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Corded headsets come in a variety of styles
in two primary brands: GN Netcom and Plantronics. Although different brands
feature somewhat different styles, each brand has an over-the-head style, an
over-the-ear style, and an in-the-ear style. Personal preference is more a
consideration in choosing a brand and style than any differences in the products.
All commercial headsets feature a cord with a quick disconnect which allows you to
unplug from the phone without having to completely remove the headset. Some
headset and telephone combinations allow the headset to be plugged into a jack on
the phone while other combinations require an amplifier box. While the amplifier
box is more expensive, you generally benefit from greater flexibility in
transmitter volume adjustments.
Before you purchase a headset, you should
consider a "trial" to determine whether the headset is comfortable and whether
using a headset is as convenient as you thought it would
be.
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Cordless headsets come with the entire
headset, transmitter, receiver, and battery fitting on the head. Range is
generally limited to 50 - 100 feet with the type of office construction having a
major impact on the range of the headset. Battery talk time is also a major
consideration - more talk time means a larger battery and a heavier
headset.
Before you purchase a cordless headset,
consider how you are going to use it. Cordless headsets come with a handset lifter
which allows you to answer an incoming call. But what do you do next? If all I
have to do is talk and then hang up, cordless headsets are great! But if I have to
put the caller on hold to answer another call or transfer the caller to an
extension or voice mail, you're going to have to come back to the phone to push
some buttons. Cordless headsets don't do buttons (or windows for that
matter).
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