All About Headsets | by Headsets Direct | 1-800-914-7996

The model of amplifier will determine it’s interchangeability. However, the Plantronics corded amplifier is not normally designed to work together with cordless / wireless stations, although if they’re used on different phones, they can be used on the same phone system. Another possibility is our training adapter, primarily used for training purposes but does allow you to toggle between corded and wireless headsets. The headsets used with the corded amplifier are compatible with the older Plantronics CA10 cordless base because of the quick disconnect feature but the CA10 is now discontinued and only available as a reconditioned unit.

q and a headsets, plantronics, wireless

Q: I already bought a Plantronics Calisto Pro on eBay to use at the office – simply for hands-free conversation because we are dispatchers who have to constantly refer to crew guides and keep track of events in logs. I have been trying to connect the work phone handset coil cord (smaller) jack to the Calisto base’s (standard) phone socket, but although it does click into place it appears there is no contact being made.

Do you know if there is an adapter available anywhere to make this connection? In both cases only the two middle contacts are installed in the plug/socket, so either a solid adapter unit or a (1 foot) patch cord with a female handset socket and a male standard phone jack would seem to be the solution.

A: Unfortunately, a problem we run into regularly with online auctions is their inability to explain products.  There is no way to connect a handset to the CalistoPro.  It’s basically a single line cordless telephone that connects to a Bluetooth wireless headset and your PC for expanded communication capabilities. The modular connection on the base is just for the telephone line. With a splitter you can add a phone with a corded handset to use along with the Calisto Pro.

headsets calisto pro, headsets, plantronics

Q: Plantronics H251N-UNC SupraPlus Headset w/ Ultra Noise Canceling. Can I use this with a Blackberry? What is the mm of the connection? I need 3.5. If it is not 3.5, does it come with an adaptor?

A: When it comes to Blackberry, it’s not easy to find a compatible corded headset. First of all, because most of them have a 3.5mm headset jack as opposed to the more popular 2.5mm.  The second problem is that even a standard 3.5mm patch cable (such as the Plantronics 40845-01) will not work with their 3.5mm because the Blackberry apparently has different internal contact points.  So even though they physically fit, they won’t work right.  Blackberry really tries to make it a proprietary thing so that you have to buy their headsets…

headsets blackberry, headsets

But actually it is, Kermit…  And we were green way back before “being green” got so popular.  We have recycled, repaired and refurbished headsets for years.  We sell both new as well as refurbished headsets and amplifiers for our customers looking to save a little money.  So just as a reminder… don’t throw that old broken headset away in the garbage, recycle it by trading it in with us for a credit when you purchase a new one for yourself.  We may even be able to refurbish or repair your old headset for you, if it’s a Plantronics corded commercial grade headset (such as the “P” Polaris series or “H” series with the M10, M12, or M22 Amplifiers).  One way or another, we’ve got you covered with a few different options.  So just give us a call and see what we can do for you.  See, I told you that it was easy…

headsets green headsets, headsets, plantronics, recycle, refurbished, repair, trade-in headsets

Headset options for Avaya Partner phones:

( Avaya – pronounced: ”uh – vi – yuh”, rhymes with “papaya” )  Say that loud enough and beat on your chest, they may call you Tarzan.

Thus far, I have only talked about the corded solutions for the Avaya Partner phones which included the Plantronics M22 and “H” series headsets, but you can also use any of the Plantronics regular wireless office systems such as the Savi Office series or the CS55, CS70N, CS351N, etc.  Keep in mind that you will also need the optional HL10 Handset Lifter if you want the one-touch remote answering capability, otherwise if you do not get the HL10, you will have to answer & hang up just like you would with the corded setup by lifting the handset up and down for each call.  Also, the HL10 Handset Lifter doesn’t always hear the ring from the Avaya Partner phones, it will usually make the headset beep in your ear for an incoming call but not for a call that is transfered to you.  So sometimes you get it, sometimes you don’t.   

Avaya Partner phones are “special”…  in a good way.  Some of you will remember the Plantronics SP-02H amplifiers also known as the “one-touch” amplifiers that could be used with Avaya Partner phones which would allow you to answer and hang up a call at the touch of a button.  Those were great units, but unfortunately, they were discontinued in 2008 and there is really nothing else made that will work the same way on the Avaya Partner phones.  

So now what do we do ?  Well, we now have to use the standard amplifiers like the Plantronics M22 along with any of the same Plantronics “H” series headsets that we used before with the SP-02H amplifier.  The catch is that we now have to lift up the handset, set it off to the side, and then hang it up after each call.  So for those of us that remember how easy and streamlined it used to be when we used the SP-02H amp with our Avaya Partner phones, this kinda stinks…  Now there is another way around that, you can use a Plantronics T10H dial pad base along with an “H” series headset.  This setup will let you answer and hang up just by pressing the on/off button on the dial pad base, but it’s basically like having a 2nd phone on your desk.  So if you have the space, at least you won’t have to lift and lower your handset for every call. 

However, remember when I told you that the Avaya Partner phones were “special”… ?  Well here’s why.  If you have the Avaya Partner model 18D or the Avaya Partner model 34D, you have an extra jack on the bottom of your telephone labeled “AUX” (auxilary) right next to the line jack (where the cord plugs in from the wall).  You will have to remove the adjustable base on your phone to see these.  The special “AUX” jack on the bottom of your Avaya Partner phone will allow you to use the CS55H, which is the “Home Edition” version of the regular CS55 wireless office system.  You can also use the Calisto Pro, which has a dial pad, so you can actually make a call away from your phone as well as being able to answer and hang up.  The Calisto Pro will also connect to your computer via a USB port, just incase you want to use it with SKYPE or something else on your pc.  And last but not least…  You can also use the Plantronics CT14 system, which also has a dial pad so you can answer, hang up, and make calls away from your Avaya Partner phone.  The Plantronics CT14 is a great system with a very good price point which cost about the same as a corded setup (maybe even just a little cheaper).  And the beauty with using any of these 3 wireless systems (besides the obvious wireless factor) compared to the corded setup and other wireless systems is that you do not need to activate the hookswitch by lifting the handset on the Avaya Partner phone, thanks to our special little “AUX” jack.  So that means that you do not need the HL10 Handset Lifter for remote answering.  This not only streamlines the way that you use your headset, but it can also save you money.  The Avaya Partner 18D & 34D are some of the very, very, few models made that will allow you to use these systems that have a dial pad.  So you are able to get more functions, for the same or less money…  From my point of view, the Plantronics CT14 cordless system gets you the most bang for your buck when you have the Avaya Partner 18D and 34D model phones .  Why would I buy a corded setup for my Avaya Partner phone and pay more money when I could get a Plantronics CT14 and be cordless ?  Kinda doesn’t compute.  Plus with the CT14, you can also transfer calls, call a specific 2 digit extension, and even check your voicemail remotely.  But, check out these systems on our website for yourself and see what computes for you.  See, I told you that the Avaya Partner phones were “Special”…

headsets Avaya, headsets, Partner, plantronics

I’ve always heard that Plantronics engineers any new headset to fit comfortably on as many people as possible.  This is an amazing picture showing just how many different ears they fit their headsets to:  Wall of Ears.

plantronics headsets, plantronics

Keith Shaw with Network World gives some great insight on the Plantronics Voyager Pro.

plantronics Bluetooth Headsets, headsets, plantronics, Voyager Pro, wireless

Whether your outfitting your employees to work remotely for short periods of time or permanently, Plantronics offers a robust suite of hands-free communications solutions optimized with business-class sound. Help your employees choose the solution that is right for them, based on mode of communication (home phone, PC, mobile phone), level of mobility needed and short-term or long-term use. For short-term situations, you should also consider a more robust solution that can be brought back into the office environment once the worker discontinues teleworking.

A few examples:

plantronics calisto pro, headsets, plantronics, teleworkers, voip, wireless

Reflecting Plantronics’ nearly half a century of obsession with achieving headset perfection, the Voyager PRO represents the epitome of Bluetooth headset technology and design. No other headset has the combination of two noise-canceling mics on a boom to best capture your voice, three layers of WindSmart technology to outsmart the wind, and an adaptive 20-band equalizer tuned to maintain rich, balanced audio at comfortable listening volumes despite the noise around you.

 

The dual microphones are also stacked with three layers of WindSmart technology–stainless steel mic screens, acoustic fabrics, and an electronic filter in the mic circuitry–that aggressively block intrusive wind noise. The adjustable boom, which allows you to wear the headset on either ear, positions the mics where they can best capture your voice, further enhancing the sound quality. So regardless of whether it’s the din of traffic or the whipping wind that you’re up against, the Voyager PRO will ensure that you and your caller will be heard clearly and sound natural.

Stainless steel screens, acoustic fabrics,
and an electronic filter block wind noise.

Extremely Comfortable, Durable Design

The Plantronics engineers involved in the design of the Voyager PRO were arguably a bit obsessive. After all, in designing the Voyager PRO, they conducted no less than two dozen rounds of intensive human-comfort tests, a relentless study of skin sensitivity, and repeated drop-tests.

 

The result of this obsession is a soft and flexible, extremely comfortable headset that is durable enough to withstand the wear and tear of today’s mobile professional.

QuickPair and Multipoint Technologies: Easy to Set Up, Easy to Use

Thanks to Plantronics’ QuickPair technology, setting up the headset is quick and intuitive. The Voyager PRO supports Bluetooth 2.1 and EDR (Enhanced Data Rate) and Secure Simple Pairing (SSP), making it compatible with Bluetooth-enabled devices, including phones, PDAs, and laptop computers.

The headset also features Plantronics’ multipoint technology, which lets you pair and answer calls on two different Bluetooth devices. This means you can quickly and easily connect the headset to two phones, such as a Smartphone and a personal phone, or a phone and a Bluetooth-enabled device, such as a laptop that you use to make Internet calls. Just choose the combination that best complements your workflow and pair both devices with your headset.

Extended Talk Time

The Voyager PRO includes a fast-charging, long-lasting battery that provides up to six hours of continuous talk time and five days of standby time on a single charge. Convenient voice prompts even alert you to battery and mute status.

The Voyager PRO is backed by a one-year limited warranty and includes an A/C charger, three soft gel eartips, foam eartip covers, and a user’s guide.

plantronics Bluetooth Headsets, headsets, plantronics, Voyager Pro

No, I’m not talking about some guy in your neighborhood…  I’m refering to a little USB device that kinda looks like a flashdrive but it has an RJ11 phone jack that will let you use a standard telephone through your computer.  So basically, you would unplug your phone from the wall jack and plug it into this device.  This is just another way of saving money on your phone bill, especially long distance charges, by talking over the internet.

Want to use a headset with this device ?  Well it’s as easy as… Magic! (Top hats and rabbits are optional)  You have a couple of different ways that you can connect a headset when using MagicJack.  You can of course get a headset that will work with the phone that you are using with the device, or if you don’t want to use a regular telephone at all, you can get any headset that will plug into your computer because MagicJack also has…  (wait for it…)  TADA.  A softphone!  Now on a serious note, one thing that you may want to keep in mind when considering these “over the internet phone devices” is that some of them do not have to offer 911 services.  Just something that you may want to verify for your area if you are thinking of getting one of these devices.  Or, just be sure to have a “911 backup”.

So if you’re looking for an alternative to SKYPE or Vonage, MagicJack just may do the trick!    

headsets headsets, internet calling, magic jack, voip, wireless