One complicated button: Plantronics 520 Bluetooth Headset
by Jamie Miller
As of July 1, 2008, Californians must use a hands-free device to talk on their cell phones while driving. I recently purchased a Bluetooth headset to make sure that I was prepared for this new law. The Plantronics 520 headset was highly rated so I thought it would be a good choice. After I charged the headset, I immediately started to familiarize myself with it. Although the headset only had one button, I didn’t think anything of it at first. I didn’t have a clue how to use the headset, so I started reading the manual.
I turned to the page that listed the headset controls. I quickly realized that a single button was supposed to perform the following nine different tasks: turn on the headset, turn off the headset, answer a call, reject a call, end a call, make a call, adjust the volume (the button moves back and forth), transfer a call from the headset to the phone, and transfer a call from the phone to headset. Even after reading the list, I figured this was normal for all headsets. After all, how else would a manufacturer be able to provide customers with the functionality they desire and keep the size to a minimum?
Unfortunately, the answer is to reduce the number of buttons. Plantronics crams nine functions into one button by pairing the functions with different tones, and making the user press the button three different ways (short, long, and left and right). After using this headset for awhile, I now know that even performing simple tasks can be difficult.
For example, I was trying to make a call by using voice dial. I pressed the button, a beep signaled in my ear, I spoke the name, but nothing happened. I repeated this two more times to no avail – all while driving. Finally, I realized I needed to hold the button down longer to hear a lower tone, which signaled voice dial. I’ve also had issues with trying to turn off the headset and figuring out how much charge is left on the battery. (The light indicator is also supposed to indicate 11 different states of the headset!)
Overall, I like the headset; however, there is definitely room for improvement. Even for someone who is technically inclined like me, the complexity is a bit much. The headset is compact, but there is definitely room for more than one button. Ideally, I would like to have one button for on/off and second button for calling functionality. For now, I’ve learned the essential functions I need to use the headset, and I will probably not use it to its full potential. As for the light indicator, there is no way I will be able to remember all of the 11 states, and quite frankly I don’t know that I want to learn them all. The different light patterns will just have to remain a mystery.
