| | |  | | Home » 975/R Discovery Graphite Headset | | | | | | | Description: | | Plantronics Discovery 975 Bluetooth Headset | | | Features: | |
• Bluetooth earpiece combines easy-to-use operation with outstanding sound quality
• Dual-mic AudioIQ2 technology cancels background noise for superior clarity
• Patented gel ear tip offers great comfort and a secure fit
• Included case with LCD display charges your earpiece while storing it
• Backed by a one-year warranty
| | | Product Details: | | | Product Length:
| 5.71 inches | | Product Width:
| 5.71 inches | | Product Height:
| 2.28 inches | | Product Weight:
| 0.73 pounds | | Package Length:
| 7.2 inches | | Package Width:
| 5.1 inches | | Package Height:
| 2.4 inches | | Package Weight:
| 1.4 pounds | | Average Customer Rating:
|  based on 714 reviews |
| | | | Customer Reviews: | |
Average Customer Review:
 ( 714 customer reviews )
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
626 of 634 found the following review helpful:
Better Than The Discovery 925 Though Buttons Still Need WorkSep 02, 2009
By Ed R.
The Plantronics Discovery 975 is a solid performer, comfortable to use, and stylish with lots of small improvements over the Plantronics Discovery 925, but the buttons are still not the easiest to use.
PROS:
- Excellent call quality
- Great battery life (5 hour talk time)
- Charging case provides an additional 10 hours of talk time
- Good noise canceling
- Voice prompts
- Great range
- Stylish looks
- Multiple ear tip cover sizes
- Battery status indicator on case
- Good warranty service
CONS:
- Multi-function button difficult to press
- Very small, single volume button
- No longer includes USB charging cable
- Price premium
- Some questionable build quality
I have personally used Bluetooth headsets for several years now with my most recent favorite being the Plantronics Discovery 925, which the 975 succeeds. While the Discovery 975 is much improved, some annoyances still remain.
PAIRING
Pairing the 975 to my Blackberry Curve and Motorola Droid was easy. After charging, I turned it on and set my phone to search for devices. After it was found, I typed in the pairing code and that was it.
FIT
The fit is one of the most important features of a headset for me. I have tried plenty that were either difficult to put on, were uncomfortable, or would not stay on. The unique gel ear tips on the 975, which come in 3 sizes, allow me to insert it in my ears in such a way that it is snug but not too uncomfortable, using what they call a "stabilizer loop." That being said, I have never had a headset so comfortable that I could leave it in all day. A couple of hours of continuous use would probably be my limit. The 975 weighs just 8 grams, which is the same as the 925.
STYLE
The 925 and 975 are very similar in dimensions and size. The obvious difference in appearance between the two is the change from a triangular boom mic to the single skinny boom mic. I personally like this change to a more simple and understated design. It draws less attention to the wearer than the design of the 925. I don't think ANYONE should walk around town with their unused headsets in their ear, because quite frankly, it is the epitome of douchebaggery. I stole that word directly from a Wired article with Brad Pitt on the cover. Also quote, "He can barely pull it off, and you are not him." It is NOT jewelry folks. If you have been watching the TV show "24" Season 8, you might have noticed that it appears that CTU staff are wearing the 975 in their ears. Also, the front of the 975 is now a faux leather material rather than just plastic. I found different part numbers on the Plantronics website which led me to believe that they will have a silver version of the headset available in addition to the graphite version but I have yet to see it. I have included some photos of the 925 and 975 for comparison.
CALL QUALITY
The call quality is amazing from both ends. The 975 features the dual-mic AudioIQ2 noise canceling technology to create amazing clarity and noise cancellation. I couldn't personally tell a big difference in call quality between the 925 and 975 but then, I usually turn my car radio off and roll up the windows when I make or take calls. Noise cancellation effectiveness may be more noticeable in noisy environments. Voice prompts are a welcome feature addition. Instead of trying to decipher a series of beeps, a voice will notify you of mute on/off, battery low/recharge battery, and lost connection.
BATTERY & CHARGING
Both the 925 and 975 are rated for 5 hours of talk time and about a week standby. Note, that if you turn on multipoint, you'll lose about 3 days of standby time. Amazingly, the 975 charges in just 90 minutes, whereas the 925 takes a full 3 hours using the AC adapter. The 925 came with a USB charging cable in addition to the AC charger, but Plantronics has omitted this highly welcome accessory from the 975. I love being able to charge the headset from my computer at work.
The battery in the 925's charging case is Nickel-metal hydride, which always bugged me. Plantronics must have read my mind because the 975 and charging case batteries are now both Lithium ion. More changes to the charging case include an LCD status display for battery life as well as relocation of the charging port from the bottom of the case to the side. I always found it idiotic that the charging port was on the bottom, so again, kudos to Plantronics for correcting this. The case is actually bigger too and they changed the material a bit. I prefer the look and feel of the 925's case but not a big deal.
BUTTONS
There are just 2 buttons on the Discovery 975. The main multifunction button and a tiny single volume button. In order to change the volume, you must cycle through all volume levels in order to find the desired setting. I would have preferred separate volume up/down buttons, but I have gotten used to it. The multifunction button controls everything else. The multifunction button however, is part of the boom mic and as such, is extremely difficult to press. It's even harder to press than the 925's multifunction button was. Also, the light on it is white, not blue like most headsets, including the 925's. I prefer the white as it draws less attention. The only bummer is that it does not blink or glow when the headset is on, so I have no idea if I've left it on.
SUMMARY
The original Plantronics Discovery 925 is a popular headset, which about 800 or so Amazon users rated 4 out of 5 stars. I am one of those 800 users who likes the 925, even with the minor drawbacks. The newer 975, improves on the 925 by adding better noise cancellation and a better charging case. The aesthetic changes are welcome, but may not be for everyone. The difficulty in using the buttons may be too severe for some users to live with. If you already have the 925, I would suggest you wait until you break it or lose it to upgrade to the 975.
*** 03/01/2010 UPDATE ***
After about 5 months of use, my Discovery 975 developed a chip in the corner, exactly like the one in user RSRCHB4UBY's photo. I have primarily kept the headset in the case so I am not sure how this defect occurred. Plantronics's support was initially less than stellar but once I escalated the issue, I received better support. I had to pay to ship the defective headset back to Plantronics, but they quickly turned around and sent me a replacement. From the day that I shipped it to when I received the replacement was 10 days. Great turnaround and good service once I got proper help. They also stated that my warranty period would start over from when I received the replacement. Nice!
285 of 288 found the following review helpful:
I chose this over Jawbone and VoyagerDec 10, 2009
By Michelle
"amesiowa"
I am on the phone constantly. My two biggest concerns are call quality and battery life. I tried the new Jawbone, Plantronics Voyager Pro, and the Discovery 975. After this trial, I kept the Discovery.
Audio Quality
1. Jawbone
2. Discovery 975 and Voyager equal
The audio quality on the Discovery 975 was definitely NOT as good as the Jawbone, whose noise cancelling was far preferable. On my old Jawbone, I often called people from airports right under the speakers and people didn't even know I was in the airport. With the Discovery and Voyager, people definitely comment on hearing background noise. Once with the Discovery 975, I was opening a printer paper package. My caller said it sounded like a lightening storm. A similar noise wouldn't have garnered a comment on the Jawbone.
Battery Life
1. Discovery 975
2. Voyager Pro
3. Jawbone Prime
The recharging case for the Discovery 975 is the deal maker for me. If you use a blue tooth headset less than 4 hours per day, I would definitely chose the Jawbone Prime. However, the battery life and battery charging case on the Plantronics means that I can use the headset all day instead of 4 hours. My Jawbone was usually dead by noon. With the Discovery, I can talk on it for two hours, head into a meeting, tuck it into its protective case, and its recharged and ready at the end of the meeting. I almost always make it to the end of the day with plenty of charge using the Discovery.
Fit
1. Jawbone Prime
2. Discovery 975
3. Voyager Pro
I have an ear that typically can't stand an insert ear bud. The only ear bud headphone that works for me belong to my 6 year old's Barbie MP3. Nonetheless, the Discovery standard ear bud DOES work for me. It is very stable and never falls out for me. I do prefer the Jawbone's ear loop, but its minor to me. The Voyager Pro was toooo bulky for my little ear and completely uncomfortable with my eye glasses.
Mute
1. Discovery 975
2. Voyager Pro
3. Jawbone
I didn't realize how much I'd love it, but the audio prompt "mute ON" and "mute off" from the Discovery is a huge plus. I am on many many conference calls, often ones where I am not actively in the lead. With absolute clarity that I have "muted", I can walk into a coffee shop and get coffee, yell at my kids, etc...with confidence I'm not broadcasting to all.
612 of 631 found the following review helpful:
 Hands down: The BEST Bluetooth earpiece I've ever usedSep 17, 2009
By Tom D.
"Opportunity is limited only by imagination. -Charles F. Kettering"
Watch Video Here: http://www.amazon.com/review/R15HOLGHOXF4KN The Plantronics Discovery 975 is hands down the BEST Bluetooth earpiece I've ever used. Check out my short video review for details.
49 of 51 found the following review helpful:
Ingeniously Simple - Indeed!Sep 01, 2009
By Nuknuk
The audio quality of this Bluetooth earpiece is great. The signal is quite strong. It is not heavy and it stays in my ear even if I did try to wiggle my head forcefully. Pairing it with my LG CU-720 is easy, hold the call button until the LED blinks red and white and the phone instantly recognized it. To receive a call, just tap the call button once; to end a call just tap the call button once. Voice commands is also easy to initiate, but I really never seen any thing that really works (Have you seen Ozzy Osbourne in that episode where he tried to talk to his BMW [well of course nobody understand Ozzy anyway]. As with similar Bluetooth devices, you have to be within 33" or 10 meters between the headset and the phone.
It only takes less than 2 hours to charge it. In fact, one and a half hours to charge both the charging case and the earpiece. When you are running out of battery, you will hear spoken words like "battery low" or "recharge" depending how much juice is left, no guessing game. Put it back in the case which is a portable charger in itself, and it will give you extra time on the go (provided you did not forget to charge the case).
Construction wise, this product is a work of art. The earpiece has a simple design but is quite elegant with a touch of leather. There are only two buttons. The volume and the call button. Talk about very minimalistic design. Both buttons are multi-function for mute, power, pairing, and more. You have 3 strange looking clear silicone buds in various sizes to choose from.
The charging case likewise is a beaut; again it expresses simplicity and built with a nice pseudo-leather material. It closes with a neat magnetic flap. Case is hard enough to provide ample protection. The case has an LCD panel that shows you the charging state for both devices. It includes a key chain holder if you want to hang it in your pocket or belt (which I will not for fear of dropping and losing it). A mini USB cable is included, albeit I wish it could be longer.
The wind noise protection works decently as my wife can attests to while I am away watching my kid practice on the soccer field.
Minor annoyance: The main body barrel is a bit thick that it extends visibly from the ear. The speaker maybe flushed, but not the body.
29 of 29 found the following review helpful:
Very happy customerFeb 25, 2010
By Amanda Robinson
I'm one of those people who does a lot of research before buying something like this. In the past, I had Plantronics Voyager 510 and loved the sound quality. However, being a female with small ears who also wears glasses, the bulky piece of the 510 that went up over and wrapped around behind the ear cartilidge never wanted to stay behind my ear, and so would often come loose and fall out.
I then tried the voyager 520 since it had a smaller ear loop. I thought that one had worse sound quality, and actually fell out of my ear easier than the 510. So, I went back to using the 510.
Then, I lost the 510, and hence, my reason for researching new headsets.
After all of this, I had figured out that, along with sound quality, stable fit was a hugely important quality for me. I actually went to a few local cell phone stores to try different headsets on and narrowed it down to the Plantronics Discovery 975 or the Motorola one that is supposed to work kind of like the jawbone. It had a piece that went pretty far into year ear that sensed the sound of your voice through your own bones.
I ended up going with the Discovery 975 for several reasons. 1)the 975 has voice dial and last number redial capabilities (which I had gotten used to on my old Plantronics sets and liked a lot). I understand this feature doesn't work with every type of phone, but on my old motorola flip phones, and on my current Blackberry Tour, it does work. 2) I could get the 975 from Amazon directly (and more cheaply than at local stores), who I trust more than 3rd party sellers online. 3) I liked the idea of having a case for the headset to keep it safe in my purse. That it was a charging case was even better. 4) the reviews for sound quality for the 975 seemed better for my purposes. The jawbone feature of the motorola had to be manually engaged if you were in a noisy situation, and then the reviews said you still had to talk loud and enunciate much to be heard and understood. The 975's noise reduction features are always engaged. 5) I had had Plantronics bluetooths in the past, and was overall pretty happy with them (at least I was with the Voyager 510).
SOUND QUALITY
After using the 975 for about a month now, I have been very happy with the sound quality - both what I hear at my end and what others tell me I sound like. In my car, in noisy grocery stores, and outside in at least moderate wind, the sound has always been quite good, or so my husband tells me. I can hear others very well also.
FIT
I am EXTREMELY happy with the fit. I could go to a concert and head bang, and I don't think it would come out. In fact, one day I did a pretty forceful head shake demo for one of my co-workers, and she was super impressed. Before I even received the 975, I also ordered some ear loops for it on ebay (the one shown in one of the reader-submitted pictures). I don't need it. In fact, I'd say (unless it stretches with use) the 975 is far more comfortable without it, and just as stable in my ear. Some other reviews claim the 975 itself is uncomfortable with the silicone stabilizer loop that goes in your ear fold. Maybe a little uncomfortable after several hours of having it in your ear, but you could always try a smaller silicone piece. Three sizes are included. Plus, it is so easy to take on and off, I sometimes just set it on my desk, and if I hear my phone ring, I just slip it in quick and start talking.
Most of all, I'm thrilled that it says in without anything (especially anything heavy or bulky) going over the back of my ear. Now it doesn't matter if I'm wearing my glasses (or my bulkier sunglasses). I can still wear my bluetooth without having to worry that it will fall out.
VOLUME BUTTON
Some have complained about the small volume button and only having three volume levels to toggle through rather than an up and down volume rocker. I don't think it's that small or hard to use, especially if you have a little bit of fingernail on any of your fingers. However, I think these people are forgetting that you can adjust the volume to very specific levels using the volume controls on your phone itself. At least I can using the up and down buttons on the side of my blackberry (and the same was true with my older plantronics sets and my old motorola flip phones.)
CALL BUTTON
This is the main button that does most everything. Turns it on, turns it off, answers calls, ends calls, initiates voice dial, initiates last number redial. I don't have a problem with it. But then, I'm used to how Plantronics sets up its controls. If you are new to plantronics, you might have to play with it a little to get the hang of it, but I think it's pretty easy.
CASE
I very much like the charging case, and the charging status indicator is nice, too. You can even charge the 975 in the case while the headset is connected to your phone, and if your phone rings, just pop it out of your case, put it in your ear, and you're good to go. Now I don't have to worry about the headset getting banged up in my purse. The case is probably just a little bigger than a squared off tube of lipstick. In fact, if you've ever seen a leather lipstick case, it's about that size.
TALK TIME
I can't say I've tested talk time. Between the headset charge and the charging case, I've never come close to running out of power on the headset.
I did have one time earlier this week when I though the headset had gone all buggy on me. The microphone sounded like it was on all the time (as opposed to just being on during phone calls). I was faintly hearing my own voice and a little wind noise (when outside) through the speaker in my ear all the time. Also, the voice dial, last call redial, and even just answering calls was acting funny and not working. I did an online tech support chat through the plantronics website, and we figured out that I needed to do a soft reboot of my blackberry (pull the battery while the phone is on, then reinsert it and start it up again). I was specifically told to do this while the 975 was on. It went back to working perfectly, so it seems the problem was with the blackberry tour(which is a little buggy) rather than the 975.
Over all, I'm EXTREMELY pleased with this bluetooth. I think the sound quality/noise reduction is better than the voyager 510, and the fit is far superior.
See all 714 customer reviews on Amazon.com
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