At work, we have the Avaya VOIP phone system and this headset is the exact same headset (under the Avaya name) as our company hands out. Well, my wife works tech support for our company and works at least 1 day at home every week. So when I was looking for a "practical" Christmas gift for her, I bought her this. It works just like the work system, which we already knew she liked and works with the home phone. Here are some pros and cons:
Pros:
- Comfortable. So comfortable in fact that I have to remind my wife sometimes that the day's over and she can take off the headset - she's just walking around after work with it on.
- Long battery life. They're not joking when they say 10 hours on the box. It'll easily last you all day - especially if you drop it back on its cradle during lunch.
- Good sound quality. Aim the boom at your mouth and it's as good as a corded phone.
- Easy to use. Simple single clicks on the buttons pick up, hang up, and mute - about the flattest learning curve there is.
- No mucking about with mechanical handset lifters or other 20th century Rube Goldberg solutions they used to use - this is a simple, clean way to do a headset.
Cons:
- The instructions could be a little clearer. While they have pictures for everything, it's not always clear what wire they're talking about when you go to plug them into the base. Not horrible, but the drawings could be a tad clearer (after all, you're trying to find a black hole on black plastic to plug a black wire into, so clarity is a plus here).
- Not really a con, but it's odd that the manufacturer says it's for use with "cordless phones". Well, this thing works with any phone since it doesn't even plug into the phone at all! It simply has a "Y" adapter that you plug into the wall, IP phone jack, or whatever and then you plug this system into one of the jacks of the "Y" and your phone into the other. Just think of this device as an additional phone that can't dial (you use your regular phone for that) and you'll have it.
- Again, not a con, but something to be aware of - this does not allow you to dial out; for that, you need a regular phone. The process is simple: pick up your other phone, dial the number you want to call, then push the pick up button on the headset and hang up your regular phone and you're good to go.
Average Rating:
Brand: Plantronics
Model: CS55H
Product Description:Sound like the Pro you are with the Plantronics CS55H Home Edition Wireless Headset System for your home cordless or corded phone. We've combined the clarity of traditional corded technology with the hands-free mobility of wireless, so you can move around your home (up to 300 feet) without interrupting or missing a call. The CS55H uses 1.9GHz voice-dedicated wireless technology, greatly reducing interference. Conversations are much easier and professional thanks to the noise-canceling microphone that filters out unwanted noises. You'll come through loud and clear to your clients and colleagues while eliminating the distraction of barking dogs, the doorbell, or your family's voices.
Enjoy hands-free freedom up to 300 feet, and up to 10 full hours of talk time.Be in control with one-touch control over call answer/end, volume, and mute.You are free to roam - the convenient easy install adapter transfers calls to your headset.Enjoy crystal clear conversations up to 300 feet from your cordless phone.Experience all-day comfort with interchangeable ear loops or headband optionsVoice-dedicated 1.9GHz wireless technology limits wireless interference.Be heard clearly with our noise-canceling microphone that filters out background noises at home.
Features:
- Enjoy crystal clear conversations & wireless freedom up to 300 feet from your cordless phone
- One-touch controls with call answer/end, volume and mute
- Convenient adapter transfers calls to your headset
- Interchangeable ear loops or headband options
- Voice-dedicated 1.9GHz wireless technology limits wireless interference
Format: CD
Available at Amazon
List Price: USD 228.99
Lowest Used Price: USD 155.99
Lowest New Price: USD 184.99
Customer Reviews
Best gadget for long-winded phone calls
After having used one for several years and loving it, we purchased the same model again. We still/again just love it. The sound quality of the new one seems even better. My wife has these long phone conversations, and can cook or do whatever all around the house (the range is GREAT) at the same time; and she finds it very comfortable to wear.
Very convenient: You can answer and terminate calls directly from the headset.
Minor inconvenience: You must dial a call from a phone, but (conveniently) it is ANY phone, anywhere in the house.
With I had bought it years ago
I am a software developer and sometimes spend 2-3 hours straight on the phone assisting with tech support issues. After years of messing with cheap wired headphones with poor sound quality and low volume (both for myself and the person speaking to me), I took the plunge and bought this headset. I wish I had bought it years ago.
Setting it up was easy - the written and pictorial setup instructions were clear and concise. After this initial charge, I used it talk to several clients, asking each one if they were able to hear me or experienced sound quality problems. All of them replied that the sound quality and volume was good.
I'm no a fan of the over-the-ear style headset, and was initially thankful that the over-the-head style band was included. After trying the band and the over-the-ear piece, I actually preferred the latter. After pressing the earpiece button to pick up and hang up the line throughout the day, my ear feels sore and appears red. Not sure if I'm doing something wrong.
Something to consider that I really didn't prior to purchase is that I lost my "call waiting caller ID" capability. That is, when I'm using the headset and another call comes in on the same line, I hear the call waiting tone through the headset, but neither my regular phone base nor the cordless handset will display the caller ID name/number. I spoke with Plantronics tech support and was told, as I expected, that there's no way around this issue.
Overall, I'm very happy with this purchase.
Used M-F for 6 months
Used the headset in my home office for 6 months and totally happy. No complaints. Good range. Good battery life. The MUTE reminder is perfect. It's all good....... and I'm a hard guy to please.
