VoIP Headsets
VoIP headsets come in many varieties. One of the most
unglamorous, yet necessary aspects of VoIP using a laptop
or PC is choosing which VoIP headset to use. Since there
is an over abundance of possibilities in this area,
we'll throw out a few models that we know a little something
about helping to provide at least a starting point in
this area.
We've heard the Logitech 200 bandied about as an adequate
starter model for the under $40 price range, but there
are also a couple of others from this manufacturer to
also consider. The Logitech Internet Chat Headset is
a colorful, lightweight model, which comes with a 9-foot
USB cable and is useful for voice & video chat,
multiplayer gaming, and music listening. The Logitech
Extreme PC Gaming Headset is built a little more substantially,
offers the same features and offers a ratchet boom that
lets you precisely adjust the microphone for optimal
positioning. Both of these VoIP headsets come in at
about $25 retail.
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Sennheiser also offers entry-level, basic VoIP headsets
for those wanting an inexpensive, yet fully functional
VoIP headset solution. The Sennheiser PC-20 and PC-30
both offer lightweight design, superior acoustics and
a pivotal boom.
With the PhoneRanger 2.0 VoIP headset, you can switch
easily between service providers such as Skype, Yahoo
Messenger, MSN Messenger and XTen. This headset is also
useful for listening to Internet Radio and comes in
at about $60 retail.
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SonyEricsson has introduced a couple of Bluetooth VoIP
headsets, the 1313 and the HBH-608. The 1313 VoIP headset
is a low cost headset / dongle combination that works
with a mobile phone or PC Internet connection and VoIP
service provider. The HBH-608 has the same features
as the 1313 plus it is especially useful for those owning
notebooks including Sony's VAIO BX and VAIO Professional
notebooks and will allow you to walk away from your
computer for up to 10-15 feet without connectivity problems.
If you absolutely need more mobility when you're on
your VoIP headset such as in an office setting or roaming
around your house, for $299 Plantronics offers their
CS50-USB Wireless Office Headset System. This wireless
VoIP headset system offers a range of 200-feet without
cables to tie you down and superior sound quality.
There are more VoIP headsets coming on the market all
the time and we will continue to review the new offerings
as time permits.
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