Do you want the best headset? 
One of the most popular Bluetooth headsets just got an update. The Poly Voyager 5200 UC is now, as they say, new and improved.
In this blog, I’ll point out what’s different and new, and at the same time, I’ll cover the points that have helped to make this one of the most popular Bluetooth headsets here in the U.S., and around the world.
Unboxing first impression
The first thing that jumped out at me is the new branding. As you probably know, Plantronics is now going by a new name; Poly. That’s the name that emerged when Plantronics, and Polycom joined forces.
The updated Voyager 5200 now has the Poly name and logo on the headset, and branding can also be seen on the case and USB adapter as well. So what else is new with this highly popular Bluetooth headset? The big change is the USB adapter has been updated. The BT700 USB Adapter is enhanced to give you a better, more stable wireless connection, improved sound quality, and even a bit longer wireless range. So if those are things that are important to you, then you’ll appreciate these new updates.
What’s in the box?
- A portable charging case
- A BT700 USB Adapter
- The Voyager 5200 Bluetooth headset
- A USB A to USB C converter
- A USB to Micro USB cable
- 3 sizes of earbuds; small, medium and large
Connectivity
As with the former version, the Voyager 5200 UC connects to all the usual devices such as:
- Desktop computers
- Laptops
- Mobile phones
- Tablets
Connecting to computers is simple because the USB adapter comes pre-paired. Plug it into the computer USB port, charge the battery, and you’re ready to go. And with the updates to the BT700 adapter, you’ll have a better overall experience with a better connection, sound quality and range.
Connecting to a mobile device is equally easy too. All you need to do is press and hold the call control button on the side of the earpiece to put it into the pairing mode. That makes the Voyager 5200 discoverable, which populates it into your Bluetooth settings display. Select the Voyager 5200 option, and you’re ready to get talking.
Battery
The battery on this updated Voyager 5200 remains the same as the former iteration at up to 7 hours. The charge case gives you two additional charges when you’re mobile, making for a total talk time of up to 21 hours. But to get those 21 hours, you do need to pause your use, while the earpiece gets a new charge.
Some might argue that the 7 hours of battery isn’t enough for the Voyager 5200 to be used for business. I disagree with that because there are many DECT headsets that are specifically designed for use in business that have the same amount of talk time. One example would be the Poly CS540, and there are others. And besides, most of us don’t talk the full 8 hours of our workday.
So whether you work in an office, at home, in a vehicle, or anywhere else, the Voyager 5200 UC will keep you connected.
Sound quality
This is a subject that can splinter into several directions. For example:
- Voice sound quality (how you sound to your callers)
- The sound your callers hear (your voice, and your background noise) 3. Ear speaker sound
- Your voice sound quality, when the microphone is reducing noise.
Overall, the Poly Voyager 5200 does a very good job. It has strong points, but there is one area where it’s lacking a bit.
First, the 5200 gives you very good voice audio quality. This means that your callers will hear you loud and clear, and that’s what you want in a professional headset. For a small, portable headset, the 5200 really sounds good.
The second thing is it does a respectable job at removing background noise. It could be better, but it certainly gets the job done. And when the 5200 microphone is working at reducing noise, it keeps you sounding good in the process. I bring this up because there are some headset microphones that can remove noise pretty well, but when it’s doing that, it compromises voice audio quality. You won’t experience that with the Voyager 5200 UC. You’ll sound professional, even when there’s noise going on around you.
This isn’t a headset that’s going to give you a great audio experience for things like listening to music. It’s really not meant for that, and besides, it has only one ear speaker which makes high fidelity audio not practical. But for what it’s designed for, which is to give you good sound quality for voice calls, it does a very good job. The amount of volume is sufficient, and the clarity is top notch. So don’t expect Bose sound quality when you get this headset, but do expect to hear your callers loud and clear.
Buttons
The button layout on the new Voyager 5200 UC is the same as the former model. Specifically, you have:
- Mute
- Call Control
- Volume up
- Volume down
- On/off
There’s also two ways you can charge the Voyager 5200. First, you can access the micro USB port on the bottom of the headset, and charge it with the included USB cable. Or, you can drop the Voyager 5200 into the portable charge case where you’ll find a recessed charging bay for recharging the earpiece. So whether you want to recharge through your computer USB port, a wall outlet, or on the go through the charge case, you have several convenient options.
The bottom line
The Voyager 5200 is one of the most popular headsets ever. So popular that other headset manufacturers have released their own versions of this same design. As the saying goes; “imitation is the finest form of flattery” Well, Poly should be flattered because the design of the 5200 is one of the best to ever come out.
This is a lightweight (0.7 ounces) headset that can be worn all day. It provides you with enough battery strength to keep you talking all day. And when you need more, even while on the go, you have the ability to recharge the battery wherever you are.
The Voyager 5200 has a microphone that sounds great, and removes noise well, and gives you the option to hear your callers in HD. It connects to all your different devices, and is compatible with all the leading UC platforms such as Microsoft Teams, Zoom, RingCentral, and others. So you can take calls even when you step away from your desk, thanks to the remote call answer feature.
This is an all-in-one kind of product that’s professional grade, affordable and comfortable. And when it comes to headsets, you don’t have to look that far to find other headsets that don’t compare to the high standards found in this headset.
