End-user perspective on small office tools & technology

Review: Plantronics Savi Go Bluetooth Headset

As to my original idea of using the Savi Go as a presenters headset, that never worked out. It turns out that the latency inherent in using the headset via an IP-PBX presented me a serious problem as a speaker. It also created the very real possibility of introducing echo in the room.

The idea that I might be able to do this at all this stems from having worked with various TV talent over the years.  They often literally “parrot” a pre-recorded narrative that’s playing back in their ear from a small recorder. In that case the recording leads them through the dialogue.

That ability to speak to the recording in real-time is a skill that I failed to appreciate at the time.When the feed in your ear is yourself delayed about 40 ms it proves very confusing. It was simply unworkable for me. So I was forced to abandon the idea of using the Savi Go for the Astricon presentation.

Giving credit where it’s due, Polycom CTO Jeff Rodman suggested that I’d have such problems. He was right, but I had to try it anyway.

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    1. I purchased the Savi Go for my office VOIP application. I do not have MOC and cannot connect to my voip. Headset and fob are paired. I do not know what to do. I called plantronics and they were useless. Any assistance would be great.

      1. Before I can be of any help I need to know what your’re saying exactly. What do you mean by MOC? And FOB? These terms mean nothing to me so I don’t understand the problem.

  3. In the PDF user guide for this headset, in the troubleshooting section, it suggests that when the battery is wearing out, factory service is required. Michael, can you confirm that the battery cannot be replaced by end-users?

    1. Yes, looking at the headset closely there’s just no way to get inside. That said, this does not cause me alarm. Presuming a LiIon battery it should be good for 300+ recharges. The same earpiece is used in several models of Plantronics product so it’s not completely unique. I expect that they’d simply ship you a remanufactured unit of you requested a battery replacement. But I will ask them to be suer.

      1. Thanks for looking into this. I’m not too worried about an inaccessible battery either, though it would be good to know what to expect.

        I was curious about the cost to have the battery replaced, so I asked in an online support chat session. I was told that during the warranty period, there’s no cost. To find the cost once the warranty has expired, I’ll have to call: 1-800-544-4660 prompt 5 ext 5560.

        1. I called and was quoted $56. For that amount, Plantronics will provide a headset. As I understand, it’s not possible to have only the worn-out battery replaced.

  4. Good review! I am pleased to see that Class 1 Bluetooth headsets actually exist. I have gone to the trouble to install a Sena Parani UD-100 Class 1 Toshiba transceiver with a proper dipole antenna. The range is much improved, and allows me to use a softphone as a cordless phone via Bluetooth headset.

    The class 1 headset should perfect a good setup.

  5. Have you tried this headset without the supplied bluetooth dongle?
    I’m curious to see if the wideband and quality is still the same even when using built in bluetooth in a laptop (The range would be decreased of course)..

    1. I tried what you suggest just this afternoon. Oddly enough, I could not get the headset to stay connected to my Windows XP laptop. It would connect momentarily then drop the connection. I could not get my netbook running Win7 to even connect. It wanted a driver that I could not provide.

      That said, I frequently use it with my Blackberry 9700. In that application it works very well, but as you note, without the range made possible by the Class 1 BT dongle. Before I had the 9700 I had also used the Savi Go with an older Blackberry Pearl 8100 & a very old Motorola RAZR.

  6. I use the Savi Go with a Sena Parani UD100 dongle. I use this dongle because it has an RP-SMA antenna jack, improving the Class 1 range. It uses the Toshiba Bluetooth stack and Cambridge Silicon radio chipset. Seems to be perfectly compatible. Toshiba is even clever enough to allow the option of launching Counterpath Bria when the headset connects.

    1. That’s interesting. What kind of improvement in range do you experience? My Savi Go reaches about 60 feet in my office, but with some noise at the greater distances.

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