palm Wireless Bluetooth, the Discovery 645, and since yesterday, the 655. The 655 fixes a lot of the things I hated about the 645--namely the 645's tendency to fall out of the charging holster. There's still room for improvement, of course, but so far I really like the 655.

The competition at the high-end of the BT headset market is between the 655 and the Jabra JX-10. Choose whichever suits you best.

eric - I can promise you that as soon as I find a Stereo Bluetooth Headset that I like I will post a review about it...

Ruben - I'm still looking at a number of other headsets to review.

Al - as etherfarm notes the Plantronics 655 does indeed deliver some terrific value and performance. The final personal choice between this and the JX10 will of course rest with you.

Cheers, A.

Have you looked at the Plantronics 590 stereo bluetooth headset?

I have to chime in and add that I recently 'upgraded' from the Palm Wireless headset to the Plantronics built Palm ultralight. Being light was the only thing I liked about it!

I never found a comfortable solution with the ear gels and/or the loop. My ear was sore constantly and none of the settings improved this. I worked with the headset for ten days, thinking that I would get used to it but I never did.

In addition, I got many complaints about the sound quality of calls made with the headset.
Those who know I wear a headset all day asked if there was something wrong with it! Many opinions indicated the old headset was superior in quality!

I have returned the headset and now use my original Palm Wireless. I love what you have to say about the Jabra. It has been out for a while, any news on an upgrade of that model?

I had two complaints with the 645 (which I preferred to the Jabra):
1. It would fall out of the charger (I use a rubber band to keep it in)
2. When I keep the headset in my pocket when not in use, the ear piece and loop separate from the headset. I often have to reassemble them to make a call.

1 out of two I suppose. I've missplaced my 645 (yeah, I know) and I'm unsure if I should get the new one or keep with the old since I have all the accessories.

I loved the design of the 645, but couldn't get more than 3 feet away from my 700w before callers were telling me that I was cutting out. If I put the 700w in my pocket on the opposite side of my 645, it was useless.

I've since returned the 645 and really want to try the 655. Could my issues be related to the 700w rather than the BT headset?

The only problem I had w/ the JX10 was that I was constantly fiddling with the ear wire so that the headset's microphone end wouldn't angle away from my face.
My problem w/ the Plantronics 650 was more costly, though. The headset fell out of the clip-on charger-holder so easily and unbeknownst to me that finally I lost it for good.

I still have the Plantronics 650 clip-on charger-holder. Will it also charge a 655? Having two chargers would be a great convenience.

Just got my 655 today. And so far it is the bomb baby.
I had my Treo 650 replaced with a 700 because the 650 was damaged. Had a Motorola HS850 headset and it worked terrible with the 650. Could barely hear, had a mind of its own. I am really impressed with the 700P + 655 combo. I actually had to turn the sound down. And others say they hear me clearly. Also, all of the features work except I think the voice dialing which I havent tried because I heard it doesnt work.

I just got this on Friday as well and terribly disappointed. The USB and AAA chargers don't work (thank god the Plantronics one does).

Also, sound is not as good as my old Plantronics M-3500 or Voyager 510. My wife complains to noise when I am standing in a quiet store.

And to top it all the ear-gels are rather uncomfortable. Either you keep them loose and use the over-ear loop or they are too tight and hurt my ears.

Ugh!

How 'bout reviewing the Plantronics 665 with the new AudioIQ technology? It made its debut in Las Vegas this month. I just ordered mine... we'll see how it turns out...

Even so I always enjoy your blogs so I'm very interested to hear what you have to say about the 665 as it pertains to the Treo.

I have a Treo 680, and I can't initiate a call using my Plantronics Discovery 680/Bluetooth. I can push the button and receive calls, but when I dial from the phone, I can't use the headset for a call I've initiated...don't I just push the button? Or is 640 not compatible with Bluetooth in the 680?

About the new Plantronics 665 released 1/07... let me save everyone the suspense... it's TERRIBLE with the Treo 650. In the 665's defense, I paired it with two other non-Treo phones and it worked beautifully. Plus remember I'm talking about the 665, and the 655 has gotten plenty of good reviews.

But the 665 with the Treo??? ... Nothing but static with the phone over 3 feet away. I've already heard similar grumblings. Save your money.

Can anyone comment on this: On the Plantronics website, it allows you to view devices for which the 655 and 665 are compatible with. If you choose palm and then navigate through the list, the 700p is not listed in any of the choices. Comments anyone? Or is this review and the future 665 review bogus? Can't wait to hear this explanation.

I have had the Plantronics Discovery 655 for about 6 months and it works fine with the Treo 700p. I upgraded from the 645, the Palm version, which had the previously-mentioned issue with not connecting in the charger and popping out so that you couldn't charge it. They fixed this problem with the 655, which I charge daily while suspended in the air. I also had the Jbara JX-10 but that did not work well for me as people complained of bad sound quality/ static and the sound was bad for me too - got full of static even in close range. Some of the functions didn't work well either and was extremely frustrating to work with so I returned it.

I have no problem using the 655 and I use it without the ear stabilizing arm you can wrap around your ear, although, even though I don't use it, I would recommend it as a couple of times I have had to catch it because I knocked it out by accident so I worry about it a bit even though I've never lost it. I also agree with the other comment that the volume is plenty loud and often needs to be turned down. My only complaints are the short talk time and the fact that I find that I need to re-establish the connection with the phone every once in a while even if the devices have not been separated.

I have a Treo 650 w/Cingular. I had the Jabra x-10 and returned it after a month because the loop broke (probably from me having to adjust it so many times because it never fit well). The x-10 also didn't get loud enough for me. I bought the Plantronics 665A (the "A" means it includes the AC adapter in the package). After having it a week, it's ready to go back too. Like a previous poster said: "It's terrible with the Treo 650." Further, it never really stays put in my ear no matter what gel size I use. Sure I can use the loop, but what fun is that? It wouldn't really matter anyway because the sound quality is so bad w/my Treo. I will give the 665A two thumbs up for volume -- it can get very, very loud. But loud statis doesn't cut it.

I have a Treo 650 w/Cingular. I had the Jabra x-10 and returned it after a month because the loop broke (probably from me having to adjust it so many times because it never fit well). The x-10 also didn't get loud enough for me. I bought the Plantronics 665A (the "A" means it includes the AC adapter in the package). After having it a week, it's ready to go back too. Like a previous poster said: "It's terrible with the Treo 650." Further, it never really stays put in my ear no matter what gel size I use. Sure I can use the loop, but what fun is that? It wouldn't really matter anyway because the sound quality is so bad w/my Treo. I will give the 665A two thumbs up for volume -- it can get very, very loud. But loud statis doesn't cut it.