May 17th, 2006
Finally, a VoIP headset that doesn't suck
I’ve been lamenting the lack of audio quality on VoIP headsets for some time now. Not only the tinny sound, but the fact that these headsets are fragile, and don’t survive a lot of user-to-user adjustment. End result: they are brittle, and they break.
Listen, I am no audiophile. Barely an audio file. But still if only there was a Bluetooth-enabled, VoIP headset with at least some of the audio quality and physical durability of those music headphones out there, then I would (very bad pun alert here) be all ears.
But now Plantronics says they have stepped in to the breach with their new Voyager 510-USB Bluetooth Headset System. It lets you transition between multiple wireless devices,softphones and mobile phones, at a customary Bluetooth-range of up to 33 feet.
Priced at $199, the Vonager 510 will be available in June.
To be perfectly clear, I haven’t tried this yet, but I am planning to soon.
The System comes with the headset, a charging stand, USB Bluetoot adapter, travel pouch, USB charging cable, a three-foot USB extension cable, an AC charger and PerSonoCall software that notifies your headset of incoming calls while you move around.
Maybe you want the specs.
OK, the specs:
Talk Time- Approximately 6 hours;
Standby Time-Approximately 100 hours;
Headset Range-Up to 33 feet (10 meters);
Headset Wearing Style-Over-the-ear; boom swivels for wearing on either ear;
Headset Weight-1/2 ounce;
Headset Microphone Noise-Canceling with WindSmart® technology;
Headset Controls-Volume, mute, call answer/end;
Headset Battery-Lithium Polymer;
Wireless Compatibility-Bluetooth (v2.0) devices supporting headset profile;
Supports Adaptive Frequency-Yes
Hopping (AFH)-to help avoid interference, for co-existence with Wi-Fi/WLAN;
Multipoint Support-Yes;
Plug-and-play USB Bluetooth Connectivity-Yes;
Auto Pairing Interface Via Adapter-Yes;
One-button Headset Interface For Call Answer/End-Yes;
One-button Headset Interface For Remote Call Detection-Yes
Russell Shaw is an enterprise computing journalist, analyst and author based in Portland, Oregon. See his full profile and disclosure of his industry affiliations.
