Does anyone have any info for a wireless headset?
I’m looking for a wireless headset for my computer. Does anybody have any suggestions?
Lakeeta,
Thanks for your request. We’ll offer a little buying guidance as well as some suggestions. Most of the wireless computer headsets operate on the 2.4Ghz platform or using Bluetooth technology. Prices for this type of product will range from a low end of around $40.00 to a high end of $300.00 plus.
The 2.4Ghz bandwidth is getting very crowded which is diminishing the quality of the signal for many of the products using that band. This means that the quality of sound and the reception are not what they should be based on the company’s expectation of the product. If you are in a highly populated area or if there are lots of businesses around, you may want to avoid items that use the 2.4Ghz band. If you’re not, you should be OK in that realm.
Our experience with Bluetooth, although it’s an amazing short range technology, has been less than impressive when it comes to audio applications. Normally, if you’re using a wireless computer headset, it’s because you’re going to use a product like Skype or some other VOIP technology. This could include technologies like GoToMeeting/GoToWebinar, WebEx, or a plethora of other online meeting technologies. Although Bluetooth has had good success in the cell phone category, people are used to lower quality audio and mono (not stereo) sound through cell phones. Over the computer though, this is not the case as most people want better performance and better quality sound.
Based on those premises, here are some recommendations for wireless computer headsets, as well as where the best online prices are, as a result of comparing hundreds of online retailers for you.
Microsoft ZX-6000 only $29.98 at Buy.com
The first product we’ll focus on is a Bluetooth wireless product from Microsoft, the ZX-6000 USB Headset. Here is a list of basic features.
General
Product Type Headset wireless 2.4 GHz
Recommended Use PC multimedia
Additional Features On/off switch, noise canceling circuit, volume control
Headphones
Headphones Type Headphone monaural
Headphones Form Factor Over the ear
Connectivity Technology Wireless 2.4 GHz radio frequency
Sound Output Mode Mono
Microphone
Type Microphone built in
Microphone Operation Mode Mono
Wireless Link
Radio Frequency Range 2.4GHz
Transmission Range 30 ft
Power
Power Device Power adapter external
Battery Headset battery rechargeable
Run Time Up To 8 hours
This is a good entry level product that may be exactly what you want. Don’t expect great sound quality, it’s mono.
Logitech 981-000068 at Tiger Direct - Just $79.99
The second product (and the one I think is the best value for you) is made by Logitech. Logitech is one of (if not THE) leading computer accessories/peripherals manufacturers in the world. For example, they recently shipped their 1 billionth computer mouse. Logitech makes some excellent headsets, both wired and wireless. The Logitech ClearChat PC Wireless Headset is an excellent value. There are several version of the “ClearChat” model. The best features and sound quality will be had from the model 981-000068. We recommend that you consider purchasing it from one of the premier online electronics retailers, TigerDirect.com. While you’re on TigerDirect, you can also search for some of the other models. To go directly to this model’s page, click on the photo on the left.
Hopefully this helps you in your search. Please feel free to post a comment if you need more information or of you would like us to discuss wired headsets.
admin 10:48 pm on February 9, 2010 Permalink | Log in to Reply
Skype keeps getting better and better. We just found a USB modem that we can connect to the computer that has Skype running. It has an RJ45 phone jack, which means our wireless phone system base can plug directly in to the modem. The best part is that now we can call just like we normally would, and the modem places the call through Skype. It also automatically routes the calls that we receive through Skype (either skype to skype or phone to skype) directly to our wireless phone system as well. So, for apx. $90 startup for the first year and $60/year after that, we have a private phone number and unlimited local and long distance calling to any telephone in the US and Canada. That’s a bargain.