Presence on Globally Dispersed Team
My current development team is spread across the globe. As a result we’re always trying to do a better job of simulating presence (tools so far IM, Google SpreadSheets). This week the team has asked to try VOIP. My question what headset do you use?
Headset Needs
- Good sound quality
- Comfortable to wear (if this works we will be wearing these alot).
- Good quality construction (I don’t want to look for replacements very few months)
Wants
- Stereo (so I can listen to music when not talking to colleagues).
- Wireless – who wants to be tied to their pc?
- Controls on the headset to answer/make a call – ok that’s asking a lot.
Sets that Amazon suggested:
- Plantronics CS50-USB Wireless Headset for VoIP Softphones
- Logitech Extreme PC Gaming Headset
- Logitech Stereo USB Headset
- Cyber Acoustics AC-201 Stereo Headset/microphone
Have you used any of these? Can you recommend any others?
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September 19, 2007 at 3:09 pm | Steve Bate
I’ve used the Logitech Stereo USB headset and have been happy with it. I haven’t worn it all day but I have for a few hours at a time.
September 19, 2007 at 4:19 pm | Rick Beetham
Hi Mark
The headsets that we purchased with our cameras, while we were doing webcasting with myforum2, were pefect. The audio is excellent and we also use them for just listening to music and/or audio’s. They were apparently purchased directly from HongKong.
I have seen something similar on ebay, however it looks like it may be a newer model with a separate microphone and it also seems to lack the braided cord covers. You can check it out on ebay by searching for item 140130701235 That particular vendor also lists them as a Frisby MSB-813VR-H-CVT.
I recommend the behind the head type, it’s easier on the head and ears, and a long cord. Wireless could be nice, but if you guys are going to be using them that much you better invest in rechargeable batteries and don’t go for something with a built in rechargeable battery – for the obvious reasons.
Good Luck
September 20, 2007 at 8:01 am | Alex Miller
Everyone at Terracotta (a distributed team doing a lot of Skype, etc) uses the Plantronics headset. I’ve never used any of the others for comparison, but the Plantronics headset has worked great for me. It’s got a little thingie halfway down the cord with mute and vol up/down, so you can lean back and control it without fussing with buttons on your keyboard if you want. It folds up too.
September 20, 2007 at 9:28 am | John Voris
I don’t know those particular models, but Plantronics is like the IBM of headsets. You get it. You’re happy. You don’t look back. That’s a no brainer for me.
September 20, 2007 at 2:44 pm | Chad
I’ve gone a different route… I’m fussy about my headphones since I wear them most of the day so I bought a small Zalman gaming mike (~$10) that attaches to the headset cables. Audio pickup is good and you can use any headphones you want.
September 21, 2007 at 7:14 am | Kevin Rutherford
I’ve owned & used both the Logitech and Plantronics headsets you mention. The Logitech one died – just stopped being recognised as a USB thing. The Plantronics one works, perfectly. And it’s more comfortable, to me at least.