In April 1999 I *had* to get a telephone headset for my business phone. Our firm PRIME Consulting Group, Inc. was involved in a large-scale software development project, and the project's team members were located all over the domestic U.S. Bi-weekly team phone conferences were conducted efficiently, but due to the complexity of the project, often lasted up to two hours. It didn't take too many episodes of cauliflower ear to convince me. Renowned consultant Will Tompkins recommended that I take a look at HelloDirect's product line. He had been using them for years, and could vouch for them. Well, if it was recommended by Will that was all I needed.
You'll remember that back in TNPC #2.23 Jim described his low- tech, inexpensive solution to his cordless headset dilemma. His solution was not for me first because I did not need to be wireless, and second, I once tried a cheapie headset (I don't recall the manufacturer or model) and shelved it because it kept picking up radio broadcasts from a local station (honest!). So I opted for a high-end model this time around. I wanted a very light one-ear headset and a feature-rich amplifier (hoping thus to avoid more interference). I chose the Ultralight EX headset and the SuperPro amplifier. The headset/amp combo comes with a 30-day money-back guarantee, so I figured why not try it?
I fell in love within minutes. The headset has all the adjustments you could want, is light as a feather (1.75 ounces!), and has a nice pivoting speaker you can swivel until it's just right for the shape your ear. As for the amp, the SuperPro is plug-and-play. (The less expensive Pro model requires a few minutes to set up.) If you want or need to, you can easily program it to match up with your phone. Other features: AC adapter or uses batteries, separate listening and speaking volume controls, headset-handset switch, a quick-disconnect cord, a flashing mute bar (I use it all the time), an in-use light, and a nifty headset hanger (I use that too). The amp has a limited lifetime warranty from HelloDirect. I wish I had bought this headset/amp combo YEARS AGO.
Product information and ordering (item # 1801, $199.99):
http://www.TheNakedPC.com/t/302/tr.cgi?hdirect
Got any good headset stories? I'm all ears.
