Entered CNET Catalog: 08/25/2006
SKU: 0100000007686
Manufacturer: Plantronics, Inc
Manufacturer description
The Plantronics Explorer 350 is a sleek, lightweight headset that fuses Bluetooth wireless technology with effortless call control for a true hands-free experience. The Explorer 350 headset is easy to use and incorporates all call features - volume, answer/end call, last-number redial, and voice-activated dialing - into one single button. Delivering up to eight hours of talk time and convenient in-car accessories for charging and stowing, the Explorer 350 lets you keep your headset handy and charged while you are on the go.Product summary
The good: The Plantronics Explorer 350 is a sleek lightweight headset that is easy to use, plus it has great sound quality as well. It also comes with an in-car charging cradle and a USB cable.
The bad: The Plantronics Explorer 350 feels a little uncomfortable when worn, and it doesn't come with an AC adapter in the package.
The bottom line: The Plantronics Explorer 350 is a lightweight headset that sounds great. We wished only that it were a little more comfortable.
Editors' review
- Editors' Choice: No
- Reviewed on: 08/28/2006
The Plantronics Explorer 350 Bluetooth headset is the successor to the Plantronics Explorer 320. Like its predecessor, it's slender and lightweight, though it doesn't have all the accessories that its sexier cousin, the Plantronics Discovery 655 does. The biggest disappointment is that the 350 doesn't even come with an included AC adapter. But by itself it's a pretty decent headset for novices who want a simple, easy-to-use device. The Explorer 350 retails for $89.95.
The Explorer 350 is mostly black with silver and chrome accents. It measures 2.6 by 0.8 by 0.5 inches and weighs a mere 0.6 ounces. It has a multifunction button on the front, which also acts as a volume rocker. While the button is on the small side, it was still pretty easy to press, even when wearing the headset. The button flashes blue when the headset's powered on and alternates between red and blue in pairing mode.
On the back is a rubberized earbud with a slight spout that fits securely in the ear. Also on the back is an ear hook that's flexible up to 180 degrees, so you can use it on either ear. Slipping the headset on wasn't a problem, but we did find the ear hook to be rather uncomfortable, particularly after hours of continuous wear. The ear hook isn't detachable, so you're forced to wear it. The Explorer 350 did come with a car accessory package, which lets you dock the headset in your car via a charging cradle. It also comes with a USB charging cable. However, we were disappointed that there wasn't an AC adapter included in the package; you have to use a computer or the car to charge it.
We tested the Plantronics Explorer 350 with the T-Mobile Sidekick 3. We had no problems with the pairing process, and we were talking on the headset within seconds. Call quality was great on both ends, though callers did say we sounded rather faded when we were in windier environments. Call features included call reject, last-number redial, voice dialing, and call switching between the headset and a phone. The 350 has a great rated talk time of up to 8 hours as well as a standby time of 10 days.
User opinions
Select a User Opinion to view: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8out of 8 user reviews
Problem Free Bluetooth
Pros: Nice Sound, Comfortable
Cons: None.................
out of 8 user reviews
So far, Fantastic!
Pros: Great for smaller ears, well worth the money. Get one from Sprint, if you can, as the Sprint package comes with the headset, cradle, mounts, car charger, AC charger, and USB charger.
Cons: None so far
out of 8 user reviews
Very good bluetooth head set
Pros: I can hear pretty well on it, and people can hear me on it.
Cons: I can hear a little static when the phone is in my pocket.
out of 8 user reviews
GREAT BLUETOOTH!!!!!
Pros: Great Volume!!!! Very Light!!!! Good Price!!!! (on Ebay)
Cons: None Really
out of 8 user reviews
Great Phone !
Pros: Very Comfortable, One Button Control, Excellent Sound Quality
Cons: Doesn't seem solidly built
out of 8 user reviews
The Good and the Bad.
Pros: Price (with rebates), Solid build, Good looks, Car clip holder
Cons: Stiff multi-function button, Static, Crackles at high volume, no AC charger
The 350 is exactly like the 340, except the 350 has a USB cable, and a car charger with a cool vent clip used to hold the headset while it charges. Don't really need the AC charger, since I'm always near a PC.
The 350 produced more static noise than the H820. The best reception occured when less than 2 feet away, and when positioned on the same side of your body as the cell phone.
I found the 350 to be moderately comfortable. It was a bit awkward and time consuming to put on, as you had to slip the ear hook on first, then position the earpiece into a comfortable position. Not easy to do when trying to anwser a call quickly.
The multi-function button on the 350 is small and VERY hard to push in. This causes problems when the headset is on your ear since pushing the button applies pressure to the ear. You will have to firmly grip the headset between your thumb and middle finger and then use your index finger to press the buttons. If you don't grip the headset and try to push the buttons the pressure on your ear is painful. On the plus side, the button is very easy to find by touch.
Paring the 350 was easy, but maintaining a constant connection was challenging. If moved to a charger, or left alone over night, it would fall into a deep sleep and was difficult to awaken. Tapping the talk button several times would eventually wake it up to answer an incoming call.
I don't know if I'll keep the headset. But for $20, its worth having as a backup.
I tried selling to my friend before I had to return it, since I got such a good deal on it, but he said it would not fit right in his small ear, and when he bend over it would fall out of his ear, dangling by the ear hook. I bought the Jabra JX10 instead, and am extremely happy with it. It's small, light,solid, excellent volume even at high levels, and an easy touch to the buttons. Cost twice as much, but when you have to wear something in your ear all day, its worth every penny.
out of 8 user reviews
Sleek, elegant bluetooth with great performance!
Pros: Excellent sound quality both directions, lightweight, excellent Multi Purpose button
Cons: No AC adaptor
Sound on this device is excellent so far. I've only used it for a couple of days, but it exceeds the other bluetooth device I returned, for excellent sound. Also, the 350's volume is much higher then the returned bt headset, and this device looks and feels "Quality" much moreso then the returned device.
I really like the accessories package, as well. It comes with a sleek car cradle which clips to your cars a/c vent. It includes a car charger, which can be attached to the car cradle, and allows you to charge the headset while in your car. For me, personally, this is a great accessory. If the headset goes dead, it's easy to recharge right in my car.
At home, you'll need to use the USB charger, which I don't mind. If I'm out of town, I always bring my laptop with me, so I can charge it from the USB or with the car charger. An AC charger would have been nice, but it isn't a big deal for me (by the way, the Explorer 340 is the EXACT same headset, but doesn't include the car accessories or USB charger. It does come with the AC charger, however, and costs around ten bucks less then the Explorer 350, so if you're considering this headset, that's another option)
If you miss an incoming call, the headset's light flashes purple, to let you know. If the battery is running low, it will flash red.
Headset allows for voice dialing, redialing, decline incoming call, accept incoming call, mute all controlled with one, Multi Function button which, as I mentioned, works very well.
This seems like Plantronic's sleeper headset... it's (more expensive) big brother, the Discovery 640, seems to get more ink, but if you're looking for a well made, quality bluetooth with excellent sound, don't overlook the Explorer 340/350.
out of 8 user reviews
So far? WOW!!!
Pros: Sound quality! Design; Fit; Comfort; Car Kit; USB Charger; Battery Life; Range
Cons: No AC Charger; Can't Link Conf Call from Headset
So far, this thing rocks!
PROS:
* SUPERIOR sound quality
* Great volume (helpful with all my road noise)
* Very comfortable
* Long battery life
* Cool looks
* Really neat little car holder with charging kit
* USB Charger
My brothers tell me they can hear me better than any others I've tried (except maybe about the same quality as the Plantronics 510) with almost no background noise, no echo, no volume problems. To me, these are the most important features in a bluetooth headset.
CONS (The only reason it doesn't get a 10, so far):
* No AC Charger (thought the 340 does, but doesn't have USB or car holder and charger)
* Can't link conf calls with headset button
I just can't say enough good things about this headset...so far. I'll report back later with more feedback.
Note: No, I do NOT work for Plantronics or have any affiliation with them. I'm just a bluetooth junkie who knows a good headset when he sees one!)
