As promised, albeit a few days later than I planned, I have written a full review of the new Plantronics Discovery 655. The 655 is so new, in fact, that Plantronics' own website insists it's not available yet (Coming soon!). I hope this helps some of you who may be looking for a quality new Bluetooth headset.

Link to review on my web site

Nice review! So does the holster also charge the headset when it is inserted?

The holster is the only way to charge the headset. You slip the headset in the holster, and then connect your choice of charging mechanism to the holster -- wall outlet, AAA battery, or mini USB.

Excellent review! I would like to know how you still like it after a week or two....by the way your eBay story was hilarious!

Great review mrogers, thanks!

I have the Pt Discovery 645 and I have all the issues that you mentioned (i.e. ear piece dropping position, not a secure fit in charger etc). I am looking to replace the 645 w/the 655!

Nice review, mrogers. The only point I'd make is I don't think the 655 is replacing the 645, it actually seems to be a less expensive version - slightly bigger, without the nice metal carrying case and with less charging options (and a less expensive suggested retail price.) I think the 645 will continue to be available.

I bought an early 645, and had the early issues with the lack of a secure fit in the charging cradle. Eventually the clip broke, and I called Plantronics - they immediately sent me a new charge cradle at no charge and the new one is a better fit and more secure. As for the ear piece dropping down, I've heard that complaint a couple times, but have never had that problem with mine - it stays exactly where I position it and feels very solid. I love the 645.

That's an interesting point, Dallas...I guess I just assumed the 655 was going to replace the 645, but we all know what happens when one "assumes". I'll adjust that tonight.

Hello,
thanks for the review.

I had some more Qs:

a) can you please post some pictures of how the ear hook looks connected and if it folds back in ? Also, when using the ear hook, I assume that I dont need to stuff in the gel plug into my ear

b) One of the nice things I liked about the motorola HS850 was that when it was 'flipped close', it consumed less battery. Is there some power saving mode in this one too ? How long does the battery last ?

c) is it possible for you to post the ebay seller link, if that person is selling more

regds
arjun

arjunc:

a) Sure, I'll try to do that tonight.

b) It "consumed less battery" when it was flipped closed? Well yes it did, because it was completely off. So yes, the 655 has a similar power saving feature: you can turn it off I used it for probably an average of 45 minutes of talk time per day and left it on standby from about 8 am - 10pm, and it lasted me about 6 days without charging.

c) The seller is wirelessdistribution (link). He sells them even cheaper now, it's $90 shipped.

I just got my 655 today. I am replacing my 640 because I want the DSP functionality. The 640 always sounded wonderful to me, but others could not hear me if there was a slight breeze or other background noise. I'm counting on the 655 to eliminate those problems.

One issue I had with the 655 is that it was missing the accessory bag that contains the additional ear gels (the small and the large one) and the ear hook. I need the larger gel. I bought this from one of the merchants on Amazon.com's website and received the headset within a couple of days. They claim they'll be sending me the missing parts, with no questions asked. Very impressive.

The 640 had a fairly loose fit in the charging sleeve, but that didn't seem to be a problem. The 655 has a very snug fit in the charging holste, and generally feels less flimsy.

Also, I had always noticed that the ear gel would wiggle on the 640 if it was left in the neutral position (the position you use to change ear gels). And it seemed to find its way to that neutral position quite often. So if you didn't twist it to one side or the other, it would not achieve a snug fit in your ear. My 655 is too new to comment, but if anyone has any problems with the fit, be sure to check that the pointy part of the ear gel is not pointing straight down the middle towards the mic.

One last comment - after enjoying my 640 for nearly a year, I found that the ear gel was beginning to disintegrate. Perhaps this comes from occasionally leaving it in my car, which gets hot during the warm months. But by now, the ear gel leaves gross little sticky pieces of rubber all over the place. Hoping that the new one will avoid this problem, but that may also have just been a sign of use, and time to replace the ear gels anyway...

And by the way, the 655 does not come with the metal case that the 640 came with, which holds all the accessories. And while the 655 does not include all the various charging accessories that the 640 did, I'm delighted that the 655 does come with the ONE adapter that the 640 did not - the usb adapter! I had to purchase that one separately for my 640, but it's included with the 655.

All in all, I'd say that the 655 is an excellent buy for anyone with a Blackberry or other phone that uses a usb charger (or anyone who has a usb port handy to supply a charge).

thanks for the review very nice job and i'm happy to read what you wrote. Ive been using the 640 for awhile and it's showing wear and tear. I've been wondering about the 655 so your review is perfect.
I'll be grabbing one asap.


thx.

I have tried the 655 and my only beef with it, is the same as the 645, and that is the delay from the time I hit the button until it answers the call.

I am glad you mention the delay about the 655. This drove me crazy about my 645 plus the fact that the background noise was not cancelled out. I was considering buying the 655 but if it is the same as the 645 then it is not for me. I have moved onto the Nokia BH-900.

The delay is there, but so far I am more impressed with its comfort and small size. I had the Jabra JX10 and I think the 655 is actually more comfortable.

I agree that the Plantronics is far more comfortable than the JX10. I love the design and look of the 655 but until these delay issues are fixed, I will stay with 640.

Has anyone emailed or contacted Plantronics regarding the delay?

I sent an email today, I will keep you posted of their reply.

Thanks, I look forward to hearing thier response!

Got this today from them:
Brian,

On several PDA style phones there is a delay with any Bluetooth headset.
The Treo is the most pronounced, with a 3-5 second delay anytime you engage the headset button.

This is a function of the phone. The headset can only send the signal to the phone to answer the call, it is then up to the phone to feed the audio stream to the headset.

Hope this helps

I emailed back asking why the 640 and the 645 dont have the delay....

Another reply:
Brian,

Then you may choose to take the 655 back for a refund and purchase a different product.

Thank you,

How nice....

The 645 has the same delay you talk about on the 655. My 640 did not have the same delay.

That's the same reply they sent me, they also had me try taking it out of DSP mode. Now they are putting the blame on RIM

I know what you guys are talking about, but the delay doesn't seem that bad to me. Once I hit the button, I just wait a beat, then say hello. It only seems about 1 or 1.5 seconds to me.

Has anyone tried this headset with a regular phone, like a Sony Ericsson or something that's known to have good bluetooth?

I am swapping my 655 for a 640. Plantronics wasnt happy about doing it, since I bought the 655 on Ebay. I just UPS'd it back to them today. Hopefully the 640 works better (no delay etc). Mrrogers, my delay on the 7130c was 2-3 seconds (more toward 3). Callers asked everytime why they could hear my radio/other noise and not me....

I experienced the same delay 2-4 seconds with the 645 and 655. I don't have the issues with the 640. This was on my BB8700g as well as my Nextel i870

Does anyone know if the Plantronics 655 is exactly the same as the BlackBerry HS-655 Bluetooth Headset which will be available on the 21st. Link

The features that sound as a must have to me are the fact that you can use the 8700 chargers to charge it, and if you have it in the case in you pocket, it will vibrate to indicate a call.

Will it still vibrate an incoming call if the phone profile is set to mute?

pkohn
8700g on Dobson CellularOne