Graham Smith Posted July 2, 2015 Share Posted July 2, 2015 (edited) Now that I have downsized my business to a sole proprietorship, I'm just using my cellphone for communications. Works well except when I need type while talking. I've tried using the built in speaker in the phone and don't like it very much. It works but so does a tin can and string. I have a little Bluetooth ear thing, but ear things and I don't get along well (they never fit). What I really want is a proper headset like I used to have for my regular telephone. One option is a good plug in speaker phone, but I can't see spending that much when a headset will do just as well. I've looked at a few Bluetooth models, and they are all things that hang from the ear, which I know will fall off of me. Besides which, wired is cheaper and will work just as well for me. The first thing I looked at is Plantronics and they have an entire page full of headsets. So I figure someone here has probably had experience with this and can make a suggestion. What I'm looking for is a comfortable over-the-head set with a boom mike and a 3.5mm plug. Mono is just fine. Suggestions? Note: I have read some places that the 3.5mm jack on most cell phones is for listening only, not two way. I can't see anything in specific about that. So if anyone has any experience with this, let me know. Addendum: If there's an advantage to Bluetooth for this that I am overlooking, I'd like to hear. Edited July 2, 2015 by Graham Smith Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jadeslade Posted July 2, 2015 Share Posted July 2, 2015 Bose 25 Headset Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Graham Smith Posted July 3, 2015 Author Share Posted July 3, 2015 Bose 25 Headset Those are stereo headphones, not what I am looking for. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LoganbillJ Posted July 3, 2015 Share Posted July 3, 2015 Check out Blue Parrot. They are noise canceling so you can be in a noisy environment and customer wont know the difference. They are bluetooth and work well. You will find most truckers use this headset as well. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Glockinator Posted July 3, 2015 Share Posted July 3, 2015 (edited) I'll do ya one better. Quite a while ago i picked up Sony Bluetooth over the ear headset. It's a sony DR-BT101. It has a microphone and some controls to adjust volume, music when you use it with a phone/mp3 player. Makes great calls and easy to hear since it cuts out the ambient noise. Especially for me since I am about half deaf. Best of all not cords to tangle or get in the way. I use mine to type on the computer, get up and walk away and still keep in the phone conversation while I am doing something else. Amazon has one http://www.amazon.com/Sony-DRBT101-BLK-Bluetooth-Headset/dp/B001QXDSMW If you get one definitely go for the upgrade pads available on ebay. Makes them much nicer. http://www.ebay.com/itm/like/271704279020?lpid=82&chn=ps Edited July 3, 2015 by Glockinator Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Graham Smith Posted July 3, 2015 Author Share Posted July 3, 2015 In order: --I was wrong about the Bose 25. After rereading a review, they do have a mic. But they are still primarily expensive stereo headphones for Apple products. Not what I need. --Blue Parrot is a brand I was just reading about. Looking for headsets for truckers is proving to be a good option since they mostly need what I am looking for. The less expensive Blue Parrot looks good for me since I don't need the heavy duty noise canceling. --The Sony DR-BT looks decent, but it's also mainly a stereo headset with a mic. Thanks. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Glockinator Posted July 3, 2015 Share Posted July 3, 2015 Yes i bought the Sony mainly for a stereo headset but was shocked with the "phone" performance. I may go get another for my home system. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nik Habicht Posted July 3, 2015 Share Posted July 3, 2015 Graham, I don't know how much time you might spend on the phone now that you're retired with a headset on -- that said I spent 20 months monitoring calls (as in "this call may be monitored for quality assurance") and making phone calls using a Bose headset like the 25. The money came out of my pocket not my employer's, and it was the best equipment purchase I made for a job, in terms of enhancing my comfort. It blew away the plantronics headset with boom mike that I used for the prior three years. That said -- if you only need it occasionally, for a few hours a week, rather than lots of hours a day -- you can probably get almost as nice a bit cheaper.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Graham Smith Posted July 3, 2015 Author Share Posted July 3, 2015 I really only have one active client left and spend maybe 5-10 hrs a week working on my computer, including a lot of remote access. Email is the primary mode of communications with phone calls on occasion. So, most of the time, I don't need anything at all. BUT, we occasionally have marathon sessions where the phone calls fly and I may be writing code while talking on the phone filling in the gaps in my understanding of the issues. For that, I've been using a BlueAnt Q2 which does remarkably well, but having something hanging on my ear can be really annoying too. This month is going to be "one of THOSE months" where a lot is going on. Two major changes and preparation for another on the horizon. I'd just as soon spend a bit of money now on a decent headset that I can wear for several hours at a time. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jadeslade Posted July 3, 2015 Share Posted July 3, 2015 Bose 25 Headset Those are stereo headphones, not what I am looking for. I use them everyday with my iPhone they have a mike and volume control in the cord. Whatever. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Graham Smith Posted July 4, 2015 Author Share Posted July 4, 2015 I thought I mentioned this, but I guess I wasn't clear... I don't have an iPhone. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TonytheTiger Posted July 4, 2015 Share Posted July 4, 2015 I recently spent some time working in the agricultural world as a heavy equipment operator, all the veteran operators or truckers wouldn't use anything but the Blue Parrots. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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